Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 164 × 76.4 × 8.9 mm | The Red Magic 9S Pro is larger and thicker, which might be less comfortable for smaller hands but offers a larger screen. |
| Weight | 169g | 229g | The Galaxy S21 5G is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. The Red Magic 9S Pro's weight can feel substantial over time. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard slab-style phones. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.8" | The Red Magic 9S Pro offers a larger viewing area, beneficial for gaming and media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1116x2480 | The Red Magic 9S Pro has a slightly sharper display. |
| Pixel Density | 421 ppi | 400 ppi | The Galaxy S21 5G has slightly sharper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both provide vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animation. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits (Data missing) | The Galaxy S21 5G likely offers much better visibility in bright sunlight, while the Red Magic's brightness is unknown. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Red Magic 9S Pro's newer chipset provides significantly better performance, faster app loading, and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 2,369,542 | The Red Magic 9S Pro demonstrates vastly superior raw performance, making it better for gaming and intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 750 | The Red Magic 9S Pro has a much more powerful GPU, resulting in smoother, more detailed graphics and higher frame rates. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | The Red Magic 9S Pro captures much more detailed photos in good lighting conditions, but final photo quality depends on processing and other factors. |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.76" | 1/1.57" | The Red Magic 9S Pro has a slightly larger sensor, potentially capturing more light and detail, especially in low-light environments |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 64MP | None | The Galaxy S21 5G offers a dedicated telephoto camera for optical zoom and portrait mode. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 10MP | 16MP | The Red Magic 9S Pro's front camera can capture more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 50MP | The Red Magic 9S Pro provides a dedicated wide-angle camera for landscape and group photos. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP | The Red Magic 9S Pro includes a macro lens, which is useful for extreme close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Camera | 12.2MP | None | The Galaxy S21 5G features an ultra wide lens that can also take macro shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both phones offer high-resolution video recording, suitable for professional-grade video content creation. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 111 | N/A | Only the S21 5G has been tested which can be a useful data point when it comes to photo quality |
| DxOMark Selfie Score | 132 | N/A | Only the S21 5G has been tested which can be a useful data point when it comes to selfie quality |
| Camera Features | Optical zoom, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), RAW | Gimbal, Laser autofocus (LAF), Under display camera | The Galaxy S21 5G's OIS/optical zoom and PDAF are useful for everyday photography while Red Magic's features are more suited for unique use cases. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 6500mAh | The Red Magic 9S Pro is expected to have significantly longer battery life, potentially lasting a full day or more with heavy use, while the S21 5G will likely require more frequent charging. |
| Charging | 25W | 80W | The Red Magic 9S Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging, No charger in-box | Non-removable | The Galaxy S21 5G can wirelessly charge and reverse charge other devices, while the Red Magic 9S Pro does not. Neither have an included charger. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and more comfortable for extended use and single-hand operation.
- Better Display Brightness: Likely much better visibility under direct sunlight based on the 1300 nits peak brightness spec.
- Versatile Camera System: Offers telephoto lens with optical zoom, as well as a separate Wide Angle + Macro lens, making it more suitable for diverse photography scenarios.
- Wireless and Reverse Charging: It supports wireless charging and can reverse charge other devices.
- DxOMark Scores: Its camera has been tested on DxOMark with decent scores, giving more insight into camera quality
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 provides much better processing power and gaming performance.
- Larger Display: More immersive experience for gaming and media consumption.
- Much Larger Battery: Offers significantly longer battery life, ideal for heavy users and gamers.
- Faster Charging: 80W fast charging reduces downtime.
- Dedicated Wide Angle and Macro Camera: More options for various kinds of photography
- Newer WiFi and Bluetooth Standards: Supports WiFi 7 for faster speeds and Bluetooth 5.2 for better connectivity
Trade-offs:
- The Red Magic 9S Pro's larger size and weight may be cumbersome for some users.
- The Red Magic 9S Pro may not have as good camera versatility as the S21 due to the lack of a dedicated telephoto zoom.
- The S21 5G might not be as powerful or long-lasting as the Red Magic 9S Pro, but it is more compact and its camera is more well rounded.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a compact and lightweight phone for daily use.
- Those who value a well-rounded camera system with telephoto zoom, and good all-around photo quality.
- Users who need wireless and reverse charging features.
- Users who frequently use their phone outdoors and in bright sunlight
Specific Use Cases:
- General daily use (calls, social media, web browsing).
- Casual photography in various scenarios.
- On-the-go productivity and media consumption.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro Ideal User:
- Gamers and power users who need top-tier performance and long battery life.
- Users who consume a lot of media and appreciate a larger display.
- Those who need a powerful all-in-one device capable of handling any task.
- Users who are okay with a larger, heavier phone for these advantages.
Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming with demanding titles.
- Media consumption (movies, videos, streaming).
- Heavy multitasking and demanding applications.
- Use cases that require a powerful and long-lasting device.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is the most important aspect of the smartphone? Is it portability, camera versatility, gaming performance, or battery life?
- What are the main use cases for the device? Daily communication and social media, gaming, professional photography, media consumption etc.
- How much importance do I place on long battery life vs wireless charging? This would be relevant when deciding between the two as they both have advantages and disadvantages
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Average User: If you prefer a smaller, lighter device with a great camera system and wireless charging, choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
- For Gamers and Power Users: If top performance, long battery life, and a large screen are your priorities, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro is the better choice.
- For Photographers: If you are looking for versatile photography features such as telephoto lens with optical zoom then the S21 is the better choice, if you prefer unique features such as wide angle and macro, the Red Magic 9S Pro is better.
Personal Choice
If I had to choose between the two, I would pick the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a solid phone, the Red Magic 9S Pro's dramatically superior performance and battery life make it a much more capable device for my needs. My primary use case includes a mix of heavy multitasking, gaming, and media consumption, and the Red Magic 9S Pro is better suited for those tasks with its top-tier processor, bigger screen, and much longer battery life. While I appreciate the S21's wireless charging and more compact design, they are not priorities for me compared to performance and battery. The camera on the Red Magic Pro is still decent enough for basic photography, and the benefits of having a powerful, long lasting device outweigh the drawbacks for me. The missing brightness spec on the Red Magic 9S Pro is a concern, but assuming the screen is bright enough to view outdoors, I'd pick this one for it's power and speed.
