ZTE RedMagic 8S Pro+ vs Realme GT5 Pro: A Deep Dive into Gaming and Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For dedicated mobile gamers prioritizing sustained performance, the RedMagic 8S Pro+ is the clear winner. However, the Realme GT5 Pro offers a more balanced package with a significantly brighter display, faster charging, and a more versatile camera system, making it the better choice for everyday users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | ZTE nubia RedMagic 8S Pro+ | Realme GT5 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, June 05 | 2023, December 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, July 11 | Available. Released 2023, December 14 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front, glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 161.7 x 75.1 x 9.2 mm (6.37 x 2.96 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 230 g (8.11 oz) | 218 g / 224 g (7.69 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~92.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors (China only), 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak) | LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 4500 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 740 (719 MHz) | Adreno 750 |
| OS | Android 13, Redmagic OS 8 | Android 14, upgradable to Android 15, Realme UI 6.0 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 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/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.6, 65mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS, 2.7x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, Dolby Vision |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display | 32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide), 1/2.74" |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (Dolby Atmos certified) |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 (China), 3.1 (International), OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 165W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 14 min | 100W wired, 50% in 12 min 50W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5400 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Midnight, Platinum, Aurora | Black, Silver, Orange |
| Models | - | RMX3888 |
| Price | About 700 EUR | About 430 EUR |
ZTE nubia RedMagic 8S Pro+
- Faster full charge time (14 mins)
- Dedicated gaming triggers
- Active cooling system for sustained performance
- Likely weaker camera system
- Less versatile feature set
Realme GT5 Pro
- Significantly brighter display (1660 nits)
- More powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset
- 50W wireless charging
- Slower 0-50% charge time
- May throttle more under sustained load without active cooling
Display Comparison
The Realme GT5 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1660 nits, compared to the RedMagic 8S Pro+, which lacks published peak brightness data but is expected to be lower. This brightness advantage translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both likely utilize high refresh rate panels, the GT5 Pro’s brightness is a key differentiator. The RedMagic’s focus is on minimizing latency for gaming, potentially utilizing a higher PWM dimming rate, which benefits users sensitive to screen flicker, though this is unconfirmed. Bezels are likely comparable, given both phones target a premium aesthetic.
Camera Comparison
The Realme GT5 Pro is expected to have a more versatile camera system, though specific details are missing. The RedMagic 8S Pro+ historically prioritizes gaming features over camera prowess. The GT5 Pro’s inclusion of 'Photo/Video' capabilities suggests a more comprehensive imaging experience. Sensor size and lens apertures are critical here; a larger sensor generally captures more light, resulting in better low-light performance. The GT5 Pro likely features Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on its main sensor, improving image stability. The RedMagic’s camera is likely adequate for casual use, but the GT5 Pro is positioned as a stronger contender for photography enthusiasts.
Performance
The Realme GT5 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) represents a generational leap over the RedMagic 8S Pro+'s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm). The Gen 3 features a new CPU architecture (Cortex-X4 vs X3) and improved GPU performance. The GT5 Pro’s CPU configuration (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720, 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720, 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) offers higher clock speeds and more efficient cores than the RedMagic’s (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710, 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510). While both utilize LPDDR5x RAM, the GT5 Pro’s newer chipset will benefit more from its increased bandwidth. The RedMagic’s active cooling system is a significant advantage for sustained gaming, mitigating thermal throttling, but the Gen 3’s inherent efficiency also contributes to better thermal management.
Battery Life
The Realme GT5 Pro’s 100W wired charging reaches 50% in 12 minutes, while the RedMagic 8S Pro+’s 165W charging achieves 100% in just 14 minutes. Despite the lower wattage, the RedMagic’s faster full charge time suggests more efficient power delivery. The GT5 Pro also offers 50W wireless charging, a feature absent on the RedMagic. The GT5 Pro’s active use score of 14:16h demonstrates strong battery life, likely due to the efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. While the RedMagic’s battery capacity is unconfirmed, its focus on high performance may result in slightly lower endurance.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 8S Pro+ if you absolutely need the most raw gaming power, active cooling, and dedicated gaming triggers. You're willing to sacrifice camera versatility and mainstream appeal for peak performance. Buy the Realme GT5 Pro if you prefer a flagship with a stunning display, incredibly fast charging, and a more balanced feature set suitable for both gaming and everyday tasks. You value a premium experience without the overtly 'gamer' aesthetic.