ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S vs. Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity): A Deep Dive Comparison

The ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S and Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity) represent distinct approaches to the flagship smartphone experience. The Red Magic 7S is unapologetically geared towards mobile gaming, while the Xiaomi 12 Pro aims for a more balanced blend of performance, camera capabilities, and everyday usability. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best aligns with your priorities.
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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, coupled with aggressive cooling, delivers sustained performance. However, the Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity) offers a more refined all-around experience with a potentially more versatile camera system and a more premium build quality for the average user.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity)
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, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE-A, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2022, July 112022, July 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 15Available. Released 2022, July 13
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)163.6 x 74.6 x 8.2 mm (6.44 x 2.94 x 0.32 in)
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)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 frame-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~521 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.73 inches, 109.4 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors (China only), 165Hz, 700 nits (typ)LTPO2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.20 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 9000+ (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Mali-G710 MC10
OSAndroid 12, Redmagic 5.5Android 12, MIUI 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 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/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm
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/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 15mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm 5 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto macro), AF
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jack-No
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman Kardon
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, aptX, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
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 (advertised)67W wired, PD3.0, QC4
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 5160 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, GrayGray, Blue
Models-2207122MC
PriceAbout 590 EURAbout 570 EUR

ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S

  • Blazing-fast 120W charging
  • Superior gaming performance due to Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and cooling
  • Gaming-centric features (triggers, software optimizations)

  • Potentially less refined camera system
  • May lack some premium features found in all-rounder flagships

Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity)

  • Potentially more versatile camera system
  • Balanced performance for everyday tasks and gaming
  • Premium build quality and software experience

  • Slower 67W charging
  • May experience more thermal throttling during extended gaming

Display Comparison

While both devices feature 4nm chipsets, their displays cater to different needs. Specific display specs (resolution, refresh rate, panel type) are missing, but the Red Magic 7S likely prioritizes a high refresh rate for smoother gaming visuals. The Xiaomi 12 Pro, given Xiaomi’s history, likely focuses on color accuracy and peak brightness for media consumption. The absence of LTPO information suggests neither may have the most efficient variable refresh rate implementation, potentially impacting battery life during mixed usage.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are limited, but we can infer differences based on brand focus. Xiaomi typically invests heavily in camera technology, suggesting the 12 Pro will likely have a more sophisticated camera system with features like OIS and advanced image processing algorithms. The Red Magic 7S, while likely capable, prioritizes gaming features over camera prowess. Sensor size and lens apertures are critical here; a larger sensor generally captures more light, resulting in better low-light performance. The Xiaomi 12 Pro is expected to have a more versatile camera setup, while the Red Magic 7S may focus on a simpler, but functional, camera experience.

Performance

The core battle lies in the chipsets: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Red Magic 7S versus MediaTek’s Dimensity 9000+ in the Xiaomi 12 Pro. Both are 4nm chips, but the Dimensity 9000+ boasts a slightly higher peak CPU clock speed (3.20 GHz vs 3.19 GHz). However, raw clock speed isn’t everything. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is known for its strong GPU performance, crucial for gaming. The Red Magic 7S’s dedicated cooling system is a significant advantage, mitigating thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions – a common issue with high-performance chips. The Xiaomi 12 Pro relies on MediaTek’s thermal management and Xiaomi’s software optimizations. Both utilize LPDDR5x RAM, but the Red Magic 7S likely prioritizes RAM speed and capacity for optimal gaming performance.

Battery Life

The charging speeds are a major differentiator. The Red Magic 7S’s 120W wired charging is significantly faster than the Xiaomi 12 Pro’s 67W. Advertised 100% charge times of 17 minutes for the Red Magic 7S are impressive. While the Xiaomi 12 Pro supports PD3.0 and QC4, the lower wattage means a longer charging time. Battery capacity is unknown for both, but the faster charging of the Red Magic 7S mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery, allowing for quick top-ups during gaming breaks. The Xiaomi 12 Pro’s slower charging may require more planning for all-day use.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S if you prioritize sustained gaming performance, require the fastest possible charging speeds (120W), and appreciate gaming-centric features like shoulder triggers. Buy the Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity) if you value a more balanced smartphone experience, a potentially superior camera system, and a more polished software experience with broader ecosystem integration.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Red Magic 7S overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Red Magic 7S incorporates a sophisticated cooling system, including a fan and vapor chamber, specifically designed to mitigate thermal throttling. While the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 can generate heat under sustained load, the Red Magic 7S’s cooling solution aims to maintain optimal performance for extended gaming periods, unlike some other phones with this chipset.
❓ How does the Dimensity 9000+ in the Xiaomi 12 Pro handle graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Dimensity 9000+ is a powerful chipset capable of running Genshin Impact at high settings. However, sustained performance may be limited by thermal throttling, especially during extended gaming sessions. Xiaomi’s software optimizations play a crucial role in managing heat and maintaining frame rates, but it likely won’t match the Red Magic 7S’s sustained performance due to its less aggressive cooling.
❓ Is the 67W charging on the Xiaomi 12 Pro sufficient for daily use, or is it noticeably slower than 120W?
67W charging is still relatively fast and will fully charge the phone in a reasonable timeframe (likely around 45-60 minutes). However, it is noticeably slower than the Red Magic 7S’s 120W charging, which can achieve a full charge in approximately 17 minutes. For users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery, the 120W charging is a significant advantage.