1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2024-07-09 | The Red Magic 9S Pro is significantly newer, offering more up-to-date technology. |
| Physical Size | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm | The phones are similarly sized, with the S21 Ultra being slightly taller while the Red Magic is slightly wider. This is unlikely to be noticeable in daily use. |
| Weight | 227g | 229g | Both phones feel similarly substantial and heavy in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.8" | Both offer a large, immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1116 x 2480 | The S21 Ultra has significantly sharper and more detailed visuals due to its higher pixel density. |
| PPI | 515 | 400 | The S21 Ultra's text and images appear noticeably crisper, benefiting users who value high-fidelity visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both displays offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations for a fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | The S21 Ultra has much better outdoor visibility, making it easier to use in bright sunlight. The Red Magic 9S Pro's brightness data is missing, but it is likely not as good. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Red Magic 9S Pro is much more powerful, resulting in faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| Antutu Score | 749,000 | 2,369,542 | The Red Magic 9S Pro provides substantially higher performance making it much better for gaming and demanding applications. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 750 | The Adreno 750 in the Red Magic 9S Pro is significantly more powerful, resulting in superior graphics performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 6500 mAh | The Red Magic 9S Pro has a significantly larger battery, potentially lasting much longer on a single charge for longer gaming and media consumption sessions. |
| Charging | 25W | 80W | The Red Magic 9S Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless Charging, Reverse Charging | None | The S21 Ultra offers more versatile charging options, such as wireless and reverse wireless charging which are very useful |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP f/1.8, 1/1.33" | 50MP f/1.88, 1/1.57" | S21 Ultra has higher resolution, larger sensor and wider aperture, potentially resulting in better detail and low-light performance. |
| Telephoto+Portrait | 10.8MP f/2.4, 1/2.65" | None | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for portrait and optical zoom |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP f/2.2, 1/2.65" | 16MP f/2.0, 1/3.06" | S21 Ultra has higher resolution and bigger sensor for detailed selfies. The Red Magic has a wider aperture for better low-light |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP f/4.9, 1/2.65" | None | S21 Ultra has a telephoto lens for long-range zoom |
| Wide Angle lens | None | 50MP f/2.0, 1/2.76" | Red Magic has an ultrawide lens for landscape shots. |
| Macro lens | None | 2MP f/2.4, 1/5" | Red Magic has a macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP f/2.2, 1/2.55" | None | S21 Ultra has an ultrawide lens and macro capabilities |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both offer high-quality video recording. S21 Ultra offers more frame rate options. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 115 | Not Available | S21 Ultra has been reviewed by DXOMark, which is a trusted source for quality evaluations |
| DXOMark Selfie Score | 135 | Not Available | S21 Ultra has been reviewed by DXOMark, which is a trusted source for quality evaluations |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 15) | Android 14 | The Red Magic 9S Pro comes with a more recent Android version, with no information on future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | The Red Magic 9S Pro supports Wi-Fi 7, which offers faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 with APT-x | 5.2 with LDAC | S21 Ultra supports aptX, while Red Magic supports LDAC. Both offer high-quality audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS,Galileo | GPS, NavIC, QZSS | Red Magic 9S Pro has a more comprehensive suite of satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both support Dual SIM functionality, allowing users to use two numbers on the same phone. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512GB | 256/512GB | Both phones offer sufficient storage for most users. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 12/16 GB | Both offer excellent RAM capacity for smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for external storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res | DTS / DTS X | The S21 Ultra has slightly more advanced audio processing and Hi-Res audio playback. Red Magic offers better spatial audio immersion. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer basic biometric security using fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | S21 Ultra has a better screen protection against scratches and damage. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | Gravity | Samsung has additional environmental sensors while the Red Magic has a gravity sensor, but for the most part, they are similar in their motion capabilities |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and PPI resulting in a noticeably sharper and more detailed display. Much higher brightness for better outdoor visibility.
- More Versatile Camera System: Offers a wider variety of lenses (telephoto, ultrawide) and features like optical zoom and RAW capture providing greater creative control. Also has a higher-rated selfie camera according to DXOMark, which could mean the selfie experience is much better.
- Wireless Charging: Includes both wireless and reverse wireless charging, which could be very helpful on the go.
- Better Audio Features: Has Hi-Res audio, Dolby Atmos support for better audio separation, and Noise cancellation microphone for clearer calls.
- Superior Screen Protection: Has Gorilla Glass Victus for better scratch resistance.
- More Environmental Sensors: Offers a barometer for altitude tracking
- Established Camera Quality: Camera quality is established through testing by the reputable DXOMark.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset provides a much higher level of performance for gaming, heavy multitasking, and overall speed.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: The 6500mAh battery offers much more battery life, combined with much faster 80W charging for less downtime.
- More Modern Software: Offers a more recent Android version.
- Newer Wifi Standard: Offers the newer Wi-Fi 7 standard which is faster and more reliable.
- More GPS Systems: Supports a much larger selection of GPS systems for more accurate location.
- Triple camera with wide angle and macro lens: More versatile and covers more use cases than the S21 Ultra.
Trade-offs:
- The S21 Ultra sacrifices raw performance for a superior display and camera system, along with wireless charging capabilities, meaning it is better for users who value photography and content consumption over gaming.
- The Red Magic 9S Pro sacrifices camera versatility and display sharpness for raw processing power, gaming-centric features, and a longer battery life.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is ideal for:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize camera versatility, high-quality images, and professional-grade video capabilities.
- Media Consumers: Users who value a sharp, bright display for watching videos, browsing, and reading.
- Professionals: Users who need reliable performance, strong wireless and wired connectivity, and features like wireless charging, reverse wireless charging and better audio.
- General users Who want an all-around balanced phone.
Specific Use Cases:
- Capturing high-resolution photos and videos in various conditions.
- Enjoying high-fidelity content, such as movies and high-quality mobile games, on its vibrant and sharp display.
- Productivity tasks and day-to-day usage.
- On-the-go charging with its wireless and reverse wireless charging functionalities.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro is ideal for:
- Mobile Gamers: Users who prioritize peak performance, a large battery, and fast charging for extended gaming sessions.
- Power Users: Users who need the absolute best performance for intensive applications and multitasking.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who want to latest technology, including Wi-Fi 7, latest Android, and more precise GPS capabilities.
Specific Use Cases:
- Playing graphics-intensive games at the highest settings for extended periods.
- Demanding multitasking with many apps running simultaneously.
- Extensive video recording and playback.
- Travelers who need long battery life and more accurate GPS navigation.
Price-to-Value:
- The S21 Ultra is an older flagship, so it can be found at a more competitive price than the newest Red Magic.
- The Red Magic 9S Pro offers cutting-edge performance at a higher price, primarily targeted towards gamers and power users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What do you prioritize: Gaming or Photography? If gaming, the Red Magic 9S Pro is a better choice. If photography, the S21 Ultra is more versatile.
- How important is display sharpness and outdoor brightness? The S21 Ultra offers a much sharper, brighter display which is better for content consumption.
- What is your budget? The S21 Ultra is older and likely cheaper, while the Red Magic 9S Pro will be priced higher.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Hardcore Gamer: Choose the Red Magic 9S Pro for its superior performance and extended battery life.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast: Choose the S21 Ultra for its more versatile camera system and great quality.
- Scenario 3: General User with balanced usage: Choose the S21 Ultra for its better all-around performance, quality screen and additional features.
- Scenario 4: Mobile Content Consumer: Choose the S21 Ultra for its sharper display and much better brightness
My Choice and Why
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
Here's why:
While the Red Magic 9S Pro is undeniably the performance king, my priorities lean more towards a balanced experience. The S21 Ultra's superior display resolution and much better brightness are crucial for my daily usage which mostly involves content consumption and web browsing. Additionally, the more versatile camera system, wireless charging capabilities, and better audio are features that I would use more often than the raw performance gains of the Red Magic. Also, The S21 Ultra is an older flagship, it is likely available at a competitive price point. Lastly, the S21 Ultra has a DXOMark score for its camera, which is a great indication of its quality.
I acknowledge that the Red Magic 9S Pro is a beast in terms of performance. However, for my specific needs and use cases, the S21 Ultra is the more well-rounded and suitable device.
