Smartphone Comparison: ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 vs. OnePlus 9 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 169.9 × 77.2 × 9.7 mm | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | Red Magic 6 is larger and bulkier, potentially less comfortable for single-handed use and smaller pockets. |
| Weight | 220g | 197g | OnePlus 9 Pro is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and portability. |
Display
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.7" | Negligible size difference; both offer immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3216 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a significantly sharper display with more detail, enhancing text clarity and image quality. |
| PPI | 387 | 525 | OnePlus 9 Pro's higher pixel density results in a visibly sharper and crisper display, especially noticeable in fine details. |
| Technology | AMOLED | (Missing) | Red Magic 6's AMOLED display offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors compared to the unspecified technology of OnePlus 9 Pro. |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 120Hz | Red Magic 6 provides noticeably smoother animations and scrolling, beneficial for gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | OnePlus 9 Pro has significantly better outdoor visibility, making it usable in direct sunlight. Red Magic 6 brightness data is missing making outdoor use questionable. |
Performance
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Both phones have the same high-end chipset, offering flagship-level performance for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| Antutu Score | N/A | 877,600 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a recorded benchmark score, indicating robust performance. The lack of a score for Red Magic 6 makes a direct performance comparison difficult. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 | Both phones have identical GPU, which will offer similar gaming experiences. |
Battery
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 0mAh | 4500mAh | OnePlus 9 Pro has a substantial battery, offering better potential for all-day usage. Red Magic 6 battery information missing. |
| Charging | Standard charging | 65W fast charging, Li-Polymer | OnePlus 9 Pro has significantly faster charging, allowing for quick power-ups; Red Magic 6 charging speed unspecified. |
| Features | Standard features | Reverse charging, Non-removable, Wireless charging 50W, REverse wireless charging | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more versatile charging options, including convenient wireless and reverse charging. |
Camera
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | Missing | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43" Sony IMX789 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a high-quality primary camera with a large sensor, enabling detailed and good low-light images. Red Magic 6 lacks a standard camera according to the information provided. |
| Selfie Camera | Missing | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" Sony IMX471 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated front-facing camera for selfies and video calls. Red Magic 6 has no front facing camera according to the information provided. |
| Telephoto Lens | Missing | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" Omnivision OV08A10 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a telephoto lens for optical zoom, allowing you to get closer to subjects without losing image quality. Red Magic 6 has no telephoto lens according to the information provided. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Missing | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | OnePlus 9 Pro has an ultra-wide-angle camera for capturing expansive scenes. Red Magic 6 has no wide angle lens according to the information provided. |
| Black & White Lens | Missing | 2MP, f/2.4 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated black and white lens for artistic shots. Red Magic 6 has no black and white lens according to the information provided. |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, No stabilization | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps with HDR, EIS; Slow-motion: Yes, 480 fps | OnePlus 9 Pro offers video stabilization and slow motion for smoother footage while ZTE Nubia does not. Both support high-resolution video up to 8K. |
| DxOMark Score | N/A | Mobile: 122, Photo: 124, Video: 118 | OnePlus 9 Pro has an official benchmark score, indicating its superior camera performance and image quality. |
| Features | None Specified | 4K/8K Video, Digital/Optical zoom, Quad Camera, OIS/EIS, Autofocus, Panorama, HDR, RAW, Night Mode, etc. | OnePlus 9 Pro offers a much more comprehensive set of camera features compared to the unspecified features of the Red Magic 6. |
Software
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, with upgrade to 14 | OnePlus 9 Pro offers a more up-to-date software experience with a path to future upgrades. Red Magic 6 has an unknown maximum version which might limit future upgrades. |
Connectivity
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | (Unspecified) | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MiMO | OnePlus 9 Pro has the latest WiFi 6 standard for faster, more reliable connections plus additional features for various usage scenarios. Red Magic 6 has unspecified wifi specifications. |
| Bluetooth | (Unspecified) | Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC | OnePlus 9 Pro uses the newest bluetooth standard with more advanced codec support for higher quality audio. Red Magic 6 has unspecified bluetooth specifications. |
| GPS | (Unspecified) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | OnePlus 9 Pro supports more satellite systems, leading to greater location accuracy. Red Magic 6 has unspecified gps specifications. |
| SIM | (Unspecified) | Dual SIM, Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | OnePlus 9 Pro supports Dual SIM, allowing users to use two numbers, such as one for personal and one for business; this functionality is not specified for Red Magic 6. |
Storage
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | (Unspecified) | 128 GB or 256 GB | OnePlus 9 Pro offers fixed internal storage, but its capacity options are known. Red Magic 6 internal storage is unspecified. |
| RAM | (Unspecified) | 8 GB or 12 GB | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more RAM for better performance, especially with multitasking and gaming. Red Magic 6 RAM is unspecified. |
| Expandable | No expandable storage | No expandable storage | Neither phone allows for storage expansion via SD card. |
Audio
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | OnePlus 9 Pro provides a richer audio experience with advanced features for better sound quality and clarity. Red Magic 6 offers basic audio. |
Security
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones provide fingerprint security; however, no additional features are mentioned. |
Build Quality
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Protection | (Unknown) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | OnePlus 9 Pro offers better screen protection against scratches and minor impacts with Corning Gorilla Glass 5. Red Magic 6 screen protection is unknown. |
Sensors
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Basic sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Light, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | OnePlus 9 Pro has a comprehensive suite of sensors allowing for more advanced features, especially in gaming and AR applications. Red Magic 6 provides only basic sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Advantages
- Higher Refresh Rate: The 165Hz refresh rate offers a smoother experience, particularly for gaming.
- AMOLED Display: The AMOLED display provides superior blacks and contrast, enhancing the visual experience.
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages
- Superior Display Resolution and Sharpness: Higher resolution and pixel density result in a much crisper and detailed display.
- Much Brighter Display: Significantly brighter screen makes it far more usable outdoors in sunlight.
- Better Camera System: The OnePlus 9 Pro has a comprehensive camera system with multiple lenses, better sensor quality, and additional video features.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: Faster wired charging and wireless charging capability provide more convenience.
- More Comprehensive Feature Set: It has numerous additional features like reverse wireless charging, and more robust connectivity options.
- Confirmed Software Support: Confirmed software upgrades up to Android 14.
- Better Audio: Offers more comprehensive audio features with Dolby Atmos and a noise cancellation microphone.
- Superior Build Quality: Offers better screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
- Better sensor suite: Offers more sensors which can make it better for advanced features.
- Better Battery: Offers a bigger battery allowing for all day use.
Significant Trade-offs
- Red Magic 6: Its missing display brightness specifications and camera features make it hard to recommend for most users outside of gaming. There is a lack of information on the battery, and charging speed of the Red Magic 6.
- OnePlus 9 Pro: Slightly lower refresh rate (120Hz vs 165Hz). However, the many upgrades in other fields make it a more compelling daily driver.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6
- Ideal User: Hardcore mobile gamers who prioritize refresh rate above all else and don't need a great camera or outdoor visibility.
- Use Cases:
- Competitive gaming where smooth scrolling and animations are crucial.
- Users who prefer darker display themes due to the AMOLED screen.
- Budget-conscious consumers primarily seeking a gaming-focused phone.
OnePlus 9 Pro
- Ideal User: Everyday users who need a versatile, high-performing phone with a great camera, a sharp display, and excellent charging options.
- Use Cases:
- Photography enthusiasts who want high-quality images and video.
- Users who prioritize a premium display experience for both media consumption and productivity.
- Professionals who need fast charging and all-day battery life.
- Users who value a reliable and comprehensive software experience.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- The OnePlus 9 Pro, while potentially more expensive, offers better value due to its superior display, camera, charging, and a more complete set of features making it an overall better daily driver than the Red Magic 6.
- The Red Magic 6's lack of information and features makes its value hard to assess and is only recommended to a specific user profile.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider
- How important is mobile gaming vs general use? If gaming is your absolute priority, and you are okay with the lack of other features, the Red Magic 6 might be suitable, but the OnePlus 9 Pro has flagship level performance with a more balanced approach to a daily driver.
- What are your camera needs? If you need a capable camera with video stabilization, the OnePlus 9 Pro is much better. The Red Magic 6 lacks many camera related features.
- Do you need a device for outdoor use? If you need to use your phone in bright outdoor sunlight, the OnePlus 9 Pro is far more suitable with its significantly higher brightness. The Red Magic 6 lacks brightness specifications.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Hardcore Gamer on a Budget: The Red Magic 6 might be suitable if the highest refresh rate is all that matters, but it is very limited in other aspects and missing many important specifications. The OnePlus 9 Pro will still provide great performance and is a great all around daily driver.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast: The OnePlus 9 Pro is much better due to its far superior camera system with versatile lenses and features. The Red Magic 6 lacks many of the features and camera sensors that the OnePlus 9 Pro has.
- Scenario 3: General Use with High Expectations: The OnePlus 9 Pro is better all around with a sharp screen, fast charging, a better camera system and superior software. The Red Magic 6's missing specifications and lack of features make it a bad daily driver.
- Scenario 4: Outdoor Use: The OnePlus 9 Pro is the obvious choice, offering a much brighter display that works outdoors. The Red Magic 6 lacks brightness data.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the OnePlus 9 Pro. While the Red Magic 6 offers a higher refresh rate, its missing specifications, especially around screen brightness, battery information, camera features, and software updates, make it a very limited device. The OnePlus 9 Pro, on the other hand, is a much more complete smartphone with its high-resolution display, robust camera system, fast charging, wireless charging, comprehensive sensor suite, and confirmed software support, and better audio. These advantages make it a far more versatile and reliable daily driver, catering to diverse needs, from photography and media consumption to productivity. While the 165 Hz screen of the Red Magic 6 is nice on paper, it does not outweigh the other benefits of the OnePlus 9 Pro. The OnePlus 9 Pro will provide flagship performance for gaming but it can also be used for everyday tasks.
