Smartphone Comparison: ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 vs. OnePlus Nord 4
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 169.9 x 77.2 x 9.7 mm | 162.6 x 75 x 8 mm | The Red Magic 6 is noticeably larger and thicker, potentially feeling less comfortable in hand and more difficult to pocket. |
| Weight | 220g | 199.5g | The Nord 4 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and portability. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, not foldable. |
Display
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.74" | Minimal difference in screen size, barely noticeable in daily use. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1240 x 2772 | The Nord 4 has a sharper display with significantly more pixels, leading to clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 387 | 450 | The Nord 4's higher pixel density results in a noticeably sharper image, especially for fine details and text. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks characteristic of AMOLED technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 120Hz | The Red Magic 6 provides smoother animations and scrolling, potentially offering a more fluid gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2200 nits | The Nord 4 has a dramatically brighter display, providing significantly better visibility in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Nord 4's newer chipset offers better power efficiency and improved performance, despite the slightly lower series number. |
| AnTuTu Score | N/A | 1,366,982 | The Nord 4's score indicates strong performance in demanding tasks and gaming, whereas there is no score to compare with the Red Magic 6. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 732 | The Nord 4's newer GPU delivers superior graphics performance, resulting in smoother gaming and better overall app performance. |
Camera
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | N/A | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2" Sony LYT-600 | The Nord 4 has a significantly more capable main camera with a larger sensor for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | N/A | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" Sony IMX471 | The Nord 4 has a dedicated front-facing camera for selfies, which is missing in the Red Magic 6. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" Sony IMX355 | The Nord 4 offers additional flexibility with a wide-angle lens, whereas the Red Magic 6 is missing this feature. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps, No stabilization | Up to 4K@60fps with EIS | The Red Magic 6 supports higher resolution video, but lacks stabilization, meaning videos might be shaky. The Nord 4 offers stabilized footage, providing a more professional look. |
| Camera Features | Basic | 4K Video, OIS, PDAF, HDR, etc. | The Nord 4 offers a comprehensive camera suite, enhancing the photography experience. |
Battery
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 0 mAh | 5500 mAh | The Nord 4 has a significantly larger battery, which should translate to considerably longer battery life. |
| Charging | Standard Charging | 100W Fast Charging | The Nord 4's fast charging capability significantly reduces downtime, while the Red Magic 6's charging speed is unknown. |
| Battery Features | Standard features | Non-removable | Neither phone offers a removable battery |
Software
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | The Nord 4's newer Android version ensures better security, performance, and access to the latest features. |
Connectivity
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | Unknown | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi Direct | The Nord 4 supports the latest Wi-Fi standards offering faster speeds and better network performance, while the Red Magic 6's Wi-Fi capabilities are unknown. |
| Bluetooth | Unknown | Bluetooth 5.4, A2DP, AptX, LDAC | The Nord 4's newer Bluetooth version allows for better audio quality and more reliable connections compared to Red Magic 6 whose capabilities are unknown. |
| GPS | Unknown | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The Nord 4 provides more precise location tracking thanks to its support for a broader range of satellite systems, while the Red Magic 6's GPS capabilities are unknown. |
| SIM | Unknown | Dual SIM Dual Standby | The Nord 4 offers dual SIM functionality while the SIM capabilities of the Red Magic 6 are unknown. |
Storage
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | Unknown | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | The Nord 4 provides more storage options, while the storage capacity of the Red Magic 6 is unknown. |
| RAM | Unknown | 8GB, 12GB, 16GB | The Nord 4 comes with more RAM that provides better multitasking capabilities and performance, whereas the RAM options for the Red Magic 6 are unknown. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
Audio
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Audio Quality | Basic Audio | Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The Nord 4 provides better audio with a more immersive experience with dual stereo speakers, and better voice capture with the 2 microphone setup, while the Red Magic 6 has only the basic audio features. |
Security
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones have a basic fingerprint sensor. |
Build Quality
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have unknown screen protection. |
Sensors
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Basic Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Light sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Gravity, Geomagnetic | The Nord 4 has a more comprehensive set of sensors offering better functionality for gaming, and augmented reality, while the Red Magic 6 has basic sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Advantages:
- Higher Refresh Rate: The 165Hz display offers a potentially smoother experience, particularly for gaming.
- 8k video recording: Supports higher video resolution, but lacks stabilization.
OnePlus Nord 4 Advantages:
- Newer Chipset: The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 provides better performance and efficiency compared to the older Snapdragon 888.
- Significantly Better Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, and brightness result in a noticeably superior visual experience, especially in bright conditions.
- Superior Camera System: A more versatile and capable camera setup with OIS, offering better image quality and video stabilization.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: The significantly larger battery and 100W fast charging lead to much better battery life and less downtime.
- Newer Software: Android 14 provides better security, features, and performance.
- Better Connectivity: Supports newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards and more comprehensive GPS.
- More RAM and Storage options: Offers better multitasking and more storage options.
- Superior Audio: Stereo speakers for a more immersive audio experience
- Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Wide range of sensors offers better functionality for various use cases.
- Lighter and more ergonomic The Nord 4 is lighter and smaller making it easier to hold and use.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Red Magic 6 has a higher refresh rate at the expense of the other features. The OnePlus Nord 4 provides a more well rounded user experience by improving features such as chipset, display quality, camera, battery, software and other things at the expense of a higher refresh rate.
- The Red Magic 6 lacks crucial details in the specification, such as: battery, internal storage, ram, screen protection, wifi, bluetooth, GPS and sensors
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for ZTE nubia Red Magic 6:
- Hardcore Mobile Gamers: Users who prioritize an extremely high refresh rate above all else.
- Budget Focused Users: if the price is significantly lower.
Use Cases for ZTE nubia Red Magic 6:
- Gaming.
- Users who do not care much about taking photos or capturing video.
Ideal User for OnePlus Nord 4:
- Everyday Users: Users who seek a balanced smartphone with a great display, strong performance, excellent camera, and long battery life.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who watch videos, stream content, and listen to music.
- Casual Gamers: Users who want a good gaming experience without compromising other features.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who desire a good camera experience.
Use Cases for OnePlus Nord 4:
- Daily tasks and productivity.
- Mobile gaming and media consumption.
- High-quality photography and video capture.
- Long hours away from a power outlet.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality and outdoor visibility? If outdoor visibility is important, the OnePlus Nord 4 is superior due to its significantly higher brightness.
- Do you prioritize a smoother gaming experience from high refresh rates or a higher resolution display with better color accuracy? If smoothness is key, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 6's 165Hz display may appeal more, whereas the Nord 4 will offer much better display quality.
- What are your priorities for camera quality, battery life, and connectivity? If these are high priorities, the OnePlus Nord 4 is the clear winner with a much better camera, significantly larger battery, and faster charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: User needs a phone primarily for demanding gaming: If all that is needed is smooth gaming, the Red Magic 6 is better. However if the user needs to use the phone as a daily driver, the OnePlus Nord 4 would be a much better option.
- Scenario 2: User needs an all-around phone for everyday use, multimedia, and photography: The OnePlus Nord 4 is the better choice, offering a more balanced and versatile experience.
- Scenario 3: User needs the best battery life and fast charging: The OnePlus Nord 4 with its larger battery capacity and 100W fast charging is superior.
What I would choose and why!
I would choose the OnePlus Nord 4. While the Red Magic 6 might be tempting for hardcore gamers due to its higher refresh rate, the OnePlus Nord 4 offers a vastly superior and more well rounded experience in almost every other key area. The Nord 4's newer processor, significantly better display with higher resolution and brightness, superior camera system, significantly larger battery with fast charging, newer software, superior connectivity, and overall more versatile feature set make it the clear choice for a daily driver. The Red Magic 6’s advantages are limited by its very old specifications, missing specs, and lack of key features such as camera.
