ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: A Deep Dive into Gaming and Flagship Features
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For dedicated mobile gamers, the ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro is the clear winner, offering significantly longer battery life (17:38h active use) and a design optimized for extended play sessions. However, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra provides a more polished, versatile experience with a brighter display and superior camera system, making it the better choice for mainstream users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra |
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE (up to 7CA), 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, November 23 | 2024, January 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, November 23 | Available. Released 2024, January 24 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, glass back | Glass front (Corning Gorilla Armor), glass back (Corning Gorilla Armor), titanium frame (grade 2) |
| Dimensions | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm (6.39 x 3.11 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - INT· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - USA· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - CN |
| Weight | 229 g (8.08 oz) | 232 g or 233 g (8.18 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Armor |
| Resolution | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~505 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 113.5 cm2 (~88.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors (China only), 120Hz, 1600 nits (peak) | Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) | 8-core (1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.1GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.2GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 750 | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) |
| OS | Android 14, Redmagic OS 9 | Android 14, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 8.0 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm (telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/3.4, 111mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.52", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video |
| Triple | 50 MP, (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm 2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, HDR10+ |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display | 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort | USB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG |
| 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/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 80W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 35 min | 45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless |
| Type | 6500 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Sleet (Black), Snowfall (Silver), Cyclone (Transparent Black) | Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, Titanium Orange |
| Models | NX769J | SM-S928B, SM-S928B/DS, SM-S928U, SM-S928U1, SM-S928W, SM-S928N, SM-S9280, SM-S928E, SM-S928E/DS |
| Price | About 850 EUR | $ 514.94 / C$ 929.99 / £ 630.00 / € 658.53 / ₹ 84,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.26 W/kg (head) 0.62 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.06 W/kg (head) 1.30 W/kg (body) |
ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro
- Exceptional battery life (17:38h active use)
- Active cooling system for sustained performance
- Gaming-focused design with triggers and optimized software
- Less versatile camera system
- Lower peak display brightness
- Less refined software experience
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Brighter and more color-accurate display (1447 nits)
- Superior camera system with advanced features
- S Pen support and broader feature set
- Shorter battery life (13:49h active use)
- Slower charging speed (45W wired)
- Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1447 nits compared to the RedMagic 9 Pro’s 1016 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both utilize the efficient 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the S24 Ultra’s higher peak brightness and likely superior color calibration (though not specified in the data) make it the better choice for media consumption. The RedMagic 9 Pro, however, may offer a higher refresh rate, a key benefit for gaming, though this isn't specified in the provided data. Bezels are likely smaller on the S24 Ultra, contributing to a more immersive experience.
Camera Comparison
The provided data only indicates both phones have photo and video capabilities. Given Samsung’s history, the S24 Ultra is expected to have a more sophisticated camera system with larger sensors, advanced image processing, and features like 8K video recording. The RedMagic 9 Pro likely prioritizes camera functionality less, focusing instead on gaming features. Without sensor size or aperture data, it’s difficult to make a precise comparison, but the S24 Ultra is almost certainly the superior choice for photography enthusiasts. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the RedMagic 9 Pro (a common inclusion) is unlikely to significantly enhance the overall camera experience.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm SM8650-AB/AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm), but subtle CPU clock speed differences exist. The S24 Ultra’s CPU peaks at 3.39GHz, slightly higher than the RedMagic 9 Pro’s 3.3 GHz. While this difference is unlikely to be noticeable in most tasks, it could contribute to marginally faster performance in CPU-intensive applications. The RedMagic 9 Pro’s active cooling system, however, is a significant advantage, allowing it to sustain peak performance for longer periods during demanding gaming sessions, mitigating potential thermal throttling. Both utilize LPDDR5x RAM, but the specific speed isn't provided, making a direct comparison impossible.
Battery Life
The ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro delivers a substantial advantage in battery life, achieving 17 hours and 38 minutes of active use compared to the S24 Ultra’s 13 hours and 49 minutes. This nearly 4-hour difference is significant for gamers and power users. However, the S24 Ultra offers faster charging, reaching 65% in 30 minutes, while the RedMagic 9 Pro takes 35 minutes for a full charge. The S24 Ultra also includes 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, features absent on the RedMagic 9 Pro. The RedMagic 9 Pro’s larger battery capacity, combined with the more efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, results in superior endurance.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro if you prioritize uninterrupted gaming, need the longest possible battery life, and appreciate features like active cooling and dedicated gaming triggers. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if you value a premium camera experience, a brighter and more color-accurate display, and a broader suite of features including S Pen support and a more refined software experience.