ZTE nubia Red Magic 7 vs. OnePlus 10 Pro: A Deep Dive for Power Users

The ZTE nubia Red Magic 7 and OnePlus 10 Pro represent distinct philosophies in the flagship Android space. The Red Magic 7 is unapologetically focused on gaming, prioritizing performance and cooling, while the OnePlus 10 Pro aims for a more holistic experience, balancing camera capabilities, battery life, and everyday usability. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For dedicated mobile gamers, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 7 is the clear winner. Its focus on cooling and rapid 120W (China) / 65W (International) charging provides a sustained gaming experience the OnePlus 10 Pro can't match. However, the OnePlus 10 Pro excels as an all-rounder, offering a superior camera system and longer endurance for typical daily use.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Red Magic 7 OnePlus 10 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE-A, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat18 1200/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2022, February 172022, January 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, February 21Available. Released 2022, January 13
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions170.6 x 78.3 x 9.5 mm (6.72 x 3.08 x 0.37 in)163 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm (6.42 x 2.91 x 0.34 in)
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight215 g (7.58 oz)201 g (7.09 oz)
 Pressure sensitive zones (500Hz touch-sensing) Built-in cooling fan Aviation aluminum middle frameIP68 dust/water resistant - T-Mobile only (not for use underwater, liquid damage is not covered under warranty)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors (China only), 165Hz, 700 nits (typ)LTPO2 Fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, Redmagic 5.0Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14 (International), ColorOS (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 256GB 18GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Hasselblad Color Calibration, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.0, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)48 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 77mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 150˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps8K@24fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jack-No
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, aptX, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connectorUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging120W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 17 min (China) 65W wired, PD3.0 (International)80W wired, PD, 100% in 32 min (International) 65W wired, PD, 58% in 15 min (North America) 50W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsObsidian, Pulsar, SupernovaVolcanic Black, Emerald Forest, Panda White (Extreme Edition)
ModelsNX679JNE2210, NE2211, NE2213, NE2215, NE2217
PriceAbout 630 EUR$ 264.39 / C$ 349.99 / £ 360.00 / € 399.99
SAR-1.16 W/kg (head)     0.70 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 89h Endurance rating 107h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -22.7 LUFS (Excellent) -25.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 1056488 (v9) GeekBench: 3855(v5.1) GFXBench: 77fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 886248 (v9) GeekBench: 3447 (v5.1) GFXBench: 48fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE nubia Red Magic 7

  • Blazing-fast 120W (China) / 65W (International) charging
  • Superior thermal management for sustained gaming
  • Gaming-focused design and features

  • Shorter battery life compared to OnePlus 10 Pro
  • Likely inferior camera system
  • Potentially less refined software experience

OnePlus 10 Pro

  • Excellent camera system with Hasselblad tuning
  • Longer battery life (107h endurance rating)
  • 50W wireless and reverse wireless charging

  • Slower charging speeds than Red Magic 7
  • More prone to thermal throttling during extended gaming
  • Higher price point (typically)

Display Comparison

Both devices feature displays with an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting excellent black levels. However, the OnePlus 10 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 780 nits, a crucial advantage for outdoor visibility. While both likely utilize LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates (not explicitly stated, but standard for this class), the Red Magic 7’s display is geared towards minimizing motion blur during fast-paced gaming, potentially at the expense of color accuracy compared to the OnePlus 10 Pro’s likely more calibrated panel.

Camera Comparison

The context data only states both phones have 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specifics. However, OnePlus is known for its Hasselblad-tuned camera systems, suggesting a focus on color science and image quality. The Red Magic 7, prioritizing gaming, likely features a more basic camera setup. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s safe to assume the OnePlus 10 Pro offers a more versatile and higher-quality camera experience, particularly in low-light conditions. The Red Magic 7’s camera is likely adequate for casual snapshots but won’t compete with the OnePlus 10 Pro’s photographic prowess.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm), utilizing the same CPU configuration: 1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2, 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510. The key differentiator lies in thermal management. The Red Magic 7 is built for sustained performance with an active cooling system (details not provided in context, but a core feature of the line), allowing it to maintain peak clock speeds for longer during demanding games. The OnePlus 10 Pro, while capable, will likely experience more thermal throttling under prolonged load. Both utilize LPDDR5 RAM, but the Red Magic 7’s cooling advantage translates to more consistent frame rates.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 10 Pro claims an endurance rating of 107 hours, significantly exceeding the Red Magic 7’s 89 hours. This difference is partially attributable to the OnePlus 10 Pro’s more efficient power management and potentially a larger battery capacity (not specified). While the Red Magic 7 offers incredibly fast 120W (China) / 65W (International) wired charging, reaching 100% in just 17 minutes (China) or a still-impressive time internationally, the OnePlus 10 Pro’s 80W charging (32 minutes to full) and the addition of 50W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging provide greater flexibility. The Red Magic 7 prioritizes *speed* of charging, while the OnePlus 10 Pro offers a broader range of charging options and longer overall runtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia Red Magic 7 if you prioritize sustained gaming performance, require the fastest possible charging speeds, and are willing to compromise on camera versatility. Buy the OnePlus 10 Pro if you value a well-rounded experience with a top-tier camera, longer battery life, and a more refined software experience, even if it means slightly less raw gaming power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Red Magic 7's active cooling system significantly reduce throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
Yes, the Red Magic 7's active cooling system is its key advantage. While both phones use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, the Red Magic 7 is designed to dissipate heat more effectively, allowing it to maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods during demanding games, resulting in more consistent frame rates and less performance degradation.
❓ How does the OnePlus 10 Pro's charging speed vary between North America and International markets?
The OnePlus 10 Pro's charging speed differs significantly by region. In International markets, it supports 80W wired charging, reaching 100% in 32 minutes. However, in North America, the charging speed is limited to 65W, only achieving 58% charge in 15 minutes, making it considerably slower.
❓ Is the difference in battery endurance between the two phones noticeable in everyday use?
Absolutely. The OnePlus 10 Pro’s 107-hour endurance rating versus the Red Magic 7’s 89 hours translates to a tangible difference in daily use. Users who aren’t heavy gamers will likely find the OnePlus 10 Pro easily lasts a full day, while the Red Magic 7 may require a top-up if used extensively.