1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 and Huawei nova Y70 Plus, highlighting practical implications:
Design
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 169.9 × 77.2 × 9.7 mm | 168.3 × 77.7 × 9 mm | ZTE is slightly taller (1.6 mm) and thicker (0.7 mm) but with a similar width. The Huawei is a bit more compact and sleek. |
| Weight | 220g | 199g | Huawei is 21g lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
Display
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.75" | Both have similar screen sizes, negligible difference in daily use. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 720 x 1600 | ZTE's higher resolution means sharper text, images, and video; noticeably crisper for detailed content. |
| Pixel Density | 387 ppi | 260 ppi | ZTE's higher pixel density results in a much sharper, clearer, and more detailed display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | ZTE’s AMOLED offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, especially noticeable in darker environments and when viewing HDR content; also slightly more efficient for dark UI themes |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 60Hz | ZTE provides much smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experience due to the significantly higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | No practical difference as both have unknown peak brightness. |
Performance
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | ZTE's Snapdragon 888 offers vastly superior performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and multitasking; Huawei's chip is suitable for basic daily tasks only. |
| AnTuTu Score | N/A | 103,500 | No direct comparison due to missing data, but the Snapdragon 888 is generally much higher performing. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G51 MP4 | ZTE's GPU is significantly more powerful for graphics-intensive tasks like gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | N/A | 48MP, f/1.8 | Huawei captures more detailed photos in good lighting; ZTE has no default standard camera |
| Selfie Camera | N/A | 8MP, f/2.0 | Huawei allows for front-facing selfies, which the ZTE lacks |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 5MP, f/2.2 | Huawei captures wider scenes, offering more flexibility in shooting. |
| Portrait Mode | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Huawei provides portrait mode with a depth sensor which is not offered in the ZTE |
| Video Recording | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps | 1080p@30fps | ZTE's superior video recording capabilities enable high-resolution and slow-motion video for pro users. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes (Digital) | Huawei's digital stabilization improves video quality and reduces shakiness |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Huawei provides a comprehensive set of features for various shooting scenarios; ZTE is lacking |
Battery
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 0 mAh | 6000 mAh | Huawei's significantly larger battery capacity allows for much longer use between charges. |
| Charging | Standard | 22.5W Fast Charging | Huawei can charge quicker, reducing downtime waiting for the battery to fill. |
| Removable | No info | No | Both are non-removable. |
Other
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 | Unknown | ZTE comes with Android 11, while the Huawei's is unspecified |
| WiFi | Unknown | 802.11b/g/n, Dual Band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | Huawei is better equipped with dual-band Wi-Fi offering faster and more reliable connections; can also function as a Wi-Fi hotspot. |
| Bluetooth | Unknown | Bluetooth 5.1 LE, A2DP, EDR, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Huawei supports a newer Bluetooth version for more reliable connections and supports higher quality audio codecs |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Huawei offers more satellite support for better location accuracy. | |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Huawei can use two SIM cards simultaneously. | |
| Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | Huawei is available in 64 GB and 128 GB. | |
| RAM | 4GB | Huawei has sufficient memory for daily tasks. | |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither has expandable storage |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | Huawei's fingerprint sensor is more ergonomically placed and faster to access. |
| Sensors | Basic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Light, Accelerometer, Gravity | Huawei is equipped with a broader range of essential sensors for varied functions. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with a much higher refresh rate (165Hz), resolution and pixel density offers dramatically smoother visuals and more detailed and vibrant visuals
- High-End Performance: Snapdragon 888 chipset provides significantly better performance for gaming and resource-intensive apps compared to the Kirin 710A.
- Advanced Video Recording: Supports 8K video recording and high frame rate video recording, appealing to users who need pro-grade video capabilities.
Huawei nova Y70 Plus Advantages:
- Excellent Battery Life: Large 6000mAh battery provides significantly longer battery life for extended use.
- Fast Charging: 22.5W fast charging reduces charging time.
- Versatile Camera System: Has standard camera, selfie camera, wide-angle camera, and portrait mode which the ZTE completely lacks.
- Comprehensive Connectivity: Features dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1 with advanced codecs, and multiple satellite GPS support.
- Additional Features: Includes a wide variety of features that the ZTE is missing such as digital zoom, digital stabilization, autofocus, and others.
Trade-offs:
- The ZTE prioritizes display and gaming performance while lacking in other crucial areas like camera versatility, battery life, and sensors.
- The Huawei excels in daily use, with long battery life and a well-rounded camera system, but its performance is geared towards basic tasks, lacking advanced video recording features, and lacks high-end display features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for ZTE nubia Red Magic 6:
- Mobile Gamers: Users who prioritize high refresh rate display and top-tier performance for gaming
- Video Creators: Users who need high-resolution video capture for professional use cases.
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize raw processing power and are willing to compromise on other features.
Ideal Users for Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Everyday Users: Users who need a reliable phone for daily tasks, long battery life and camera versatility without the need for high-end performance
- Social Media Users: Users who frequently capture photos and videos.
- Price-Conscious Buyers: Users who value battery life, camera features, and good connectivity at a budget.
Use Cases:
- ZTE: Excels in fast-paced gaming, watching high-resolution videos, and recording pro-grade videos.
- Huawei: Excels in extended use throughout the day, taking photos and videos, and navigating with accurate GPS.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is gaming performance and high-resolution display? If very important, ZTE is the better choice; If not, then the Huawei is better suited.
- What is more important: battery life or advanced features? If long battery life is crucial then Huawei is better. If advanced features like the display are preferred, the ZTE is better.
- Do I need a camera with a wide variety of features? If you want a versatile camera that includes a standard, wide-angle, and selfie camera, then the Huawei is better. If not, then the ZTE is a contender.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer & Content Creator: Choose the ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 for its superior gaming performance, display, and video capabilities.
- Scenario 2: Daily Use and Photography: Choose the Huawei nova Y70 Plus for its excellent battery, versatile camera system, and reliable connectivity
- Scenario 3: Basic User on a Budget: Choose the Huawei nova Y70 Plus, which offers a good balance of battery, camera, and connectivity at a budget friendly cost.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the ZTE nubia Red Magic 6. While the lack of essential camera features is concerning, my personal priorities lean heavily towards having a high-end display and high performance when gaming. The significant upgrade in display quality with AMOLED, 165Hz refresh rate, and a high resolution is impossible to ignore. Although the Huawei offers a large battery and comprehensive set of features, the performance and display upgrades offered by the ZTE outweigh those features for my use case. However, I would be aware that it would be lacking in key areas such as battery and camera versatility.
