ZTE nubia RedMagic 8S Pro+ vs. Google Pixel 7 Pro: A Deep Dive into Gaming and AI

The ZTE nubia RedMagic 8S Pro+ and Google Pixel 7 Pro represent fundamentally different approaches to the flagship smartphone. The RedMagic prioritizes unadulterated performance for mobile gaming, while the Pixel 7 Pro focuses on computational photography and Google’s AI-driven features. This comparison dissects these philosophies, revealing which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a balanced experience with exceptional camera capabilities and smart features, the Google Pixel 7 Pro is the better choice. However, if mobile gaming is your primary focus, the RedMagic 8S Pro+ delivers unmatched performance and cooling, justifying its specialized design.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia RedMagic 8S Pro+ Google Pixel 7 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 bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - GE2AE
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - GE2AE
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GP4BC
Launch
Announced2023, June 052022, October 06
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, July 11Available. Released 2022, October 13
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 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in)162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9 mm (6.41 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight230 g (8.11 oz)212 g (7.48 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)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~512 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.6 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors (China only), 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak)LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
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 (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 740 (719 MHz)Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 13, Redmagic OS 8Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single-10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm
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/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/3.5, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 126˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, AF
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm
Video1080p@30/60fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
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 Lossless5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2 (China), 3.1 (International), OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPortUSB Type-C 3.2
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, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging165W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 14 min23W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 23W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMidnight, Platinum, AuroraObsidian, Snow, Hazel
Models-GP4BC, GE2AE, GFE4J
PriceAbout 700 EUR€ 248.84 / $ 204.00 / £ 259.99 / ₹ 36,999
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 83h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.8 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 796369 (v9) GeekBench: 3187 (v5.1) GFXBench: 34fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE nubia RedMagic 8S Pro+

  • Unmatched gaming performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Blazing-fast 165W charging
  • Active cooling system for sustained performance

  • Camera likely inferior to Pixel 7 Pro
  • Software experience less refined than Pixel

Google Pixel 7 Pro

  • Exceptional camera quality and computational photography
  • Smooth and intuitive software experience with Google’s AI features
  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging

  • Slower charging speed compared to RedMagic
  • Less powerful chipset for demanding games

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7 Pro boasts a vibrant display reaching 1090 nits peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even outdoors. While the RedMagic 8S Pro+’s display specs aren’t provided, nubia typically focuses on high refresh rates for gaming. The Pixel 7 Pro’s infinite (nominal) contrast ratio suggests a superior viewing experience for media consumption. The Pixel’s LTPO technology dynamically adjusts refresh rates, potentially offering better battery efficiency than a fixed high refresh rate on the RedMagic, though this depends on nubia’s implementation. Bezels are likely slimmer on the Pixel 7 Pro, reflecting Google’s emphasis on a premium aesthetic.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 7 Pro is renowned for its computational photography prowess, leveraging Google’s Tensor G2 chip for advanced image processing. While specific sensor details aren’t provided, the Pixel’s camera system is optimized for dynamic range, detail, and low-light performance. The RedMagic 8S Pro+’s camera capabilities are less emphasized, likely prioritizing gaming features. The Pixel’s OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is crucial for stable video recording and sharp photos in challenging conditions. The RedMagic’s camera is likely adequate, but won’t compete with the Pixel’s image quality and software features.

Performance

The RedMagic 8S Pro+’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) chipset is a clear advantage in raw processing power compared to the Google Tensor G2 (5nm) found in the Pixel 7 Pro. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s Cortex-X3 prime core, clocked at 3.36 GHz, significantly outperforms the Pixel’s Cortex-X1 cores at 2.85 GHz. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon offers superior thermal efficiency, crucial for sustained gaming performance. The RedMagic’s likely inclusion of LPDDR5x RAM further enhances memory bandwidth. While the Tensor G2 excels in AI tasks, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 dominates CPU and GPU benchmarks, translating to higher frame rates and smoother gameplay.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 83 hours, suggesting comparable battery life despite differing capacities. However, the RedMagic 8S Pro+’s 165W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving a full charge in just 14 minutes. The Pixel 7 Pro’s 23W wired charging takes approximately 30 minutes to reach 50%, significantly slower. The Pixel 7 Pro also offers 23W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, features absent on the RedMagic. The RedMagic’s faster charging mitigates any potential battery capacity disadvantage, making it more convenient for users who frequently need to top up their device.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 8S Pro+ if you demand the highest possible frame rates in demanding mobile games, require active cooling for sustained performance, and prioritize raw power over camera versatility. Buy the Google Pixel 7 Pro if you value a refined software experience, industry-leading computational photography, and seamless integration with Google’s ecosystem, even if it means sacrificing some gaming headroom.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the RedMagic 8S Pro+ generate excessive heat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is powerful, the RedMagic 8S Pro+ incorporates an active cooling system – a fan – designed to mitigate thermal throttling. This allows for sustained peak performance during extended gaming sessions, unlike many passively cooled flagships.
❓ How does the Google Tensor G2 handle graphically intensive games compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2?
The Tensor G2 prioritizes AI and machine learning tasks over raw GPU power. While it can handle most games, it will likely require lower graphics settings or experience lower frame rates compared to the RedMagic 8S Pro+ running the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, especially in demanding titles.
❓ Is the 23W wireless charging on the Pixel 7 Pro significantly slower than the 165W wired charging on the RedMagic 8S Pro+?
Yes, the difference is substantial. 23W wireless charging is convenient, but it takes considerably longer to fully charge the Pixel 7 Pro compared to the RedMagic 8S Pro+'s 165W wired charging, which can fully charge the device in just 14 minutes.
❓ What kind of gaming accessories are compatible with the RedMagic 8S Pro+?
The RedMagic 8S Pro+ supports a range of gaming accessories, including external controllers, cooling fans, and even a dedicated gamepad attachment, enhancing the mobile gaming experience.