1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 169.9 × 77.2 × 9.7 mm | 161.1 × 72.4 × 8.6 mm | Red Magic 6 is larger, bulkier, and less pocketable; Edge 50 Ultra is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 220g | 197g | Edge 50 Ultra is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.7" | Negligible size difference; both offer a large viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1220x2712 | Edge 50 Ultra has a significantly sharper and more detailed display. |
| PPI | 387 | 446 | Edge 50 Ultra's higher pixel density results in a crisper image with less visible pixelation. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; minor tech differences have minimal real-world impact. |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 144Hz | Red Magic 6's slightly higher refresh rate may offer slightly smoother scrolling/gaming, but the difference is unlikely to be noticeable to most users |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Edge 50 Ultra has dramatically better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | Edge 50 Ultra's newer chipset offers better power efficiency and improved performance in demanding tasks; while the Red Magic's chip is still powerful, it is older. |
| Antutu Score | N/A | 1,523,879 | Edge 50 Ultra has a strong benchmark score, indicating a powerful device for gaming and demanding applications. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 735 | Edge 50 Ultra's newer GPU offers significantly better graphical performance. |
Camera
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | N/A | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/1.3", 2.0µm | Edge 50 Ultra has a high-quality primary camera, the Red Magic lacks any such information. |
| Selfie Camera | N/A | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Edge 50 Ultra has a high-resolution front-facing camera, the Red Magic lacks any such information. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 64MP, f/2.4, 1/2", 0.7µm | Edge 50 Ultra has a telephoto lens for optical zoom capabilities, the Red Magic lacks any such information. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Edge 50 Ultra has a wide-angle lens, providing greater versatility in shooting, the Red Magic lacks any such information. |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, No stabilization | 4K@60fps, 1080p@960fps, with EIS | Edge 50 Ultra offers a broader array of stabilized recording options, ideal for capturing smooth videos. Red Magic has higher max resolution for pros, but no stabilization |
| DxOMark | N/A | 146 (main), 150 (photo), 134 (video) | Edge 50 Ultra's camera system is superior, as confirmed by independent benchmark testing; the Red Magic has not been rated and lacks camera specs. |
| Camera Features | N/A | Time-Lapse, 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Dual capture, RAW, Night Mode | Edge 50 Ultra has significantly more features providing versatility in many different scenarios |
Battery
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 0 mAh | 4500 mAh | Edge 50 Ultra has a larger battery, likely providing longer usage time before needing to be charged. |
| Charging | Standard | 125W Fast Charging | Edge 50 Ultra charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Standard | Wireless, Reverse | Edge 50 Ultra offers convenience with wireless charging and reverse charging for other devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Advantages:
- Potentially Higher Refresh Rate: Offers 165Hz display, which may offer smoother visuals, but with a minimal real-world impact over the 144Hz of the Edge 50 Ultra.
- Higher Video Resolution: Supports recording up to 8K video, making it potentially appealing for pro users who need high resolution output.
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra Advantages:
- Significantly Better Display: Higher resolution, higher PPI, and much higher brightness result in a noticeably sharper and more vivid screen, with vastly superior outdoor visibility.
- Newer, More Powerful Chipset: Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 offers improved performance and power efficiency compared to the older Snapdragon 888.
- Superior Camera System: Includes versatile lenses (standard, telephoto, wide-angle), stabilization, and more features, with better scores in independent camera benchmark tests.
- Larger Battery with Fast and Wireless Charging: Offers a larger battery for all-day use, along with 125W fast charging, 50W wireless charging and reverse charging.
- Newer Software and Connectivity: Ships with Android 14, newer Bluetooth, and more advanced Wi-Fi standards.
- Lighter, More Compact Design: More ergonomic and easier to handle and pocket due to its lighter and smaller design.
- More storage and ram: Comes with 512GB or 1024 GB storage and 12GB or 16GB ram.
- Better sensors and enhanced audio: features such as Dolby Atmos, 3 microphones and a suite of sensors.
Trade-offs:
- Red Magic 6 sacrifices significant camera performance, battery capacity, charging speed, display quality, and general performance to offer a higher refresh rate and higher max video resolution for pro-users; the lower specs will lead to a compromised user experience for most.
- Edge 50 Ultra does not have the top-of-the-line refresh rate (165hz), which may only be relevant for niche users and does not offer 8K video recording.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Ideal User:
- Professional Videographer with a tight budget: Those who need very high resolution videos and are willing to compromise on other features to get it.
- Niche High-Refresh Rate Enthusiast: Users who think that 165hz is a must, despite real world testing showing little to no difference from lower refresh rate displays.
Use Cases for Red Magic 6:
- Professional videography with its 8k resolution recording.
- Niche cases of competitive gaming if someone thinks the higher refresh rate will give an edge.
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra Ideal User:
- General Users: Looking for a well-rounded, high-performing phone with a great camera, display, and battery life.
- Mobile Photographers/Videographers: Value a versatile and high-quality camera system with advanced features and stabilization.
- Power Users and Gamers: Want the latest chipset, plenty of RAM, fast charging, and a top-notch display.
- Users who value a premium experience: Prefer a light, compact, premium and well rounded device.
Use Cases for Edge 50 Ultra:
- Everyday photography and videography: Superior camera quality and features for daily use.
- Mobile gaming: The latest chipset and GPU ensure smooth gaming performance.
- Productivity: Multitasking, browsing, and handling demanding tasks with ease.
- Media consumption: Display is sharp, bright and vibrant for watching movies and shows.
- Travel: Compact, light with high quality cameras and long lasting battery.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is camera quality and versatility to you? If a good camera is important, the Edge 50 Ultra is the clear choice.
- Do you prioritize performance and features? The Edge 50 Ultra offers significantly better performance, battery, charging and convenience features compared to the Red Magic 6.
- How much do you value a bright display and compact design? The Edge 50 Ultra has a more compact design and a significantly brighter and sharper display which is a major practical advantage for everyday users.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you need a professional grade video recording device and are on a strict budget: The Red Magic 6 can be a compromise if the 8k resolution is a must, but note that all other aspects of the phone will be a significant downgrade compared to the Edge 50 Ultra.
- If you want a well-rounded, high-performing phone with an excellent camera, display and modern features: The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is the much better choice. It provides a superior user experience in nearly all key areas.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra.
Here's why:
The Red Magic 6 is an older device that is only advantageous in very niche use cases like specific video production scenarios and believing the 165Hz refresh rate is a must-have feature. In most other important metrics like camera quality, display quality and outdoor brightness, processing power, battery life, charging speed and convenience features, the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is a vastly superior device. The Edge 50 Ultra is a modern, well-rounded flagship that offers a much better user experience for the vast majority of use cases. The Edge 50 Ultra also has the advantage of being lighter, more compact, comes with significantly more storage and ram and a suite of sensors and premium audio features which makes it a better all around device.
The Red Magic 6's age and lower camera and general performance specifications are a major downside, especially compared to the much more versatile Edge 50 Ultra. For the average user, the practical benefits of the Edge 50 Ultra (bright display, excellent camera, fast charging, compact build, and modern features) outweigh the niche benefits of the Red Magic 6 (8K recording and potentially better refresh rate).
