The smartphone market is brimming with options, but two stand out for different reasons: the ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+, a powerhouse gaming phone, and the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro, a champion of value. Both pack impressive specs, but cater to distinct user needs. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Red Magic 8 Pro+ delivers unparalleled gaming performance thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and advanced cooling, alongside blazing-fast 165W charging. However, the Poco F5 Pro offers a brighter display, a more balanced overall experience, and a significantly better price, making it a compelling choice for budget-conscious users.
| 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 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 26 | 2023, May 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 28 | Available. Released 2023, May |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 162.8 x 75.4 x 8.6 mm (6.41 x 2.97 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 | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Unspecified | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~526 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (HBM), 1400 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 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 4.0 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display | - |
| 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) | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, 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 | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| 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 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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) | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC3+, 50% in 15 min
30W wireless, 50% in 32 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Transparent | Black, White |
| Models | - | 23013PC75G |
| Price | About 700 EUR | $ 449.99 / € 241.85 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 99h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.2 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 1057977 (v9)
GeekBench: 4001 (v5.1), 4009 (v6)
GFXBench: 50fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+
- Unmatched Gaming Performance
- Blazing-Fast 165W Charging
- Advanced Cooling System
- Latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Less Versatile Camera
- Specialized Design (may not appeal to everyone)
- Potentially Higher Price
Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro
- Brighter Display (1059 nits)
- Excellent Value for Money
- Long Battery Life (99h endurance)
- Solid Performance with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
- Slightly Older Chipset
- Slower Charging Speed
- Less Emphasis on Gaming Features
Display Comparison
The Poco F5 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 1059 nits, significantly brighter than the Red Magic 8 Pro+. While the Red Magic 8 Pro+ has a good display, the Poco F5 Pro's brightness advantage makes it better for outdoor visibility. The Poco F5 Pro also touts an 'infinite' contrast ratio, though this is a nominal value. Both phones feature high refresh rate displays (likely 120Hz or higher) for smooth visuals.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is a bit more nuanced. While both phones offer capable camera systems, neither is a photography powerhouse. The Poco F5 Pro likely has a more versatile camera setup, potentially with a wider range of lenses. The Red Magic 8 Pro+ prioritizes gaming features over camera quality, so expect a more basic camera experience. Detailed camera specs are missing, so a direct comparison is difficult.
Performance
Here, the Red Magic 8 Pro+ takes a clear lead. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset is a generation newer and more powerful than the Poco F5 Pro's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. This translates to faster processing speeds, smoother gameplay, and better overall responsiveness, especially in demanding games. The Red Magic's cooling system is also a significant advantage, preventing throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The Poco F5 Pro claims an impressive endurance rating of 99 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. The Red Magic 8 Pro+ compensates with incredibly fast 165W wired charging, capable of fully charging the device in around 14 minutes (advertised). While the Poco F5 Pro might last longer on a single charge, the Red Magic 8 Pro+'s charging speed is unmatched.
Buying Guide
The ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+ is ideal for hardcore mobile gamers who prioritize performance above all else and don't mind a more specialized design. The Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro is perfect for users seeking a well-rounded smartphone with excellent performance, a vibrant display, and a fantastic value proposition.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Red Magic 8 Pro+ worth the extra money for gaming?
If you're a serious mobile gamer and demand the absolute best performance, the Red Magic 8 Pro+'s superior chipset and cooling system justify the higher price. Otherwise, the Poco F5 Pro offers excellent gaming performance at a more affordable cost.
❓ Which phone has better battery life overall?
Based on the endurance rating, the Poco F5 Pro appears to offer better overall battery life. However, the Red Magic 8 Pro+'s incredibly fast charging can quickly compensate for any battery drain.
