ZTE nubia RedMagic 6R vs Realme GT 5G: A Deep Dive into Gaming and Battery Life

Both the ZTE nubia RedMagic 6R and the Realme GT 5G represent compelling value in the flagship-adjacent smartphone space, leveraging the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888. However, they cater to slightly different priorities. The RedMagic 6R leans heavily into gaming aesthetics and features, while the Realme GT 5G aims for a more balanced, all-around experience. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and faster charging, the Realme GT 5G is the clear winner. Its 98-hour endurance rating significantly surpasses the RedMagic 6R’s 76 hours. However, gamers seeking a more focused experience might find the RedMagic 6R’s design and potentially optimized software appealing.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia RedMagic 6R Realme GT 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 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
5G bands1, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA - China1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, May 272021, March 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 02Available. Released 2021, March 10
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, glass backGlass front, glass back or eco leather back, plastic frame
Dimensions163 x 75.3 x 7.8 mm (6.42 x 2.96 x 0.31 in)158.5 x 73.3 x 8.4 mm (Glass) / 9.1 mm (Leather)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight186 g (6.56 oz)186 g (6.56 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3-
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 770 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+
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, upgradable to Android 14, Realme UI 5.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
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-
Triple-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, aptX, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connectorUSB Type-C 2.0, 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)65W wired, 100% in 35 min
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAh4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Mercury Silver, Light BlueGold/Black, Blue, Silver
ModelsNX666JRMX2202
PriceAbout 500 EURAbout 330 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 98h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.5 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 703986 (v8), 810433 (v9) GeekBench: 3555 (v5.1) GFXBench: 55fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE nubia RedMagic 6R

  • Gaming-focused design and potential software optimizations
  • Potentially superior thermal management for sustained gaming
  • Faster charging speed in China (55W)

  • Significantly lower battery endurance (76h)
  • Slower charging speed in international markets (30W)
  • Limited camera details suggest a lower priority

Realme GT 5G

  • Exceptional battery life (98h)
  • Ultra-fast 65W charging (35 minutes to full)
  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility

  • Less focused on gaming aesthetics
  • Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load
  • Camera performance likely not a primary strength

Display Comparison

The Realme GT 5G edges out the RedMagic 6R in display brightness, achieving a measured 650 nits compared to the RedMagic 6R’s 588 nits. While both displays are adequate for indoor use, the GT 5G will offer better visibility under direct sunlight. Both phones lack specific details regarding panel technology (LTPO, AMOLED version), but the Realme GT 5G’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio suggests a standard AMOLED panel. The lack of high refresh rate details on the RedMagic 6R is a missed opportunity, as gaming benefits greatly from smoother visuals.

Camera Comparison

Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering minimal insight into camera performance. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a meaningful comparison is impossible. It’s reasonable to assume the Realme GT 5G, positioned as a more all-around device, might prioritize camera quality slightly more. The absence of details suggests neither phone is a standout in the camera department, likely relying on the Snapdragon 888’s ISP for processing.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) chipset, featuring the same CPU configuration: an octa-core setup with 1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. Therefore, raw processing power is virtually identical. The key differentiator will be thermal management. The RedMagic 6R, with its gaming focus, likely incorporates a more aggressive cooling solution, potentially allowing for sustained peak performance for longer durations. However, without detailed thermal testing data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. Both utilize LPDDR5 RAM, but the speed isn't specified, impacting overall system responsiveness.

Battery Life

The Realme GT 5G’s 98-hour endurance rating is a significant advantage over the RedMagic 6R’s 76 hours. This translates to a noticeably longer time between charges for typical users. Furthermore, the GT 5G supports 65W wired charging, achieving a full charge in just 35 minutes, while the RedMagic 6R offers 55W (China) or 30W (International) charging. The faster charging speed of the GT 5G is a major convenience factor, especially for users who frequently run low on battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 6R if you prioritize a gaming-centric design, potentially benefit from software optimizations for gaming performance, and don't mind sacrificing some battery life for a more aggressive aesthetic. Buy the Realme GT 5G if you value exceptional battery endurance, incredibly fast 65W charging, and a more versatile, everyday smartphone experience. The GT 5G is the better choice for users who need their phone to last a full day with heavy use.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 888 in either phone tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate heat under sustained load. While both phones likely implement thermal solutions, the RedMagic 6R’s gaming focus suggests a more robust cooling system. However, without independent thermal testing, it’s impossible to say definitively which phone will experience less throttling during extended gaming.
❓ What type of charging protocol does each phone support, and are chargers included in the box?
The RedMagic 6R supports 55W (China) or 30W (International) wired charging with PD3.0 and QC4 compatibility. The Realme GT 5G supports 65W wired charging. Whether a charger is included in the box varies by region and retailer; it's best to confirm with the seller before purchasing.
❓ Is the difference in battery endurance noticeable in everyday use, or is it only apparent during heavy gaming?
The 22-hour difference in endurance rating is substantial and will be noticeable in everyday use. The Realme GT 5G will comfortably last a full day with moderate to heavy use, while the RedMagic 6R may require a top-up charge before the end of the day for power users.