ZTE nubia RedMagic 3S vs. Realme X2 Pro: A Deep Dive into Gaming and Charging
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For dedicated mobile gamers prioritizing long play sessions, the ZTE nubia RedMagic 3S is the clear winner due to its superior battery endurance (115h vs 94h). However, the Realme X2 Pro’s 50W charging, capable of a full charge in just 35 minutes, makes it the more convenient choice for users who value speed and don't mind more frequent top-ups.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | ZTE nubia RedMagic 3S | Realme X2 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - China |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 66 - Global | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - EMEA | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, September | 2019, October 15. Released 2019, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 171.7 x 78.5 x 9.7 mm (6.76 x 3.09 x 0.38 in) | 161 x 75.7 x 8.7 mm (6.34 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 215 g (7.58 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.65 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.5 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Redmagic 2.0 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| - | 64GB UFS 2.1, 128/256GB UFS 3.0 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.5, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF | - |
| Video | 8K@15fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1920fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with Dolby Atmos stereo speakers (2 dedicated amplifiers) |
| - | 24-bit/192kHz audio (incl. speakers) | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, aptX, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, accessory connector | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC4 | 50W wired, 100% in 35 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Mecha Silver, Cyber Shade, Eclipse Black | Lunar White, Neptune Blue, Red Master Edition, Gray Master Edition |
| Models | NX629J_V1S | RMX1931 |
| Price | About 820 EUR | About 440 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -91.3dB / Crosstalk -92.5dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 94h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 82dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 91dB |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 396827 (v7), 467653 (v8) GeekBench: 10373 (v4.4) GFXBench: 37fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE nubia RedMagic 3S
- Superior battery endurance (115h)
- Active cooling for sustained gaming performance
- Gaming-focused design and features
- Slower 18W charging
- Potentially less refined camera system
Realme X2 Pro
- Blazing-fast 50W charging (35 min to 100%)
- Likely superior display contrast ratio
- Potentially better camera system
- Shorter battery endurance (94h)
- Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
Both devices feature displays capable of delivering a vibrant visual experience, but differ in key areas. The RedMagic 3S achieves a measured peak brightness of 479.7 nits, which is respectable, but the Realme X2 Pro boasts an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting a superior viewing experience with deeper blacks. While the RedMagic 3S’s display is adequate for gaming, the X2 Pro’s panel likely offers better clarity and dynamic range for multimedia consumption. The lack of refresh rate data for both devices means we can't assess smoothness, a critical factor for gaming.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Given the RedMagic 3S’s gaming-centric design, its camera system is likely a secondary consideration. The Realme X2 Pro, positioned as a more all-around flagship, likely features a more refined camera experience, potentially with larger sensors and more advanced image processing. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the X2 Pro’s broader market appeal suggests a greater investment in camera quality.
Performance
Both the RedMagic 3S and X2 Pro utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ (7nm), featuring an identical CPU configuration: Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485). This means raw processing power will be nearly identical. However, the RedMagic 3S’s design incorporates active cooling, suggesting better sustained performance under heavy load, preventing thermal throttling during prolonged gaming. The X2 Pro, while powerful, lacks the dedicated cooling solution, potentially leading to performance dips during extended use. RAM configurations are not specified, but the RedMagic 3S’s gaming focus suggests a prioritization of faster RAM speeds.
Battery Life
The RedMagic 3S boasts a significant advantage in battery endurance, achieving 115 hours in testing, compared to the X2 Pro’s 94 hours. This translates to longer gaming sessions and less frequent charging. However, the X2 Pro compensates with its groundbreaking 50W wired charging, capable of fully charging the battery in just 35 minutes. The RedMagic 3S is limited to 18W charging with QC4, requiring considerably more time to reach a full charge. This difference in charging speed is a crucial trade-off: endurance versus convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 3S if you need a phone specifically engineered for extended gaming sessions, prioritizing battery life and sustained performance over camera versatility or ultra-fast charging. Buy the Realme X2 Pro if you prefer a more versatile device with a focus on rapid charging, allowing you to quickly replenish the battery and get back to your day without being tethered to a wall outlet for long periods.