1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Oppo Find X3 Pro | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-19 | 2023-11-23 | The Red Magic 9 Pro is significantly newer, benefiting from newer technologies and potentially longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 163.6 × 74 × 8.3 mm | 164 × 76.4 × 8.9 mm | The Red Magic 9 Pro is slightly larger and thicker, which may feel less comfortable in hand for some users. |
| Weight | 193g | 229g | The Find X3 Pro is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Negligible difference in size; both offer a large viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1116x2480 | The Find X3 Pro has a much sharper display with more detail due to higher pixel density. |
| PPI | 525 | 400 | The Find X3 Pro display is noticeably sharper, while the Red Magic 9 Pro's display is slightly less sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use AMOLED for vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations for an enjoyable user experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1600 nits | The Red Magic 9 Pro will be much more readable in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Red Magic 9 Pro has a much more powerful and efficient chipset, resulting in faster performance and smoother gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 876,500 | 2,020,000 | The Red Magic 9 Pro exhibits significantly better performance in benchmarks, indicating noticeably better day-to-day speed and gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 750 | The Red Magic 9 Pro has a more powerful GPU, leading to better graphics performance in games and demanding apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 6500mAh | The Red Magic 9 Pro's significantly larger battery should provide substantially longer battery life, especially under heavy usage. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | The Red Magic 9 Pro charges faster, reducing the time spent plugged in. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 30W wireless charging, Reverse wireless charging | Bypass Charging | The Find X3 Pro offers more charging options, while Red Magic 9 Pro offers "bypass charging" which reduces heat while gaming with the phone plugged in. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766, 1.00µm | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.57", Samsung GN5, 1.00µm | The Find X3 Pro has slightly larger sensor size, while both have nearly the same megapixel count; both should perform comparably well for everyday photos. |
| Selfie Lens | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74", Sony IMX615, 0.80µm | 16MP, f/2.0, 1/3.06", Omnivision OV16A1Q, 1.12µm | The Find X3 Pro has a higher resolution selfie camera but smaller pixels; the Red Magic 9 Pro might capture more light in low-light environments. |
| Telephoto Lens | 13MP, f/2.4 | None | The Find X3 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, while Red Magic 9 Pro does not. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766, 1.00µm | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64µm | The Find X3 Pro has a larger sensor for its wide-angle lens; ZTE's has a slightly wider aperture, and a different sensor, so both are expected to perform differently |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Red Magic 9 Pro has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photos, while the Find X3 Pro lacks this feature. |
| Video | 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS, 1080p@240fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps | The Red Magic 9 Pro offers higher 8K video recording. |
| DxOMark | Mobile: 128, Photo: 134, Video: 125 | Not tested | The Find X3 Pro has been tested and scores well for camera quality. The Red Magic 9 Pro lacks a formal score. |
| Camera Features | Optical zoom, OIS, Quadruple camera | Gimbal, Under display camera, Triple camera | The Find X3 Pro has Optical zoom and OIS, while the Red Magic 9 Pro has a Gimbal and Under Display Camera |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 14) | Android 14 | The Red Magic 9 Pro ships with a more recent version of Android, resulting in more modern features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | The Red Magic 9 Pro features newer WiFi 7 technology, while the Find X3 Pro has WiFi 6 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 | The Red Magic 9 Pro has a newer version of Bluetooth for potentially better efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC | The Red Magic 9 Pro supports more satellite systems for potentially better GPS accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones support dual SIM functionality |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 256 GB or 512 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | Both provide ample storage for most users. |
| RAM | 12 GB or 16 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB or 16 GB | Both are available in 12GB/16GB configurations for multitasking and demanding apps |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | The Red Magic 9 Pro has enhanced surround sound and improved voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones offer basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Both phones have similar screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Pedometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both phones have a comprehensive suite of sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Oppo Find X3 Pro Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Significantly higher resolution (1440x3216) and pixel density (525 ppi) provide a noticeably sharper visual experience, making text and images appear clearer.
- Optical Zoom: Dedicated telephoto lens with optical zoom capabilities, enabling better zoomed-in photos with less quality degradation than digital zoom.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Wireless Charging: Offers more charging versatility with 30W wireless charging, reverse wireless charging to charge other devices, and reverse charging, making it useful for users with multiple devices.
- Better Camera Quality (Based on DxOMark): The Find X3 Pro has a higher camera score in DxOMark, indicating a better overall camera experience.
- Lighter: Being 36g lighter makes the Find X3 Pro more comfortable for extended use and easier to handle.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset provides a major performance boost, making it much faster for gaming and demanding applications.
- Much Larger Battery: The 6500mAh battery offers considerably longer battery life compared to the 4500mAh battery on the Find X3 Pro, which is ideal for heavy users or gamers.
- Faster Charging: 80W fast charging reduces charging time compared to 65W on the Find X3 Pro.
- Brighter Display: With 1600 nits brightness, the Red Magic 9 Pro provides much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 14, providing a more modern user experience and potentially longer software support.
- Enhanced Audio Features: DTS/DTS:X and 3 microphones offer enhanced audio experience.
- Bypass Charging: Allows the phone to be powered directly from the charger without charging the battery, reducing heat during gaming sessions.
Trade-offs:
- The Find X3 Pro sacrifices performance for camera versatility and wireless charging capabilities.
- The Red Magic 9 Pro prioritizes raw power, battery, and display brightness at the expense of a telephoto lens, wireless charging and a sharper display. It's also heavier, larger, and has a less versatile camera system compared to the Find X3 Pro.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Oppo Find X3 Pro Ideal User:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value camera versatility, optical zoom, and want good still photos and videos.
- Everyday Users: People who prefer a lightweight device with wireless charging and a sharper display.
- General users: Users who want a more premium experience with a well rounded and capable device, and who are not worried about having the best performance.
- Users who prefer a smaller and lighter phone: This is a great option for users who don't like big and heavy phones.
Use Cases for Find X3 Pro:
- Capturing detailed travel photos with optical zoom.
- Daily usage with a balance of performance, camera, and battery.
- Conveniently charging other devices using reverse wireless charging.
- Users looking for a device with better camera capabilities in general use.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro Ideal User:
- Hardcore Mobile Gamers: Users who want the highest possible performance, longest battery life, and a bright display.
- Power Users: Those who demand top performance for intensive tasks and want a fast-charging phone with a large battery.
- Users who prioritize performance above all else: Users who want the best performance available.
- Users who need a phone for long periods of time away from a charger: Users who do not have access to a charger often will benefit the most from this phone.
- Users who like large and heavy phones.
Use Cases for Red Magic 9 Pro:
- Playing graphically demanding games for extended periods without overheating.
- Long travel days with intensive use without needing to charge as frequently.
- Enjoying content under bright sunlight due to its high brightness display.
- Users who value the latest software version.
Price-to-Value:
- The Find X3 Pro, being older, is likely to be available at a lower price point, making it a good value for users looking for a good camera system, wireless charging, and a nice screen.
- The Red Magic 9 Pro is more expensive, but its superior performance, battery life, and display brightness make it a good value for gamers and power users willing to invest in a high-performance device.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Photography, gaming, general use)
- How important is battery life and charging speed?
- What is your preference for display sharpness vs brightness?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The Photography Enthusiast: If the primary need is photography, especially the use of optical zoom, and the user also values a comfortable, lightweight design and wireless charging, then the Oppo Find X3 Pro is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: The Mobile Gamer or Power User: If the main priority is top-tier performance, the longest possible battery life for gaming, and a brighter screen for outdoor visibility, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro is the better option.
- Scenario 3: The budget conscious user: If cost is a very important factor, the Oppo Find X3 Pro is a good option, since being an older device it is likely to be much cheaper than the newer ZTE phone.
My Choice
If I were to choose between the two, I would personally pick the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro.
My reasoning is primarily due to the fact that as technology advances, more and more processing power is needed for modern applications and even daily use, which the Red Magic 9 Pro provides in spades over the Oppo Find X3 Pro. The improved battery capacity of the Red Magic is also a huge plus, as it is extremely convenient to not have to charge as frequently. Even though I value good camera quality, the gap in performance between the two phones is significant, and the Red Magic also has a decent camera that would do just fine for day to day use. Although the sharper screen on the Oppo is appealing, I believe the improved brightness of the Red Magic 9 Pro is more useful. Finally, even though I also value wireless charging, the convenience of the much larger battery on the Red Magic outweighs this.
I am not a gamer, but the improved performance that the Red Magic provides, coupled with the longer battery life, is a more compelling package in my opinion.
