Smartphone Comparison: ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-11 | 2023-06-02 | The Motorola is a much newer device, potentially benefitting from newer technologies and software features. |
| Dimensions | 169.9 × 77.2 × 9.7 mm | 162.8 × 73.8 × 9.2 mm | The ZTE is larger and bulkier, making it less comfortable to hold for some users and less pocketable. |
| Weight | 220g | 202g | The Motorola is significantly lighter, which improves comfort during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.6" | The ZTE offers a slightly larger screen, which is better for media consumption, but the difference is minimal. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have the same resolution, resulting in similar sharpness. |
| PPI | 387 | 399 | Both have similar pixel densities, so sharpness is nearly identical. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The ZTE's AMOLED display offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency for dark themes, enhancing the viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 120Hz | The ZTE's higher refresh rate makes scrolling and animations look smoother, providing a better experience when gaming and navigating. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Brightness is identical, both might be hard to use under sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | The ZTE's Snapdragon 888 is a flagship-level processor from 2021, offering more raw power. The Motorola's chipset is newer and more power-efficient. |
| Antutu Score | N/A | 565,000 | No benchmark for ZTE, so performance comparisons are more difficult. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 710 (Adreno 710) | The ZTE's Adreno 660 is more powerful, better for gaming and demanding tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 0 mAh | 5000 mAh | The Motorola has a much larger battery, likely leading to significantly better battery life. |
| Charging | Standard Charging | 20W Fast Charging | The Motorola offers faster charging, allowing the phone to be recharged quicker, increasing convenience. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | None | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.55", 1.00µm | The Motorola has a standard main camera, while ZTE does not list one in spec. |
| Selfie Camera | None | 16MP, f/2.5 | The Motorola has a front-facing camera, while ZTE does not list one in spec. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | The Motorola has a wide angle camera, while ZTE does not list one in spec. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps, No stabilization | Up to 4K@30fps, stabilization, Slow-motion | ZTE supports higher video resolution but lacks stabilization. Motorola offers stabilization and slow motion. |
| Features | None | Digital zoom, Dual camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, 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, Night Mode | The Motorola has a more complete feature set, including stabilization, multiple shooting modes and better quality in picture. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | The Motorola runs a newer version of Android, benefitting from newer features and better security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Unknown | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | The Motorola supports newer, faster Wi-Fi standards and more features. |
| Bluetooth | Unknown | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | The Motorola has a newer, more efficient Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | Unknown | GPS, A-GPS, SUPL, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | The Motorola offers more accurate GPS, benefiting users that need precise location tracking. |
| SIM | Unknown | Single SIM (Nano SIM) | Motorola has Single sim while ZTE has none listed. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | Unknown | 128GB or 256GB | The Motorola offers more storage options. |
| RAM | Unknown | 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB | The Motorola provides more ram, leading to smoother multitasking and better performance with ram intensive apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Motorola has enhanced audio with Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers and 2 microphones, offering a better listening experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Motorola's side-mounted sensor is generally more ergonomic and faster. |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Screen Unknown | Screen Unknown | Both phones use similar screen protection technology. |
| Sensors | Basic sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Light sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Motorola has more sensors, suitable for more features and for gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with a 165Hz refresh rate provides a more vibrant, smooth viewing experience, particularly advantageous for gaming and media consumption.
- Powerful Chipset: The Snapdragon 888 is a high-performance chipset, offering more raw processing power and better gaming capabilities, compared to the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1.
- Higher Video Resolution: Can record video up to 8K, suitable for users needing professional-level video recording capabilities, albeit without stabilization.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) Advantages:
- Newer Device: Launched significantly later, featuring a more modern design, software, and newer technologies.
- Better Battery Life: Significantly larger battery capacity (5000mAh vs unknown), likely resulting in longer usage times between charges.
- Fast Charging: 20W fast charging allows for quicker power replenishment.
- Better Camera Features: Includes a full set of features such as OIS and a more advanced set of photo and video modes, also featuring video stabilization and slow-motion.
- Newer Software: Comes with Android 13, providing access to the latest software features and security updates.
- More Connectivity: Supports newer Wi-Fi, Bluetooth standards, and has better GPS and more storage.
- Enhanced Audio: Has Dolby Atmos and Stereo speakers, offering a more immersive listening experience.
- More RAM: Up to 8GB of RAM offers better multitasking.
- Side-mounted fingerprint scanner: More ergonomic and faster than the basic finger print scanner in the ZTE.
- More sensors: More sensors for gaming, and other advanced features.
Trade-offs:
- ZTE: Sacrifices battery life, camera quality and features, newer software, connectivity, fingerprint reader for higher display and processor performance.
- Motorola: Sacrifices some raw processing power for longer battery life, better camera features, modern software and better connectivity.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Ideal User:
- Mobile Gamers: Users who prioritize smooth gaming experience with the highest possible frame rates and responsiveness will appreciate the 165Hz refresh rate and Snapdragon 888 processor.
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who prefer consuming video content with superior display quality, that can live with short battery life.
- Users needing 8K video recording: For users that prioritize resolution over stabilization in video recording.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) Ideal User:
- Everyday Users: People who need a reliable device for daily tasks, with long battery life and good all-round features.
- Casual Photographers: Users who need good enough image quality, with photo and video features like stabilization and slow-motion.
- Software Updates: People who prioritize having a newer version of Android and the latest software features.
- Users who value better connectivity: Users who prefer faster wireless connections, and better gps tracking.
- Audio Enthusiasts: Users who would like a more immersive audio experience.
Use Cases:
- ZTE: High-performance mobile gaming, watching high-resolution videos and movies.
- Motorola: Daily communication, social media, casual photography, music streaming, basic gaming and productivity on the go.
Price-to-Value:
- Given its higher performance, the ZTE may be suitable if priced lower.
- The Motorola is a good value for those seeking a balance of features, good battery, camera and a newer device.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is the most important usage? Gaming and high resolution video recording, or everyday usage, battery and updated features?
- How important are software updates and security? Prioritize the Motorola for newer software and security.
- What is the ideal balance between performance and battery life? The ZTE has more performance, while Motorola has better battery life.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If your priority is high-end mobile gaming and screen quality at the cost of battery life, the ZTE is the better choice.
- If you need a well-rounded phone with good battery, camera, newer software and good connectivity, the Motorola is more suitable.
- If your priority is high quality video, and a complete set of photo features and you are willing to sacrifice performance, the Motorola is the clear winner.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would pick the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023). While the ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 offers a superior display and slightly better raw performance on paper, the Motorola offers a more balanced experience overall. The newer software, combined with a much larger battery, faster charging, more complete set of camera features, better connectivity, and superior audio makes it a more practical choice for daily use. The ZTE sacrifices far too many important features for the performance gains, and its lack of a basic camera feature set is a big downside. Ultimately, the Motorola is a more complete package for the average user and provides a better value.
