ZTE nubia Red Magic 7 vs. Realme GT2 Pro: A Deep Dive for Power Users

The ZTE nubia Red Magic 7 and Realme GT2 Pro represent distinct approaches to the flagship Android experience. The Red Magic 7 prioritizes unadulterated gaming performance, while the GT2 Pro aims for a more balanced blend of features, including a longer-lasting battery. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a well-rounded experience, the Realme GT2 Pro is the better choice. Its 117-hour endurance rating significantly surpasses the Red Magic 7’s 89 hours. However, gamers demanding maximum sustained performance will find the Red Magic 7’s cooling and 120W charging more compelling.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Red Magic 7 Realme GT2 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, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE-A, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - China, India
Launch
Announced2022, February 172022, January 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, February 21Available. Released 2022, January 08
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame-
Dimensions170.6 x 78.3 x 9.5 mm (6.72 x 3.08 x 0.37 in)163.2 x 74.7 x 8.2 mm (6.43 x 2.94 x 0.32 in)
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight215 g (7.58 oz)189 / 199 g (6.67 oz)
 Pressure sensitive zones (500Hz touch-sensing) Built-in cooling fan Aviation aluminum middle frameSplash resistant
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 (~526 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors (China only), 165Hz, 700 nits (typ)LTPO2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 1400 nits (peak)
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 13, Realme UI 4.0
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, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm32 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (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)50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 150˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm 3 MP, f/3.3, 20mm (microscope), AF, 40x magnification
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm32 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
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 (dual side)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connectorUSB Type-C 2.0, 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
Battery
Charging120W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 17 min (China) 65W wired, PD3.0 (International)65W wired, 100% in 33 min
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsObsidian, Pulsar, SupernovaPaper White, Paper Green, Steel Black, Titanium Blue
ModelsNX679JRMX3301, RMX3300
PriceAbout 630 EUR€ 221.41
SAR-1.16 W/kg (head)     0.53 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 89h Endurance rating 117h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -22.7 LUFS (Excellent) -26.3 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 1056488 (v9) GeekBench: 3855(v5.1) GFXBench: 77fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 966251 (v9) GeekBench: 3501 (v5.1) GFXBench: 48fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE nubia Red Magic 7

  • Ultra-fast 120W (China) charging
  • Dedicated gaming-focused cooling system
  • Potentially better sustained gaming performance

  • Shorter battery life (89h endurance)
  • Limited camera details suggest a less capable system
  • Gaming-centric design may not appeal to all users

Realme GT2 Pro

  • Superior battery life (117h endurance)
  • Higher peak display brightness (778 nits)
  • Likely more versatile camera system

  • Slower charging speed (65W, 33 min)
  • May experience thermal throttling during extended gaming
  • Less focused on gaming-specific features

Display Comparison

Both devices feature displays with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting deep blacks. However, the Realme GT2 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 778 nits, a crucial advantage for outdoor visibility. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the Red Magic 7’s display specifications are less detailed, leaving questions about color accuracy and potential PWM dimming rates unanswered. The GT2 Pro’s higher brightness makes it the superior choice for users who frequently consume content outdoors.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given Realme’s history, the GT2 Pro likely features a more refined and versatile camera system, potentially with a larger main sensor and more advanced computational photography features. The Red Magic 7’s camera is likely geared towards basic functionality, prioritizing gaming features over photographic excellence. We can assume the GT2 Pro will offer a more compelling camera experience.

Performance

Both the Red Magic 7 and GT2 Pro 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 specifically engineered for gaming, featuring advanced cooling solutions (not detailed in the provided data) designed to mitigate thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The GT2 Pro, while powerful, lacks the dedicated cooling focus, potentially leading to performance dips under sustained load. The Red Magic 7’s focus on cooling gives it an edge for demanding users.

Battery Life

The Realme GT2 Pro’s 117-hour endurance rating is a significant advantage over the Red Magic 7’s 89 hours. While the Red Magic 7 offers faster wired charging at 120W (China) or 65W (International), completing a full charge in just 17 minutes (China) or a still-impressive timeframe internationally, the GT2 Pro’s longer battery life reduces the need for frequent top-ups. The GT2 Pro’s 65W charging, completing a full charge in 33 minutes, is still very fast, but the endurance advantage is more impactful for daily use.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia Red Magic 7 if you are a hardcore mobile gamer who values sustained performance above all else, and needs the fastest possible charging speeds. Buy the Realme GT2 Pro if you prioritize battery life, a more versatile camera experience, and a balanced flagship experience that doesn't scream 'gaming phone'.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Red Magic 7’s cooling system actually prevent throttling during long gaming sessions?
While the provided data doesn't detail the specifics of the cooling system, nubia's Red Magic line is renowned for its aggressive cooling solutions. This suggests the Red Magic 7 is more likely to maintain peak performance for extended periods compared to the GT2 Pro, which lacks a dedicated gaming thermal design.
❓ How does the charging speed difference impact daily use between the Red Magic 7 and GT2 Pro?
The Red Magic 7’s 120W (China) or 65W (International) charging is significantly faster than the GT2 Pro’s 65W. This means less time tethered to a charger, but the GT2 Pro’s superior battery life reduces the *frequency* of needing to charge, potentially offsetting the speed advantage for many users.
❓ Is the Realme GT2 Pro a good choice for playing graphically demanding games?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is a powerful chipset capable of handling any Android game. However, the GT2 Pro may experience some thermal throttling during prolonged, intensive gaming sessions due to its less focused cooling system compared to the Red Magic 7.