ZTE nubia RedMagic 6R vs Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro: A Gamer's Deep Dive

The ZTE nubia RedMagic 6R and Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro represent two distinct approaches to the gaming phone market. The RedMagic 6R prioritizes sustained performance and battery life, while the Black Shark 4 Pro aggressively targets ultra-fast charging. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your gaming needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average gamer prioritizing convenience, the Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro is the better choice thanks to its revolutionary 120W charging, capable of a full charge in just 15 minutes. However, users who value longer gaming sessions and overall endurance will find the ZTE nubia RedMagic 6R’s 76-hour endurance rating more appealing.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia RedMagic 6R Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 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, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA - China1, 3, 8, 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 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 02Available. Released 2021, March 30
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, glass back-
Dimensions163 x 75.3 x 7.8 mm (6.42 x 2.96 x 0.31 in)163.8 x 76.4 x 9.9 mm (6.45 x 3.01 x 0.39 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight186 g (6.56 oz)220 g (7.76 oz)
 -Physical pop-up gaming triggers
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3-
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 770 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
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, Joy UI 12.5
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED 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-
Single-20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 0.8µm
Triple-64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro), AF
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps; HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, (wide)20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 0.8µm
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 (China), 5.0 (Global), A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connectorUSB Type-C 2.0
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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (China only)
Battery
Charging55W wired, PD3.0, QC4 (China) 30W wired, PD3.0, QC4 (International)120W wired, 50% in 5 min, 100% in 15 min
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Mercury Silver, Light BlueShadow Black, Misty Grey, Cosmos Black, Dark Blue, Silver
ModelsNX666JSHARK PAR-H0
PriceAbout 500 EURAbout 500 EUR

ZTE nubia RedMagic 6R

  • Exceptional 76-hour battery endurance
  • Potentially better sustained performance due to RedMagic’s cooling focus
  • 55W/30W fast charging (depending on region)

  • Display specs lack detail (LTPO, color accuracy)
  • Camera details are minimal, suggesting a lower priority

Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro

  • Revolutionary 120W charging (0-100% in 15 minutes)
  • Likely high refresh rate display (based on Black Shark history)
  • Snapdragon 888 provides flagship-level performance

  • Battery endurance likely lower than RedMagic 6R
  • Cooling system details are unknown, potential for throttling

Display Comparison

Both devices utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, meaning display differences become crucial. The RedMagic 6R boasts a measured peak brightness of 588 nits, a respectable figure, but lacks information regarding panel technology like LTPO. The Black Shark 4 Pro’s display specifications are not provided, making a direct brightness comparison difficult. However, Black Shark historically focuses on high refresh rates, potentially sacrificing peak brightness for smoother visuals. The absence of detailed display specs on the RedMagic 6R leaves questions about color accuracy and HDR support unanswered.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are sparse for both devices, with both listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities. This lack of specifics makes a meaningful comparison impossible. Without knowing sensor sizes, lens apertures, or image processing algorithms, it’s difficult to assess image quality. The absence of information suggests neither phone prioritizes camera performance as a key selling point, focusing instead on gaming features. We can assume both will offer adequate cameras for casual use, but enthusiasts should look elsewhere.

Performance

Both the ZTE nubia RedMagic 6R and Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro 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, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55). This means raw processing power is virtually identical. The key differentiator will be thermal management. The RedMagic series is known for its advanced cooling solutions, potentially allowing for more sustained peak performance. The Black Shark 4 Pro’s cooling system is not detailed, but its focus on rapid charging suggests less emphasis on prolonged thermal dissipation. RAM specifications are missing for both, but LPDDR5 is expected, impacting multitasking and game loading times.

Battery Life

The ZTE nubia RedMagic 6R shines with an impressive 76-hour endurance rating, indicating excellent battery life for a gaming phone. This is contrasted sharply by the Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro’s focus on charging speed: 120W wired, achieving 50% charge in 5 minutes and 100% in 15 minutes. While the Black Shark 4 Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, the rapid charging significantly mitigates concerns about battery life. The RedMagic 6R offers 55W (China) or 30W (International) wired charging, a substantial difference compared to the Black Shark, but still respectable. The choice here depends on user preference: long-lasting power versus ultra-fast replenishment.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 6R if you need a phone that can last through extended gaming marathons and daily use without constantly needing a charger. It’s ideal for users who prioritize battery life and sustained performance over the absolute fastest charging speeds. Buy the Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro if you prefer the convenience of incredibly fast charging, allowing you to quickly top up your battery between gaming sessions and minimize downtime. It’s perfect for users who value speed and don’t mind potentially shorter overall battery life.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the 30W charging on the international RedMagic 6R feel slow compared to the Black Shark 4 Pro's 120W?
Yes, the 30W charging on the international RedMagic 6R is significantly slower than the Black Shark 4 Pro’s 120W. While 30W is still considered fast charging, it will take considerably longer to fully charge the device – likely over an hour – compared to the Black Shark 4 Pro’s 15-minute full charge. This difference is a key consideration for users who prioritize convenience and minimal downtime.
❓ Will the Snapdragon 888 in both phones experience thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate heat under sustained load, potentially leading to thermal throttling. However, the RedMagic 6R’s brand reputation for advanced cooling solutions suggests it may handle throttling better than the Black Shark 4 Pro, for which cooling details are lacking. The extent of throttling will also depend on the specific game and graphics settings used.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera information a dealbreaker for casual photographers?
For casual photographers, the lack of detailed camera specs is unlikely to be a major issue. Both phones will likely offer adequate image quality for everyday snapshots and social media sharing. However, users who prioritize high-quality photos and videos should consider other devices with more advanced camera systems.