The ZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro (China) and the Realme GT5 Pro represent two distinct approaches to the Android flagship space. The RedMagic prioritizes raw gaming performance with Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the GT5 Pro aims for a more balanced experience, leveraging the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 alongside a focus on camera capabilities and fast charging. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For dedicated mobile gamers, the ZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro edges out the Realme GT5 Pro thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. However, the GT5 Pro offers a more well-rounded package with superior battery life, faster charging, and a brighter display, making it the better choice for the average user.
| 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 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 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 | 2023, December 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, October 17 | Available. Released 2023, December 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back | Glass front, glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 161.7 x 75.1 x 9.2 mm (6.37 x 2.96 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 230 g (8.11 oz) | 218 g / 224 g (7.69 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1216 x 2688 pixels (~431 ppi density) | 1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.85 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~92.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 2592Hz PWM, 2000 nits (peak) | LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 4500 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, upgradable to Android 15, Realme UI 6.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB 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 | Color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.6, 65mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS, 2.7x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, Dolby Vision |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.77", 1.12µm, under display | 32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide), 1/2.74" |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (Dolby Atmos certified) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| 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, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 80W wired | 100W wired, 50% in 12 min
50W wireless |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 8000 mAh | Li-Ion 5400 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver | Black, Silver, Orange |
| Models | NX809J | RMX3888 |
| Price | About 600 EUR | About 430 EUR |
ZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro (China)
- Potentially highest gaming performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- Advanced cooling system for sustained performance
- Likely high refresh rate display for smooth gaming
- Potentially weaker camera system compared to GT5 Pro
- Slower charging speed (80W vs 100W)
- Limited availability (China only)
Realme GT5 Pro
- Brighter display (1660 nits)
- Faster charging (100W wired, 50W wireless)
- Longer battery life (14:16h active use)
- Less powerful chipset compared to Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- May not offer the same level of gaming-specific features
- Potential for more throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
The Realme GT5 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1660 nits, which translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While the RedMagic 11 Pro’s display specs are currently unknown, nubia typically focuses on high refresh rates for gaming. The GT5 Pro’s brightness advantage is crucial for everyday use and content consumption. The GT5 Pro’s panel likely utilizes LTPO technology, enabling variable refresh rates for improved power efficiency, a feature we expect to be present but unconfirmed on the RedMagic.
Camera Comparison
The Realme GT5 Pro is positioned as a camera-focused device, though specific details are limited. We anticipate a strong emphasis on photo and video quality, leveraging the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s ISP capabilities. The RedMagic 11 Pro, historically, has prioritized gaming features over camera prowess. While it will likely include a capable camera system, it’s unlikely to match the GT5 Pro’s potential in image processing and overall quality. Details regarding sensor sizes and OIS are currently unavailable for both devices, but the GT5 Pro’s marketing suggests a more significant investment in this area.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The RedMagic 11 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm) utilizes Qualcomm’s Oryon CPU cores, promising a substantial performance leap over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) found in the GT5 Pro. The 8 Elite Gen 5’s octa-core configuration (2x4.6GHz + 6x3.62GHz) is geared towards sustained peak performance, while the GT5 Pro’s (1x3.3GHz + 3x3.2GHz + 2x3.0GHz + 2x2.3GHz) is optimized for a broader range of tasks. The 3nm process of the 8 Elite Gen 5 should also result in improved thermal efficiency, potentially allowing for longer gaming sessions without throttling. However, the GT5 Pro benefits from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s established optimizations and wider software support.
Battery Life
The Realme GT5 Pro excels in battery and charging. Its 14:16h active use score demonstrates impressive endurance. The 100W wired charging allows for a 50% charge in just 12 minutes, and the addition of 50W wireless charging provides further convenience. The RedMagic 11 Pro offers 80W wired charging, which is respectable but slower. While the RedMagic 11 Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, the GT5 Pro’s combination of capacity and charging speed provides a clear advantage for users who prioritize minimizing downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro if you absolutely demand the highest possible frame rates in demanding mobile games and prioritize cooling performance above all else. Buy the Realme GT5 Pro if you value a balanced experience with excellent battery life, rapid 100W charging (and 50W wireless), a vibrant display, and a capable camera system.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the RedMagic 11 Pro overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is incredibly powerful, sustained performance relies heavily on the cooling system. Nubia RedMagic phones are known for their advanced cooling solutions, including vapor chambers and fans, which should mitigate throttling. However, extremely demanding games at maximum settings may still result in some heat buildup.
❓ Does the Realme GT5 Pro support frame rate boosting for popular games like PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset in the Realme GT5 Pro supports Snapdragon Elite Gaming features, which include frame rate boosters and optimized game profiles. Realme’s Game Space software likely provides additional tools for customizing game settings and enhancing performance, potentially allowing for 90fps or higher frame rates in supported titles.
❓ Is the 50W wireless charging on the GT5 Pro significantly faster than other wireless charging solutions?
Yes, 50W wireless charging is considerably faster than the 15W-25W typically found on other flagship phones. It allows for a substantial charge in a relatively short amount of time, making it a convenient option for topping up the battery without needing a cable.
