The smartphone market is brimming with options, but for gamers and performance enthusiasts, two contenders stand out: the ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+ and the OnePlus 11R. Both offer impressive specs, but cater to slightly different audiences. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Red Magic 8 Pro+ is the clear winner for hardcore gamers, boasting the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, faster charging, and dedicated gaming features. However, the OnePlus 11R offers a more balanced experience with a better overall camera system and a more accessible price point, making it a strong value choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G | HSPA, LTE (3CA), 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA 800 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 26 | 2023, February 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 28 | Available. Released 2023, February 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 163.4 x 74.3 x 8.7 mm (6.43 x 2.93 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 230 g (8.11 oz) | 204 g (7.20 oz) |
| | Pressure sensitive zones (520Hz touch-sensing)
Built-in cooling fan
Aviation aluminum middle frame | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Unspecified | - |
| Resolution | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1240 x 2772 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~451 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.74 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak) | Fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1450 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 740 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 13, Redmagic OS 6 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, OxygenOS 15 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM |
| | UFS 4.0 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display | 16 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 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) | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display | 16 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | - | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 32-bit/384kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 165W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 14 min (advertised) | 100W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Transparent | Galactic Silver, Sonic Black, Solar Red |
| Models | - | CPH2487 |
| Price | About 700 EUR | About 600 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.16 W/kg (head) 0.61 W/kg (body) |
ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+
- Unmatched performance (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2)
- Blazing-fast 165W charging
- Advanced cooling system
- Dedicated gaming features (shoulder triggers)
- High refresh rate display
- Camera performance not as strong as OnePlus 11R
- Under-display camera quality can be inconsistent
- Design may not appeal to everyone
- Potentially higher price
OnePlus 11R
- Excellent camera system
- Fast 100W charging
- Well-rounded performance (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
- Sleek and modern design
- Competitive price
- Performance slightly behind Red Magic 8 Pro+
- Cooling system not as robust
- Lacks dedicated gaming features
Display Comparison
Both phones feature excellent AMOLED displays with high refresh rates (120Hz). The Red Magic 8 Pro+ likely has slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to its higher-end panel, but the OnePlus 11R's display is still superb. The Red Magic's under-display camera is a unique feature, though image quality may be compromised.
Camera Comparison
The OnePlus 11R generally has a more versatile and better-performing camera system. While the Red Magic 8 Pro+ has a high-resolution main sensor, the OnePlus 11R's image processing and overall camera experience are more refined. The OnePlus also offers better video recording capabilities.
Performance
The Red Magic 8 Pro+’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides a significant performance advantage over the OnePlus 11R’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. Expect smoother gameplay, faster app loading times, and better multitasking on the Red Magic. The Red Magic's cooling system is also superior, preventing throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The Red Magic 8 Pro+’s 165W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging times. The OnePlus 11R’s 100W charging is still very fast, but not as impressive. Both phones have large batteries, offering all-day battery life with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
The ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+ is ideal for mobile gamers who prioritize raw performance, cooling, and a dedicated gaming experience. The OnePlus 11R is perfect for users seeking a fast, reliable phone with a great display, capable camera, and excellent value for money.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Red Magic 8 Pro+ good for everyday use?
Yes, but its gaming-focused features might feel unnecessary for casual users. It's a powerful phone that handles everyday tasks with ease.
❓ Does the OnePlus 11R support 5G?
Yes, the OnePlus 11R supports 5G connectivity.
❓ What is the difference between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a newer and more powerful chip than the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, offering improved performance and efficiency.
