ZTE nubia RedMagic 10 Air vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: A Deep Dive Comparison

The ZTE nubia RedMagic 10 Air and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra represent opposite ends of the Android flagship spectrum. The RedMagic 10 Air is laser-focused on delivering an uncompromising gaming experience, while the S24 Ultra aims to be the ultimate all-rounder, excelling in photography, productivity, and entertainment. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a balanced experience with a class-leading camera and broader feature set, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the superior choice. However, gamers and power users who demand maximum performance and extended battery life will find the RedMagic 10 Air a compelling alternative.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia RedMagic 10 Air Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 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, 42, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE (up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, April 162024, January 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, April 16Available. Released 2024, January 24
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, glass back (Panda Glass 2)Glass front (Corning Gorilla Armor), glass back (Corning Gorilla Armor), titanium frame (grade 2)
Dimensions164.3 x 76.6 x 7.9 mm (6.47 x 3.02 x 0.31 in)162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm (6.39 x 3.11 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - INT· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - USA· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - CN
Weight205 g (7.23 oz)232 g or 233 g (8.18 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5, Mohs level 4Corning Gorilla Armor
Resolution1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~505 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 113.5 cm2 (~88.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1600 nits (peak)Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)8-core (1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.1GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.2GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 750Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
OSAndroid 15, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Redmagic OS 10Android 14, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 8.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/2.88", 0.61µm, AF-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Quad-200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm (telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/3.4, 111mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.52", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, HDR10+
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.77", 1.12µm, under display12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video1080p@30/60fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (DTS X certified)Yes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L2+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band or tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging80W wired, 100% in 52 min45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
Type6000 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack Twilight, White Hailstone, Orange FlareTitanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, Titanium Orange
ModelsNX779JSM-S928B, SM-S928B/DS, SM-S928U, SM-S928U1, SM-S928W, SM-S928N, SM-S9280, SM-S928E, SM-S928E/DS
Price€ 449.00 / $ 772.30 / £ 389.00$ 514.94 / C$ 929.99 / £ 630.00 / € 658.53 / ₹ 84,999
SAR-1.26 W/kg (head)     0.62 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.06 W/kg (head)     1.30 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery57:57h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass B-
Free fallClass D (45 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

ZTE nubia RedMagic 10 Air

  • Exceptional battery life and endurance
  • Faster wired charging speed
  • Optimized for gaming performance

  • Likely inferior camera system
  • Less versatile feature set

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

  • Superior camera system and image quality
  • Brighter and potentially more efficient display
  • Comprehensive feature set and software support

  • Slower wired charging speed
  • Slightly lower battery endurance

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 1447 nits compared to the RedMagic 10 Air’s 1023 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both utilize the 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the S24 Ultra’s display technology likely incorporates LTPO for adaptive refresh rates, potentially improving power efficiency. The RedMagic 10 Air’s display, while still excellent, prioritizes refresh rate and responsiveness for gaming over peak brightness.

Camera Comparison

The context data highlights a significant disparity: the S24 Ultra features a comprehensive camera system (Photo/Video) while the RedMagic 10 Air’s camera capabilities are not detailed. Given Samsung’s history, the S24 Ultra likely includes a high-resolution main sensor, multiple lenses (ultrawide, telephoto), and advanced image processing algorithms. The RedMagic 10 Air likely offers a more basic camera experience, sufficient for casual snapshots but lacking the sophistication of the S24 Ultra. The absence of camera details for the RedMagic suggests it’s not a primary selling point.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) chipset, but subtle CPU clock speed differences exist. The S24 Ultra’s CPU peaks at 3.39 GHz, slightly higher than the RedMagic 10 Air’s 3.3 GHz. This difference, coupled with potentially more aggressive thermal management in the S24 Ultra, could lead to marginally sustained performance in demanding tasks. However, the RedMagic 10 Air likely prioritizes sustained performance through a more robust cooling system, crucial for extended gaming sessions. Both utilize LPDDR5x RAM, but the specific speed isn't provided, making a direct comparison impossible.

Battery Life

The RedMagic 10 Air delivers an impressive 57:57h endurance and a 13:10h active use score, indicating exceptional battery life. While the S24 Ultra’s 13:49h active use score is slightly better, the RedMagic 10 Air’s 80W wired charging (100% in 52 min) is significantly faster than the S24 Ultra’s 45W charging (65% in 30 min). The RedMagic 10 Air also boasts a 1000-cycle battery lifespan claim, suggesting long-term durability. The S24 Ultra offers wireless and reverse wireless charging, features absent on the RedMagic 10 Air.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 10 Air if you need a dedicated gaming phone with exceptional battery endurance and are willing to compromise on camera quality and some mainstream features. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if you prefer a premium, versatile smartphone with a phenomenal camera system, a vibrant display, and a comprehensive suite of productivity tools, even if it means slightly less gaming-focused optimization.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the RedMagic 10 Air’s cooling system effectively prevent thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the context data doesn’t detail the cooling system, RedMagic phones are renowned for their advanced cooling solutions, often incorporating vapor chambers and active fans. This suggests the 10 Air is designed to maintain peak performance for extended periods, minimizing throttling compared to phones with less robust thermal management.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 implementation differ between the RedMagic 10 Air and the S24 Ultra in terms of sustained performance?
Both phones utilize the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, but Samsung’s implementation likely prioritizes a balance between peak performance and thermal efficiency. The RedMagic 10 Air, geared towards gaming, may prioritize sustained performance even if it means running slightly warmer, leveraging its cooling system to maintain clock speeds for longer.
❓ What kind of gaming features does the RedMagic 10 Air offer beyond raw processing power?
RedMagic phones typically include features like shoulder triggers for enhanced gaming control, a dedicated game mode with performance optimizations, and customizable RGB lighting. These features, combined with the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, create a dedicated gaming experience.
❓ Is the 65% charge in 30 minutes for the S24 Ultra a significant drawback compared to the RedMagic 10 Air's full charge in 52 minutes?
For users who frequently need a quick top-up, the RedMagic 10 Air’s 80W charging is considerably faster. However, the S24 Ultra’s 45W charging is still respectable and provides enough power for several hours of use in 30 minutes. The difference is most noticeable when starting from a completely depleted battery.