1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and the ZTE nubia Red Magic 6, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 169.9 × 77.2 × 9.7 mm | The Red Magic 6 is slightly larger, which may be less comfortable in hand or pocket. |
| Weight | 227g | 220g | The Red Magic 6 is marginally lighter, potentially offering slightly better ergonomics during extended use. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus front | Unknown front | Samsung offers more durable screen protection |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.8" | Both have same size screens |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | S21 Ultra has a sharper display; text and images will be clearer. |
| PPI | 515 | 387 | S21 Ultra will display noticeably finer details, reducing pixelation. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Similar color reproduction, deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | Red Magic 6 offers smoother scrolling/animations, advantageous for gaming. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | The S21 Ultra is much better for outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Different chipsets; real-world performance will vary, but both are high end. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | N/A | Unable to compare due to missing data for Red Magic. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 660 | Both are high-end GPUs capable of running most games; performance may vary depending on the game. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.8 | N/A | S21 Ultra takes detailed main photos, Red Magic 6 has no details. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 10.8MP, f/2.4 | N/A | S21 Ultra excels in portrait mode and zoomed shots. Red Magic 6 has no details. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2 | N/A | S21 Ultra captures high-resolution selfies. Red Magic 6 has no details. |
| Telephoto Lens Camera | 10.8MP, f/4.9 | N/A | S21 Ultra provides zoom capabilities with better details than digital zoom. Red Magic 6 has no details. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Camera | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | N/A | S21 Ultra provides a wider field of view and close up details, Red Magic 6 has no details. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps with HDR, EIS | Up to 8K@30fps, no stabilization | S21 Ultra provides more stable and feature-rich video. |
| DXOMARK | Mobile: 115, Selfie: 135 | Not Tested | S21 Ultra's camera is known to be capable in both photos and video. |
| Features | 4K/8K, digital/optical zoom, OIS, RAW, night mode, etc. | N/A | S21 Ultra offers much more comprehensive photography features. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 0mAh | S21 Ultra will potentially last longer due to much larger battery. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | Standard charging | S21 Ultra will recharge much faster. |
| Features | Reverse, wireless charging | Standard | S21 Ultra offers more versatile charging options. |
Software and Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 11 | S21 Ultra is likely to receive a longer duration of software support. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Unknown | S21 Ultra supports faster Wi-Fi with lower latency for seamless connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | Unknown | S21 Ultra supports the latest Bluetooth standards for better connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | Unknown | S21 Ultra offers greater accuracy for navigation. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Unknown | S21 Ultra allows for using two numbers in the same device. |
Storage, Audio, Security and Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | Unknown | S21 Ultra provides multiple storage options. |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB | Unknown | S21 Ultra will perform better with heavy use or multitasking |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Users need to choose storage options wisely at purchase. |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, stereo speakers | Basic Audio | S21 Ultra provides a better audio experience with higher quality playback and noise cancellation. |
| Security Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both devices offer standard biometric unlocking. |
| Sensors | Comprehensive suite | Basic | S21 Ultra offers more comprehensive sensor functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution and pixel density (1440x3200, 515ppi) for a much sharper viewing experience, plus much better brightness for outdoor use.
- Versatile Camera System: Comprehensive camera system with multiple lenses, including telephoto, ultrawide, and excellent selfie quality and features (8K with HDR, OIS, RAW).
- Enhanced Battery and Charging: Larger battery (5000 mAh) and 25W fast charging, plus wireless and reverse charging options for all-day use.
- Better Audio Quality: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio and stereo speakers provides a high-quality audio experience.
- Comprehensive Connectivity: Latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, Bluetooth 5.2 LE and multiple GPS standards for seamless and accurate connectivity.
- Build and Software: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection and Android 11 which can be upgraded.
- Additional Features: Dual SIM, advanced sensor suite.
Practical Implications: The S21 Ultra is a premium all-rounder with superior display, camera, and battery. It is the better choice for users who value image quality, content creation, and long-term software support.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Advantages:
- Higher Refresh Rate: 165Hz display, smoother for gaming and animations.
- Lighter Weight: Slightly lighter for more comfort.
Practical Implications: The Red Magic 6 is focused more on gaming with its higher refresh rate display and light-weight design.
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Higher price, heavier, potentially shorter battery life under heavy gaming.
- Red Magic 6: Inferior camera system, lack of display brightness, missing multiple features like and an unknown battery size.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal User:
- Professional Photographers/Videographers: Users who need high-resolution photos, diverse camera lenses, and video with excellent stabilization, plus a range of manual camera controls.
- Content Creators: Those who want a great display for editing, along with excellent camera capabilities.
- Power Users: People who require seamless multitasking, a great user experience, and appreciate features like wireless charging, dual-sim, and expandable storage.
- Media Consumers: Users who value high-quality audio, a crisp display, and a wide range of storage options.
Use Cases: Professional photography, high-end video editing, daily driver for power users, media consumption.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Ideal User:
- Hardcore Gamers: Users who prioritize a higher refresh rate for a smoother gaming experience.
Use Cases: Mobile gaming, especially fast-paced action and competitive titles.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G: Higher price but provides high-end features across all key categories, offering better value for users needing a versatile and powerful phone.
- ZTE nubia Red Magic 6: Lower price (potentially), but the low price comes at the expense of missing multiple features and specs.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is camera quality to you? If you value high-quality photos and videos with versatile features, the S21 Ultra is much better. The Red Magic has no data available for camera specs.
- Do you prioritize display sharpness or refresh rate? If you value image sharpness and outdoor visibility, the S21 Ultra wins. If your main focus is gaming and smooth animations, then the Red Magic has a higher refresh rate. However the S21 has a superior screen overall.
- Do you need versatile charging capabilities and a larger battery? If you need wireless charging, reverse charging, and a larger battery, the S21 Ultra is a superior option. Red Magic is missing battery data.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Professional Photography/Videography: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for its versatile, high quality camera system.
- Scenario 2: Hardcore Gaming: Choose the ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 for its higher refresh rate.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Usage: If you want the better option, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers better features across the board for daily use, including a better camera, screen, battery, connectivity, etc.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Here's why:
- Overall Superiority: The S21 Ultra consistently outperforms the Red Magic 6 across almost every significant metric, providing better performance across all areas. The camera system is far more advanced, the display is sharper and brighter, and the battery and charging capabilities are much more comprehensive.
- Versatile Use: While the Red Magic 6 is focused on gaming, the S21 Ultra is an excellent all-rounder, excelling in media consumption, content creation, and day-to-day tasks. I value this flexibility.
- Complete Package: The S21 Ultra offers a complete package with superior screen quality, an amazing camera, and long-term software support and updates. The Red Magic is focused on gaming and doesn't provide a complete phone experience.
- Missing Specs: The Red Magic 6 misses a lot of data, like battery, front screen protection, camera, wifi, and more. This is concerning for its usability compared to the S21 Ultra.
- Practicality: While the higher refresh rate of the Red Magic 6 might be appealing for gamers, the benefits of the S21 Ultra's superior display resolution and brightness, along with its excellent camera, battery, and connectivity, outweigh the higher refresh rate for most users including myself.
Therefore, for a well-rounded high-end phone that covers the widest possible range of usage scenarios, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is my clear preference.
