The ZTE nubia RedMagic represents a bygone era of aggressively priced gaming phones, while the Realme GT5 Pro is a modern flagship aiming for all-around excellence. This comparison dissects the vast hardware differences – from a 2017-era Snapdragon to the latest Gen 3 – to determine which device delivers the best value and experience in 2024.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Realme GT5 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset offers a monumental performance leap, coupled with significantly faster charging and a brighter display. While the RedMagic remains a budget option, the GT5 Pro’s advancements justify the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, April. Released 2018, April | 2023, December 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, December 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Dinorex T2X-1), aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 158.1 x 74.9 x 9.5 mm (6.22 x 2.95 x 0.37 in) | 161.7 x 75.1 x 9.2 mm (6.37 x 2.96 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 218 g / 224 g (7.69 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Dinorex T2X-1 scratch/shock resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | 1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~78.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~92.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 4500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 540 | Adreno 750 |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo), Redmagic 1.0 | Android 14, upgradable to Android 15, Realme UI 6.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 24 MP, f/1.7, PDAF | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.6, 65mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS, 2.7x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, Dolby Vision |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide), 1/2.74" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers (Dolby Atmos certified) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, aptX, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 100W wired, 50% in 12 min
50W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 3800 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 5400 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Red, Flame Red | Black, Silver, Orange |
| Models | NX609J | RMX3888 |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 430 EUR |
ZTE nubia RedMagic
- Extremely affordable price point
- Compact form factor (likely)
- Dedicated gaming features (potentially)
- Outdated Snapdragon 835 chipset
- Slow 18W charging
- Inferior camera performance
Realme GT5 Pro
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance
- Ultra-fast 100W wired and 50W wireless charging
- Bright and vibrant display (1660 nits)
- Superior camera capabilities
- Higher price tag
- Potentially larger size and weight
- May experience some thermal throttling under extreme load (though mitigated by the 4nm process)
Display Comparison
The Realme GT5 Pro boasts a significantly more advanced display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 1660 nits. This is a substantial improvement over what the RedMagic likely offers (spec not provided, but typical for 2017 flagships). The GT5 Pro’s panel likely incorporates LTPO technology for variable refresh rates, enhancing power efficiency. The RedMagic’s display, while adequate for its time, will appear dimmer and less vibrant in direct sunlight. Color accuracy is also expected to be superior on the GT5 Pro due to newer panel technology.
Camera Comparison
The Realme GT5 Pro’s camera system is expected to be far more capable, though specific sensor details are missing. The inclusion of 'Photo / Video' suggests a focus on image quality and versatility. The RedMagic, being an older device, likely features a less sophisticated camera setup. Modern smartphones prioritize computational photography, a feature the RedMagic lacks. While the RedMagic may suffice for basic snapshots, the GT5 Pro will deliver superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions and with video recording.
Performance
The performance gap is immense. The nubia RedMagic’s Snapdragon 835, built on a 10nm process, is dwarfed by the Realme GT5 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, fabricated on a 4nm node. The Gen 3’s octa-core configuration (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720, 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720, 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) delivers significantly faster processing speeds and improved efficiency. The 4nm process translates to less heat generation and reduced throttling during sustained workloads, crucial for gaming. The RedMagic will struggle with demanding modern titles, while the GT5 Pro will handle them with ease.
Battery Life
The Realme GT5 Pro excels in charging speed, offering 100W wired charging (50% in 12 minutes) and 50W wireless charging. The RedMagic’s 18W wired charging is comparatively slow. While the RedMagic’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the GT5 Pro’s active use score of 14:16h demonstrates excellent battery life. The combination of a more efficient chipset and faster charging gives the GT5 Pro a significant advantage in usability.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic if you prioritize extreme affordability and are willing to compromise on performance and features. It’s a viable option for casual gamers or those needing a secondary device. Buy the Realme GT5 Pro if you demand flagship-level performance, a superior camera experience, and rapid charging – making it ideal for power users, mobile gamers, and photography enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Realme GT5 Pro overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a powerful chip, it can generate heat under sustained load. However, the 4nm manufacturing process and Realme’s likely thermal management system (vapor chamber cooling is common in this segment) should mitigate throttling, allowing for extended gaming without significant performance drops. The RedMagic's older 835 will likely throttle sooner.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the ZTE nubia RedMagic slow enough to be a major inconvenience?
Yes, 18W charging is significantly slower than the 100W charging on the Realme GT5 Pro. Expect a full charge to take several hours, making it less convenient for users who need a quick top-up. The GT5 Pro can reach 50% charge in just 12 minutes.
❓ Does the Realme GT5 Pro support high refresh rate gaming, like 120Hz or 144Hz?
While not explicitly stated, the GT5 Pro likely supports high refresh rate gaming, given its modern display and powerful chipset. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is capable of driving high refresh rate panels, and Realme often includes this feature in their flagship devices. This will result in smoother and more responsive gameplay.
