ZTE nubia Z40S Pro vs Red Magic 8 Pro+: The Ultimate Showdown

ZTE has been quietly building some impressive smartphones, and the nubia Z40S Pro and Red Magic 8 Pro+ are prime examples. Both offer flagship performance and unique features, but cater to slightly different audiences. This detailed comparison will help you decide which one deserves your money.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Red Magic 8 Pro+ takes the crown with its significantly faster charging, newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, and potentially superior cooling. However, the Z40S Pro remains a compelling option, especially if you prioritize a more balanced design and slightly better value.

PHONES
Phone Names	ZTE nubia Z40S Pro	ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41	LTE
5G bands	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA	SA/NSA
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE-A, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
	-	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO

Launch
Announced	2022, July 20	2022, December 26
Status	Available. Released 2022, July 26	Available. Released 2022, December 28

Body
Build	Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back	Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	161.3 x 74 x 8.1 mm (6.35 x 2.91 x 0.32 in)	164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight	205 g (7.23 oz)	230 g (8.11 oz)
	-	Pressure sensitive zones (520Hz touch-sensing) Built-in cooling fan Aviation aluminum middle frame

Display
Protection	-	Unspecified
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)	1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)	6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits	AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)	Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)	Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPU	Adreno 730	Adreno 740
OS	Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MyOS 13	Android 13, Redmagic OS 6

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 18GB RAM	256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
	-	UFS 4.0

Main Camera
Features	Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	-	16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display
Triple	64 MP, f/1.6, 35mm (standard), 1/1.7", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), AF	50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
Video	8K, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS	8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)	16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display
Video	Yes	1080p@30/60fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	Yes
35mm jack	No	-
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers
	-	32-bit/384kHz audio

Comms
Bluetooth	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive	5.3, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 3.1, OTG	USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	80W wired (regular version) 120W wired; 15W magnetic wireless (120W version)	165W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 14 min (advertised)
Type	Market-dependent versions:· Li-Po 5000 mAh (regular version)· Li-Po 4600 mAh (120W version)	Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable

Misc
Colors	Interstellar Black, Star Black, Silver	Black, Transparent
Models	NX702J	-
Price	About 490 EUR	About 700 EUR

ZTE nubia Z40S Pro

Excellent performance with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
Stylish design
Good camera system
Faster charging (120W version)

Slower charging than Red Magic 8 Pro+
Potentially less robust cooling
Display specs less readily available

ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+

Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
Incredible 165W charging
Superior cooling system for gaming
Potentially better camera

Gaming-focused design may not appeal to everyone
Potentially higher price
Software may be more focused on gaming features

Display Comparison

Both phones boast vibrant AMOLED displays with high refresh rates (likely 120Hz or higher, though specific details on the Z40S Pro are less readily available). The Red Magic 8 Pro+ likely has a slightly brighter display and potentially a higher resolution, offering a more immersive visual experience. The Z40S Pro's display is expected to be excellent, but may not match the Pro+'s peak brightness.

Camera Comparison

The Z40S Pro is expected to have a strong camera system, potentially featuring a 64MP main sensor and a periscope telephoto lens. The Red Magic 8 Pro+ is rumored to have a 50MP main sensor and a sophisticated image processing pipeline. While both should deliver good results, the Red Magic 8 Pro+ likely has the edge in low-light performance and overall image quality due to its newer hardware and software optimization.

Performance

The Red Magic 8 Pro+’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Z40S Pro’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. While the Z40S Pro is still incredibly fast, the Gen 2 offers improved efficiency and raw power, especially beneficial for demanding games and multitasking. The Red Magic's cooling system is also likely more robust, preventing throttling during extended gaming sessions.

Battery Life

The Red Magic 8 Pro+'s 165W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast top-ups. The Z40S Pro's 80W (or 120W) charging is still fast, but significantly slower. Both phones likely have similar battery capacities (around 5000mAh), but the Red Magic 8 Pro+'s charging speed gives it a major advantage.

Buying Guide

The nubia Z40S Pro is ideal for users seeking a powerful, stylish smartphone with excellent performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. The Red Magic 8 Pro+ is the clear choice for hardcore mobile gamers who demand the absolute best performance, fastest charging, and dedicated gaming features.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Red Magic 8 Pro+ good for everyday use?

Yes, the Red Magic 8 Pro+ is a capable everyday phone, but its gaming-centric features and design might not be for everyone. It's a great choice if you want top-tier performance regardless of the task.

❓ Does the Z40S Pro have good software support?

ZTE's software support has been inconsistent in the past. While the Z40S Pro likely runs a customized version of Android, long-term software updates are a potential concern. Research current update policies before purchasing.