Samsung Galaxy S23 vs ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date February 17, 2023 July 9, 2024
Release Year 2023 2024

Physical

Volume 78.83 cm³ 111.51 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.63 "/g 2.97 "/g
Weight 168 g 229 g
Height 146.3 mm 164 mm
Width 70.9 mm 76.4 mm
Thickness 7.6 mm 8.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Green
  • Graphite
  • Phantom Black
  • Lavender
  • Cream
  • Lime
  • Design Sleet (Black Version)
  • Snowfall (Silver Version)
  • Cyclone (Transparent Black Version)
  • Frost (White Version)

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.8 "
Resolution 1080 x 2340 1116 x 2480
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 88.1 % 89.1 %
Pixel Density 425 PPI 400 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 1200 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1750 nits 1600 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 104.81 mAh/in² 140.57 mAh/in²
Battery Density 49.47 mAh/cm³ 58.29 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 3900 mAh 6500 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) Octa-core (1x3.4 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
GPU Adreno 740 Adreno 750 (1 GHz)

Connectivity

USB Version 3.2 3.2
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort 1
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.2, OTG USB Type-C 3.2, Gen 2, OTG, DisplayPort, Accessory Connector

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 13 14
Maximum OS Version 17

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S23ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S ProPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6164 x 76.4 x 8.9The Red Magic 9S Pro is significantly larger and thicker.
Weight (g)168229The Red Magic 9S Pro is noticeably heavier, potentially impacting one-handed use and portability.
Display
Size (inches)6.16.8The Red Magic 9S Pro offers a much larger screen for media consumption and gaming.
Resolution (px)1080 x 23401116 x 2480Similar pixel density despite size difference, due to lower resolution on the Red Magic.
Display TypeDynamic AMOLED 2X, 120HzAMOLED, 120HzBoth offer smooth scrolling and animations, but the S23's Dynamic AMOLED 2X likely provides better color accuracy, contrast, and HDR performance. Missing peak brightness for Red Magic limits comparison.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 2Snapdragon 8 Gen 3The Red Magic 9S Pro boasts a newer, more powerful processor, leading to faster performance in demanding tasks and games.
CPUOcta-core (up to 3.36 GHz)Octa-core (up to 3.4 GHz)Marginally faster clock speed on the Red Magic, but the architectural improvements in the Gen 3 likely provide a larger performance boost overall.
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 750 (1 GHz)The Red Magic 9S Pro's GPU provides significantly improved graphics performance, beneficial for gaming and other visually intensive applications.
RAM8GB12/16GBThe Red Magic offers more RAM, enabling better multitasking and smoother performance with numerous apps open.
Camera
Main Camera (MP)5050Same resolution, but image quality depends on sensor and processing. Missing detailed specs on Red Magic's camera features (zoom, etc) makes thorough comparison impossible.
Ultrawide (MP)12.250The Red Magic 9S Pro offers a much higher resolution ultrawide camera.
Telephoto (MP)10N/AThe S23 has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, a feature lacking in the Red Magic 9S Pro based on provided data.
Video CapabilitiesUp to 8K@30fpsUp to 8K@30fpsBoth offer similar maximum video resolution but details like stabilization and HDR capabilities are incomplete for the Red Magic 9S Pro.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)39006500The Red Magic 9S Pro has a significantly larger battery, translating to much longer battery life.
Fast Charging (W)2580The Red Magic 9S Pro supports much faster charging, minimizing downtime.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy S23 Advantages:

  • More compact and lightweight: Easier to handle and carry.
  • Superior display quality: Likely better colors, contrast, and HDR.
  • Dedicated telephoto lens: Optical zoom capability.
  • More mature software ecosystem: Potentially longer software support and updates.

ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro Advantages:

  • Significantly more powerful: Newer chipset and more RAM for superior performance.
  • Much larger battery: Significantly longer usage time.
  • Significantly faster charging: Minimal downtime.
  • Larger display: Immersive experience for media and gaming.
  • Higher resolution ultrawide camera: Captures more detail in wider shots.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy S23: Ideal for users who prioritize a compact and premium phone with a great display, reliable camera, and good overall performance. Suitable for everyday use, social media, photography, and light gaming.

ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro: Best suited for power users and gamers who demand top-tier performance, a large display, and long battery life. Excellent for demanding games, extended use without charging, and multitasking.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions:

  1. What is your budget? Both are "medium priced" but actual price comparison is needed using provided phonePrices data.
  2. What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, everyday use, etc.)
  3. Do you prioritize portability or screen size/battery life?

My Choice:

I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S23. While the Red Magic 9S Pro boasts impressive performance and battery life, the S23 better suits my needs. I prioritize a compact and pocketable phone for everyday use. The S23's superior display quality and dedicated telephoto lens are also important factors. While the Red Magic's larger battery is tempting, I value the S23's overall refined experience and potential for longer software support. The significantly heavier weight and larger size of the Red Magic would negatively impact my daily usage. The lack of clear camera specifications for the Red Magic also makes it difficult to fully evaluate its capabilities. Finally, Samsung's more mature software ecosystem generally provides a more polished and reliable user experience.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.