ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 vs HTC U23 Pro - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date March 11, 2021 May 18, 2023
Release Year 2021 2023

Physical

Volume 127.23 cm³ 114.32 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.09 "/g 3.27 "/g
Weight 220 g 205 g
Height 169.9 mm 166.6 mm
Width 77.2 mm 77.1 mm
Thickness 9.7 mm 8.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Aurora
  • Eclipse Black
  • Snow White
  • Coffee Black

Display

Screen Size 6.8 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 85.1 % 84.4 %
Pixel Density 387 PPI 393 PPI
Refresh Rate 165 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness 630 nits N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 109.21 mAh/in² 102.47 mAh/in²
Battery Density 39.69 mAh/cm³ 40.24 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5050 mAh 4600 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) Qualcomm SM7450-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU Adreno 660 Adreno 644

Connectivity

USB Version 3.0 3.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.0, OTG, Accessory Connector USB Type-C 3.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 13
Maximum OS Version

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Here's a detailed comparison of the ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 and the HTC U23 Pro, focusing on practical implications:

Design

FeatureZTE nubia Red Magic 6HTC U23 ProPractical Impact
Dimensions169.9 × 77.2 × 9.7 mm166.6 × 77.1 × 8.9 mmThe Red Magic 6 is slightly taller and thicker, which may be less comfortable for some users to hold and pocket.
Weight220g205gThe HTC U23 Pro is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use.
BuildUnknownCorning Gorilla Glass VictusThe U23 Pro offers superior screen protection against scratches and drops. Red Magic 6 protection is unknown.
FoldableStandardStandardBoth are standard smartphones and not foldable devices.

Display

FeatureZTE nubia Red Magic 6HTC U23 ProPractical Impact
Size6.8"6.7"Negligible difference. Both provide immersive viewing experiences, with the Red Magic 6 being just slightly larger.
Resolution1080x24001080x2400Identical sharpness and clarity.
PPI387393Virtually the same pixel density; both screens are sharp.
TechnologyAMOLEDOLEDSimilar display quality, both offering vibrant colors and deep blacks.
Refresh Rate165Hz120HzThe Red Magic 6 offers smoother animations and a more fluid visual experience, especially in gaming.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsBoth have identical brightness levels according to the data provided, which is an unusual 0 nits.

Performance

FeatureZTE nubia Red Magic 6HTC U23 ProPractical Impact
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm)The Red Magic 6's chipset is older but was a flagship chip offering higher performance. The U23 Pro's is more energy efficient.
Antutu ScoreN/A699,600Unable to compare performance due to missing data.
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 644Red Magic 6's GPU is generally more powerful for gaming, while U23 Pro has mid-range GPU.

Camera

FeatureZTE nubia Red Magic 6HTC U23 ProPractical Impact
Standard CameraN/A108MP, f/1.7The U23 Pro has a dedicated main camera, while Red Magic 6 has no specified main camera.
Selfie CameraN/A32MP, f/2.45The U23 Pro has a dedicated front-facing camera, while Red Magic 6 has no specified selfie camera.
Wide Angle LensN/A8MP, f/2.4The U23 Pro offers a wider field of view with a dedicated camera, which Red Magic 6 lacks.
Portrait CameraN/A5MP, f/2.2The U23 Pro offers depth sensing for portrait shots, which Red Magic 6 lacks.
Macro LensN/A2MP, f/2.4The U23 Pro offers macro photography with a dedicated camera, which Red Magic 6 lacks.
Video RecordingUp to 8K@30fps, no stabilization4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30fps with EISRed Magic 6 offers higher resolution video, but lacks stabilization. The U23 Pro provides smoother, more usable video with stabilization.
Features4K Video, Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timerThe U23 Pro has a much more robust and versatile camera feature set.

Battery

FeatureZTE nubia Red Magic 6HTC U23 ProPractical Impact
Capacity0mAh4600mAhHTC U23 Pro should provide significantly better battery life. Actual battery life will vary.
ChargingStandard charging30W fast charging, 15W Wireless, 5W Reverse WirelessHTC U23 Pro has much faster charging and more charging features, a huge advantage for convenient power ups.

2. Key Differences Analysis

ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Advantages:

  • Higher Refresh Rate: 165Hz display offers smoother scrolling and animations, particularly advantageous for gaming.
  • Potentially Higher Graphics Performance: Older flagship Snapdragon 888 offers better raw processing and graphical power.
  • 8K video recording: Offers higher resolution video recording capabilities for advanced users.

    Practical Implications: The Red Magic 6 is geared towards mobile gamers, prioritizing visuals and processing power.

HTC U23 Pro Advantages:

  • Significantly Lighter: More comfortable for extended use.
  • Better Camera System: Versatile setup with multiple lenses, image stabilization, and advanced features for high-quality photos and videos.
  • Better Battery and Charging: Larger battery capacity, fast charging, and wireless charging.
  • Newer Chipset: More efficient processor, leading to better battery life.
  • More Modern Features: Dual SIM, updated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and more advanced location services.
  • More Sensors: Offers a more complete suite of sensors for a more immersive user experience
  • More Storage: Comes with 256 GB of storage, which is a big advantage over ZTE Nubia Red Magic 6.

    Practical Implications: The U23 Pro is a better all-around phone, particularly for photography and general use.

Trade-offs:

  • Red Magic 6: Offers a higher refresh rate for gamers, but lacks in battery, camera versatility, and modern features.
  • HTC U23 Pro: Has a slightly lower refresh rate (120Hz) and uses a mid-range chipset but excels in all other areas.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

ZTE nubia Red Magic 6:

  • Ideal User: Hardcore mobile gamers who prioritize maximum refresh rate and raw gaming performance.
  • Use Cases: High-end mobile gaming, competitive esports, mobile video editing (due to 8K recording), users needing basic smartphone functionalities.
  • Price-to-Value: Its value is tied to its gaming performance, but may be lacking in overall versatility

HTC U23 Pro:

  • Ideal User: General consumers who want a well-rounded phone with a good camera, battery life, and modern features.
  • Use Cases: Photography, daily social media use, productivity tasks, casual gaming, users needing a reliable phone for multiple purposes.
  • Price-to-Value: Good value for users who need a feature-rich device with a focus on daily usability.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. Primary Use Case: Is gaming or photography/general use more important?
  2. Battery Life: Is all-day battery life crucial?
  3. Modern Features: Do you require advanced camera features, wireless charging, or a modern operating system?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Hardcore Gaming Focus
    • Recommendation: ZTE nubia Red Magic 6. The higher refresh rate is key, and its processing power will be appreciated.
  • Scenario 2: Versatile Daily Use
    • Recommendation: HTC U23 Pro. Offers an excellent blend of camera capabilities, battery life, modern features and a better operating system.
  • Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious User
    • Recommendation: Difficult to determine without pricing info. If priced similarly, HTC U23 Pro may be the better overall value.

My Choice

If I were choosing, I would pick the HTC U23 Pro. Here's why:

  • Well-Rounded Performance: It offers a modern chipset and battery which leads to overall better performance.
  • Versatile Camera: The multi-lens setup and stabilization mean I can rely on the U23 Pro for daily photos and videos.
  • Modern Features: Wireless charging, up to date software, and better connectivity make this a more future-proof device.
  • Practicality: The lighter weight and modern features make it more suited for everyday use, which is my main priority.
  • Sensor Suite: The U23 Pro offers a more comprehensive suite of sensors than the Red Magic 6, which is ideal for practical use cases.
  • Storage: The 256 GB storage option is a big advantage for me, as I keep a lot of files on my phone.

While the Red Magic 6 might appeal to hardcore gamers, the U23 Pro provides a better all-around experience for my diverse needs. The Red Magic 6 prioritizes gaming performance above everything else, but for daily use, photography, and overall experience, the HTC U23 Pro is the better option.

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.