ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra vs Red Magic 8 Pro: Which Flagship Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The nubia Z50 Ultra offers a more refined, all-around flagship experience with a stunning display and versatile camera. The Red Magic 8 Pro is the clear winner for gamers, boasting superior cooling, a higher refresh rate display, and gaming-centric features, albeit with a slightly less polished overall package.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra | 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 | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 07 | 2022, December 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 14 | Available. Released 2022, December 28 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.33 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 | 228 g (8.04 oz) | 228 g (8.04 oz) |
| - | Pressure sensitive zones (520Hz touch-sensing) Built-in cooling fan Aviation aluminum middle frame | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors (China only), 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 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 SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 740 | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Android 13, MyOS 13 | Android 13, Redmagic OS 6 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| UFS 4.0 | UFS 4.0 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Laser AF, Ring-LED, dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.6, 35mm (standard), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/3.3, 85mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", PDAF, OIS, 3.3x optical zoom (vs. 26mm cam) 50 MP, f/2.X, 14mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), PDAF | 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@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | 32-bit/384kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1+L2+L5), GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2 (China), 3.1 (International), OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, 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, PD3.0, QC4 | 80W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 35 min (advertised) - China 65W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 43 min (advertised) - International |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Starry Sky | Black, Transparent |
| Models | NX712J | NX729J |
| Price | About 540 EUR | $ 659.00 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 131h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -24.1 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 1288866 (v9) GeekBench: 5211 (v5.1) GFXBench: 97fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra
- Stunning AMOLED display
- Versatile camera system (expected)
- Premium design and build quality
- Solid all-around performance
- May experience thermal throttling under extreme load
- Gaming features less emphasized than Red Magic
ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro
- Exceptional gaming performance and cooling
- High 165Hz refresh rate display
- Gaming-centric software and features
- Excellent battery life
- Less polished overall design
- Camera not as prioritized
- International charging speed slower
Display Comparison
The nubia Z50 Ultra boasts a vibrant 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and excellent color accuracy. The Red Magic 8 Pro features a larger 6.8-inch AMOLED display with an even higher 165Hz refresh rate, optimized for gaming. The Red Magic's 'Infinite' contrast ratio is a marketing term, but the display is undeniably bright and responsive. The Z50 Ultra's display is arguably more color accurate and visually appealing for general use.
Camera Comparison
The nubia Z50 Ultra is expected to have a more versatile camera system, likely featuring a high-resolution main sensor and improved image processing. While the Red Magic 8 Pro has a capable camera, it's not its primary focus. The Z50 Ultra is likely to excel in various lighting conditions and offer more creative shooting options. Specific camera specs are missing, but the Z50 Ultra is generally expected to have the edge.
Performance
Both phones are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, ensuring flagship-level performance. However, the Red Magic 8 Pro's advanced cooling system allows it to sustain peak performance for longer periods, crucial for demanding games. The Z50 Ultra performs admirably, but may experience slight thermal throttling under extended heavy loads. Software optimization is also a factor, with Red Magic's OS tailored for gaming.
Battery Life
Both phones feature a substantial battery capacity. The Red Magic 8 Pro advertises faster charging speeds (80W in China, 65W internationally), though the Z50 Ultra's 80W charging is competitive. The Red Magic 8 Pro's endurance rating of 131h suggests excellent battery life, potentially due to software optimizations and power management for gaming.
Buying Guide
The nubia Z50 Ultra is ideal for users seeking a premium smartphone with a great camera, beautiful display, and solid performance for everyday tasks. The Red Magic 8 Pro is the go-to choice for mobile gamers who prioritize performance, cooling, and gaming-specific features above all else.