ZTE RedMagic 10S Pro vs. OnePlus 12R: A Deep Dive into Gaming and Everyday Performance

The ZTE nubia RedMagic 10S Pro and OnePlus 12R represent distinct approaches to the high-performance Android smartphone market. The RedMagic 10S Pro is unapologetically geared towards mobile gamers, boasting the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite. The OnePlus 12R, meanwhile, aims for a broader appeal, offering flagship-level performance with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 at a more accessible price point. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For dedicated mobile gamers prioritizing peak performance and sustained frame rates, the ZTE nubia RedMagic 10S Pro is the clear winner. However, the OnePlus 12R provides a more balanced experience with excellent battery life, faster charging, and a brighter display, making it the better choice for everyday users.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia RedMagic 10S Pro OnePlus 12R
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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, May 262024, January 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, May 26Available. Released 2024, February 06
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions163.4 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.43 x 3.00 x 0.35 in)163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 2.96 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight229 g (8.08 oz)207 g (7.30 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version), Mohs level 4Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1216 x 2688 pixels (~431 ppi density)1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.85 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~91.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 2592Hz PWM, 2000 nits (peak)LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x4.47 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 830 (1200 MHz)Adreno 740
OSAndroid 15, Redmagic OS 10.5Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.88", 0.61µm, AF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.77", 1.0µm, under display16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L2+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPortUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired100W wired, 100% in 26 min
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 7050 mAhLi-Ion 5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsNightfall (Matt Black), Moonlight (Silver Transparent), Dusk (Black Transparent)Iron Gray, Cool Blue, Electric Violet, Sunset Dune
ModelsNX789JCPH2609, CPH2585, CPH2611
PriceAbout 650 EUR€ 410.84 / $ 399.95 / £ 649.00
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.82 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery80:12h endurance, 1200 cycles-
EnergyClass A-
Free fallClass C (90 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

ZTE nubia RedMagic 10S Pro

  • Unmatched CPU performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite
  • Exceptional battery longevity (1200 charge cycles)
  • Optimized for hardcore gaming

  • Slower charging speed (80W)
  • Limited camera information suggests potential compromises
  • Display brightness likely lower than OnePlus 12R

OnePlus 12R

  • Incredibly fast 100W charging (26 min full charge)
  • Bright and vibrant display (1181 nits)
  • Balanced performance and battery life

  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is less powerful than 8 Elite
  • Battery cycle life not explicitly stated
  • Gaming features less prominent than RedMagic

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 12R boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1181 nits, which translates to superior visibility outdoors. While the RedMagic 10S Pro’s display specs are not provided, its focus on gaming suggests a high refresh rate, but likely sacrifices peak brightness for power efficiency. The OnePlus 12R’s brightness is a tangible benefit for users who consume a lot of media in bright environments. The absence of LTPO information for the RedMagic suggests it may not dynamically adjust refresh rates as efficiently as some competitors, potentially impacting battery life during less demanding tasks.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specifications for the RedMagic 10S Pro are unavailable, but given its gaming focus, the camera system is likely a secondary consideration. The OnePlus 12R, while not a camera-centric phone, offers a capable imaging experience. Without specific sensor details for the RedMagic, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison, but the OnePlus 12R’s likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) and optimized software algorithms. The absence of information on OIS for the RedMagic suggests it may struggle in low-light conditions compared to a stabilized OnePlus 12R.

Performance

The RedMagic 10S Pro’s Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) represents a leap in mobile processing power, utilizing Oryon V2 Phoenix cores for exceptional CPU performance. Its octa-core configuration (2x4.47 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz) promises a significant advantage in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The OnePlus 12R, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm), remains a formidable performer, but the 3nm process of the 8 Elite offers improved thermal efficiency, potentially leading to less throttling during extended gaming sessions. The architectural difference – Oryon vs. Cortex – also suggests a different performance profile, with the Oryon cores potentially excelling in single-threaded workloads.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 12R’s 100W wired charging is a standout feature, achieving a full charge in just 26 minutes. This is significantly faster than the RedMagic 10S Pro’s 80W charging. While the RedMagic 10S Pro boasts an impressive 80:12h endurance score and a remarkable 1200 charge cycles, the OnePlus 12R’s active use score of 14:32h suggests comparable real-world battery life. The RedMagic’s longevity claim (1200 cycles) is a significant advantage for long-term users, indicating the battery will retain capacity for a longer period.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 10S Pro if you demand the absolute highest frame rates in demanding games, require a long-lasting battery with 1200 charge cycles, and appreciate gaming-centric features like active cooling. Buy the OnePlus 12R if you prioritize a well-rounded experience with a vibrant display, incredibly fast 100W charging, and a more refined software experience for daily use.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the RedMagic 10S Pro actually translate to noticeably higher frame rates in games compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Elite's newer Oryon CPU cores and 3nm process offer a performance advantage, particularly in CPU-bound games. Expect higher average frame rates and more consistent performance during prolonged gaming sessions, minimizing frame drops and maximizing visual fidelity. However, the difference may be less noticeable in GPU-bound titles.
❓ How does the cooling system on the RedMagic 10S Pro compare to the OnePlus 12R, and is it necessary for sustained gaming?
The RedMagic 10S Pro is specifically designed for gaming and likely features a more advanced cooling system, potentially including a vapor chamber and active fan. The OnePlus 12R relies on passive cooling. While the 8 Gen 2 is efficient, the 8 Elite generates more heat under load. The RedMagic's cooling is crucial for maintaining peak performance during extended gaming, preventing thermal throttling and ensuring consistent frame rates.
❓ Is the 100W charging on the OnePlus 12R significantly faster in real-world use than the 80W charging on the RedMagic 10S Pro?
Yes, the 100W charging on the OnePlus 12R is demonstrably faster, fully charging the device in 26 minutes. While 80W is still fast, the 20W difference translates to a noticeable time saving, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. The OnePlus 12R's charging speed is a significant convenience factor.