1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G and the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm | The Red Magic 9 Pro is slightly taller and thicker, making the S21+ 5G more pocketable and comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 200g | 229g | The S21+ 5G is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. The Red Magic 9 Pro might feel hefty. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Negligible difference in screen size, both offer an immersive experience. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1116 x 2480 | The Red Magic 9 Pro has a slightly sharper display, but the difference will likely be unnoticeable in daily use. |
| PPI | 394 | 400 | Very similar pixel density, resulting in a comparable viewing experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use vibrant AMOLED technology for rich colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, great for gaming and general usage. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1600 nits | The Red Magic 9 Pro has significantly better outdoor visibility under direct sunlight due to higher brightness. |
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) | The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers a massive performance lead, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 2,020,000 | The Red Magic 9 Pro is substantially faster and more powerful for demanding applications and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 750 | The Adreno 750 provides significantly better graphics performance, especially in high-end games and graphically intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", Sony IMX555 | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.57", Samsung GN5 | The Red Magic 9 Pro has a much higher resolution sensor, potentially capturing more detailed images; the S21+ has slightly better light gathering from wider aperture. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", Samsung GW2 | Not available | The S21+ offers a dedicated zoom lens for greater flexibility in photography. |
| Selfie | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", Sony IMX374 | 16MP, f/2.0, 1/3.06", Omnivision OV16A1Q | The Red Magic 9 Pro offers a higher resolution selfie camera and a wider aperture, which should result in slightly better low light selfies. |
| Wide Angle lens | Not available | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1 | The Red Magic 9 Pro has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in a single shot. |
| Macro lens | Not available | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Red Magic 9 Pro has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX563 | Not available | The S21+ offers a dedicated wide angle + macro camera, combining both functions into one. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, EIS, Stereo Sound | Up to 8K@30fps | Both support high-resolution video recording, however the S21+ has more options. |
| Features | OIS, PDAF, RAW, Optical Zoom | Gimbal, LAF, Under-display Camera | The S21+ excels with optical zoom and stabilization; the Red Magic 9 Pro uses a Gimbal system instead of OIS, a laser AF system and has an under-display camera. |
| DxOMark | 111 (Mobile) | Not available | The S21+ has a verified camera score that serves as a useful point of reference, while the Red Magic 9 Pro's camera performance hasn't been evaluated on DxOMark. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 6500mAh | The Red Magic 9 Pro has a significantly larger battery, potentially offering much better battery life for all-day use. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 80W fast charging | The Red Magic 9 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime and getting you back on the go quickly. |
| Features | Wireless charging, Reverse charging | Bypass Charging | The S21+ offers wireless and reverse wireless charging; the Red Magic 9 Pro has bypass charging, allowing for direct power during gaming without charging the battery. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable for extended handheld use and easier to pocket.
- Versatile Camera System: Offers a dedicated telephoto lens and optical zoom, providing more flexibility in photography, as well as OIS for stable videos.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Charging: More flexible charging options.
- Verified Camera Performance: DxOMark score provides a baseline understanding of its camera quality.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers much better CPU and GPU performance, making it ideal for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Significantly Larger Battery: Provides better battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
- Faster Charging: 80W charging allows for much quicker top-ups, getting you back to gaming/tasks more rapidly.
- Dedicated Gaming Features: Features such as Bypass Charging enhance the gaming experience.
- Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility under bright sunlight.
- More Modern Software: Ships with a more recent version of Android.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards.
Trade-offs:
- The S21+ 5G sacrifices raw power and battery for a lighter, more versatile design, and wireless charging.
- The Red Magic 9 Pro is heavier and bulkier, and is designed more for raw performance and less for general use.
- The S21+ 5G comes with the older Android version with a higher update capability, the Red Magic 9 Pro runs the newer version out of the box with no update capability.
- The Red Magic 9 Pro has a better front-facing camera but its under-display style will mean some image quality loss due to the overlaying display.
- The S21+ 5G has an additional environmental sensor (Barometer), which will be useful for certain applications.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal Users:
- General users: People who want a well-rounded phone for everyday tasks.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who value a versatile camera system with optical zoom.
- Users who prefer wireless charging: Those who value the convenience of wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- Users who appreciate portability: Those who prefer a lighter and more compact device.
Use Cases:
- Everyday communication and social media use.
- Casual photography and video recording.
- Media consumption (watching videos, browsing).
- General productivity on the go.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro Ideal Users:
- Hardcore gamers: Users who prioritize peak performance and sustained gaming.
- Power users: Those who demand the best possible performance for demanding apps.
- Users who prioritize battery life: Those who need a phone that can last through a full day with heavy usage.
- Users who prefer fast charging: Those who prefer a fast charging experience.
- Users who need better outdoor screen visibility: Those who spend a lot of time in bright sunlight.
Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming.
- Running resource-intensive applications.
- Media editing and creation on the go.
- Extended usage without needing to frequently recharge.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
Given the release dates, the S21+ 5G will likely be significantly cheaper than the Red Magic 9 Pro, making it a better value proposition for budget-conscious users who don't require peak performance. The Red Magic 9 Pro justifies its higher price with its superior processing power, larger battery, faster charging, and gaming-centric features.
4. Decision Framework
3 Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my primary use case? (Gaming, photography, everyday use, etc.)
- How important are performance and battery life? (Is peak performance and long battery life a must-have or not?)
- What's my preferred form factor and charging style? (Do I prefer a lighter more versatile build with wireless charging or a powerhouse with longer battery and fast charging?).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User with Moderate Needs
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. It offers a solid all-around experience with a focus on camera and portability. It is also likely cheaper.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gaming Enthusiast
- Recommendation: ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro. It provides top-tier gaming performance, long battery life, and advanced gaming features.
- Scenario 3: Power User with Heavy Multitasking Needs
- Recommendation: ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and larger RAM will handle demanding tasks.
- Scenario 4: Photography enthusiast that values versatility
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G, thanks to its telephoto lens and OIS.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would personally pick the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro.
Here's why: I value performance and battery life above all else in a smartphone. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset is a massive leap over the Exynos 2100, offering a noticeable difference in speed, smoothness, and efficiency. The 6500mAh battery would allow me to use the phone heavily throughout the day without worrying about running out of power. Although I'm not a hardcore gamer, I appreciate the raw power for demanding apps and a better overall experience. I also tend to prefer fast charging over wireless charging, so the 80W option is a big plus for me. Finally, a brighter display is crucial to me given my time spent in direct sunlight.
While the S21+ 5G offers a more versatile camera system and is lighter, the overall performance and battery upgrades of the Red Magic 9 Pro are more important to me in terms of personal preference. While the S21+ 5G has a nice and verified camera, the Red Magic 9 Pro seems like a worthy step up in many other aspects, where it will serve my needs much better.
