ZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro+ vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro: A Deep Dive into Gaming and AI

The ZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro+ and Google Pixel 8 Pro represent fundamentally different approaches to the flagship smartphone. The RedMagic 11 Pro+ is unapologetically geared towards mobile gaming, packing cutting-edge cooling and a powerful chipset. Conversely, the Pixel 8 Pro focuses on computational photography, AI-driven features, and a refined software experience. This comparison dissects these contrasting philosophies to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a balanced experience with exceptional camera capabilities and long-term software support, the Google Pixel 8 Pro is the better choice. However, serious mobile gamers will find the RedMagic 11 Pro+'s raw performance and dedicated gaming features unmatched.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro+ Google Pixel 8 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - G1MNW
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - G1MNW
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, October 172023, October 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, October 17Available. Released 2023, October 12
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.8 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 3.01 x 0.35 in)162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 3.01 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight230 g (8.11 oz)213 g (7.51 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1216 x 2688 pixels (~431 ppi density)1344 x 2992 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~489 ppi density)
Size6.85 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 2592Hz PWM, 2000 nits (peak)LTPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 2400 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x4.6 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix L + 6x3.62 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix M)Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)Google Tensor G3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 840Immortalis-G715s MC10
OSAndroid 16, Redmagic OS 11Android 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB 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, panoramaMulti-zone Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra-HDR, panorama, Best Take, Zoom Enhance
Triple-50 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/2.8, 113mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.0, 126˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@24/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.77", 1.12µm, under display10.5 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm, PDAF
Video1080p@30/60fps4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPortUSB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature)
Battery
Charging120W wired 80W wireless30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min 23W wireless Reverse wireless Bypass charging
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 7500 mAhLi-Ion 5050 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Transparent Black, Transparent SilverObsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Mint
ModelsNX809JGC3VE, G1MNW
PriceAbout 690 EUR€ 362.00 / $ 289.97 / £ 329.95 / ₹ 54,999

ZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro+

  • Unmatched gaming performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
  • Advanced cooling system prevents throttling
  • Ultra-fast 120W wired and 80W wireless charging

  • Camera quality likely inferior to Pixel 8 Pro
  • Software support may be limited compared to Google

Google Pixel 8 Pro

  • Exceptional camera system with AI-powered features
  • Long-term software support and updates from Google
  • Excellent battery life and efficient power management

  • Less powerful chipset compared to Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
  • Slower charging speeds than RedMagic 11 Pro+

Display Comparison

The Pixel 8 Pro boasts a 1600 nits peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the RedMagic 11 Pro+’s display specs are not provided, nubia typically prioritizes high refresh rates for gaming. The Pixel 8 Pro’s LTPO panel dynamically adjusts refresh rates to conserve battery, a feature likely absent on the RedMagic, which focuses on sustained high refresh rates for gaming. The Pixel’s color accuracy is expected to be superior, catering to content creators, while the RedMagic likely prioritizes responsiveness over absolute color fidelity.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 8 Pro is renowned for its computational photography prowess, leveraging Google’s AI algorithms to produce stunning images and videos. While specific sensor details are not provided, the Pixel 8 Pro’s camera system is expected to excel in dynamic range, low-light performance, and video stabilization. The RedMagic 11 Pro+’s camera specifications are not detailed, but gaming phones often compromise on camera quality to prioritize other features. The Pixel 8 Pro’s image processing style is generally more natural, while the RedMagic may offer more saturated and stylized results. The Pixel 8 Pro’s video capabilities are likely to be significantly more advanced, offering features like Cinematic Blur and improved stabilization.

Performance

The RedMagic 11 Pro+’s Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm) represents a significant leap in mobile processing power, featuring an octa-core configuration with Oryon V3 Phoenix cores clocked up to 4.6 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the Google Pixel 8 Pro’s Google Tensor G3 (4nm) which utilizes a nona-core setup with Cortex-X3, A715, and A510 cores peaking at 3.0 GHz. The 3nm process of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 offers superior power efficiency and thermal performance, crucial for sustained gaming. The RedMagic’s focus on cooling further enhances its ability to maintain peak performance, while the Tensor G3 prioritizes AI and machine learning tasks. The Pixel 8 Pro’s performance is optimized for Google’s AI features, but the RedMagic 11 Pro+ will likely dominate in CPU and GPU-intensive benchmarks.

Battery Life

The Pixel 8 Pro achieves an impressive 11:14h active use score, translating to a 90-hour endurance rating. The RedMagic 11 Pro+ features 120W wired charging and 80W wireless charging, significantly faster than the Pixel 8 Pro’s 30W wired and 23W wireless charging. While the Pixel 8 Pro offers reverse wireless charging and bypass charging, the RedMagic’s faster charging speeds allow for quicker top-ups. The Pixel 8 Pro’s battery life is optimized for all-day use, while the RedMagic’s battery may drain faster under heavy gaming loads, despite its larger capacity (spec not provided).

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro+ if you demand the highest possible frame rates in demanding mobile games, require advanced cooling to prevent throttling, and prioritize raw performance above all else. Buy the Google Pixel 8 Pro if you value a best-in-class camera system, seamless AI integration, guaranteed software updates, and a more polished, all-around smartphone experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the RedMagic 11 Pro+’s cooling system actually make a difference in sustained gaming performance?
Yes, the RedMagic 11 Pro+ incorporates an advanced cooling system, likely including a vapor chamber and fan, designed to dissipate heat effectively. This prevents the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 from throttling under prolonged heavy loads, maintaining higher frame rates and consistent performance during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How does the Google Tensor G3 handle graphically demanding games compared to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5?
The Google Tensor G3, while capable, is not optimized for raw graphical performance like the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. The Snapdragon’s Oryon cores and 3nm process provide a significant advantage in GPU-intensive tasks. While the Pixel 8 Pro can run most games, the RedMagic 11 Pro+ will deliver higher frame rates and smoother gameplay in demanding titles.
❓ What kind of software experience can I expect from the RedMagic 11 Pro+?
The RedMagic 11 Pro+ typically runs a customized version of Android with a focus on gaming features. This includes a 'Game Space' mode that optimizes performance, blocks notifications, and provides quick access to gaming tools. Software updates may be less frequent and slower to arrive compared to the Pixel 8 Pro.
❓ Does the Pixel 8 Pro’s camera perform well in low-light conditions?
The Pixel 8 Pro excels in low-light photography thanks to Google’s Night Sight mode and advanced image processing algorithms. It captures bright, detailed images with minimal noise, even in challenging lighting scenarios. The Pixel’s AI-powered features significantly enhance low-light performance.