ZTE nubia RedMagic 8S Pro vs. Motorola Edge+ (2023): A Deep Dive for Power Users

The ZTE nubia RedMagic 8S Pro and Motorola Edge+ (2023) represent distinct approaches to the flagship Android experience. The RedMagic prioritizes unadulterated gaming performance, while the Motorola Edge+ aims for a more balanced blend of features and refinement. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For dedicated mobile gamers, the ZTE nubia RedMagic 8S Pro is the clear winner, offering superior cooling and a gaming-focused feature set. However, the Motorola Edge+ (2023) provides a more polished all-around experience with a more versatile camera and wireless charging, making it ideal for mainstream users.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia RedMagic 8S Pro Motorola Edge+ (2023)
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, 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, 14, 17, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 41, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, June 052023, May 02
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, July 11Available. Released 2023, May 19
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions164 x 76.4 x 9.5 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.37 in)161.2 x 74 x 8.6 mm (6.35 x 2.91 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight228 g (8.04 oz)203 g (7.16 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors (China only), 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak)OLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 740 (719 MHz)Adreno 740
OSAndroid 13, Redmagic OS 8Android 13, upgradable to Android 14
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM512GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/1.6, (telephoto), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display60 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.61µm
Video1080p@30/60fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2 (China), 3.1 (Global), OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPortUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG, DisplayPort 1.4
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Ready For 3.5 support
Battery
Charging80W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 35 min (China) 65W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 40 min (International)68W wired 15W wireless 5W reverse wired 5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 6000 mAhLi-Po 5100 mAh
Misc
ColorsMidnight, Platinum, AuroraInterstellar Black
PriceAbout 650 EUR$ 298.99

ZTE nubia RedMagic 8S Pro

  • Faster CPU clock speed for potentially higher performance
  • Superior cooling system minimizes thermal throttling
  • Faster wired charging speeds

  • Lacks wireless charging
  • Camera likely less sophisticated than the Motorola Edge+

Motorola Edge+ (2023)

  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging
  • Likely superior camera system with OIS
  • More balanced and refined user experience

  • Slower wired charging
  • Slightly slower CPU clock speed

Display Comparison

Both devices utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but their displays differ significantly. The RedMagic 8S Pro boasts a 784-nit peak brightness, which is respectable, but the Motorola Edge+’s panel specifications (not provided) likely offer comparable or superior color accuracy and viewing angles. While neither spec sheet details refresh rate, the RedMagic’s gaming focus suggests a higher refresh rate is prioritized. The RedMagic’s under-display camera design contributes to a more immersive viewing experience, while the Motorola Edge+ likely features a traditional punch-hole or notch.

Camera Comparison

The provided data lacks detailed camera specifications for both devices. However, given the RedMagic’s gaming focus, its camera is likely optimized for casual photography and video recording. The Motorola Edge+, positioned as a flagship, likely features a more sophisticated camera system with larger sensors, optical image stabilization (OIS), and advanced image processing algorithms. Without specific sensor details, it’s reasonable to assume the Motorola Edge+ will deliver superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The RedMagic’s camera is listed as 'Photo / Video' which is not descriptive enough to make a meaningful comparison.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the Qualcomm SM8550-AC/AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm), but subtle CPU clock speed differences exist. The RedMagic 8S Pro’s Cortex-X3 core runs at 3.36 GHz, slightly faster than the Edge+’s 3.2 GHz. This difference, coupled with the RedMagic’s advanced cooling system, suggests superior sustained performance during prolonged gaming sessions. Both utilize LPDDR5x RAM, ensuring fast data access. However, the RedMagic’s active cooling solution is the key differentiator, mitigating thermal throttling and maintaining peak performance for longer.

Battery Life

The RedMagic 8S Pro offers 80W (China) or 65W (International) wired charging, achieving a full charge in 35 or 40 minutes respectively, utilizing PD3.0. The Motorola Edge+ (2023) supports 68W wired charging, slower than the RedMagic. The Edge+ also adds 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging, features absent on the RedMagic. The RedMagic’s endurance rating of 132 hours suggests efficient power management, but the Motorola Edge+’s larger battery capacity (spec not provided) could potentially offer longer real-world usage, despite the slower charging speed.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 8S Pro if you demand the highest possible frame rates in demanding mobile games, prioritize cooling to avoid throttling, and appreciate gaming-specific features like shoulder triggers. Buy the Motorola Edge+ (2023) if you value a premium build quality, a more balanced camera system, the convenience of wireless charging, and a cleaner software experience without aggressive gaming optimizations.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the RedMagic 8S Pro's cooling system generate noticeable fan noise during gaming?
The RedMagic 8S Pro utilizes an active cooling system with a fan. While effective at maintaining performance, the fan can become audible during intense gaming sessions. However, users can typically adjust fan speed settings to balance cooling performance and noise levels.
❓ Is the Motorola Edge+ (2023) software experience significantly cleaner than other Motorola phones?
Motorola has been steadily improving its software experience. The Edge+ (2023) runs a near-stock version of Android with minimal bloatware and a focus on usability. While not entirely devoid of Motorola's customizations, it offers a significantly cleaner experience compared to many other Android manufacturers.
❓ Can the Motorola Edge+ (2023) handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at maximum settings?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Motorola Edge+ (2023) is more than capable of running Genshin Impact at maximum settings. However, sustained performance may be limited by thermal throttling, though the Edge+’s cooling solution should mitigate this to a degree.
❓ What type of charging protocol does the RedMagic 8S Pro use for its 80W/65W charging?
The RedMagic 8S Pro utilizes the Power Delivery (PD) 3.0 protocol for its fast charging. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of chargers and power banks.