Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 164 × 76.4 × 8.9 mm | Red Magic is noticeably larger and bulkier, impacting one-handed use and pocketability. |
| Weight | 169g | 229g | S21 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and easier to carry. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard, non-foldable phones. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.8" | Red Magic provides a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming due to its larger display. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1116x2480 | Red Magic has slightly sharper text and images but the difference in daily usage is negligible, especially on small screens |
| PPI | 421 | 400 | S21 has slightly higher pixel density. The difference is subtle, not noticeable by the average user. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and fluid animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1600 nits | Red Magic offers better outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Red Magic's chipset is significantly more powerful and efficient, leading to better performance in demanding tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 2,020,000 | Red Magic delivers dramatically faster performance for resource-intensive tasks and high-end games. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 750 | Red Magic's GPU offers superior graphical capabilities, particularly for gaming and graphic-intensive apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.80µm, Sony IMX555 | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.57", 1.00µm, Samsung GN5 | Red Magic offers much higher resolution, while Samsung has a slightly wider aperture and larger pixel size for better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.80µm, Samsung Bright S5KGW2 | None | S21 offers optical zoom capabilities and better portrait shots with a dedicated telephoto sensor. |
| Selfie | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm, Sony IMX374 | 16MP, f/2.0, 1/3.06", 1.12µm, Omnivision OV16A1Q | Red Magic has higher resolution, a wider aperture, and slightly larger sensor for better selfie quality. |
| Wide Angle | 12.2 MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm pixel size, Sony IMX563 | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76", 0.64µm, Samsung S5KJN1 | Red Magic offers a dedicated wide-angle camera with a higher resolution for expansive shots. S21 combines wide angle with macro. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Red Magic offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, though with a low resolution. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps with HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound, Multiple 4k and 1080p options | Up to 8K@30fps, Multiple 4k and 1080p options | Both phones can record 8K video, but Samsung has more features such as different framerate options and HDR recording at different resolutions. S21 offers better stabilization for hand-held videos using EIS |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 6500mAh | Red Magic offers significantly longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 80W fast charging | Red Magic charges much faster, significantly reducing the time spent plugged in. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 15W wireless charging, Reverse wireless charging, No charger in-box | Bypass charging, Non-removable | S21 offers wireless charging, reverse charging. Red Magic is ideal for gaming due to bypass charging feature. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and carry around.
- Better Screen Protection: Uses Gorilla Glass Victus for added durability.
- Versatile Camera System: Offers telephoto zoom and generally better overall image processing
- Wireless Charging: Offers both standard wireless and reverse wireless charging.
- Advanced Video Options: Offers more framerate, HDR, and stabilization options in video recording
- More mature software support: Currently on Android 15, this suggests that Samsung will offer longer software support.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro Advantages
- Significantly Higher Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 provides superior CPU and GPU performance for gaming and heavy tasks.
- Much Larger Battery: Offers extended battery life, especially for heavy users.
- Faster Charging: 80W charging allows for much quicker top-ups.
- Larger, Brighter Display: Better for media consumption and gaming, with superior outdoor visibility.
- Dedicated Wide-Angle Lens: More versatile for landscape and group photos.
- Bypass Charging: Allows to directly power the system, minimizing heat when playing games while charging.
- Newer Connectivity: Supports Wifi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3.
Trade-offs
- S21: sacrifices raw processing power and battery life for compactness, versatility and wireless capabilities.
- Red Magic: is bulkier and heavier. Camera is good, but not as versatile. Lacks wireless charging capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
- Ideal User: Everyday users who prioritize portability, versatility, camera, and wireless capabilities.
- Use Cases:
- General daily tasks like browsing, social media, and communication.
- Users who value photography and need a good all-around camera.
- Users who prefer a smaller, lighter device and require wireless charging.
- Users who prefer a mature operating system with longer software support.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro
- Ideal User: Gamers and power users who prioritize performance, battery life, and display quality.
- Use Cases:
- High-performance mobile gaming.
- Users who need maximum battery life for prolonged use.
- Users who frequently watch videos or consume media on their phone.
- Professionals who perform resource-intensive tasks on their phone.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your primary use case? Is it gaming and heavy tasks, or general everyday usage?
- How important is portability and comfort? Do you prefer a smaller, lighter phone or a larger device with better performance?
- Do you need features such as wireless charging? Do you need a versatile camera system that includes optical zoom, or is it better to have a higher resolution sensor?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Casual User: If you primarily use your phone for social media, communication, and light tasks, and you like portability and a better camera experience, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a better choice.
- For the Power User/Gamer: If you prioritize gaming, performance, battery life, and a larger display, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro is the superior option.
- For the Camera Enthusiast: If you want a versatile camera system that offers optical zoom and overall great image processing, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a more suitable option.
Final Thoughts
My Choice:
If I had to choose, I would pick the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro. While I appreciate the S21's compactness and versatility, the Red Magic's raw power, battery life, and superior display make it a more compelling option for my specific needs. As someone who often engages in mobile gaming and consumes media, the benefits it offers far outweigh its drawbacks. It's the type of phone that excels at what it was built for: maximum power and performance.
