The ZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro (China) and the Honor Magic6 Pro represent distinct approaches to the high-end smartphone market. The RedMagic prioritizes unbridled performance for gaming, while the Magic6 Pro aims for a more balanced experience with a focus on display quality and battery endurance. This comparison dissects their core differences, focusing on the implications of their respective chipsets and features.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the dedicated mobile gamer, the ZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro is the clear winner, leveraging the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5's Oryon cores for superior CPU performance. However, the Honor Magic6 Pro excels in battery life and offers a significantly brighter display, making it the better choice for everyday users prioritizing longevity and visibility.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, October 17 | 2024, January 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, October 17 | Available. Released 2024, January 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back | Glass front (NanoCrystal Shield), glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather) |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 162.5 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.40 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 230 g (8.11 oz) | 225 g or 229 g (7.94 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | NanoCrystal Shield |
| Resolution | 1216 x 2688 pixels (~431 ppi density) | 1280 x 2800 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~453 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.85 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 112.8 cm2 (~91.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 2592Hz PWM, 2000 nits (peak) | LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR, 1600 nits (HBM), 5000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x4.6 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix L + 6x3.62 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix M) | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 840 | Adreno 750 |
| OS | Android 16, Redmagic OS 11 | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, MagicOS 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/2.88", 0.61µm
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.4-2.0, 23mm (wide), 1/1.3", 1.2µm, PDAF, OIS
180 MP, f/2.6, (periscope telephoto), 1/1.49", 0.56µm, PDAF, OIS, 2.5x optical zoom
50 MP, f/2.0, 13mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.88", 0.61µm, AF |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS, HDR, 10-bit video |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.77", 1.12µm, under display | 50 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/2.93", 0.6µm, AF
TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| 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/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 80W wired | 80W wired
66W wireless
Reverse wireless
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 8000 mAh | Si/C Li-Ion 5600 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver | Black, Green, Blue, Purple, White |
| Models | NX809J | BVL-AN16, BVL-N49 |
| Price | About 600 EUR | € 455.54 / $ 899.00 / £ 598.99 |
ZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro (China)
- Superior CPU performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- Potentially better thermal management due to 3nm process
- Likely optimized for gaming with dedicated features
- Potentially shorter battery life due to power-hungry chipset
- Limited charging options (80W wired only)
- Camera likely not a primary focus
Honor Magic6 Pro
- Exceptional battery life (14:06h active use)
- Significantly brighter display (1578 nits)
- Versatile charging options (80W wired, 66W wireless, reverse charging)
- Lower peak CPU performance compared to Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) may throttle under sustained load
- Gaming performance may not match the RedMagic 11 Pro
Display Comparison
The Honor Magic6 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 1578 nits, a substantial advantage over what we'd expect from the RedMagic 11 Pro, making it far more usable outdoors in direct sunlight. While the RedMagic 11 Pro likely features a high refresh rate panel geared towards gaming, the Magic6 Pro’s brightness is a key differentiator. Details regarding the RedMagic’s panel technology (LTPO, PWM dimming rate) are currently unavailable, but the Magic6 Pro’s brightness suggests a premium display experience. Bezels are likely minimal on both, given their flagship status, but the Magic6 Pro’s focus on visual experience suggests a more refined display calibration.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the RedMagic 11 Pro, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, Honor typically focuses on strong camera performance in its flagship devices. The Magic6 Pro likely features a sophisticated image processing pipeline and potentially larger sensor sizes than the RedMagic. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is almost guaranteed on the Magic6 Pro, contributing to sharper images and smoother video. We can assume the RedMagic will have a capable camera, but it’s unlikely to be a primary selling point compared to the Magic6 Pro’s likely emphasis on photographic quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the RedMagic 11 Pro utilizes the Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm) with its Oryon V3 Phoenix cores, while the Magic6 Pro employs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm). The 3nm process of the 8 Elite Gen 5 *should* offer greater power efficiency and thermal headroom, but the Oryon architecture is the key. The 2x4.6 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix L cores in the RedMagic will deliver significantly higher peak CPU performance than the 1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 in the Magic6 Pro. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s Adreno GPU is a formidable competitor, and the 4nm process may provide better sustained performance under heavy load. The RedMagic’s focus is clearly on raw CPU power, while the Magic6 Pro aims for a more balanced CPU/GPU profile.
Battery Life
The Honor Magic6 Pro demonstrates a clear advantage in battery life, achieving 14:06 hours of active use. Both devices support 80W wired charging, offering comparable charging speeds. However, the Magic6 Pro also includes 66W wireless charging and 5W reverse wired charging, adding significant versatility. While the RedMagic 11 Pro’s power-hungry chipset may require more frequent charging, the Magic6 Pro’s larger battery and efficient chipset provide a more relaxed user experience. The addition of wireless charging on the Magic6 Pro is a convenience factor the RedMagic lacks.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro (China) if you demand the absolute highest CPU performance for demanding games and applications, and are willing to trade some battery life for it. Buy the Honor Magic6 Pro if you prioritize all-day battery life, a stunningly bright and vibrant display, and a more versatile camera experience, even if it means sacrificing some peak CPU power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the RedMagic 11 Pro overheat during extended gaming sessions?
While the 3nm process *should* improve thermal efficiency, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is a high-performance chip. The RedMagic 11 Pro likely incorporates advanced cooling solutions (vapor chamber, fan) to mitigate throttling, but sustained peak performance may still lead to some heat generation. Monitoring temperatures during gameplay is recommended.
❓ Does the Honor Magic6 Pro support high frame rate gaming (90fps or 120fps) in popular titles like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is capable of supporting high frame rates in many games. However, achieving 90fps or 120fps in PUBG Mobile will depend on the game's optimization and the graphics settings used. The Magic6 Pro’s display and chipset are technically capable, but software support is crucial.
❓ How does the 66W wireless charging on the Magic6 Pro compare to the 80W wired charging on both phones?
While 80W wired charging is faster, 66W wireless charging offers convenience without the need for cables. A full wireless charge will take longer than a wired charge, but it's a valuable feature for topping up the battery throughout the day. The Magic6 Pro’s versatility in charging options is a significant advantage.
