1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Nokia X20 | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 168.9 × 79.7 × 9.1 mm | 164 × 76.4 × 8.9 mm | Nokia X20 is slightly larger and thicker, potentially less comfortable for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 220g | 229g | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro is slightly heavier; noticeable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.8" | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro offers a slightly larger viewing area for immersive content. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1116x2480 | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro provides a slightly sharper image due to higher pixel density. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 395 | 400 | Negligible real-world difference in sharpness. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro has better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better viewing angles than Nokia X20. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro provides much smoother animations, scrolling and gameplay experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits (Unspecified) | 0 nits (Unspecified) | Both are unspecified; difficult to compare real-world visibility in different lighting conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro has a significantly more powerful and efficient chip, leading to much faster performance in all tasks, especially gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 323,425 | 2,369,542 | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro offers dramatically superior performance (over 6x) in benchmarks; noticeable in gaming, heavy multitasking, and demanding applications. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro will offer much better gaming performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4470mAh | 6500mAh | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro has a much larger battery, providing potentially much longer battery life. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 80W fast charging | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime waiting for the phone to charge. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.57", 1.00µm, Samsung GN5 | Nokia X20 has higher resolution but smaller pixels; ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro has larger pixels which typically capture more light, resulting in better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.0 | 16MP, f/2.0, 1/3.06", 1.12µm, Omnivision OV16A1Q | Nokia X20 has higher resolution; ZTE Nubia has larger pixel size, could lead to better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle | 5MP | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76", 0.64µm, Samsung S5KJN1 | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro offers a significantly higher resolution wide-angle camera. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP (Depth) | None | Nokia X20 has a dedicated depth sensor for enhanced portrait effects. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm, GalaxyCore GC02M1 | Similar macro cameras in terms of resolution; ZTE has larger pixel size. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, Slow-mo 120fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, Slow-mo 240fps | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro supports much higher video resolution and frame rates, better slow-motion, and offers video stabilization. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 14 | Android 14 | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro has a more current Android version out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 7 | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro supports much faster Wi-Fi, access to 6GHz band for less interference, Wi-Fi Display and MiMO capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 LE, LDAC, SBC, AAC | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro has a newer version and supports better audio codecs for superior wireless audio quality. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro supports more GPS systems for more accurate location. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB | 256/512GB | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro provides more internal storage options. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 12/16GB | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro offers much more RAM, beneficial for multitasking and demanding applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 Microphones | DTS/DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | ZTE Nubia has better audio with stereo speakers and more microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Nokia X20 has a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | ZTE Nubia has better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | ZTE Nubia features one additional sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Nokia X20 Advantages:
- Potentially better front-facing camera resolution: 32MP front camera might appeal to those who prioritize selfie quality in terms of detail, although it's not always an indicator of overall quality.
- Dedicated depth sensor: This provides better portrait mode effects
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Some may prefer this for ergonomics over an in-display sensor.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset is a powerhouse, offering far superior performance for demanding tasks, gaming and future-proofing.
- Much Better Display: AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate provides a visually superior and smoother experience.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: The 6500mAh battery paired with 80W charging means significantly longer battery life and much quicker recharge times.
- Superior Camera System: The ZTE Nubia boasts better wide-angle, larger pixel size on the main sensor, and much better video recording capabilities.
- Advanced Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.2 support offer much better wireless performance, alongside better support for location services.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers much larger RAM and storage options.
- Better audio: Stereo speakers with DTS / DTS X.
- Better build quality: Gorilla Glass 5 screen protection.
Trade-offs:
- ZTE Nubia is slightly heavier and thicker: May be less comfortable for some users.
- Nokia X20 has no advantages apart from slightly more convenient fingerprint sensor, depth sensor and more MP on the front camera
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Nokia X20:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious user with light to moderate smartphone needs, who wants a larger screen and higher resolution front camera, and a headphone jack.
Use Cases:
- Basic browsing, social media, and email
- Casual photography, especially selfies
- Users who prefer a side-mounted fingerprint reader
- Users who want a headphone jack
Price-to-value ratio: Given its age and specs, it may only make sense as a very budget option, and even then, there are likely better options available at the same price point.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro:
- Ideal User: Gamers and power users who want the best performance, display, and battery life, and want to record videos.
- Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming with high refresh rates and fast responsiveness
- Heavy multitasking and running resource-intensive applications
- Mobile content creation, especially video, due to its higher resolution and frame rates
- Users who want superior audio
- Users who want the best Wi-Fi and GPS
- Price-to-value ratio: Offers high value for its performance, display, and battery life, but it is a high end device at a high end price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case for a smartphone? (e.g., casual use, gaming, content creation)
- How much do you prioritize performance and battery life? (e.g., do you need a phone that can handle intensive tasks?)
- What is your budget? (e.g., are you willing to pay a premium for high-end features?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User: If you are primarily looking for a budget smartphone with a larger screen and dont mind the reduced performance and older display, the Nokia X20 is an option, but there might be better offerings at the same price point.
Scenario 2: Performance-Focused Gamer/Power User: The ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro is the superior choice due to its top-tier performance, display, battery, and advanced gaming features. It is excellent for gaming, heavy multitasking, and content creation.
Scenario 3: Content Creator: The ZTE Nubia is the clear winner for content creation due to its vastly superior video recording, wider angle lens, and overall image quality.
My Choice
I would choose the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro.
Here's why:
While the Nokia X20 might be sufficient for very basic tasks, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro is a vastly superior device in almost every way that matters for a good smartphone experience in 2024. The difference in performance between the two is HUGE, the display is dramatically better, the battery life is significantly better, the camera is better overall, and the connectivity is superior.
The Red Magic 9S Pro is designed for users who demand top performance, and this performance is not just limited to gaming, it translates to faster loading times, smoother multitasking, and a much more fluid overall user experience. The AMOLED screen provides a much more pleasing visual experience, the battery can last you all day and can charge very quickly, the better audio makes consuming media a more pleasant experience, and the overall camera is better than the X20 in most scenarios, especially for video, with its vastly superior recording capabilities.
The slightly higher weight and size are minor drawbacks compared to the overall benefits in performance and user experience. If you want a phone that will last you for several years, the Red Magic 9S Pro is the phone to go for. The Nokia X20 makes very little sense in comparison to the ZTE nubia.
