Alright, let’s dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra and the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro. These two smartphones, while both aiming for the premium end of the market, take very different approaches. One champions a well-rounded flagship experience, while the other is laser-focused on gaming. Let's break down what each offers and how they stack up in the real world.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed comparison of the key technical specifications, with a focus on what they mean for everyday use:
| Feature | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-08 | 2024-07-09 | Red Magic is newer, benefiting from latest tech |
| Dimensions | 161.8 x 73.5 x 8.4 mm | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm | Red Magic is larger & heavier. Edge is more comfortable for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 198.5g | 229g | Edge is noticeably lighter, more comfortable for long use |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are conventional smartphone designs. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.8" | Red Magic's slightly larger screen is better for immersive gaming & media |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1116x2480 | Red Magic is a bit sharper (higher pixel density), though not a huge difference |
| PPI | 395 | 400 | Both are very sharp, pixel density difference is negligible |
| Technology | P-OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant, high-contrast visuals. Slight tech differences, but similar experience overall |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | Edge is smoother, excellent for scrolling & gaming |
| Brightness | 1250 nits | 0 nits | Edge wins in outdoor visibility with significantly brighter display |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Red Magic offers a much more advanced CPU for overall performance and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,231,300 | 2,369,542 | Red Magic is notably faster for gaming and demanding apps |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 750 | Red Magic has a more modern, better performing GPU. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4610mAh | 6500mAh | Red Magic has a substantially larger battery, offering significantly longer usage per charge |
| Charging | 125W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | Edge charges faster. |
| Features | 50W Wireless, 10W Reverse | None | Edge offers more charging flexibility |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 200MP (f/1.95) | 50MP (f/1.88) | Edge boasts ultra-high resolution and larger sensor for more detailed shots. Red Magic has wider aperture for better low-light |
| Selfie Camera | 60MP (f/2.2) | 16MP (f/2.0) | Edge captures extremely high-res selfies. Red Magic has wider aperture for better low-light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP | None | Edge has dedicated telephoto lens for zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP (f/2.2) | 50MP (f/2.0) | Red Magic has slightly wider aperture |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP (f/2.4) | Red Magic has a macro lens for close-up shots |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both offer high-resolution video recording |
| Features | OIS, PDAF, RAW | OIS, Gimbal, LAF, Under-display Camera | Edge has OIS, PDAF, and RAW capture. Red Magic has Gimbal, LAF and Under-display camera for cleaner aesthetic |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (up to 13) | Android 14 | Red Magic comes with a newer operating system, likely with added features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Red Magic uses the latest Wi-Fi standard for faster speeds and lower latency |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Red Magic has advanced audio support for high-quality wireless headphones. |
| GPS | Multiple systems | Multiple Systems + NavIC | Both offer strong location services, Red Magic supports additional NavIC system |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 256/512GB | Red Magic provides double the storage on top-end configuration |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 12/16GB | Red Magic has more RAM, enabling better performance on demanding tasks and multitasking |
| Expandable | No | No | No storage expansion on either device |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 mics | DTS/DTS X, 3 mics | Red Magic has a slight edge in sound immersion and mic capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint | Basic fingerprint | Both have standard fingerprint sensors |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 5 | Both have similar screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Standard suite | Standard suite | Standard sensors for advanced features and gaming on both devices. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra
- Strengths:
- Superior Brightness: The 1250 nits display is a game-changer for outdoor visibility.
- Faster Charging: 125W wired and 50W wireless charging are significantly faster than the Red Magic.
- Versatile Camera System: The 200MP main sensor, telephoto lens, and high-resolution selfie camera provide a lot of flexibility.
- More Premium features: Wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and Optical Zoom.
- Competitive Advantages:
- Excellent all-rounder with focus on photography, performance, and daily usability.
- More compact and lighter, making it more portable.
- Trade-offs:
- Older chipset, so gaming performance lags behind the Red Magic.
- Smaller battery; less battery life than the Red Magic.
- Less storage & RAM compared to the top end configuration of Red Magic.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro
- Strengths:
- Top-Tier Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset is a massive upgrade for gaming.
- Massive Battery: The 6500mAh battery ensures long-lasting gaming sessions.
- Latest Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 7 support provides faster connectivity and lower latency.
- Gaming Focused Features: Macro lens, DTS/DTS X audio, gimbal for video stabilization and more RAM for intense games.
- Larger Screen and Storage: More immersive display and large built-in storage
- Competitive Advantages:
- Specifically built for gamers, with a focus on raw power and long battery life.
- More modern software experience with Android 14.
- Under-display camera and other gaming specific features
- Trade-offs:
- Larger, heavier build.
- Significantly lower peak display brightness may struggle in direct sunlight.
- Camera system less versatile than the Edge.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra
- Best For:
- Users who prioritize a balance of performance, great photos, and design.
- Those who value fast charging and outdoor screen visibility.
- Professionals and casual users who use the phone throughout the day for different things.
- Use Cases:
- Daily driver for work, social media, and casual gaming.
- Photography and videography for everyday content creation.
- Users who appreciate a premium all-rounder
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro
- Best For:
- Hardcore mobile gamers who demand peak performance.
- Users who need long-lasting battery life for extended gaming sessions.
- Tech enthusiasts who want the latest hardware and features.
- Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming at high settings.
- Content consumption and media with immersive displays and high quality audio.
- Gamers that need maximum performance for long durations.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
What's my primary use case?
- Casual user: Motorola Edge 30 Ultra offers a well-balanced user experience.
- Hardcore gamer: ZTE Nubia Red Magic 9S Pro will provide best-in-class mobile gaming.
How important is battery life vs. charging speed?
- Long battery life: ZTE Nubia Red Magic 9S Pro for significantly longer use.
- Fast charging: Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is your choice for faster wired and wireless charging.
Do you take many pictures?
- Versatile camera needs: Motorola Edge 30 Ultra's 200MP main sensor and telephoto lens make it more versatile.
- Gaming focused camera: ZTE Nubia Red Magic 9S Pro has features suitable for gaming sessions, including an under-display camera.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
Scenario 1: Casual User: You need a reliable daily driver that handles everyday tasks, social media, and occasional gaming. You value a lightweight design and a good camera system. Recommendation: Motorola Edge 30 Ultra
Scenario 2: Hardcore Gamer: You want the absolute best performance for mobile gaming, with long battery life to match. You prioritize raw power and features that enhance the gaming experience. Recommendation: ZTE Nubia Red Magic 9S Pro
Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: You need a versatile camera system for all types of photos and videos, with great results in various lighting conditions. Fast charging is also a plus. Recommendation: Motorola Edge 30 Ultra
Scenario 4: On-The-Go User: You prioritize battery, speed and portability. You want a phone that can withstand long days and charge up fast. Recommendation: Motorola Edge 30 Ultra.
What I would choose
For my personal needs, I would go with the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra. While the Red Magic 9S Pro is impressive in gaming performance, I value the balance the Edge 30 Ultra offers. The brighter display, faster charging (both wired and wireless), and more versatile camera system are more important for my daily use as a tech journalist. Although I enjoy gaming, the Edge 30 Ultra's performance is more than sufficient for my casual needs, and I prefer the compact build. Additionally the Motorola has features such as wireless charging and optical zoom, which for me are more important than macro lens and under-display camera. The Edge 30 Ultra just fits into my daily workflow better.
