The ZTE nubia RedMagic 10 Pro+ and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra represent opposite ends of the Android flagship spectrum. The RedMagic 10 Pro+ is laser-focused on delivering an unparalleled gaming experience, while the S24 Ultra aims to be the ultimate all-rounder, excelling in photography, productivity, and everyday use. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a balanced experience, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the superior choice. Its exceptional camera system, long-lasting battery life (13:49h active use), and refined software outweigh the RedMagic 10 Pro+'s gaming prowess. However, dedicated mobile gamers will find the RedMagic 10 Pro+’s Snapdragon 8 Elite and advanced cooling a compelling advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE (up to 7CA), 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, November 13 | 2024, January 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, November 18 | Available. Released 2024, January 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back | Glass front (Corning Gorilla Armor), glass back (Corning Gorilla Armor), titanium frame (grade 2) |
| Dimensions | 163.4 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.43 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) | 162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm (6.39 x 3.11 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-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 |
| Weight | 229 g (8.08 oz) | 232 g or 233 g (8.18 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Unspecified | Corning Gorilla Armor |
| Resolution | 1216 x 2688 pixels (~431 ppi density) | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~505 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.85 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~91.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 113.5 cm2 (~88.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 2000 nits (peak) | Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M) | 8-core (1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.1GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.2GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 830 | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) |
| OS | Android 15, Redmagic OS 10 | Android 14, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 8.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser 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 |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/2.88", 0.61µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, HDR10+ |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), under display | 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort | USB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, 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/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 120W wired, 50% in 11 min, 100% in 30 min | 45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min
15W wireless (Qi)
4.5W reverse wireless |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 7050 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Knight, White Knight, Transparent Silver Deuterium, Transparent Dark Knight | Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, Titanium Orange |
| Models | - | SM-S928B, SM-S928B/DS, SM-S928U, SM-S928U1, SM-S928W, SM-S928N, SM-S9280, SM-S928E, SM-S928E/DS |
| Price | About 780 EUR | $ 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) |
ZTE nubia RedMagic 10 Pro+
- Blazing-fast Snapdragon 8 Elite processor
- Ultra-fast 120W charging
- Advanced cooling system for sustained gaming
- Likely compromises in camera quality
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to S24 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Exceptional camera system with versatile lenses
- Long-lasting battery life (13:49h active use)
- Refined software experience and broader feature set
- Slower charging speed (45W)
- Less focused on raw gaming performance
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a peak brightness of 1447 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the RedMagic 10 Pro+’s display specs are not provided, nubia typically prioritizes high refresh rates for gaming. The S24 Ultra’s panel likely utilizes LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, conserving battery life. Samsung’s color accuracy is renowned, while the RedMagic 10 Pro+ may lean towards more vibrant, gaming-centric color profiles. Bezels are expected to be minimal on the S24 Ultra, contributing to its premium feel.
Camera Comparison
The S24 Ultra is expected to feature a multi-camera system with a high-resolution main sensor (likely 200MP, based on previous models) and advanced image processing capabilities. The RedMagic 10 Pro+’s camera specs are not detailed, but gaming phones often compromise on camera quality to prioritize other features. The S24 Ultra’s optical image stabilization (OIS) and lens apertures will contribute to superior low-light performance and image clarity. Samsung’s image processing tends to produce vibrant, shareable photos, while the RedMagic may offer a more natural, less processed look. The S24 Ultra’s video recording capabilities are likely to be significantly more advanced.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the RedMagic 10 Pro+ features the Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm), utilizing Oryon V2 Phoenix cores, while the S24 Ultra employs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm). The 3nm process of the Snapdragon 8 Elite *should* offer improved power efficiency and thermal performance compared to the 4nm Gen 3, potentially allowing for sustained peak performance during extended gaming sessions. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s Cortex-X4 prime core is clocked higher (3.39GHz vs 4.32GHz on the RedMagic), and its architecture is optimized for a broader range of tasks. The RedMagic 10 Pro+’s focus on gaming likely includes aggressive thermal management solutions, such as vapor chamber cooling, to maximize sustained performance. RAM speed (likely LPDDR5x on both) is not specified, but the RedMagic’s cooling system will be crucial in preventing throttling.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra delivers an impressive 13:49h of active use, demonstrating excellent battery life. The RedMagic 10 Pro+ boasts 120W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in 11 minutes and 100% in 30 minutes, significantly faster than the S24 Ultra’s 45W charging (65% in 30 minutes). While the RedMagic 10 Pro+’s battery capacity is unknown, the S24 Ultra’s long battery life suggests a larger capacity. The RedMagic’s faster charging is a major advantage for gamers who need to quickly top up their battery between sessions. The S24 Ultra also offers 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, features likely absent on the RedMagic.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 10 Pro+ if you are a hardcore mobile gamer who demands the highest frame rates, sustained performance under load, and features like dedicated gaming triggers. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if you prioritize a versatile camera system, all-day battery life, a polished software experience, and a device that excels in all aspects of smartphone usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the RedMagic 10 Pro+ actually maintain peak performance for longer than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the S24 Ultra during extended gaming sessions?
Theoretically, yes. The 3nm process of the Snapdragon 8 Elite *should* offer better thermal efficiency, allowing it to sustain higher clock speeds for longer periods. However, the RedMagic 10 Pro+’s cooling system is equally crucial. If the cooling isn't effective, the Snapdragon 8 Elite will still throttle. The S24 Ultra’s thermal management is also excellent, and its optimized architecture may mitigate throttling effectively.
❓ How significant is the charging speed difference between 120W (RedMagic) and 45W (S24 Ultra) in real-world usage?
The 120W charging on the RedMagic 10 Pro+ is a game-changer for quick top-ups. Reaching 100% in 30 minutes is significantly faster than the S24 Ultra’s 45W charging. This is particularly beneficial for gamers who need to minimize downtime. However, for overnight charging or less frequent top-ups, the difference is less noticeable.
❓ Is the camera on the RedMagic 10 Pro+ sufficient for casual photography, or should I expect a noticeable downgrade compared to the S24 Ultra?
Based on the typical priorities of gaming phones, you should expect a noticeable downgrade in camera quality compared to the S24 Ultra. While the RedMagic 10 Pro+ will likely be capable of taking decent photos in good lighting conditions, it will likely struggle in low-light scenarios and lack the advanced features and versatility of the S24 Ultra’s camera system.