ZTE’s RedMagic line consistently pushes the boundaries of mobile gaming, and the Astra and 9 Pro+ represent two distinct approaches. The Astra debuts with the cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite, promising a leap in efficiency and performance, while the 9 Pro+ leverages the established Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This comparison dissects these flagship devices to determine which reigns supreme for demanding gamers and power users.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most gamers, the ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro+ is the superior choice. Its 165W charging, reducing a full charge to just 16 minutes, and the proven performance of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 outweigh the Astra’s theoretical efficiency gains. However, the Astra’s more compact form factor and potentially longer battery endurance (67:07h) make it compelling for users prioritizing portability.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, June 11 | 2023, November 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, June 12 | Available. Released 2023, November 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 207 x 134.2 x 6.9 mm (8.15 x 5.28 x 0.27 in) | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 370 g (13.05 oz) | 229 g (8.08 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version), Mohs level 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1504 x 2400 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~313 ppi density) | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 9.06 inches, 238.3 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, 5280Hz PWM, HDR, 1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1600 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M) | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 830 (1200 MHz) | Adreno 750 |
| OS | Android 15, Redmagic OS 10.5 | Android 14, Redmagic OS 9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM | 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide) | - |
| 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 | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 9 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 0.7μm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | No | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen2, Display Port, magnetic connector pins | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 80W wired, 50% in 22 min | 165W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 16 min |
| Type | 8200 mAh | Li-Ion 5500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Eclipse Black, Starfrost Silver | Sleet (Black), Snowfall (Silver), Cyclone (Transparent Black) |
| Models | NP05J | - |
| Price | About 500 EUR | About 710 EUR |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 67:07h endurance, 1000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class G | - |
| Free fall | Class E (0 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
ZTE nubia RedMagic Astra
- Potentially better thermal efficiency due to 3nm process
- Longer battery endurance (67:07h)
- More compact form factor (assumed, based on market positioning)
- New Oryon CPU architecture – performance is unproven
- Slower charging speed (80W vs 165W)
ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro+
- Blazing-fast 165W charging (100% in 16 minutes)
- Proven Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance
- Established gaming ecosystem and optimization
- Likely larger and heavier design
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to Astra
Display Comparison
The RedMagic Astra boasts a display capable of reaching 1036 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. While the 9 Pro+’s display specs aren’t provided, RedMagic typically prioritizes high refresh rates and color accuracy in their panels. The Astra’s brightness is a key advantage, but without knowing the 9 Pro+'s panel technology (LTPO, PWM dimming rate), a complete assessment is difficult. Gamers will appreciate the Astra’s brightness for HDR content and competitive visibility.
Camera Comparison
Neither device is primarily marketed for its camera capabilities. Without detailed camera specs for the 9 Pro+, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. RedMagic phones typically feature capable main sensors, but image processing isn’t their strength. The absence of information on the 9 Pro+'s sensor size and aperture makes a meaningful comparison impossible. Users should expect competent, but not class-leading, camera performance from both.
Performance
This is where the core battle lies. The Astra’s Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) features a unique CPU configuration – 2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L cores and 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M cores – designed for sustained performance. The 9 Pro+ utilizes the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) with a more traditional octa-core setup (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4, etc.). The 3nm process of the 8 Elite *should* offer better thermal efficiency, potentially leading to less throttling during extended gaming sessions. However, the Gen 3’s architecture is well-established and optimized, and its raw clock speeds are competitive. The Astra’s architecture is a gamble on Qualcomm’s new Oryon cores, while the 9 Pro+ offers proven performance.
Battery Life
The Astra claims impressive battery endurance with 67:07 hours of total usage and an active use score of 11:12 hours. This suggests a focus on efficiency. However, the 9 Pro+ counters with a blistering 165W wired charging capability, achieving a full charge in just 16 minutes. While the Astra’s 80W charging (50% in 22 minutes) is respectable, it’s significantly slower. The 9 Pro+'s charging speed is a game-changer for users who need to quickly top up their battery between gaming sessions. The Astra’s endurance is appealing, but the 9 Pro+'s charging convenience is a major advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic Astra if you prioritize a more manageable phone size and potentially longer overall battery life, even if it means sacrificing the absolute fastest charging speeds. Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro+ if you demand the quickest recharge times (16 minutes to 100%), and are willing to accept a larger device for the raw power of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and its established gaming ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Astra overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The 3nm process of the Snapdragon 8 Elite *should* mitigate overheating compared to previous generations. However, sustained performance will ultimately depend on RedMagic’s cooling solution, which typically includes a vapor chamber and fan. Real-world testing is needed to confirm thermal performance under heavy load.
❓ Does the RedMagic 9 Pro+ support bypass charging to play while charging?
RedMagic phones are known for supporting bypass charging, allowing you to power the device directly from the charger while gaming, reducing battery strain and heat. The 9 Pro+ almost certainly includes this feature, given its focus on gaming and fast charging.
❓ How does the Astra's new CPU architecture impact game compatibility?
The Astra's Oryon CPU cores are based on ARM's designs, so compatibility issues should be minimal. However, some older or less optimized games might not fully leverage the new architecture, potentially resulting in slightly lower performance than expected. Most modern titles should run without issue.
