Honor Magic4 Pro vs ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date April 9, 2022 July 9, 2024
Release Year 2022 2024

Physical

Volume 111.21 cm³ 111.51 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.26 "/g 2.97 "/g
Weight 209 g 229 g
Height 163.6 mm 164 mm
Width 74.7 mm 76.4 mm
Thickness 9.1 mm 8.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Gold
  • Black
  • White
  • Cyan
  • Orange
  • Design Sleet (Black Version)
  • Snowfall (Silver Version)
  • Cyclone (Transparent Black Version)
  • Frost (White Version)

Display

Screen Size 6.81 " 6.8 "
Resolution 1312 x 2848 1116 x 2480
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 93 % 89.1 %
Pixel Density 460 PPI 400 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness 1000 nits 1600 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 99.19 mAh/in² 140.57 mAh/in²
Battery Density 41.36 mAh/cm³ 58.29 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4600 mAh 6500 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) Octa-core (1x3.4 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
GPU Adreno 730 Adreno 750 (1 GHz)

Connectivity

USB Version 3.1 3.2
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort 1
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.1, OTG USB Type-C 3.2, Gen 2, OTG, DisplayPort, Accessory Connector

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 12 14
Maximum OS Version

Comparison Summary

Honor Magic4 Pro vs. ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro: A Deep Dive

Let's dissect these two intriguing smartphones, the Honor Magic4 Pro and the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro, going beyond the spec sheet to understand what they truly offer in the real world.

1. Specifications Breakdown

FeatureHonor Magic4 ProZTE nubia Red Magic 9S ProReal-World Implications
Design
Dimensions163.6 x 74.7 x 9.1 mm164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mmRed Magic 9S Pro slightly wider, but thinner. Magic4 Pro lighter by a noticeable 20g.
Weight209g229gMagic4 Pro more comfortable for extended use.
Display
Size6.81"6.8"Negligible difference in screen real estate.
Resolution1312x28481116x2480Magic4 Pro significantly sharper, especially noticeable with text and images.
Refresh Rate120Hz120HzBoth offer smooth scrolling and animations.
Brightness1000 nitsUnknownMagic4 Pro likely far superior in outdoor visibility. (A HUGE factor for me.)
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 1Snapdragon 8 Gen 3Red Magic 9S Pro boasts significantly improved CPU and GPU performance.
AnTuTu945,8322,369,542Red Magic 9S Pro drastically faster for demanding tasks and gaming.
RAM8GB/12GB12GB/16GBRed Magic 9S Pro better equipped for heavy multitasking.
Camera
Main Sensor50MP, Sony IMX76650MP, Samsung GN5Comparable image quality expected, though specific tuning will differentiate them.
Telephoto64MPNoneMagic4 Pro offers optical zoom for better detail at a distance.
Ultrawide50MP8MPSpecs unclear; further investigation needed on real-world ultrawide performance.
Battery Life
Capacity4600mAh6000mAhRed Magic 9S Pro likely to have significantly longer battery life.
Charging100W Wired, 100W Wireless80W WiredMagic4 Pro charges noticeably faster, particularly compelling with its wireless charging capabilities.

2. Key Insights

  • Performance: The Red Magic 9S Pro is the clear winner, wielding the power of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This translates to a vastly superior gaming experience and smoother performance across demanding applications.
  • Display: While both have 120Hz refresh rates, the Magic4 Pro's higher resolution and significantly brighter screen make it a better choice for media consumption and outdoor use. The lack of brightness information for the Red Magic is concerning.
  • Camera: It's a tough call. The Magic4 Pro features a dedicated telephoto lens, while the Red Magic 9S Pro boasts an under-display selfie camera for a cleaner screen aesthetic. The higher resolution selfie on the Red Magic might appeal to vloggers.
  • Battery: The Red Magic 9S Pro's larger battery likely provides longer lasting power, but the Magic4 Pro's blazing fast 100W wired and wireless charging is a huge advantage for convenience.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

  • Power User/Gamer: The Red Magic 9S Pro is tailor-made for demanding users who prioritize raw performance and smooth gameplay.
  • Everyday User/Content Creator: The Honor Magic4 Pro strikes a balance between performance, a stunning display, versatile camera system, and impressively fast charging.

4. Buying Decision Framework

  1. What's your primary use case? Heavy gaming and multitasking favor the Red Magic 9S Pro. Everyday use, media consumption, and photography lean towards the Magic4 Pro.
  2. How important is battery life versus charging speed? If all-day endurance is paramount, the Red Magic 9S Pro might be preferred. If quick top-ups are essential, the Magic4 Pro's speed is unmatched.
  3. What's your budget? Pricing will heavily influence the final decision, and should be considered relative to the features offered by each device.

My Choice: The Honor Magic4 Pro (With Caveats)

While the Red Magic 9S Pro boasts superior performance, the Honor Magic4 Pro's brighter display, faster charging (especially the wireless charging!), lighter weight, and telephoto lens are more compelling to me personally. I value a well-rounded experience, and the Magic4 Pro seems to deliver that better overall. The significantly lighter weight is also a major plus for daily comfort.

However, I strongly caution that the lack of brightness information for the Red Magic 9S Pro is a huge red flag. If it turns out the Red Magic 9S Pro's brightness is comparable to the Honor's impressive 1000 nits, my decision might change. Outdoor visibility is crucial for me, and a dim screen is a deal-breaker. I'd need to confirm the Red Magic 9S Pro's display brightness before making a final decision.

Alex Griffin
Alex Griffin

Technology analyst specializing in mobile devices and consumer electronics.

Core Expertise

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Consumer electronics evaluation
  • Technical specification interpretation
  • User experience insights

Professional Mission Empowering readers to make informed technology decisions by transforming intricate specifications into understandable, practical guidance.

Demystifying technology, one device at a time.