ZTE nubia RedMagic 7 vs. OnePlus 10 Pro: A Deep Dive for Gamers and Power Users

The ZTE nubia RedMagic 7 and OnePlus 10 Pro represent distinct philosophies in the flagship Android space. The RedMagic 7 aggressively targets mobile gamers with a focus on cooling and performance, while the OnePlus 10 Pro aims for a more holistic premium experience with a strong emphasis on photography and everyday usability. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For dedicated mobile gamers, the ZTE nubia RedMagic 7 is the clear winner. Its focus on sustained performance and rapid 120W charging (in China) outweighs the OnePlus 10 Pro’s more refined camera system and slightly longer battery life. However, the OnePlus 10 Pro is the better choice for users prioritizing a balanced experience with a superior display and versatile camera.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia RedMagic 7 OnePlus 10 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat18 1200/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2022, February 172022, January 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, February 21Available. Released 2022, January 13
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions170.6 x 78.3 x 9.5 mm (6.72 x 3.08 x 0.37 in)163 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm (6.42 x 2.91 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight215 g (7.58 oz)201 g (7.09 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant - T-Mobile only (not for use underwater, liquid damage is not covered under warranty)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors (China only), 165Hz, 700 nits (typ)LTPO2 Fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, Redmagic 5.0Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14 (International), ColorOS (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 256GB 18GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Hasselblad Color Calibration, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single-32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.0, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)48 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 77mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 150˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps8K@24fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, aptX, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connectorUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, 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, barometer
Battery
Charging120W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 17 min (China) 65W wired, PD3.0 (International)80W wired, PD, 100% in 32 min (International) 65W wired, PD, 58% in 15 min (North America) 50W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsObsidian, Pulsar, SupernovaVolcanic Black, Emerald Forest, Panda White (Extreme Edition)
ModelsNX679JNE2210, NE2211, NE2213, NE2215, NE2217
PriceAbout 630 EUR$ 264.39 / C$ 349.99 / £ 360.00 / € 399.99
SAR-1.16 W/kg (head)     0.70 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 107h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 886248 (v9) GeekBench: 3447 (v5.1) GFXBench: 48fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE nubia RedMagic 7

  • Extremely fast 120W charging (China)
  • Superior thermal management for sustained gaming
  • Aggressive gaming-focused design

  • Lower display brightness
  • Less refined camera system
  • Software may not be as polished as OnePlus

OnePlus 10 Pro

  • Brighter and more vibrant display
  • Versatile Hasselblad-tuned camera system
  • Longer battery life and wireless charging

  • Slower charging speeds compared to RedMagic 7
  • Potential for thermal throttling under heavy load
  • Higher price point

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 10 Pro boasts a brighter display at 780 nits measured, compared to the RedMagic 7’s 527 nits. This translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. Both utilize LTPO technology, enabling variable refresh rates for power efficiency, but the OnePlus 10 Pro’s higher peak brightness and contrast ratio (Infinite nominal) provide a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience. While both are excellent, the OnePlus 10 Pro’s display is demonstrably superior for media consumption and outdoor use.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable photo and video recording, but the OnePlus 10 Pro distinguishes itself with its Hasselblad-tuned camera system. While specific sensor details are missing, the OnePlus 10 Pro’s emphasis on image processing and color science provides more consistent and aesthetically pleasing results, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The RedMagic 7’s camera is functional, but it’s clearly not a primary focus, lacking the refinement and features found in the OnePlus 10 Pro. The OnePlus 10 Pro’s camera system is the clear winner for photography enthusiasts.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm), featuring the same CPU configuration: 1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2, 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510. However, the RedMagic 7’s design prioritizes thermal management with its active cooling system, potentially allowing for sustained peak performance for longer durations during demanding games. The OnePlus 10 Pro relies on more conventional cooling, which may lead to thermal throttling under prolonged heavy load. While both use LPDDR5 RAM, the RedMagic 7’s cooling advantage is the key differentiator for gamers.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 10 Pro edges out the RedMagic 7 in battery endurance with a rating of 107 hours versus 89 hours. This is partially offset by the RedMagic 7’s significantly faster charging capabilities. The RedMagic 7 supports 120W wired charging (in China), achieving a full charge in just 17 minutes, while the OnePlus 10 Pro takes 32 minutes with its 80W wired charging. The OnePlus 10 Pro also offers 50W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, features absent on the RedMagic 7. The RedMagic 7’s faster charging is a compelling advantage, but the OnePlus 10 Pro provides greater overall battery longevity and charging versatility.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 7 if you prioritize uninterrupted gaming sessions, demand the fastest possible charging speeds, and appreciate a design geared towards immersive gameplay. Buy the OnePlus 10 Pro if you value a premium display with higher brightness, a more versatile camera system with Hasselblad tuning, and a more polished software experience with broader ecosystem integration.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the RedMagic 7's cooling fan add significant noise during gaming?
The RedMagic 7's active cooling fan is designed to be relatively quiet, but it is audible under maximum load. The noise level is comparable to a small desktop fan and is generally less distracting than performance throttling. Users can also adjust fan speed settings to balance cooling performance and noise levels.
❓ How does the OnePlus 10 Pro's charging speed vary between North America and International markets?
The OnePlus 10 Pro supports 80W wired charging internationally, achieving a full charge in approximately 32 minutes. However, in North America, charging is limited to 65W, resulting in slower charging times. It also achieves 58% charge in 15 minutes in North America.
❓ Is the RedMagic 7's design too 'gamer-centric' for everyday use?
The RedMagic 7's design is undeniably aggressive, with sharp angles and RGB lighting. While it may not appeal to everyone, it's still a functional smartphone. The design prioritizes ergonomics for gaming, but it's perfectly usable for everyday tasks. It's a trade-off between aesthetics and gaming-focused features.
❓ Does the OnePlus 10 Pro support 120Hz refresh rate across all apps?
The OnePlus 10 Pro utilizes an LTPO display, which dynamically adjusts the refresh rate between 1Hz and 120Hz to optimize power consumption. While it can reach 120Hz, not all apps natively support this refresh rate. The phone intelligently manages the refresh rate based on the content being displayed.