ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro vs. Xiaomi 14 Pro: A Deep Dive into Gaming and Charging
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Xiaomi 14 Pro emerges as the more well-rounded choice. Its 120W charging significantly reduces downtime, and while camera details are missing, Xiaomi’s history suggests a strong imaging experience. However, gamers who value extended play sessions will find the RedMagic 9 Pro’s superior battery life invaluable.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro | Xiaomi 14 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 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, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, November 23 | 2023, October 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, November 23 | Available. Released 2023, November 01 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, glass back | Glass front, aluminum frame or titanium frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 161.4 x 75.3 x 8.5 mm |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 229 g (8.08 oz) | 223 g or 230 g (7.87 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Shatterproof glass |
| Resolution | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~522 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.73 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors (China only), 120Hz, 1600 nits (peak) | LTPO AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 3000 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) | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 750 | Adreno 750 |
| OS | Android 14, Redmagic OS 9 | Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica lens, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| 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) | 50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 23mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, 75mm (telephoto), PDAF (10cm - ∞), OIS, 3.2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 115˚ (ultrawide), AF |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps | 8K@24fps (HDR), 4K@24/30/60fps (HDR10+, 10-bit Dolby Vision HDR, 10-bit LOG), 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 720p@1920fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display | 32 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 0.7µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| 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 | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 80W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 35 min | 120W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 18 min 50W wireless, 100% in 40 min 10W reverse wireless |
| Type | 6500 mAh | Li-Po 4880 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Sleet (Black), Snowfall (Silver), Cyclone (Transparent Black) | Black, Silver, Titanium, Green |
| Models | NX769J | 23116PN5BC |
| Price | About 850 EUR | About 650 EUR |
ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro
- Exceptional battery life (17:38h active use)
- Optimized for sustained gaming performance
- Faster charging than previous RedMagic models (80W)
- Slower charging compared to Xiaomi 14 Pro
- Camera likely less refined than Xiaomi’s offering
Xiaomi 14 Pro
- Blazing-fast 120W wired charging (18 minutes to 100%)
- 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging
- Likely superior camera system based on Xiaomi’s history
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to RedMagic 9 Pro
- May experience more thermal throttling during extended gaming
Display Comparison
Both devices utilize the Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, ensuring comparable graphical prowess. However, the RedMagic 9 Pro’s display reaches a measured peak brightness of 1016 nits, which is respectable, but the Xiaomi 14 Pro likely surpasses this given Xiaomi’s display expertise. While specific panel technology details are missing for the Xiaomi 14 Pro, it’s expected to feature an LTPO panel for adaptive refresh rates, potentially offering better power efficiency. Bezels and color accuracy will be key differentiators, but without further data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner.
Camera Comparison
Context data provides no details on the camera systems of either device. However, Xiaomi has a strong track record of delivering competitive camera experiences in its flagship phones, and the 14 Pro is expected to continue this trend. The RedMagic 9 Pro, while likely including capable sensors, prioritizes gaming features, suggesting the camera may be less of a focus. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, it’s impossible to make a meaningful comparison. We can assume the Xiaomi 14 Pro will offer a more versatile camera system.
Performance
Both phones are equipped with the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, featuring an Octa-core configuration (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720, 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720, and 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520). This means raw processing power will be nearly identical. The critical difference lies in thermal management. The RedMagic 9 Pro, designed for gaming, likely incorporates a more aggressive cooling solution to sustain peak performance for longer durations. While RAM specifications are absent, both will likely utilize LPDDR5x for fast memory access. Sustained performance, therefore, favors the RedMagic 9 Pro.
Battery Life
The ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro boasts an active use battery score of 17:38 hours, a significant advantage. While the Xiaomi 14 Pro doesn’t have a specified battery life, its 120W wired charging (with PD3.0 and QC4 support) is substantially faster than the RedMagic 9 Pro’s 80W charging, achieving 100% charge in just 18 minutes compared to 35 minutes. The Xiaomi 14 Pro also adds 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging, features absent on the RedMagic 9 Pro. This difference in charging speed is a major trade-off; the RedMagic 9 Pro offers longevity, while the Xiaomi 14 Pro minimizes downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro if you need uncompromising gaming performance and battery life, and are willing to trade off some camera refinement for sustained power. Buy the Xiaomi 14 Pro if you prefer a premium all-around experience with a focus on fast charging, a potentially superior camera system, and a more polished software experience.