ZTE Red Magic 8 Pro vs. nubia Z50 Ultra: Clash of the Titans
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Red Magic 8 Pro is the clear winner for dedicated gamers, boasting superior cooling and gaming-centric features. The nubia Z50 Ultra offers a more balanced experience with a potentially better camera and display, appealing to users seeking a premium all-rounder.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro | ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra |
| 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) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA2000 1x | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 26 | 2023, March 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 28 | Available. Released 2023, March 14 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 228 g (8.04 oz) | 228 g (8.04 oz) |
| Pressure sensitive zones (520Hz touch-sensing) Built-in cooling fan Aviation aluminum middle frame | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors (China only), 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 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 (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 740 | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Android 13, Redmagic OS 6 | Android 13, MyOS 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| UFS 4.0 | UFS 4.0 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, Ring-LED, dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, 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/1.6, 35mm (standard), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/3.3, 85mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", PDAF, OIS, 3.3x optical zoom (vs. 26mm cam) 50 MP, f/2.X, 14mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), PDAF |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display |
| 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 Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1+L2+L5), GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 (China), 3.1 (International), OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 80W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 35 min (advertised) - China 65W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 43 min (advertised) - International | 80W wired, PD3.0, QC4 |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Transparent | Black, Silver, Starry Sky |
| Models | NX729J | NX712J |
| Price | $ 659.00 | About 540 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 131h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker | -24.1 LUFS (Very good) | - |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 1288866 (v9) GeekBench: 5211 (v5.1) GFXBench: 97fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro
- Exceptional gaming performance
- Advanced cooling system
- High refresh rate display
- Long battery life
- Dedicated gaming features (shoulder triggers)
- Camera performance not a priority
- Design may not appeal to everyone
- International charging speed slower
ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra
- Excellent camera system
- Premium design and build quality
- Vibrant and accurate display
- Balanced all-around performance
- Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load
- Less gaming-focused features
- Charging speed potentially slower than Red Magic 8 Pro in China
Display Comparison
Both phones feature excellent AMOLED displays, but the Z50 Ultra likely has a slight edge in color accuracy and brightness due to its focus on a premium experience. The Red Magic 8 Pro prioritizes refresh rate for smoother gaming, potentially at the expense of some color fidelity. Expect both to offer vibrant visuals and smooth scrolling.
Camera Comparison
The nubia Z50 Ultra is expected to have a superior camera system, likely featuring a larger primary sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms. While the Red Magic 8 Pro has a capable camera, it's not its primary focus. Expect the Z50 Ultra to deliver better image quality, especially in low-light conditions.
Performance
Both devices share the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, guaranteeing top-tier performance. However, the Red Magic 8 Pro's advanced cooling system should allow it to sustain peak performance for longer periods during demanding games, preventing throttling. The Z50 Ultra might experience slightly more thermal throttling under extended load.
Battery Life
The Red Magic 8 Pro boasts an impressive endurance rating of 131h, suggesting excellent battery life. The Z50 Ultra's battery life is likely still very good, but potentially not quite as exceptional as the Red Magic 8 Pro. Charging speeds are a bit different; the Red Magic 8 Pro has slightly faster advertised charging times in China, but slower internationally. The Z50 Ultra uses QC4.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro if you prioritize gaming performance, aggressive cooling, and a dedicated gaming ecosystem. Buy the ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra if you want a stylish, versatile phone with a focus on camera quality, a vibrant display, and a more refined overall experience.