The ZTE nubia RedMagic Nova and Samsung Galaxy S23 FE occupy interesting spaces in the smartphone market. The RedMagic Nova aggressively targets gamers with its latest-generation chipset, while the S23 FE aims to deliver a flagship-adjacent experience at a more accessible price point. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For dedicated mobile gamers, the ZTE nubia RedMagic Nova is the clear winner, leveraging the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for unmatched performance. However, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE provides a more well-rounded experience with a significantly brighter display and a more versatile camera system, making it the better choice for everyday users.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, September 05 | 2023, October 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, September 05 | Available. Released 2023, October 05 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 253.3 x 164.6 x 7.3 mm (9.97 x 6.48 x 0.29 in) | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm (6.22 x 3.01 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | No | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| Weight | 530 g (1.17 lb) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1800 x 2880 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~312 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.9 inches, 344.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 144Hz, 550 nits | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1450 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 8-core (1x3.4GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.1GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.2GHz Cortex-A520) | Octa-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) - InternationalOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) - USA |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Exynos 2200 (4 nm) - InternationalQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) - USA |
| GPU | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) | Xclipse 920 - InternationalAdreno 730 - USA |
| OS | Android 14, Redmagic OS 9.5 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.4, 76mm (telephoto), 1/4.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 10 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (no payments support) | Yes |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, video output, magnetic connector pins | USB Type-C, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 80W wired, 100% in 55 min - International model
120W wired, 50% in 15 min, 100% in 45 min - China model | 25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min
15W wireless
Reverse wireless |
| Type | 10100 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Cyclone, Snowfall, Midnight | Mint, Cream, Graphite, Purple, Indigo, Tangerine |
| Models | - | SM-S711B, SM-S711B/DS, SM-S711U1, SM-S711U, SM-S711W, SM-S7110, SM-S711N |
| Price | About 500 EUR | $ 219.95 / C$ 327.90 / £ 248.99 / € 272.00 / ₹ 34,999 |
| SAR | - | 0.80 W/kg (head) 0.72 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.76 W/kg (head) 1.04 W/kg (body) |
ZTE nubia RedMagic Nova
- Unmatched gaming performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- Extremely fast charging (80W/120W)
- Longer battery life in active use
- Display brightness significantly lower than S23 FE
- Camera specifications unknown, likely less capable
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
- Much brighter display for outdoor visibility
- More versatile camera system
- Samsung ecosystem and software support
- Less powerful chipset (Exynos 2200/Snapdragon 8 Gen 1)
- Slower charging speed (25W)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 985 nits measured, compared to the RedMagic Nova’s 517 nits. This makes the S23 FE far more usable outdoors under direct sunlight. While both utilize 4nm chipsets, the display power draw will impact overall battery life. The RedMagic Nova’s display specifications are not detailed enough to assess panel technology (LTPO or not), but the lower peak brightness suggests a less advanced panel. The S23 FE’s higher brightness is a substantial advantage for users who frequently consume content outdoors.
Camera Comparison
The context data for the RedMagic Nova lacks camera specifications, suggesting it’s not a primary focus. The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, while not a camera champion, offers a more comprehensive camera system. While sensor sizes and apertures aren’t provided, the S23 FE’s inclusion of photo and video capabilities indicates a more versatile setup. The 2MP macro camera on the S23 FE is likely a marketing feature with limited real-world utility, but the main sensor and processing are expected to deliver better results than the RedMagic Nova’s unknown camera configuration. The S23 FE’s image processing will likely prioritize color accuracy and dynamic range, while the RedMagic Nova may focus on speed and efficiency.
Performance
The ZTE nubia RedMagic Nova’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) represents a significant leap in performance over the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE’s Exynos 2200 (4nm) or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm, USA model). The 8 Gen 3’s Cortex-X4 prime core, clocked at 3.4GHz, offers superior single-core performance. The RedMagic Nova’s CPU configuration (1x3.4GHz + 3x3.1GHz + 2x2.9GHz + 2x2.2GHz) is optimized for sustained performance, crucial for gaming. The Exynos 2200 has historically faced thermal throttling issues, potentially limiting sustained performance in demanding games, a problem the RedMagic Nova aims to mitigate with its gaming-focused design. The RedMagic Nova’s LPDDR5x RAM (spec not explicitly stated, but standard for this chipset) further enhances performance.
Battery Life
The ZTE nubia RedMagic Nova achieves an impressive 10:51h of active use, despite its potentially less efficient chipset due to its focus on performance. The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE manages 8:28h. The RedMagic Nova’s 80W (International) or 120W (China) wired charging is significantly faster than the S23 FE’s 25W charging, offering a full charge in 45-55 minutes. The S23 FE’s 50% charge in 30 minutes is adequate, but the RedMagic Nova’s faster charging is a major convenience factor for gamers who need to quickly top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic Nova if you prioritize raw gaming performance, sustained frame rates, and fast charging above all else. You'll benefit from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3's power and the phone's focus on thermal management. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE if you prefer a balanced smartphone experience with a vibrant display, a capable camera system, and the broader ecosystem benefits of the Samsung brand. It's ideal for users who value photography, media consumption, and general productivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 2200 in the S23 FE overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 2200 has a history of thermal throttling under sustained load. While Samsung has implemented improvements, it's likely to experience more throttling than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the RedMagic Nova during extended gaming sessions. Expect potential frame rate drops and reduced performance over time.
❓ Is the 120W charging on the China model of the RedMagic Nova compatible with US chargers and outlets?
The 120W charging is specific to the China model and requires a compatible charger and power outlet. The international model supports 80W charging, which is still very fast but requires a different charger. Using a standard US charger with the China model will result in significantly slower charging speeds.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the RedMagic Nova and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE?
The RedMagic Nova runs RedMagic OS, which is heavily customized for gaming with features like game space and performance optimization tools. The S23 FE runs Samsung's One UI, which is more polished and feature-rich for general use, with a focus on productivity and customization. One UI also benefits from longer software support.
❓ What kind of gaming performance can I expect on the S23 FE with demanding titles like Genshin Impact?
The S23 FE can run Genshin Impact, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a stable 60fps. The Exynos 2200/Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 may struggle to maintain consistent performance during intense combat scenarios, and you might experience some frame rate drops. The RedMagic Nova will deliver a significantly smoother and more consistent experience at higher settings.
