RedMagic 11 Pro vs OnePlus 12R: A Deep Dive into Gaming and Battery Life

The ZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro (China) and the OnePlus 12R represent distinct approaches to the high-performance Android market. The RedMagic 11 Pro, equipped with the cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, is laser-focused on delivering uncompromising gaming performance. Conversely, the OnePlus 12R aims for a more balanced experience, leveraging the proven Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 alongside a substantial battery and rapid charging capabilities.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For dedicated mobile gamers prioritizing peak performance, the RedMagic 11 Pro is the clear winner thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. However, the OnePlus 12R offers a more well-rounded experience with excellent battery life (14:32h active use) and 100W charging, making it the better choice for everyday users.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro (China) OnePlus 12R
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bandsSA/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, October 172024, January 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, October 17Available. Released 2024, February 06
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions163.8 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 3.01 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
Weight230 g (8.11 oz)207 g (7.30 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1216 x 2688 pixels (~431 ppi density)1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.85 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~90.7% 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 (2x4.6 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix L + 6x3.62 GHz Oryon V3 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 SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 840Adreno 740
OSAndroid 16, Redmagic OS 11Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB 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 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", 1.12µm, 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+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, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired100W wired, 100% in 26 min
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 8000 mAhLi-Ion 5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, SilverIron Gray, Cool Blue, Electric Violet, Sunset Dune
ModelsNX809JCPH2609, CPH2585, CPH2611
PriceAbout 600 EUR€ 410.84 / $ 399.95 / £ 649.00
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.82 W/kg (body)

ZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro (China)

  • Superior CPU performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
  • Potentially better thermal management due to 3nm process
  • Gaming-focused features (likely including triggers and advanced cooling)

  • Battery life likely compromised for performance
  • Camera quality potentially lower than competitors
  • Limited availability (China model)

OnePlus 12R

  • Excellent battery life (14:32h active use)
  • Fast 100W charging (0-100% in 26 minutes)
  • Bright and vibrant display (1181 nits)

  • Less powerful CPU than the RedMagic 11 Pro
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 may throttle under sustained load
  • Display lacks LTPO for variable refresh rate efficiency

Display Comparison

While specific display details for the RedMagic 11 Pro are absent, its gaming focus suggests a high refresh rate panel. The OnePlus 12R boasts a bright display, reaching a measured 1181 nits peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The OnePlus 12R’s brightness is a significant advantage for outdoor use. The absence of LTPO technology in the 12R, however, means it may not be as power-efficient as some competing displays when running at lower refresh rates.

Camera Comparison

Context data lacks detailed camera specifications for the RedMagic 11 Pro, but gaming phones often compromise on camera quality. The OnePlus 12R, while not a camera-centric device, likely offers a more refined camera experience. The focus should be on the main sensor and its image processing capabilities, rather than auxiliary lenses. Without specific details on the RedMagic 11 Pro’s camera, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison, but the OnePlus 12R is expected to deliver more consistent results.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The RedMagic 11 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm) utilizes Oryon V3 Phoenix cores, promising a substantial performance leap over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) in the OnePlus 12R. The 3nm process node of the 8 Elite Gen 5 should translate to improved thermal efficiency, potentially allowing for sustained peak performance during extended gaming sessions. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 remains a powerhouse, and the OnePlus 12R’s thermal management will be crucial to prevent throttling. The RedMagic 11 Pro is likely to excel in CPU-intensive tasks and graphically demanding games.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 12R shines in battery life, achieving an impressive 14:32h of active use. While the RedMagic 11 Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, its focus on high performance suggests it may have a smaller battery. The OnePlus 12R’s 100W wired charging is also a significant advantage, fully charging the device in just 26 minutes. The RedMagic 11 Pro’s 80W charging is respectable, but slower. The OnePlus 12R’s combination of battery size and charging speed provides a more convenient user experience.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro (China) if you absolutely need the highest possible frame rates in demanding games and are willing to trade some battery life for that performance. Buy the OnePlus 12R if you prioritize all-day battery life, fast charging (100% in 26 minutes), and a more versatile smartphone experience without sacrificing significant performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the OnePlus 12R overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a capable chip, but it can experience thermal throttling under sustained heavy load. OnePlus likely employs thermal management solutions to mitigate this, but the RedMagic 11 Pro, with its newer 3nm chipset, is expected to handle prolonged gaming more effectively.
❓ Is the 80W charging on the RedMagic 11 Pro significantly slower than the 100W on the OnePlus 12R?
Yes, the OnePlus 12R’s 100W charging is noticeably faster, achieving a full charge in 26 minutes. While 80W is still fast, it will take longer to replenish the RedMagic 11 Pro’s battery, potentially impacting convenience for users who frequently need to top up their device.
❓ Does the OnePlus 12R support high refresh rate gaming?
The OnePlus 12R supports high refresh rate gaming, but the exact maximum frame rates achievable will depend on the game and its optimization. While it won't match the potential of the RedMagic 11 Pro's chipset, it can still deliver a smooth gaming experience.