Smartphone Comparison: ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 vs. OnePlus 9RT 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus 9RT 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-11 | 2021-10-19 | OnePlus 9RT is 7 months newer, potentially offering longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 169.9 x 77.2 x 9.7 mm | 162.2 x 74.6 x 8.3 mm | Red Magic 6 is larger and thicker, making it less pocketable and comfortable for some users. 9RT is more compact and portable |
| Weight | 220g | 198.5g | Red Magic 6 is noticeably heavier, which can affect comfort during long usage. 9RT is lighter and easier to handle. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.62" | Red Magic 6 has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive experience, especially for gaming and media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have the same clarity and sharpness. |
| PPI | 387 | 397 | Both displays offer very similar pixel density for sharp visuals |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 120Hz | Red Magic 6 offers smoother scrolling and animations, particularly beneficial for gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | No peak brightness data available, so difficult to compare outdoor visibility |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) | Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) | Both offer flagship-level performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Antutu Score | N/A | 881,700 | 9RT has benchmark data while Red Magic 6 has none - 9RT has a high performance score |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 | Both offer similar graphics performance for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 0 mAh | 4500 mAh | 9RT has significantly larger battery, likely providing much longer battery life compared to Red Magic 6. |
| Charging | Standard Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 9RT charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Standard Features | Non-removable, dual cells | 9RT's dual battery cell design might offer improved heat management and charging efficiency. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | N/A | 50MP, f/1.8, Sony IMX766 | 9RT features a high-resolution main camera for detailed images. Red Magic 6 has no standard camera in provided specs |
| Selfie Camera | N/A | 16MP, f/2.4, Sony IMX471 | 9RT features a front-facing camera for high-quality selfies. Red Magic 6 has no selfie camera in provided specs |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 16MP, f/2.2, Sony IMX481 | 9RT offers a wide-angle lens for group shots or landscapes. Red Magic 6 has no wide angle lens in provided specs |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | 9RT offers a macro lens for detailed close-up shots. Red Magic 6 has no macro camera in provided specs |
| Video Recording | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, no stabilization | 4K@60fps, EIS | Red Magic 6 supports 8K recording and 1080p@240fps while 9RT has stabilization. 9RT features HDR. |
| Camera Features | Triple camera, OIS, PDAF, Panorama, HDR, Night Mode | 9RT has advanced features for versatile photography. | |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | 9RT has an upgradable OS to Android 13 |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | N/A | Wi-Fi 6, Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MIMO | 9RT supports latest Wi-Fi standard for faster speeds and stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | N/A | 5.2, A2DP, LE, Apt-x, LDAC, AAC | 9RT has a newer version with better audio codecs. |
| GPS | N/A | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo etc | 9RT supports multiple satellite systems for accurate navigation. |
| SIM | N/A | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | 9RT offers dual SIM functionality |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | N/A | 128GB or 256GB | 9RT offers generous storage options. Red Magic 6 storage not listed |
| RAM | N/A | 8GB or 12GB | 9RT offers more RAM for smoother multitasking. Red Magic 6 RAM not listed |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | 9RT has superior audio with immersive sound. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | No info on the screen protection of the phones |
| Sensors | Basic Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Light, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | 9RT has a more complete set of sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Advantages:
- Higher Refresh Rate: 165Hz display provides a noticeably smoother experience, particularly for gaming.
- Larger Display: A 6.8" screen offers more screen real estate for immersive content consumption.
- 8K Video Recording: Red Magic 6 allows for higher resolution video recording (8K@30fps) which is useful for professional content creation.
- Higher Frame Rate for 1080P: Red Magic 6 has 1080P video recording at 240fps compared to the 9RT's 1080P at 60fps
OnePlus 9RT 5G Advantages:
- More Compact and Lighter: More comfortable to hold and carry, with a significant weight difference.
- Superior Cameras: Includes a versatile triple camera system with a high-resolution main sensor, ultrawide, and macro lens.
- Fast Charging: 65W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Better Battery: 4500 mAh battery vs unknown Red Magic 6 capacity, which potentially offers much better battery life.
- Improved Video Recording: Offers video stabilization and HDR in recording.
- Newer Software: Upgradable to Android 13 (vs Android 11), which means better performance and a longer lifespan of system support and security updates.
- More Storage and RAM Options: Available with 128GB or 256GB storage and 8GB or 12GB RAM
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers provide a superior audio experience.
- Better Connectivity: Includes newer WiFi and Bluetooth versions
- Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Includes a wide array of sensors including proximity, light, accelerometer, and gyroscope, leading to better functionality for everyday use.
- Dual Sim Support: Support for using two SIM cards simultaneously.
- Advanced GPS: More GPS bands means more accurate GPS functionality
Trade-offs:
- Red Magic 6: Sacrifices camera quality, battery life, and portability for a higher refresh rate and larger screen.
- OnePlus 9RT 5G: Doesn't offer the same extreme refresh rate as Red Magic 6, but compensates with better overall features and portability.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 - Ideal User:
- Hardcore Gamers: Prioritize the highest refresh rate for the smoothest gaming experience and a larger screen.
- Professional Videographers: Users that need 8K video recording for professional-grade content creation
Use Cases:
- Intense gaming sessions
- Immersive media consumption
- Content creators
OnePlus 9RT 5G - Ideal User:
- Everyday Users: Want a well-rounded device with great cameras, battery life, and a more pocketable form factor.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Want a versatile camera system with excellent image quality.
- Multimedia Consumers: Enjoy video content with stabilization and great audio.
Use Cases:
- Daily use with photography, browsing, and media consumption
- Users that prioritize better software support and security.
- Users that prioritize portability
- Users that want better audio immersion
- Users that want the latest connectivity features
Price-to-Value:
- Considering the lack of data on Red Magic 6, it is hard to provide accurate price-to-value analysis for the phone.
- OnePlus 9RT offers a more versatile package, potentially offering greater value due to a more complete feature set and better portability for a typical user.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Gaming Priority: Is an ultra-smooth 165Hz refresh rate the most important factor, or is overall usability and camera quality more important?
- Camera Importance: How much do you value having high-quality, versatile cameras for photography and video?
- Battery Life: Do you need a device that can reliably last a full day without needing a charge?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Gaming: If gaming performance is your primary focus and you are willing to sacrifice some camera quality and portability, the Red Magic 6 is the better option.
- Scenario 2: Balanced Usage: If you want a well-rounded phone with excellent cameras, long battery life, better portability, and fast charging, the OnePlus 9RT 5G is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Multimedia Consumption: If the size of the screen is less important than the quality of the display and audio, the OnePlus 9RT is recommended because of the Dolby Atmos features.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the OnePlus 9RT 5G. While the 165Hz refresh rate of the Red Magic 6 is tempting for gaming, the OnePlus 9RT 5G offers a more balanced package. It has a more compact and lighter design that makes it easier to carry around and use daily. The much better battery life, fast charging, superior camera system, and overall better audio experience make it a more versatile device that fits my needs better. I also like that it offers a newer software version and a complete suite of sensors which is very important. For me, the trade-off in refresh rate for all these additional features is worth it. While I may not experience the absolute highest smoothness in gaming, the improvement in other aspects of the phone will improve my day to day experience.
