ZTE nubia Z30 Pro vs. RedMagic 7 Pro: Which Flagship Reigns Supreme?

ZTE’s nubia sub-brand offers a compelling duality: the Z30 Pro, a well-rounded flagship, and the RedMagic 7 Pro, a gaming-focused powerhouse. Both leverage Qualcomm’s Snapdragon silicon, but diverge significantly in their approach to performance, cooling, and overall user experience. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a balanced experience, the ZTE nubia RedMagic 7 Pro emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the Z30 Pro’s Snapdragon 888, and the gaming-centric features justify the price premium for enthusiasts. However, the Z30 Pro remains a strong contender for those seeking a more versatile camera system.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Z30 Pro ZTE nubia RedMagic 7 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International, China
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 -
Launch
Announced2021, May 202022, February 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, May 25Available. Released 2022, February 28
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions161.8 x 73 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 2.87 x 0.33 in)166.3 x 77.1 x 10 mm (6.55 x 3.04 x 0.39 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)235 g (8.29 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+AMOLED, 1B colors (China only), 120Hz, 600 nits
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 730
OSAndroid 11, nubia UI 9Android 12, Redmagic 5.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad64 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/1.9, 35mm (standard), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/3.4, 123mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 64 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm-
Single16 MP-
Triple-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack No-
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX5.2, A2DP, aptX, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1USB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging120W wired, 100% in 15 min135W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 15 min (China) 65W wired, PD3.0 (Global)
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSilver, Black, Black/GoldObsidian, Pulsar, Supernova
ModelsNX667JNX709J
PriceAbout 640 EURAbout 800 EUR

ZTE nubia Z30 Pro

  • Potentially superior camera system for photography.
  • More balanced feature set for everyday use.
  • Slightly lower price point (likely).

  • Older Snapdragon 888 chipset offers less raw performance.
  • Less aggressive cooling solution.
  • Limited battery information.

ZTE nubia RedMagic 7 Pro

  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 delivers significantly faster performance.
  • 135W charging (China) for rapid power-ups.
  • Gaming-focused features like active cooling and triggers.

  • May prioritize gaming features over camera quality.
  • Potentially higher price.
  • 65W charging in global markets is slower.

Display Comparison

The nubia RedMagic 7 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 447 nits, a respectable figure, but the Z30 Pro’s display specifications are currently unavailable for direct comparison. However, given the RedMagic 7 Pro’s gaming focus, it likely prioritizes refresh rate and response time over absolute brightness. Both devices likely employ AMOLED panels, but the Z30 Pro may offer more accurate color calibration for content consumption. The RedMagic 7 Pro’s flat display is geared towards minimizing distortion during gaming, while the Z30 Pro’s display characteristics remain unknown.

Camera Comparison

The context data for both devices is limited regarding camera specifics. However, the RedMagic 7 Pro’s ‘Photo/Video’ designation suggests a more general-purpose camera system, while the Z30 Pro, positioned as a flagship, likely prioritizes image quality. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. The Z30 Pro is likely to offer more sophisticated image processing algorithms and potentially a wider range of shooting modes. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact overall camera performance.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the RedMagic 7 Pro utilizes the Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm), while the Z30 Pro features the older SM8350 Snapdragon 888 (5nm). The 4nm process of the Gen 1 offers improved power efficiency and thermal performance, translating to sustained higher clock speeds. The Gen 1’s CPU configuration – 1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2, 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510 – represents a generational leap over the Z30 Pro’s 1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55. This means faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and significantly improved gaming performance on the RedMagic 7 Pro. Both devices likely utilize LPDDR5 RAM, but the RedMagic 7 Pro’s superior cooling system allows it to maintain higher RAM speeds for longer durations.

Battery Life

The RedMagic 7 Pro boasts a 135W wired charging capability (in China, 65W globally), while the Z30 Pro supports 120W wired charging. Both claim a 0-100% charge in 15 minutes, but the RedMagic 7 Pro’s higher wattage suggests potentially faster charging speeds in compatible regions. The RedMagic 7 Pro’s endurance rating of 64 hours indicates a larger battery capacity, likely optimized for extended gaming sessions. While the Z30 Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, the RedMagic 7 Pro’s combination of larger battery and faster charging provides a clear advantage for power users.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia Z30 Pro if you need a flagship with a strong emphasis on photography and a more refined, everyday user experience. It’s ideal for content creators and users who value a balanced feature set. Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 7 Pro if you prioritize raw gaming performance, aggressive cooling, and a feature set tailored to mobile esports. This is the phone for dedicated gamers who demand the highest frame rates and minimal throttling.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the RedMagic 7 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The RedMagic 7 Pro incorporates a sophisticated cooling system, including an internal fan and vapor chamber, specifically designed to mitigate thermal throttling. While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is known to generate heat, the RedMagic 7 Pro’s cooling solution effectively manages temperatures, allowing for sustained high performance during extended gaming sessions. However, some throttling may still occur under extreme conditions.
❓ Is the 120W charging on the Z30 Pro significantly slower than the 135W charging on the RedMagic 7 Pro (China version)?
While 135W is theoretically faster, both phones claim a 0-100% charge time of 15 minutes. The difference in real-world charging speed is likely minimal, especially considering factors like battery temperature and charging efficiency. However, users outside of China receiving the global RedMagic 7 Pro version will experience slower 65W charging.
❓ What kind of gaming triggers does the RedMagic 7 Pro have, and are they customizable?
The RedMagic 7 Pro features capacitive shoulder triggers that can be mapped to on-screen buttons for a more console-like gaming experience. These triggers are fully customizable through the RedMagic software, allowing users to adjust sensitivity, activation methods, and specific button assignments for different games.