ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S vs. OnePlus 10 Pro: A Deep Dive into Gaming and Flagship Performance

The ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S and OnePlus 10 Pro represent distinct philosophies in the Android flagship space. The Red Magic 7S is unapologetically focused on gaming, prioritizing performance and cooling, while the OnePlus 10 Pro aims for a more balanced experience with a strong camera system and refined software. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For dedicated mobile gamers, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and aggressive cooling solution deliver sustained performance that the OnePlus 10 Pro, with its older Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, struggles to match. However, the OnePlus 10 Pro offers a superior camera experience and more versatile everyday usability.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S 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, July 112022, January 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 15Available. 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 (520Hz 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
Protection-Corning 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 (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 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 SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, Redmagic 5.5Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14 (International), ColorOS (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB 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 (advertised)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
ColorsBlack, GrayVolcanic Black, Emerald Forest, Panda White (Extreme Edition)
Models-NE2210, NE2211, NE2213, NE2215, NE2217
PriceAbout 590 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 107h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 886248 (v9) GeekBench: 3447 (v5.1) GFXBench: 48fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S

  • Superior gaming performance with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
  • Ultra-fast 120W charging
  • Aggressive cooling system for sustained performance

  • Likely inferior camera quality
  • Less refined software experience

OnePlus 10 Pro

  • Excellent camera system with Hasselblad tuning
  • Balanced flagship experience
  • 50W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging

  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 can throttle under sustained load
  • Slower wired charging compared to Red Magic 7S

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 10 Pro boasts a 780 nit peak brightness, providing excellent visibility outdoors, while the Red Magic 7S’s display specs are not provided, we can assume it prioritizes refresh rate over peak brightness. Both devices likely utilize LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, conserving battery life. The OnePlus 10 Pro’s infinite contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a high-quality AMOLED panel, but the Red Magic 7S’s display is geared towards minimizing motion blur for gaming, potentially with a higher PWM dimming rate, benefiting users sensitive to flicker.

Camera Comparison

The OnePlus 10 Pro is positioned as a camera-centric flagship, featuring a Hasselblad-tuned camera system. While specific sensor details are missing, the focus is on photo and video capabilities. The Red Magic 7S, conversely, prioritizes gaming and likely features a more basic camera setup. Without detailed specs, it’s safe to assume the OnePlus 10 Pro will deliver superior image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance. The Red Magic 7S’s camera is likely adequate for casual snapshots but won’t compete with the OnePlus 10 Pro’s photographic prowess.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Red Magic 7S utilizes the Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm), a refined version of the OnePlus 10 Pro’s SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm). The ‘+’ variant features a higher peak CPU clock speed (3.19 GHz vs 3.00 GHz) and improved thermal efficiency due to the 4nm process. This translates to sustained performance under load, reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions. While both share the same CPU core configuration (1x Cortex-X2, 3x Cortex-A710, 4x Cortex-A510), the Red Magic 7S’s chipset will consistently outperform the OnePlus 10 Pro in demanding tasks. The Red Magic 7S’s focus on gaming also likely includes optimized RAM configurations (likely LPDDR5x) and a more robust cooling system.

Battery Life

Both phones have an endurance rating of 107 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life despite differing charging speeds. However, the Red Magic 7S’s 120W wired charging is significantly faster than the OnePlus 10 Pro’s 80W (International) or 65W (North America). The Red Magic 7S advertises a full charge in just 17 minutes, while the OnePlus 10 Pro takes 32 minutes (International). The OnePlus 10 Pro also offers 50W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, features absent on the Red Magic 7S. The faster wired charging of the Red Magic 7S is a major convenience factor for gamers who need to quickly top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S if you prioritize maximum gaming performance, need the fastest possible charging speeds (120W), and are willing to compromise on camera quality and software polish. Buy the OnePlus 10 Pro if you value a well-rounded flagship experience with a capable camera system, faster software updates, and a more refined user interface, even if it means sacrificing some gaming prowess.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the OnePlus 10 Pro experience significant thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. While the OnePlus 10 Pro has a cooling system, it's unlikely to be as effective as the Red Magic 7S's, leading to noticeable performance throttling during extended gaming sessions. Expect frame rate drops and reduced sustained performance.
❓ How does the 120W charging on the Red Magic 7S impact battery health over the long term?
While 120W charging is incredibly fast, concerns about long-term battery health are valid. ZTE likely employs charging algorithms and hardware safeguards to mitigate potential degradation. However, consistently using the fastest charging speeds *may* accelerate battery wear compared to slower charging methods. It's a trade-off between convenience and potential longevity.
❓ Is the camera on the Red Magic 7S sufficient for casual social media use?
Yes, the Red Magic 7S's camera is likely adequate for casual snapshots and social media sharing in good lighting conditions. However, it won't offer the same level of detail, dynamic range, or low-light performance as the OnePlus 10 Pro's camera system. If photography is a priority, the OnePlus 10 Pro is the better choice.
❓ Does the Red Magic 7S support high frame rates (90fps or 120fps) in popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Red Magic 7S is specifically designed for gaming and should support high frame rates in PUBG Mobile and other popular titles. However, achieving consistently high frame rates will depend on the game's optimization and the device's thermal management. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and the aggressive cooling system should provide a significant advantage in maintaining stable frame rates.