The ZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro+ and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra represent opposite ends of the flagship spectrum. The RedMagic 11 Pro+ is unapologetically geared towards mobile gaming, boasting cutting-edge cooling and a raw-power chipset. Conversely, the S24 Ultra aims for a more balanced experience, prioritizing camera capabilities, battery endurance, and a polished software experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the more compelling choice. Its superior camera system, all-day battery life (13:49h active use), and refined software experience offer a more well-rounded package. However, serious mobile gamers will find the RedMagic 11 Pro+'s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and advanced cooling a significant advantage.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE (up to 7CA), 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, October 17 | 2024, January 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, October 17 | Available. Released 2024, January 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back | Glass front (Corning Gorilla Armor), glass back (Corning Gorilla Armor), titanium frame (grade 2) |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm (6.39 x 3.11 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - INT· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - USA· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - CN |
| Weight | 230 g (8.11 oz) | 232 g or 233 g (8.18 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Armor |
| Resolution | 1216 x 2688 pixels (~431 ppi density) | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~505 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.85 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 113.5 cm2 (~88.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 2592Hz PWM, 2000 nits (peak) | Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x4.6 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix L + 6x3.62 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix M) | 8-core (1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.1GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.2GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 840 | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) |
| OS | Android 16, Redmagic OS 11 | Android 14, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 8.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB 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, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm (telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
50 MP, f/3.4, 111mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.52", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, HDR10+ |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.77", 1.12µm, under display | 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| 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/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 120W wired
80W wireless | 45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min
15W wireless (Qi)
4.5W reverse wireless |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 7500 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Transparent Black, Transparent Silver | Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, Titanium Orange |
| Models | NX809J | SM-S928B, SM-S928B/DS, SM-S928U, SM-S928U1, SM-S928W, SM-S928N, SM-S9280, SM-S928E, SM-S928E/DS |
| Price | About 690 EUR | $ 514.94 / C$ 929.99 / £ 630.00 / € 658.53 / ₹ 84,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.26 W/kg (head) 0.62 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.06 W/kg (head) 1.30 W/kg (body) |
ZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro+
- Unmatched gaming performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- Extremely fast 120W wired and 80W wireless charging
- Advanced cooling system for sustained performance
- Likely inferior camera system compared to S24 Ultra
- Potentially shorter battery life than S24 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Exceptional camera system with versatile lenses
- Long-lasting battery life (13:49h active use)
- Premium build quality and refined software experience
- Slower charging speeds compared to RedMagic 11 Pro+
- Less raw gaming power than RedMagic 11 Pro+
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a peak brightness of 1447 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the RedMagic 11 Pro+’s display specs are not provided, its focus on gaming suggests a high refresh rate panel. The S24 Ultra’s adaptive refresh rate (LTPO) technology dynamically adjusts the refresh rate to conserve battery life, a feature likely absent in the RedMagic, which prioritizes consistent high refresh rates for gaming. The S24 Ultra’s superior brightness and LTPO tech give it an edge for everyday use and outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
The S24 Ultra’s camera system is a clear strength, offering a versatile array of lenses and advanced image processing. While specific details are missing for the RedMagic 11 Pro+, it’s unlikely to match the S24 Ultra’s capabilities. Samsung’s focus on computational photography and features like Space Zoom provide a significant advantage in various shooting conditions. The S24 Ultra’s image processing prioritizes detail and dynamic range, while the RedMagic likely focuses on speed and efficiency for quick social media sharing. The S24 Ultra is the clear winner for photography and videography enthusiasts.
Performance
The RedMagic 11 Pro+’s Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm) with its Oryon V3 Phoenix cores represents a significant leap in mobile processing power. The octa-core configuration (2x4.6GHz + 6x3.62GHz) is designed for sustained peak performance. The S24 Ultra utilizes the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm), a powerful chip in its own right, but built on a slightly larger process. The 3nm process of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 should translate to improved thermal efficiency and potentially higher sustained clock speeds, crucial for extended gaming sessions. However, the S24 Ultra’s optimized software and potentially more efficient thermal design could mitigate the raw power difference in real-world scenarios.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra delivers an impressive 13:49 hours of active use, showcasing excellent battery endurance. The RedMagic 11 Pro+ compensates with incredibly fast charging: 120W wired and 80W wireless. While the RedMagic’s battery capacity is unknown, the S24 Ultra’s larger battery and efficient chipset provide a longer overall runtime. The S24 Ultra supports 45W wired charging (65% in 30 minutes) and 15W wireless charging, significantly slower than the RedMagic’s offerings. The RedMagic prioritizes quick top-ups, while the S24 Ultra focuses on all-day battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro+ if you demand the absolute highest frame rates in demanding mobile games, prioritize cooling to avoid throttling, and appreciate a dedicated gaming aesthetic. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if you value a versatile camera system, exceptional battery life, a premium build quality, and a seamless, feature-rich software experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the RedMagic 11 Pro+ actually deliver a noticeable performance boost over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the S24 Ultra for gaming?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, built on a 3nm process with Oryon cores, is designed for superior sustained performance in demanding games. While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is excellent, the RedMagic’s chipset should offer higher frame rates and less throttling during extended gaming sessions, especially with its advanced cooling system.
❓ How effective is the cooling system on the RedMagic 11 Pro+ compared to the S24 Ultra?
The RedMagic 11 Pro+ features a more aggressive cooling solution, likely including a vapor chamber and potentially even a fan, specifically engineered to dissipate heat generated during intense gaming. The S24 Ultra relies on passive cooling, which is sufficient for most tasks but may lead to thermal throttling during prolonged, demanding gameplay.
❓ Is the 120W charging on the RedMagic 11 Pro+ safe for long-term battery health?
While 120W charging is incredibly fast, ZTE likely incorporates safety mechanisms to prevent overcharging and heat buildup. However, consistently using extremely fast charging *can* contribute to slightly faster battery degradation over the long term compared to slower charging methods. The S24 Ultra’s 45W charging is a more conservative approach.
