The ZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro+ and the Xiaomi 14 Pro represent two distinct approaches to the high-end smartphone market. The RedMagic aggressively targets mobile gamers with its cutting-edge chipset and cooling system, while the Xiaomi 14 Pro aims for a more holistic flagship experience, balancing performance, photography, and everyday usability. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For dedicated mobile gamers, the ZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro+ is the clear winner, leveraging the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for sustained peak performance. However, the Xiaomi 14 Pro offers a more polished all-around experience with a superior camera system and broader appeal for mainstream users.
| 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 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 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, October 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, October 17 | Available. Released 2023, November 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back | Glass front, aluminum frame or titanium frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 161.4 x 75.3 x 8.5 mm |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 230 g (8.11 oz) | 223 g or 230 g (7.87 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Shatterproof glass |
| Resolution | 1216 x 2688 pixels (~431 ppi density) | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~522 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.85 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.73 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 2592Hz PWM, 2000 nits (peak) | LTPO AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 3000 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, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM | 256GB 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, Leica lens, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 23mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.0, 75mm (telephoto), PDAF (10cm - ∞), OIS, 3.2x optical zoom
50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 115˚ (ultrawide), AF |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps | 8K@24fps (HDR), 4K@24/30/60fps (HDR10+, 10-bit Dolby Vision HDR, 10-bit LOG), 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 720p@1920fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.77", 1.12µm, under display | 32 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 0.7µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 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 | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 120W wired
80W wireless | 120W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 18 min
50W wireless, 100% in 40 min
10W reverse wireless |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 7500 mAh | Li-Po 4880 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Transparent Black, Transparent Silver | Black, Silver, Titanium, Green |
| Models | NX809J | 23116PN5BC |
| Price | About 690 EUR | About 650 EUR |
ZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro+
- Unmatched gaming performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- Faster 80W wireless charging
- Likely superior thermal management for sustained performance
- Potentially less refined camera system
- Gaming-focused design may not appeal to all users
Xiaomi 14 Pro
- Excellent camera system with advanced image processing
- Balanced flagship experience for everyday use
- Faster 120W wired charging (claimed time)
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 may not match the 8 Elite Gen 5 in sustained gaming
- Slower 50W wireless charging
Display Comparison
While both devices likely feature high-refresh-rate AMOLED panels, specific details like peak brightness and color accuracy are missing. However, the RedMagic’s gaming focus suggests a panel tuned for responsiveness and low latency. The Xiaomi 14 Pro, given Xiaomi’s history, will likely prioritize color accuracy and HDR content playback. The absence of LTPO information makes it difficult to assess power efficiency differences, but the RedMagic’s larger battery (assumed, based on gaming focus) may mitigate any potential inefficiencies.
Camera Comparison
The Xiaomi 14 Pro is expected to excel in the camera department, leveraging Xiaomi’s established expertise. While specific sensor details are unavailable, Xiaomi flagships typically feature large main sensors with advanced image processing algorithms. The RedMagic 11 Pro+, while likely equipped with a capable camera, will likely prioritize gaming features over photographic prowess. The Xiaomi’s inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is almost certain, providing sharper images and smoother video recording. The RedMagic may lack the same level of computational photography refinement.
Performance
The core battle lies in the chipsets. The RedMagic 11 Pro+ boasts the Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm), featuring a unique Oryon V3 Phoenix CPU architecture with a 2x4.6 GHz prime core cluster. This contrasts with the Xiaomi 14 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) which utilizes a more conventional Cortex-X4 based design. The 3nm process of the 8 Elite Gen 5 *should* offer superior power efficiency and thermal headroom, allowing for sustained peak performance during extended gaming sessions. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is still a formidable opponent, and its optimized architecture could close the gap. The RedMagic’s likely larger vapor chamber cooling system further enhances its gaming capabilities. The Xiaomi 14 Pro will benefit from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s advancements in AI processing.
Battery Life
The RedMagic 11 Pro+ supports 120W wired charging and 80W wireless charging, while the Xiaomi 14 Pro offers 120W wired (with a claimed 18-minute full charge) and 50W wireless (40 minutes). The RedMagic’s faster wireless charging is a significant advantage for users who frequently rely on wireless power. The Xiaomi 14 Pro’s inclusion of PD3.0 and QC4 support adds versatility. While the exact battery capacities are unknown, the RedMagic’s gaming focus suggests a larger capacity to support prolonged gaming sessions. The Xiaomi’s more efficient chipset (potentially) could offset a slightly smaller battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro+ if you prioritize uncompromising gaming performance, require the fastest possible processor, and value features like active cooling and dedicated gaming triggers. Buy the Xiaomi 14 Pro if you prefer a balanced flagship experience with a top-tier camera, a refined software experience, and a more aesthetically pleasing design for everyday use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the RedMagic 11 Pro+’s cooling system actually prevent throttling during long gaming sessions?
The RedMagic 11 Pro+’s advanced cooling system, likely incorporating a vapor chamber and potentially even a fan, is specifically designed to mitigate thermal throttling. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while powerful, generates significant heat under sustained load. The cooling system aims to maintain optimal temperatures, allowing the chipset to maintain peak performance for extended periods, unlike some other flagships that may throttle after 20-30 minutes of intense gaming.
❓ Does the Xiaomi 14 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offer sufficient performance for demanding mobile games?
Absolutely. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a top-tier mobile processor capable of handling any currently available mobile game at maximum settings. While it may not *quite* match the sustained performance of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the RedMagic 11 Pro+, it will still deliver an exceptional gaming experience. The Xiaomi 14 Pro’s optimizations and efficient thermal design will ensure smooth gameplay.
❓ How does the 120W charging on both phones compare in real-world usage?
Both phones boast 120W wired charging, but the Xiaomi 14 Pro claims a full charge in 18 minutes. While the RedMagic 11 Pro+ also supports 120W, the actual charging time may vary depending on factors like battery temperature and charging protocol. The Xiaomi’s inclusion of PD3.0 and QC4 adds compatibility with a wider range of chargers.
