The mobile gaming phone market offers a spectrum of choices, from flagship powerhouses to more affordable options. The ZTE nubia RedMagic 5G Lite and Xiaomi Black Shark 3S represent compelling choices at different price points. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device delivers the best gaming experience for your money, focusing on the trade-offs between raw power and value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average gamer prioritizing performance and rapid charging, the Xiaomi Black Shark 3S is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset provides a significant performance uplift over the RedMagic 5G Lite’s Snapdragon 765G, and the 65W charging dramatically reduces downtime. However, budget-conscious gamers will find the RedMagic 5G Lite a capable contender.
| 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, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 19. Released 2020, June 19 | 2020, July 31. Released 2020, August 04 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 171.7 x 78.5 x 9.1 mm (6.76 x 3.09 x 0.36 in) | 168.7 x 77.3 x 10.4 mm (6.64 x 3.04 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 215 g (7.58 oz) | 222 g (7.83 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.65 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 144Hz | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 10, nubia UI 8.0 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.3, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@1920fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 12 MP, (wide) | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 65W wired, 100% in 38 min
18W magnetic wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 5100 mAh | Li-Po 4729 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Sky Cloud Black, Crystal Blue |
| Models | NX651J | - |
| Price | About 600 EUR | About 600 EUR |
ZTE nubia RedMagic 5G Lite
- More affordable price point
- Functional 5G connectivity
- Potentially cleaner software experience
- Significantly weaker processor
- Slow 18W charging
- Likely inferior camera performance
Xiaomi Black Shark 3S
- Powerful Snapdragon 865 processor
- Ultra-fast 65W wired charging
- Wireless charging support
- Higher price tag
- Potentially more aggressive software customization
- May run hotter under sustained load
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display, but they serve their purpose. While specific display specs (resolution, refresh rate, brightness) aren't provided, the focus here is on performance. The Black Shark 3S likely benefits from a higher-quality panel due to its higher price point, potentially offering better color accuracy and viewing angles. The RedMagic 5G Lite, aiming for affordability, likely utilizes a more cost-effective panel. Both are likely to have high refresh rate options, crucial for smooth gaming, but the Black Shark 3S likely has a more refined implementation.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance isn't a primary focus for gaming phones, but it's still relevant. Without specific sensor details, it's safe to assume the Black Shark 3S has a more capable camera system, leveraging the processing power of the Snapdragon 865 for better image quality and features. The RedMagic 5G Lite likely features a more basic camera setup focused on everyday use. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is unknown for both, but more likely on the Black Shark 3S given its higher price bracket. Expect the Black Shark 3S to deliver better low-light performance and more detailed images.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Black Shark 3S’s Snapdragon 865 (7nm+) is a substantial upgrade over the ZTE nubia RedMagic 5G Lite’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm). The 865 features a more powerful Cortex-A77 prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz versus the Kryo 475 Prime at 2.4 GHz in the 765G. This translates to significantly faster processing speeds and improved graphics performance. The 865 also benefits from a more advanced GPU, offering higher frame rates and better visual fidelity in demanding games. While both support 5G, the 865’s integrated modem is more mature and potentially offers better connectivity. The Black Shark 3S will exhibit less throttling under sustained load due to the more efficient 7nm+ process and likely a more robust cooling system.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Black Shark 3S dominates in charging speed with its 65W wired charging, achieving a full charge in just 38 minutes. This is a game-changer for gamers who need to quickly get back into the action. The RedMagic 5G Lite’s 18W charging is comparatively slow. While battery capacity isn't specified, the faster charging of the Black Shark 3S effectively mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage. The Black Shark 3S also offers 18W magnetic wireless charging, a convenience feature absent on the RedMagic 5G Lite.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 5G Lite if you need a functional 5G gaming phone on a strict budget and prioritize a relatively clean software experience. You'll accept compromises in peak performance for affordability. Buy the Xiaomi Black Shark 3S if you prefer uncompromising gaming performance, lightning-fast charging, and don't mind a more customized (and potentially resource-intensive) gaming-focused UI. This is for users who demand the best possible experience within a mid-range price bracket.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 765G in the RedMagic 5G Lite struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 765G will likely require significant graphical settings reductions to achieve playable frame rates in Genshin Impact and other graphically intensive titles. While it can run these games, the experience won't be optimal compared to the Snapdragon 865 in the Black Shark 3S.
❓ How much of a difference will the 65W charging make in real-world gaming scenarios on the Black Shark 3S?
The 65W charging is a massive benefit. A full charge in 38 minutes means minimal downtime between gaming sessions. You can quickly top up the battery during breaks, ensuring you're always ready to play. The RedMagic 5G Lite's 18W charging will take considerably longer, potentially disrupting your gaming flow.
❓ Does the Black Shark 3S's gaming software (Shark Space) significantly impact battery life?
Shark Space, while offering useful gaming features, can contribute to increased battery drain due to its background processes and performance optimizations. However, the larger battery capacity and efficient Snapdragon 865 chipset help mitigate this impact. Users can customize Shark Space settings to balance performance and battery life.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the two phones noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
While both phones are capable of handling everyday tasks smoothly, the Snapdragon 865 in the Black Shark 3S will provide a snappier and more responsive experience. App loading times will be faster, and multitasking will be more fluid. However, for basic usage, the difference may not be dramatically noticeable.
