Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm | S21 Ultra is slightly taller; Both have similar width and thickness. |
| Weight | 227g | 229g | Virtually identical weight, negligible difference. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.8" | Identical screen size. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1116 x 2480 | S21 Ultra has a noticeably sharper display due to higher pixel density, better for detailed images and text. |
| PPI | 515 | 400 | S21 Ultra: Sharper, more detailed visuals, especially noticeable for reading and fine details; Red Magic 9 Pro: Still a good screen, just not as sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Identical display tech; vibrant colors and deep blacks on both. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both devices, ideal for gaming and fluid UI. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1600 nits | Red Magic 9 Pro has slightly better visibility in bright outdoor conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Red Magic 9 Pro has a much newer and more powerful chipset, resulting in faster processing and better performance, especially in demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 2,020,000 | Red Magic 9 Pro is significantly faster, handling heavy apps and games with ease, while the S21 Ultra might struggle with the latest demanding games. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 750 | Red Magic 9 Pro's GPU provides superior graphical performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.57" | S21 Ultra has higher resolution and larger sensor, potentially better low-light performance, though Red Magic 9 Pro might offer better overall image quality due to newer sensor. |
| Telephoto | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65" | None | S21 Ultra has dedicated telephoto lenses for optical zoom. |
| Wide-Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | None | S21 Ultra has an ultra-wide lens with macro capabilities. |
| Wide-Angle | None | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76" | Red Magic 9 Pro has a dedicated ultrawide camera |
| Macro | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Red Magic 9 Pro has a dedicated Macro camera. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65" | 16MP, f/2.0, 1/3.06" | S21 Ultra has higher resolution selfie camera, while Red Magic 9 Pro has a slightly wider aperture and larger pixel size. |
| Video | 8K@24fps with HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound, 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound, Slow-motion: 960 fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, Slow-motion: 240 fps | S21 Ultra offers more comprehensive video features, such as HDR on 1080p and 720p at higher fps, while Red Magic 9 Pro has a higher frame rate for 8K recording. |
| DXOMark | Main: 115, Selfie: 135 | Not Available | S21 Ultra provides a tested camera rating; Red Magic 9 Pro camera performance is unconfirmed. |
| Camera Features | Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, OIS, Laser AF, PDAF, RAW | Gimbal, Triple camera, Laser AF, Under display camera | S21 Ultra has dedicated Optical zoom, while Red Magic 9 Pro has gimbal stabilization. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6500mAh | Red Magic 9 Pro has a significantly larger battery, likely offering much longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | Red Magic 9 Pro charges much faster. |
| Features | Wireless charging, reverse charging | Bypass Charging | S21 Ultra offers wireless charging, while Red Magic 9 Pro has Bypass charging for uninterrupted gaming sessions. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 14 | Red Magic 9 Pro has a newer OS out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Red Magic 9 Pro has a newer WiFi standard for faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Red Magic 9 Pro has a slightly newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Red Magic 9 Pro supports more satellite systems, offering better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both phones support dual SIM cards. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB/512GB | 256GB/512GB | Both have 512GB Max. storage. |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB | Both offer 16GB options for heavy usage. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone | DTS / DTS X, 3 microphones | Both offer stereo speakers; S21 Ultra has Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio. Red Magic 9 Pro has DTS / DTS X and more microphones for clearer calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint sensor | Basic Fingerprint sensor | Both offer similar fingerprint sensors |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 5 | S21 Ultra has better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Barometer | None | S21 Ultra has additional environmental sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density offer a more detailed viewing experience.
- More Versatile Camera System: Features multiple telephoto lenses and a macro-capable ultra-wide lens, better for diverse shooting scenarios.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Wireless Charging: Convenient charging options for users who prefer wireless solutions.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus provides superior scratch and shatter resistance.
- Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio: Enhanced spatial audio quality.
- Tested Camera performance: A DXOmark score is provided for the device, which is missing from the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro.
- More Software Updates: Guaranteed to receive more OS updates from the manufacturer
Practical Implications: The S21 Ultra is well-suited for users who prioritize display quality, camera versatility, and wireless convenience. It's a strong all-rounder, suitable for both casual and more demanding users.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset offers much faster processing and graphics capabilities, ideal for gaming and demanding applications.
- Longer Battery Life: Larger battery capacity translates to extended usage time.
- Faster Charging: 80W charging speeds significantly reduce the time needed to recharge.
- Newer OS: Android 14 out of the box.
- Wi-Fi 7: Offers faster and more reliable Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Gimbal Stabilization: Provides superior video stabilization.
- Bypass Charging: Allows gaming while charging without degrading the battery.
- Under Display Camera: Provides a more immersive display by hiding the selfie camera.
- More Accurate Location: Supports more satellite systems for improved location services.
Practical Implications: The Red Magic 9 Pro is designed for gaming enthusiasts and power users who need peak performance and long battery life. Its superior processing power ensures smooth gameplay, while the fast charging and bypass charging features are tailored for gaming sessions.
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Lacks the raw gaming performance and battery life of the Red Magic 9 Pro.
- Red Magic 9 Pro: Lacks the display sharpness, camera versatility and convenient wireless charging offered by the S21 Ultra.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Ideal User: Users who value a versatile camera system, a high-quality display, wireless charging convenience, and overall premium user experience.
- Use Cases: Professional photography, video editing, media consumption, everyday productivity tasks, and general smartphone use.
- Price-to-Value: Still a premium device, but with its age, it might offer a good value for its feature set if found at a reduced price.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro:
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, and anyone who prioritizes top-tier performance, long battery life, and fast charging.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, graphic-intensive applications, video recording with superior stabilization, and extended usage without the need to recharge frequently.
- Price-to-Value: Offers exceptional performance for its price, targeting gamers on a budget, but has sacrifices in camera versatility and display sharpness.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Primary Use Case: Is the phone primarily for gaming, photography, or general use?
- Battery Needs: Do you need extended battery life or the convenience of wireless charging?
- Display Priority: Do you prioritize sharpness and detail or a slightly brighter screen and a smoother gaming experience?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming Enthusiast: Choose the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro for its superior performance, larger battery, faster charging, and gaming-focused features.
- Scenario 2: Casual User / Photographer: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for its versatile camera system, high-quality display, wireless charging, and overall premium features.
- Scenario 3: General Use, Limited Budget: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G if found at a discounted price, while the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro provides a slightly better value in terms of pure performance at the cost of camera versatility.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro. My primary use case involves demanding tasks and gaming, and the Red Magic 9 Pro's raw performance, longer battery life, and faster charging are far more appealing to me than the slightly sharper display and wireless charging of the S21 Ultra. While the S21 Ultra has a more versatile camera system, the gimbal stabilization and the newer sensor in the Red Magic 9 Pro appeal to me more. For me, performance, battery life, and charging speed outweigh the other features.
