The gaming phone market is heating up, with the ZTE nubia RedMagic Nova arriving with the cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, while the Lenovo Legion Y90, though utilizing the older Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, remains a formidable contender. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses, focusing on performance, battery life, and charging speeds to determine which device reigns supreme for mobile gamers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average gamer prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the ZTE nubia RedMagic Nova is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset delivers a significant performance leap over the Legion Y90’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, and its superior battery life ensures longer gaming sessions. However, the Legion Y90’s faster charging is a notable advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, September 05 | 2022, March 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, September 05 | Available. Released 2022, March 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 253.3 x 164.6 x 7.3 mm (9.97 x 6.48 x 0.29 in) | 177 x 78.4 x 10.1 mm (6.97 x 3.09 x 0.40 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 530 g (1.17 lb) | 252 g (8.89 oz) |
| | - | Built-in two cooling fans
RGB light panel (on the back)
4 ultrasonic buttons (Gaming triggers) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1800 x 2880 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~312 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~388 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.9 inches, 344.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.92 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 144Hz, 550 nits | AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 8-core (1x3.4GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.1GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.2GHz Cortex-A520) | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 14, Redmagic OS 9.5 | Android 12, ZUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 640GB 18GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1
640GB (512GB UFS + 128GB SSD) |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.32", 1.0µm, PDAF
13 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+ rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 16 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (no payments support) | Yes |
| Positioning | No | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, video output, magnetic connector pins | USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-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, 100% in 55 min - International model
120W wired, 50% in 15 min, 100% in 45 min - China model | 68W wired, 100% in 35 min |
| Type | 10100 mAh | Li-Po 5600 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Cyclone, Snowfall, Midnight | Gray |
| Models | - | L71061 |
| Price | About 500 EUR | About 570 EUR |
ZTE nubia RedMagic Nova
- Significantly more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset
- Longer battery life (10:51h active use)
- Faster charging options (80W/120W)
- May be more expensive than the Legion Y90
- Display brightness, while good, isn't class-leading
Lenovo Legion Y90
- Faster charging time (35 minutes to full)
- Potentially lower price point
- Established gaming brand reputation
- Older Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
- Likely shorter battery life
- Less future-proofed
Display Comparison
The nubia RedMagic Nova features a display capable of 517 nits of peak brightness, providing adequate visibility in most conditions. While the Legion Y90’s display specs aren’t provided, Lenovo typically prioritizes high refresh rates in their gaming devices. The RedMagic Nova’s panel technology isn’t specified, but the focus on brightness suggests a strong emphasis on outdoor usability. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s integrated display engine also contributes to efficient power consumption, potentially extending battery life during visually intensive gaming.
Camera Comparison
Neither device is marketed primarily for its camera capabilities. Without detailed camera specifications for either phone, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, given the gaming focus, both likely prioritize computational photography for enhancing game screenshots and streaming quality over high-end photography features. We can assume both will offer adequate cameras for casual use, but serious photographers should look elsewhere.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the RedMagic Nova boasts the Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) versus the Legion Y90’s SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm). The 8 Gen 3’s CPU configuration – 1x3.4GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.1GHz Cortex-A720, 2x2.9GHz Cortex-A720, and 2x2.2GHz Cortex-A520 – represents a substantial architectural upgrade over the Legion Y90’s 1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2, 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510. This translates to faster processing speeds, improved AI capabilities, and enhanced graphics performance. The newer architecture also offers better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during prolonged gaming.
Battery Life
The RedMagic Nova achieves an impressive 10:51h of active use, indicating excellent battery optimization alongside its efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The Legion Y90’s battery capacity is unknown, but its 68W wired charging allows for a full charge in 35 minutes. The RedMagic Nova offers 80W wired charging (International) or 120W (China), achieving 100% charge in 55 minutes (International) or 45 minutes (China). While the Legion Y90 charges faster, the RedMagic Nova’s longer battery life provides a more substantial advantage for extended gaming sessions.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic Nova if you need the absolute best processing power for demanding games, extended battery life for marathon sessions, and want a device that will remain competitive for years to come. Buy the Lenovo Legion Y90 if you prioritize faster charging times and are looking for a capable gaming phone at a potentially lower price point, accepting a performance trade-off.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the RedMagic Nova get noticeably hotter than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Legion Y90 during extended gaming?
While both chips are 4nm, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s improved efficiency and thermal architecture generally result in lower temperatures under sustained load. The RedMagic Nova is also likely to have a more advanced cooling system to manage the increased power, minimizing throttling and maintaining consistent performance.
❓ Is the 68W charging on the Legion Y90 sufficient for quick top-ups between gaming sessions?
Yes, 68W charging is relatively fast and can provide a significant charge boost in a short amount of time. While not as rapid as the RedMagic Nova’s 80W/120W options, it’s still sufficient for quickly getting back into the game.
❓ Will the RedMagic Nova’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail at maximum settings?
Absolutely. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is designed to handle the most demanding mobile games at their highest graphical settings. You should expect consistently high frame rates and a smooth gaming experience with the RedMagic Nova.
❓ Does the RedMagic Nova support external displays or docks for a more immersive gaming experience?
While specific details require further investigation, nubia RedMagic phones often support external displays and docks via USB-C. Check the official product specifications for compatibility details.
