ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro vs Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro: The Ultimate Showdown

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 Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro. Both pack powerful processors and boast impressive features, but which one truly delivers the best experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Red Magic 8 Pro takes the crown for raw power thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, offering a slight edge in demanding games. However, the Poco F5 Pro shines with its brighter display, faster wireless charging, and potentially better overall value. It's a close call, depending on your priorities.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE-A, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2022, December 262023, May 09
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, December 28Available. Released 2023, May
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame
Dimensions164 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)
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight228 g (8.04 oz)204 g (7.20 oz)
 Pressure sensitive zones (520Hz touch-sensing) Built-in cooling fan Aviation aluminum middle frameIP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~526 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors (China only), 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak)AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (HBM), 1400 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 730
OSAndroid 13, Redmagic OS 6Android 13, upgradable to Android 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 4.0UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display-
Triple50 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)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30/60fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jack-No
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2 (China), 3.1 (International), OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPortUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 35 min (advertised) - China 65W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 43 min (advertised) - International67W wired, PD3.0, QC3+, 50% in 15 min 30W wireless, 50% in 32 min
TypeLi-Po 6000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 5160 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, TransparentBlack, White
ModelsNX729J23013PC75G
Price$ 659.00$ 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 131h Endurance rating 99h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -24.1 LUFS (Very good) -26.2 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 1288866 (v9) GeekBench: 5211 (v5.1) GFXBench: 97fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 1057977 (v9) GeekBench: 4001 (v5.1), 4009 (v6) GFXBench: 50fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro

  • Superior Performance (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2)
  • Excellent Cooling System
  • Longer Battery Life (Endurance Rating)
  • Aggressive Gaming Design

  • Display not as bright as Poco F5 Pro
  • Charging speeds slightly slower (International Version)
  • Camera performance not exceptional

Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro

  • Brighter Display (1059 nits)
  • Faster Wireless Charging (30W)
  • Potentially Better Value
  • Sleeker Design (Generally)

  • Slightly Slower Processor (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
  • Shorter Battery Life (Endurance Rating)
  • Cooling system may not be as robust

Display Comparison

The Poco F5 Pro boasts a significant advantage with its measured 1059 nits peak brightness, making it far more visible in direct sunlight. While both have 'infinite' contrast ratios (a nominal term), the Poco's brightness provides a more impactful visual experience. The Red Magic 8 Pro's display is still good, but lacks the same punch.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is generally comparable between the two, as both are described as 'Photo / Video' without specific details. However, anecdotal evidence suggests the Poco F5 Pro might offer slightly better image processing and color accuracy. Both phones likely won't compete with flagship camera phones, but are adequate for casual use.

Performance

The Red Magic 8 Pro's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is undeniably faster than the Poco F5 Pro's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. This translates to smoother gameplay, quicker app loading times, and better performance in demanding tasks. The Red Magic's cooling system also helps maintain peak performance for longer periods.

Battery Life

The Red Magic 8 Pro has a higher endurance rating (131h vs 99h), suggesting it will last longer on a single charge. However, the Poco F5 Pro's 67W wired charging and 30W wireless charging offer faster replenishment options, potentially offsetting the difference in battery capacity.

Buying Guide

The ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro is ideal for hardcore mobile gamers who prioritize maximum performance and cooling. The Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro is a great choice for users seeking a well-rounded flagship experience with a vibrant display and fast charging, without breaking the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Red Magic 8 Pro good for everyday use?
Yes, the Red Magic 8 Pro is capable for everyday tasks, but its gaming-focused design and features might be overkill for some users. The Poco F5 Pro offers a more balanced experience.
❓ Which phone has better cooling?
The ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro is specifically designed with an advanced cooling system, making it better suited for prolonged gaming sessions.