Smartphone Comparison: ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 vs. Huawei nova 12i
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 169.9 × 77.2 × 9.7 mm | 163.3 × 74.7 × 8.4 mm | Red Magic 6 is larger and thicker, less pocketable. Nova 12i is slimmer and more comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 220g | 199g | Red Magic 6 is noticeably heavier, may cause fatigue during long use. Nova 12i is more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.7" | Negligible difference in screen size. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2388 | Both displays offer similar sharpness. |
| Pixel Density | 387 PPI | 391 PPI | Similar level of detail on both displays. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Red Magic 6 offers superior colors, contrast, and deeper blacks, better for media consumption. Nova 12i uses a standard LCD which has less vivid colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 90Hz | Red Magic 6 offers dramatically smoother scrolling, and gaming. Nova 12i is less smooth. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Red Magic 6 offers much higher performance for demanding tasks, including gaming. Nova 12i is better suited for basic tasks and less resource intensive apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | N/A | 289,000 | Red Magic 6's performance is unknown, however, its processor will have significantly higher score due to the difference in the chipsets. Nova 12i has mid-range performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 610 | Red Magic 6 has a much more powerful GPU for better graphics in gaming. Nova 12i has a lower-end GPU suitable for casual gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | No data | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.67" sensor | Nova 12i has a high-resolution main camera. Red Magic 6's main camera is unknown. |
| Selfie Camera | No data | 8MP, f/2.0 | Nova 12i has a front-facing camera, Red Magic 6's selfie camera is unknown. |
| Depth Camera | No data | 2MP, f/2.4 | Nova 12i has a dedicated depth camera. Red Magic 6 has no information on depth sensor. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Red Magic 6 can record much higher resolution video. Nova 12i has more basic video recording. |
| Video Stabilization | None | Yes | Nova 12i produces smoother videos because it has stabilization. Red Magic 6 has no stabilization, which can result in shakier footage. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Dual camera, Autofocus, etc. | Nova 12i has more comprehensive camera features. Red Magic 6's camera features are unknown. | |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 0 mAh | 5000 mAh | Nova 12i has a significantly larger battery for much longer usage. Red Magic 6 has unknown battery capacity. |
| Charging | Standard charging | 40W fast charging | Nova 12i charges much faster. Red Magic 6 has standard charging, which means slower charging times. |
| Battery Features | Standard features | Non-removable | Nova 12i has non-removable battery. Red Magic 6 has standard features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Unknown | Red Magic 6 comes with Android 11. Nova 12i's OS is not stated. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | No data | 802.11ac, Dual band | Nova 12i has more modern WiFi standards. Red Magic 6's WiFi capabilities are not known. |
| Bluetooth | No data | 5.0 LE, A2DP | Nova 12i has more modern Bluetooth with more features. Red Magic 6's Bluetooth capabilities are not known. |
| GPS | No data | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, etc. | Nova 12i has better satellite coverage. Red Magic 6's GPS capabilities are not known. |
| SIM | No data | Dual SIM, Nano SIM | Nova 12i offers dual SIM functionality. Red Magic 6's SIM capabilities are not known. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | No data | 128GB/256GB | Nova 12i offers more storage, the Red Magic 6's storage options are unknown. |
| RAM | No data | 8 GB | Nova 12i has more RAM, which allows better multitasking. Red Magic 6's RAM capacity is unknown. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports storage expansion via microSD. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Basic | Both phones have similar audio capabilities. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Nova 12i offers faster and more convenient biometric security using its side mounted fingerprint sensor. Red Magic 6 has basic fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Screen protection information is not available for either phone. |
| Sensors | Basic sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, etc. | Nova 12i has a more comprehensive sensor suite. Red Magic 6 has basic sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Advantages:
- Superior Display: Offers a 165Hz AMOLED display for much smoother visuals and better colors compared to the 90Hz IPS LCD on the Nova 12i.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Equipped with the Snapdragon 888 which is much more powerful than the Snapdragon 680 of the Nova 12i, the Red Magic 6 is built for demanding applications and mobile gaming.
- High-Resolution Video Recording: Can record video in up to 8K resolution, offering superior video capture capabilities.
Huawei nova 12i Advantages:
- Significantly Larger Battery: 5000 mAh battery offers potentially much longer battery life, ideal for all-day use.
- Fast Charging: Supports 40W fast charging, significantly reducing charging times.
- Advanced Camera: Offers a 108MP main camera and additional sensors for enhanced photography capabilities.
- Feature-Rich Camera: Has a variety of camera features, such as PDAF and HDR for better pictures.
- Modern Connectivity: Includes modern WiFi and Bluetooth standards with more features, along with comprehensive GPS support and dual SIM support.
- More RAM and Storage Options: Comes with 8GB of RAM and storage options ranging from 128GB to 256GB.
- Better Sensor Configuration: Includes additional motion, biometric, and proximity sensors.
Trade-offs:
- Red Magic 6: The major trade-off is the missing camera information. Its battery capacity and the charging speed is unknown, and the phone may have a higher price point.
- Nova 12i: The biggest tradeoff is that it's performance will be significantly lower, its display is less vibrant and smooth and the video recording is limited.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6:
- Ideal User: Hardcore mobile gamers, media enthusiasts, and users who prioritize performance and a high-refresh-rate display.
- Use Cases: Demanding mobile gaming, watching high-resolution videos, multitasking, and using resource-intensive apps.
- Price-to-Value: Potentially higher price point for a superior performance and display experience, if it still holds its value in the current market, though this could vary.
Huawei nova 12i:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize battery life, camera capabilities, modern connectivity, and a comfortable, more portable design.
- Use Cases: Everyday phone use, social media browsing, casual photography, moderate gaming, and users who need all-day battery and fast charging.
- Price-to-Value: Provides a good balance of essential features and modern connectivity, making it a good value proposition.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance: Do you need the highest possible performance for demanding tasks and gaming? If yes, Red Magic 6 may be suitable.
- Battery Life and Charging: Is long battery life and fast charging a priority for your usage? If yes, the Nova 12i is a better fit.
- Camera Capabilities: How important are camera quality and diverse camera features for you? Nova 12i is better if the camera is important.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Intense Mobile Gaming: Choose the ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 for its high refresh rate display and high performance processor.
- Scenario 2: All-Day Usage and Photography: Choose the Huawei nova 12i for its larger battery, fast charging, feature-rich camera, and comfortable design.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Usage: The Huawei nova 12i offers a better balance of all the needed features, including camera, battery, connectivity, and RAM/Storage, while the ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 has many unknown specs that are very important.
My Choice
Given the information available, I would choose the Huawei nova 12i. The reason is that, while the Red Magic 6 undoubtedly has the better performance and display, there is too much missing information regarding the other important specs, such as camera, battery, charging speed, storage, RAM, and connectivity. On the other hand, the Huawei Nova 12i is a more complete package, providing a balanced experience with a much larger battery, better camera, modern connectivity and charging, more RAM, and a more comfortable and portable design. These features are a higher priority for a regular user, and with the provided information, the Huawei nova 12i is the more sensible choice.
