Apple iPhone 15 vs ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date September 22, 2023 November 23, 2023
Release Year 2023 2023

Physical

Volume 82.43 cm³ 111.51 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.57 "/g 2.97 "/g
Weight 171 g 229 g
Height 147.6 mm 164 mm
Width 71.6 mm 76.4 mm
Thickness 7.8 mm 8.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Yellow
  • Blue
  • Green
  • Pink
  • Sleet (Black)
  • Snowfall (Silver)
  • Cyclone (Transparent Black)

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.8 "
Resolution 1179 x 2556 1116 x 2480
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 86.4 % 89.1 %
Pixel Density 461 PPI 400 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 1000 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 2000 nits 1600 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 90.00 mAh/in² 140.57 mAh/in²
Battery Density 40.63 mAh/cm³ 58.29 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 3349 mAh 6500 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth) Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
GPU Apple GPU (5-core graphics) Adreno 750

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 3.2
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort 1 1
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPort USB Type-C 3.2, Gen 2, OTG, DisplayPort, Accessory Connector

Software

Operating System iOS Android
Initial OS Version 17 14
Maximum OS Version 18

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureApple iPhone 15ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 ProPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mmThe iPhone 15 is significantly smaller and thinner, making it more pocketable and easier to handle one-handed. The Red Magic 9 Pro is larger and heavier.
Weight171g229gThe iPhone 15 is noticeably lighter, reducing hand fatigue during extended use.
BuildNot specifiedNot specifiedBuild quality and materials impact durability and premium feel. Lack of information prevents comparison.
Display
Size6.1"6.8"The Red Magic 9 Pro offers a larger screen for more immersive media consumption and gaming. The iPhone 15's smaller size benefits one-handed usability.
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLEDAMOLEDBoth are high-quality display technologies with vibrant colors and deep blacks.
Resolution1179 x 25561116 x 2480The iPhone 15 has a slightly higher pixel density (461 ppi vs 400 ppi), resulting in sharper text and images. However, the difference is minimal in real-world use.
Refresh RateNot specified120HzThe 120Hz refresh rate on the Red Magic 9 Pro delivers smoother scrolling and animations, particularly noticeable in gaming and fast-paced content. Lack of iPhone 15 refresh rate data hinders comparison.
Peak Brightness2000 nits1600 nitsThe iPhone 15's higher peak brightness ensures better visibility in direct sunlight.
Performance
ChipsetApple A16 Bionic (4 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)Both are flagship chipsets promising top-tier performance. Cross-platform comparisons are difficult without benchmarks.
CPUHexa-coreOcta-coreCore count alone doesn't determine performance. Architecture and clock speeds also play crucial roles. Real-world performance comparison requires benchmarks.
GPUApple GPU (5-core)Adreno 750Similar to CPU, real-world gaming performance depends on various factors and requires benchmarks for accurate comparison.
RAM6GB16GBThe Red Magic 9 Pro's significantly higher RAM allows for more efficient multitasking and smoother performance with demanding applications and games.
Storage256GB/512GB512GBThe Red Magic 9 Pro only offers a 512GB option, limiting choice for users who prefer less storage.
Battery
Capacity3349 mAh6500 mAhThe Red Magic 9 Pro's significantly larger battery capacity likely translates to much longer battery life.
Other
OSiOS 17Android 14OS preference is subjective. iOS is known for simplicity and a tightly controlled ecosystem, while Android offers more customization options.
Price RangeMediumMediumBoth phones fall within the same price range, suggesting comparable overall value. Actual price comparison requires specific pricing data.

2. Key Differences Analysis

iPhone 15 Advantages:

  • More compact and lightweight: Easier to handle and carry.
  • Brighter display: Better outdoor visibility.
  • Potentially smoother user experience: iOS optimization often results in fluid performance even with seemingly lower specs.

Red Magic 9 Pro Advantages:

  • Larger display with higher refresh rate: More immersive gaming and media consumption.
  • Significantly larger battery: Longer usage time between charges.
  • More RAM: Superior multitasking capabilities and smoother performance with demanding applications.
  • Faster Charging: Not specified for iPhone 15, but likely faster on Red Magic 9 Pro given its gaming focus.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

iPhone 15: Users who prioritize a compact and lightweight phone with a bright display, smooth performance, and a user-friendly operating system. Suitable for everyday tasks, social media, web browsing, and casual gaming.

Red Magic 9 Pro: Users who prioritize gaming performance, a large display with a high refresh rate, long battery life, and extensive multitasking capabilities. Ideal for mobile gamers, power users, and those who consume lots of media on their phones.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions:

  1. What is your primary use case for a smartphone? (Gaming, everyday tasks, media consumption)
  2. How important is portability and one-handed use?
  3. What is your budget and preferred operating system?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Heavy gamer: Red Magic 9 Pro
  • Casual user prioritizing portability: iPhone 15
  • Power user needing multitasking: Red Magic 9 Pro

My Choice: ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro

While the iPhone 15 offers a refined and compact experience, I would choose the Red Magic 9 Pro. The significantly larger battery, higher refresh rate display, and vastly increased RAM are compelling advantages for my usage. I prioritize a smooth and responsive experience with extended battery life, particularly for gaming and multitasking. While I acknowledge the benefits of the iPhone's compact form factor, the Red Magic 9 Pro's performance advantages outweigh the size difference for my personal needs. The lack of specific refresh rate data for the iPhone 15 further pushes me toward the Red Magic 9 Pro's confirmed 120Hz display for a smoother user experience.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.