ZTE Red Magic 7S Pro vs Red Magic 8 Pro: The Ultimate Gaming Showdown

The ZTE Red Magic series has consistently delivered powerful gaming phones, and the 7S Pro and 8 Pro are no exception. But with a new generation comes upgrades – so which one offers the best experience for mobile gamers? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Red Magic 8 Pro is the clear winner, boasting the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, a slightly improved display, and exceptional battery life. While the 7S Pro's 135W charging (in China) is impressive, the 8 Pro's overall performance and features make it the superior choice for serious gamers.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S Pro ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International, China1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE-A, 5GHSPA, LTE-A, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - ChinaCDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2022, July 112022, December 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 15Available. Released 2022, December 28
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions166.3 x 77.1 x 10 mm (6.55 x 3.04 x 0.39 in)164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in)
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight235 g (8.29 oz)228 g (8.04 oz)
 Pressure sensitive zones (520Hz touch-sensing) Built-in cooling fan Aviation aluminum middle framePressure sensitive zones (520Hz touch-sensing) Built-in cooling fan Aviation aluminum middle frame
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors (China only), 120Hz, 600 nitsAMOLED, 1B colors (China only), 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 740
OSAndroid 12, Redmagic 5.5Android 13, Redmagic OS 6
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM, 1TB 18GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, (wide), under display16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, (wide), under display16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display
Video1080p@30/60fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, aptX, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connectorUSB Type-C 3.2 (China), 3.1 (International), OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging135W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 5 min, 100% in 15 min (China) 65W wired, PD3.0 (International)80W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 35 min (advertised) - China 65W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 43 min (advertised) - International
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 6000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsObsidian, Supernova, Mercury, YellowBlack, Transparent
ModelsNX709SNX729J
PriceAbout 780 EUR$ 659.00
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 131h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -24.1 LUFS (Very good) -24.1 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 1288866 (v9) GeekBench: 5211 (v5.1) GFXBench: 97fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S Pro

  • Blazing-fast 135W charging (China version)
  • Powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset
  • High refresh rate display
  • Aggressive gaming design

  • Camera performance is average
  • Charging speed slower internationally (65W)
  • Design can be polarizing

ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro

  • Cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
  • Excellent battery life (131h endurance)
  • Potentially improved display contrast
  • Under-display front camera

  • Charging speed slower than China version (80W/65W)
  • Premium price tag
  • Gaming-focused design may not appeal to everyone

Display Comparison

Both phones feature large AMOLED displays with high refresh rates (120Hz or higher). The Red Magic 8 Pro boasts a slightly improved display with a potentially better contrast ratio (advertised as 'Infinite'), though real-world differences might be subtle. Both offer excellent color accuracy and brightness for an immersive gaming experience.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is generally secondary in gaming phones, and both devices are similar in this regard. Expect decent image quality in good lighting conditions, but don't expect flagship-level camera capabilities. Both offer standard photo and video modes.

Performance

The Red Magic 8 Pro's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers a significant performance leap over the 7S Pro's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. Expect faster load times, smoother gameplay, and better multitasking capabilities on the 8 Pro. Both phones have ample RAM and storage for demanding games.

Battery Life

The Red Magic 8 Pro shines in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 131 hours. While the 7S Pro offers incredibly fast charging (135W in China), the 8 Pro's larger battery and efficient processor provide longer overall usage time.

Buying Guide

The ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S Pro is a great option for gamers on a tighter budget who still want a powerful device with a high refresh rate display and solid performance. The ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro is ideal for those who demand the absolute best in mobile gaming, prioritizing top-tier performance, a refined display, and extended battery life, and are willing to pay a premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Red Magic 8 Pro worth the upgrade from the 7S Pro?
If you prioritize performance and battery life, the upgrade is worthwhile. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers a noticeable improvement. However, if you're happy with the 7S Pro's performance and want to save money, it's still a capable gaming phone.
❓ What is the difference in charging speeds between the China and International versions?
The China version of the Red Magic 7S Pro boasts a 135W wired charging speed, while the International version is limited to 65W. The Red Magic 8 Pro also has different charging speeds depending on the region, with 80W in China and 65W internationally.