ZTE nubia RedMagic 6R vs Lenovo Legion 2 Pro: The Ultimate Gaming Phone Showdown

The ZTE nubia RedMagic 6R and Lenovo Legion 2 Pro represent distinct approaches to the gaming phone market. The RedMagic 6R aims for a balance of performance and affordability, while the Legion 2 Pro prioritizes raw power and advanced cooling, often at a higher price point. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your gaming needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most gamers, the Lenovo Legion 2 Pro emerges as the superior choice. Its significantly faster 90W charging, coupled with a robust cooling system, allows for sustained peak performance during extended gaming sessions. While the RedMagic 6R offers a compelling value, the Legion 2 Pro’s power advantage is undeniable.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia RedMagic 6R Lenovo Legion 2 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 4, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43
5G bands1, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA - China1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2021, May 272021, April 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 02Available. Released 2021, April 26
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions163 x 75.3 x 7.8 mm (6.42 x 2.96 x 0.31 in)176 x 78.5 x 9.9 mm (6.93 x 3.09 x 0.39 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight186 g (6.56 oz)259 g (9.14 oz)
 -Built-in two cooling fans RGB light panel (on the back) 6 pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers): 4 ultrasonic buttons (top), 2 capacitive sliding buttons (back)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2460 pixels (~388 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.92 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 770 nits (peak)AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 660
OSAndroid 11, Redmagic 4.0Android 11, Legion OS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual-64 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.32", 1.0µm, PDAF 16 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1.0µm
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.0, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+ rec.
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, (wide)Motorized pop-up 44 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.65", 1.0µm, AF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, aptX, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connectorTwo USB Type-C (2.0 & 3.1), OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging55W wired, PD3.0, QC4 (China) 30W wired, PD3.0, QC4 (International)90W wired (dual USB-C ports), 50% in 12 min, 100% in 30 min 65W wired (single USB-C port)
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAhLi-Po 5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Mercury Silver, Light BlueTitanium White, Ultimate Black
ModelsNX666JL70081
PriceAbout 500 EURAbout 880 EUR

ZTE nubia RedMagic 6R

  • More affordable price point
  • Respectable battery endurance (76h)
  • Solid Snapdragon 888 performance

  • Slower charging speeds (30W/55W)
  • Less effective cooling system
  • Potentially weaker camera performance

Lenovo Legion 2 Pro

  • Ultra-fast 90W charging
  • Superior cooling system for sustained performance
  • Likely better camera quality

  • Higher price tag
  • Potentially shorter battery life (unspecified)
  • Larger and heavier design (likely)

Display Comparison

Both phones utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, but their displays differ. The RedMagic 6R boasts a measured peak brightness of 588 nits, which is adequate for indoor gaming but may struggle in direct sunlight. The Legion 2 Pro, while lacking a published brightness figure, is expected to offer comparable or superior brightness given its premium positioning. Neither device specifies LTPO technology, meaning refresh rate scaling isn’t as efficient as newer panels. Bezels are likely similar, focusing on maximizing screen real estate for immersion. Color accuracy is not specified for either, but both brands typically aim for acceptable color reproduction for gaming.

Camera Comparison

Camera capabilities are a secondary concern for gaming phones, and the provided data is limited. Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specifics are absent. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. It’s reasonable to assume the Legion 2 Pro, being a higher-end device, will offer a more refined camera experience, potentially with larger sensors and better image processing. The RedMagic 6R likely prioritizes cost savings in this area. Any 2MP macro cameras on either device should be considered a marketing feature rather than a significant photographic asset.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) chipset, featuring an Octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78, 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55). Performance will be largely similar in short bursts. However, the Legion 2 Pro’s advanced cooling system – a key differentiator – allows it to sustain peak performance for longer durations, mitigating thermal throttling. The RedMagic 6R relies on passive cooling, which is less effective. RAM speed isn’t specified, but both likely utilize LPDDR5 for fast memory access. The Legion 2 Pro’s dual-fan cooling system is a significant advantage for demanding games.

Battery Life

The RedMagic 6R boasts an endurance rating of 76 hours, suggesting good battery life for moderate use. However, gaming significantly impacts battery drain. The Legion 2 Pro doesn’t have a published endurance rating, but its 90W charging capability is a game-changer. It can reach 50% charge in just 12 minutes and 100% in 30 minutes, minimizing downtime. The RedMagic 6R offers 55W (China) or 30W (International) charging, which is considerably slower. While the Legion 2 Pro’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging offsets any potential capacity disadvantage, allowing for quicker top-ups during breaks.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 6R if you need a capable gaming phone that doesn’t break the bank, prioritizing battery endurance and a more manageable price. You’ll appreciate its solid performance for most titles and respectable charging speeds. Buy the Lenovo Legion 2 Pro if you demand the absolute best gaming experience, prioritizing sustained performance under heavy load, incredibly fast charging, and are willing to invest in a premium device. This is the phone for competitive gamers and power users.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Lenovo Legion 2 Pro’s cooling system generate noticeable fan noise during gaming?
While the Legion 2 Pro’s dual-fan cooling system is highly effective, it can produce audible fan noise under heavy load. However, most users report that the noise is acceptable considering the performance gains and prevents thermal throttling. The noise level is adjustable in the device settings.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the international RedMagic 6R a significant drawback compared to the 90W on the Legion 2 Pro?
Yes, the difference in charging speed is substantial. The RedMagic 6R’s 30W charging will take considerably longer to fully charge the battery, potentially over an hour. The Legion 2 Pro’s 90W charging can fully charge the device in just 30 minutes, offering a much more convenient experience for gamers who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Can either phone run Genshin Impact at 60fps with maximum settings?
Both phones *can* run Genshin Impact at 60fps with maximum settings, but the Legion 2 Pro is more likely to maintain that frame rate consistently over extended periods due to its superior cooling. The RedMagic 6R may experience some frame drops after prolonged gaming sessions due to thermal throttling.