Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G 5G vs. ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-12-07 | 2024-07-09 | Red Magic 9S Pro is much newer, suggesting access to newer tech and potentially longer software support. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones. |
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm | Moto G 5G is slightly taller and thicker, while Red Magic 9S Pro is slightly wider, impacting handling and pocketability. |
| Weight | 212g | 229g | Moto G 5G is lighter, possibly more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Minimal difference in screen size; negligible impact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1116x2480 | Red Magic 9S Pro has slightly higher resolution; marginally sharper images and text. |
| Pixel Density | 393 PPI | 400 PPI | Negligible difference in sharpness. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | AMOLED offers deeper blacks, higher contrast, more vibrant colors, better viewing angles, and more efficient power use with dark mode, significantly enhancing visual experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Red Magic 9S Pro's 120Hz refresh rate offers significantly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Identical brightness, but actual usability under bright light isn't available. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Red Magic 9S Pro has a much more powerful and efficient chipset, resulting in much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, superior gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 390,000 | 2,369,542 | Red Magic 9S Pro offers dramatically higher performance, suitable for intensive tasks and demanding gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 750 | Red Magic 9S Pro's GPU is much more powerful, offering significantly enhanced graphics performance, crucial for smooth, high-fidelity gaming and graphical tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6500mAh | Red Magic 9S Pro has a larger battery, potentially lasting much longer on a single charge. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | Red Magic 9S Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime waiting for a full charge. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Difference in battery chemistry, the impact will be on the overall cycle life and degradation over a longer period of time. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP f/1.7, 0.8µm | 50MP f/1.88, 1.0µm, 1/1.57", Samsung GN5 | Red Magic 9S Pro has a slightly higher resolution sensor and larger pixels, typically producing better low-light photos. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.2, 1.0µm | 16MP f/2.0, 1.12µm 1/3.06" Omnivision OV16A1Q | Red Magic 9S Pro has slightly better low-light and portrait capture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP f/2.2, 1.12µm | 50MP f/2.0, 0.64µm, 1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN1 | Red Magic 9S Pro has much higher wide-angle camera resolution, capturing a lot more detail in landscape and group photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4, 1.75µm | 2MP f/2.4, 1.75µm, 1/5" GalaxyCore GC02M1 | Both have a basic macro lens, very similar performance expected. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, EIS | Up to 8K@30fps, OIS, Gimbal | Red Magic 9S Pro can record much higher resolution videos and has better stabilization, enhancing video quality for both everyday and professional use cases. |
| Features | PDAF, LAF, RAW | OIS, Gimbal, Under Display Camera, Manual focus | Red Magic 9S Pro offers optical image stabilization (OIS) and gimbal stabilization, under-display camera and manual focus. Moto G 5G offers PDAF, RAW. The Red Magic 9S Pro offers a much more comprehensive set of video features and image control. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 | Red Magic 9S Pro has a much more modern operating system with the newest features, better security, and performance enhancements. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 7 | Red Magic 9S Pro supports much faster Wi-Fi speeds and greater network capacity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 LE, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Red Magic 9S Pro offers a slightly better Bluetooth version with enhanced audio codecs for higher-quality wireless audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Red Magic 9S Pro has superior location accuracy due to its support of more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM functionality, however this can impact battery life if 2 sims are active. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB or 128GB | 256GB or 512GB | Red Magic 9S Pro offers significantly more storage space for apps, media, and files. |
| RAM | 4GB or 6GB | 12GB or 16GB | Red Magic 9S Pro has significantly more RAM, enabling much better multitasking and faster performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | 2 microphones | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Red Magic 9S Pro has a more premium audio setup with enhanced surround sound, stereo speakers, and better audio capture. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both have basic fingerprint sensors for biometric authentication. Red Magic has it under the display |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Red Magic 9S Pro has better protection against scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Red Magic 9S Pro adds a Gravity sensor for more comprehensive functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: At 212g, the Moto G 5G is noticeably lighter than the Red Magic 9S Pro, making it more comfortable for extended handheld use.
- Potentially Lower Price: Being an older, mid-range phone, the Moto G 5G is likely to be significantly cheaper than the Red Magic 9S Pro.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset offers dramatically better performance in gaming, multitasking, and general usage compared to the Moto G 5G’s Snapdragon 750G.
- Much Better Display: The AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate offers superior visual quality, smoother animations, and better power efficiency, particularly when using dark themes.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: The 6500mAh battery and 80W fast charging provide significantly longer battery life and quicker recharge times, reducing downtime.
- Advanced Camera System: The Red Magic 9S Pro has much more feature-rich and higher-quality cameras, offering better photo and video capabilities including 8K recording, OIS, and gimbal stabilization
- Latest Software: Runs Android 14 out of the box vs Android 10 on the Moto G 5G. This offers significantly more modern features, security and app compatibility
- Superior Connectivity: Supports newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards for faster and more reliable wireless connections.
- Significantly More Storage and RAM: Offers up to 512GB storage and 16GB RAM, suitable for power users and those who need to store large media files.
- Better Audio: The built-in stereo speakers and DTS / DTS X enhancement offer much more immersive and high quality audio compared to the Moto G 5G's single speaker.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides better protection against scratches and cracks
- Better Sensors: Offers a gravity sensor for improved gaming experience
Trade-offs:
- The Red Magic 9S Pro is heavier and more expensive than the Moto G 5G.
- The Moto G 5G is much older, and its software support is likely limited.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who need a basic smartphone for daily tasks (calls, texts, web browsing, social media).
- Users who value lightweight and comfortable design over peak performance.
- Users who don't engage in heavy gaming or content creation.
Use Cases:
- Casual everyday use
- Basic multimedia consumption
- Simple web browsing and social media
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro Ideal User:
- Gamers who demand high performance, smooth frame rates, and advanced features.
- Users who consume a lot of media (videos, streaming content) and value a high-quality display.
- Power users who need a lot of storage, RAM, and fast performance for multitasking and demanding apps.
- Mobile photographers/videographers who need professional level features for recording video and capturing images
- Users who want the latest technology, fast performance, and future-proofing.
Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming
- Intensive multitasking
- High-quality video recording and photography
- Mobile content creation
- Heavy media consumption
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Moto G 5G is likely to be much cheaper, while the Red Magic 9S Pro is in the premium price range.
- How important is gaming and performance to you? The Red Magic 9S Pro is tailored for demanding tasks like gaming, while the Moto G 5G is better for basic use.
- How important are battery life, display quality, and camera features to you? The Red Magic 9S Pro offers significantly better features in these areas.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If the budget is tight and you only need a basic phone, the Motorola Moto G 5G is a reasonable choice.
- Casual User: If you want a smooth experience, and would benefit from the nicer screen and much better battery, the Red Magic 9S Pro is a very strong choice, despite being pricier than the Moto G 5G.
- Gaming Enthusiast/Power User: If you plan on playing demanding games or using resource-intensive apps, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro is the superior choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro. While it is more expensive, the leap in performance with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, the superior AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, the significantly larger battery with faster charging, and the much more advanced camera system are well worth the investment for my use case. I prefer a fluid mobile experience with smooth animations and top tier performance. I often use my phone for gaming and editing photos/videos, and the Red Magic 9S Pro would allow me to do both with greater ease. The much faster charging and longer battery also makes the Red Magic 9S Pro a compelling option, and the higher storage capacity is an added bonus. The main trade-off is the increased cost and weight, but for my use case those are acceptable compromises.
