1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Nothing CMF Phone 1 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 169.9 × 77.2 × 9.7 mm | 164 × 77 × 8.2 mm | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 is taller and thicker, making it less pocketable and slightly bulkier. Nothing CMF Phone 1 is more compact and sleek. |
| Weight | 220g | 197g | Nothing CMF Phone 1 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and easier to hold. |
| Build | Unknown screen protection | Unknown screen protection | Both lack specific screen protection details, so the durability is similar. |
Display
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Nothing CMF Phone 1 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.67" | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer a sharp Full HD+ display. |
| PPI | 387 | 395 | Both offer similar sharpness with high pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 120Hz | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 offers significantly smoother animations and better responsiveness, particularly noticeable in gaming and fast scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | Nothing CMF Phone 1 offers dramatically better outdoor visibility under direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Nothing CMF Phone 1 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4 nm) | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6's Snapdragon 888 is a powerful high-end chip from 2021, excelling in performance-intensive tasks. Nothing CMF Phone 1’s Mediatek is a newer mid-range chip that is more energy-efficient, better for everyday tasks, and provides a good balance between performance and efficiency. |
| Antutu Score | N/A | 673,000 | Antutu score is available only for Nothing CMF Phone 1, making a direct comparison impossible on this metric. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G615 MC2 (Arm Mali-G615 MC2) | The Adreno 660 is a high-end gaming GPU for its time; Mali-G615 MC2 is a mid-range GPU for general use and gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Nothing CMF Phone 1 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | N/A | 50MP, f/1.79, 1/2" Sony IMX882 | Nothing CMF Phone 1 offers a dedicated standard camera with modern features, providing better photo quality. ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 lacks a standard camera in this spec comparison. |
| Selfie Camera | N/A | 16MP, f/2.0, 1/3.1" GalaxyCore GC16B3C | Nothing CMF Phone 1 includes a dedicated front-facing camera, missing on the Red Magic 6 in this comparison, enabling video calls and selfies. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) Camera | N/A | 2MP, f/2.3, 1/4" Smartsens sc202pcs | Nothing CMF Phone 1 features a depth sensor for portrait mode shots. |
| Video Recording | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; No stabilization | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS; Slow-motion: Yes, 240 fps | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 offers higher resolution video recording with 8K, suitable for professional video, but lacks stabilization, resulting in potentially shaky footage. Nothing CMF Phone 1 offers stabilized 4K and 1080p recording with EIS, ensuring smoother videos and including slow-motion. |
| Camera Features | Noise reduction, 4K Video, Digital zoom, Dual camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Nothing CMF Phone 1 has a full suite of features for capturing high-quality photos and videos. |
Battery
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Nothing CMF Phone 1 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 0mAh | 5000mAh | Nothing CMF Phone 1 has a significantly larger battery, promising much longer battery life. |
| Charging | Standard charging | 33W fast charging | Nothing CMF Phone 1 supports faster charging, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Standard | Non-removable | Nothing CMF Phone 1 has a non-removable battery design which is common for modern smartphones. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Advantages:
- Higher Refresh Rate: The 165Hz display provides significantly smoother scrolling and gaming experiences compared to the 120Hz panel of the Nothing CMF Phone 1.
- Higher Video Resolution: Offers 8K recording, suitable for professional videography.
Powerful (but older) chipset: Snapdragon 888 provides flagship performance for gaming and demanding apps Nothing CMF Phone 1 Advantages:
Newer Operating System: Comes with Android 14, providing access to the latest features and security updates, unlike the Android 11 on ZTE Nubia Red Magic 6.
- Brighter Display: The 2000 nits brightness ensures much better outdoor visibility in sunlight.
- Lighter & More Compact: Its smaller form factor and lighter build make it more comfortable to hold and use daily.
- Significantly Larger Battery: The 5000 mAh battery offers far more usage time compared to the unspecified capacity of ZTE Nubia Red Magic 6 and has 33W fast charging.
- Modern Camera System: Includes a dedicated standard camera, selfie camera, and depth sensor, along with additional features like image stabilization, lacking in the specs of the Red Magic 6.
- Better Video Stabilization: EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization) ensures smoother video recording.
- More Complete Connectivity: Includes modern Wifi and Bluetooth standards, as well as a comprehensive array of GPS satellites.
- More Internal Storage: Up to 256GB internal storage, better for media and apps.
- More RAM: Up to 8GB for multitasking and gaming.
Significant Trade-offs:
- ZTE nubia Red Magic 6: Trades a bulkier build and older OS for slightly smoother refresh rate.
- Nothing CMF Phone 1: Trades raw chipset power for better daily usage features like better display brightness, camera and overall more modern design with bigger battery.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Ideal User:
- Hardcore Gamers: Individuals who prioritize extremely smooth gameplay and the highest possible refresh rate.
- Professional Videographers: Those who need to record 8K video (though they will miss out on video stabilization).
- Users who prioritize raw power of flagship chipset.
Use Cases:
- High-Intensity Gaming: Excels in fast-paced, graphics-intensive games that benefit from a 165Hz display.
- Professional Videography: When the user needs the 8K video recording functionality.
Nothing CMF Phone 1 Ideal User:
- Everyday Users: Individuals seeking a balanced smartphone for daily use, focusing on long battery life, camera versatility, and bright display.
- Media Consumers: Those who value a bright, vivid screen for watching videos in various lighting conditions.
- Mobile Photographers: People who want a reliable camera with image stabilization and various shooting modes.
Use Cases:
- Daily Communication & Social Media: The balanced performance and good camera make it great for social media and calls.
- On-the-Go Entertainment: The brighter display and long battery life are perfect for watching videos and browsing the web outdoors.
- Travel Photography: Provides consistent, stabilized shots with a range of camera features.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Nothing CMF Phone 1 likely provides a better price-to-value ratio due to its more modern features, brighter display, larger battery, and better camera system compared to the older ZTE Nubia Red Magic 6. The ZTE Nubia Red Magic 6 is an older phone, so depending on the price it might not be worth it in comparison to the Nothing CMF Phone 1.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your priority: raw gaming performance or everyday usability? If you need the absolute smoothest display and highest performance of a flagship chip, the ZTE Red Magic 6 has it (for it's time), but the Nothing CMF Phone 1 is more suitable for daily use and for a more balanced experience.
- How important is battery life and quick charging? The Nothing CMF Phone 1 boasts a significantly larger battery and fast charging, making it a better choice if you want the most use time.
- Do you prioritize modern features and software? The Nothing CMF Phone 1 provides a newer operating system, a modern camera system, and other modern features that make it the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming Enthusiast: If you mainly play high-end games and want the highest refresh rate you should consider the ZTE Nubia Red Magic 6. However, you would miss out on the additional advantages the Nothing CMF Phone 1 offers.
- Scenario 2: Everyday User: For the majority of users, the Nothing CMF Phone 1 is the better choice. Its balanced performance, excellent display, long battery life, and better camera system makes it ideal for daily tasks and general use.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Photographer: If you often take pictures and videos, the Nothing CMF Phone 1 is the superior choice due to its proper camera system, stabilization, and video features.
My Choice
Based on this analysis, I would choose the Nothing CMF Phone 1. While the ZTE Nubia Red Magic 6 has a higher refresh rate, the Nothing CMF Phone 1 has a more modern design, more versatile camera system with video stabilization, longer battery life with faster charging, better display brightness, a more recent operating system, and better overall usability. These factors outweigh the higher refresh rate of the older device for everyday use. For most people, the CMF Phone 1 provides a much better overall experience and is better value for money than the Red Magic 6, even if the Red Magic 6 is priced lower. The Red Magic 6 simply can't compete with the Nothing phone's modern features. The CMF Phone 1 is a more well-rounded and practical choice.
