1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm | 164 × 76.4 × 8.9 mm | Red Magic 9S Pro is larger and thicker, making it less pocketable and harder to use one-handed. |
| Weight | 189g | 229g | iPhone 12 Pro is significantly lighter, improving comfort during extended use. |
| Build | Stainless steel, glass | Aluminum frame, glass back | |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Red Magic 9S Pro offers better scratch and shatter resistance for the display. iPhone 12 Pro has a surgical-grade stainless steel band which offers more premium build quality. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.1" | 6.8" | Red Magic 9S Pro offers a more immersive experience for gaming, video watching, and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 1116x2480 | iPhone 12 Pro offers a slightly sharper image. |
| PPI | 460 | 400 | iPhone 12 Pro has a noticeably sharper display. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Similar technologies offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Red Magic 9S Pro provides smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming visuals. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone 12 Pro is much easier to view outdoors in bright sunlight. The ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro's brightness is not confirmed. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Red Magic 9S Pro offers significantly faster processing power for demanding tasks and gaming, it is also a newer architecture so will likely be supported for longer. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,082,644 | 2,369,542 | Red Magic 9S Pro provides a much smoother and more responsive experience overall. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) | Red Magic 9S Pro delivers superior graphics performance for gaming and graphically intensive applications. |
| RAM | 6 GB | 12 GB or 16 GB | Red Magic 9S Pro handles multitasking and demanding apps much better, especially with the 16GB option. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.55" | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.57" | Red Magic 9S Pro captures more detail and performs better in low light, while iPhone 12 Pro has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Ultrawide Camera | 12MP, f/2.4 | 50MP, f/2.0 | Red Magic 9S Pro provides higher resolution ultrawide shots with a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto | 12MP, f/2.0 | N/A | iPhone 12 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities which the Red Magic 9S Pro lacks. |
| Macro | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Red Magic 9S Pro allows for close-up photography. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.0 | Red Magic 9S Pro captures slightly more detailed selfies with a wider aperture. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K 60fps | Up to 8K 30fps | Red Magic 9S Pro allows for higher resolution video recording. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2815mAh | 6500mAh | Red Magic 9S Pro offers significantly longer battery life, especially for gaming and media consumption. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging | 80W fast charging | Red Magic 9S Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | N/A | iPhone 12 Pro offers convenient wireless charging options. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Red Magic 9S Pro supports the latest WiFi standard for faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Red Magic 9S Pro has a slightly newer Bluetooth version. |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | Red Magic 9S Pro allows for two physical SIM cards, while iPhone 12 Pro offers the flexibility of an eSIM. |
Other
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | iOS 14.1 (upgradable) | Android 14 | Different user experiences and app ecosystems; personal preference is key. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expanding storage. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Both phones offer good audio experiences; iPhone 12 Pro supports Dolby Atmos while the Red Magic has a 3.5mm headphone jack. |
| Security | Face ID | Fingerprint sensor | Different biometric authentication methods; personal preference is key. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Advantages:
- More compact and lighter design: Easier to handle and more pocketable.
- Higher pixel density display: Slightly sharper display with better clarity
- Wireless charging: Convenient charging option.
- Better outdoor visibility: Brighter display makes it easier to see in sunlight.
- Telephoto lens: Offers optical zoom capabilities.
- eSIM Support: Offers the option for digital SIM activation.
- DXOMark Scores: provides insight into camera quality and video quality.
- Premium Build Quality: surgical grade stainless steel band that offers more premium feel to the phone.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro Advantages:
- Significantly faster performance: Latest Snapdragon chipset provides a much faster experience.
- Higher refresh rate display: Smoother scrolling and gaming visuals.
- Much larger battery: Significantly longer battery life.
- Faster charging: Reduced downtime due to faster charging.
- Larger display: More immersive experience for media consumption and gaming.
- More RAM: Better multitasking capabilities.
- 8K Video Recording: Better quality videos
- Wi-Fi 7 Support: For improved wireless connectivity speeds.
- Under display camera: Gives a full screen view
Trade-offs:
- The Red Magic 9S Pro trades portability and ease of one-handed use for a larger screen, larger battery, and superior performance.
- The iPhone 12 Pro sacrifices performance and battery life for a more compact design and potentially better camera software optimization (though lacking 8K video and some camera features).
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Apple iPhone 12 Pro:
- Users who prioritize a premium, compact design.
- Users who value ease of use and a refined user experience.
- Users who rely on a good camera system for everyday photography.
- Users deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem.
Use Case Examples:
- Professional who needs a reliable phone for calls, emails, and quick photos.
- Casual user who prefers a smaller, pocketable device.
Ideal Users for ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro:
- Gamers who demand maximum performance and long battery life.
- Users who consume a lot of media on their phones (videos, movies).
- Tech enthusiasts who want the latest hardware and features.
- Users who prioritize performance over portability.
Use Case Examples:
- Mobile gamer who needs a phone that can handle demanding games for hours.
- Frequent traveler who needs long battery life and fast charging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, general use)
- How important is battery life to you? (Do you need all-day battery or can you charge frequently?)
- Do you prefer a compact, lightweight phone or a larger device with more features?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming Enthusiast: Choose the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro for its superior performance, high refresh rate display, and long battery life.
- Scenario 2: Everyday User: The Apple iPhone 12 Pro is the better choice due to its more compact design, refined user experience, and decent camera.
- Scenario 3: Photography Focused: The Apple iPhone 12 Pro will probably offer better images.
My Choice
I would choose the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro.
While I appreciate the iPhone 12 Pro's compact design and user-friendly iOS, my priority lies in performance and battery life. The Red Magic 9S Pro's significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and massive battery capacity make it a clear winner for my needs. I'm an avid gamer, and I often use my phone for video editing and other demanding tasks. The Red Magic 9S Pro can handle these tasks with ease, whereas the iPhone 12 Pro would struggle and require more frequent charging. While camera quality matters, the Red Magic 9S Pro's camera specifications are more than adequate for my casual photography needs, and the newer sensor should be better than the iPhone in a lot of cases. The 120Hz refresh rate display also provides a noticeably smoother user experience, further enhancing my daily usage. Finally, as someone who constantly misplaces things, the full screen on the red magic looks really cool.
