1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Realme 11 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 169.9 × 77.2 × 9.7 mm | 161.6 × 73.9 × 8.2 mm | Realme 11 Pro+ is more compact, easier to handle and fits better in pockets, while the Red Magic 6 is bulkier. |
| Weight | 220g | 183g | Realme 11 Pro+ is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.7" | Both have large displays; a minimal 0.1" difference is hardly noticeable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Practically identical sharpness; no real-world difference. |
| PPI | 387 | 394 | Negligibly different pixel density, which has little to no impact on sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 120Hz | Red Magic 6 provides smoother scrolling and animations, which is particularly beneficial for gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | Realme 11 Pro+ is much better for outdoor use in bright sunlight due to significantly higher brightness. The Red Magic 6's brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | Snapdragon 888 is a flagship-level processor from 2021, while Dimensity 7050 is a mid-range chip from 2023. The Snapdragon offers higher peak performance, while Dimensity is more power-efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | N/A | 540,800 | AnTuTu score unavailable for ZTE. Realme 11 Pro+ has a fairly high score which indicates good performance for everyday use and casual gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Adreno 660 is generally considered more powerful for gaming; but we need to know the benchmark data for Red Magic 6 to fully evaluate it's GPU performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 0 mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 11 Pro+ has a large battery, expected to last a full day, while the Red Magic 6's battery is unknown. |
| Charging | Standard | 100W Fast Charging | Realme 11 Pro+ charges extremely quickly, likely reducing down time, while Red Magic 6 charging times are not available. |
| Features | Standard | Non-removable, 2x2500mAh | Realme 11 Pro+'s battery setup supports faster charging and better battery health over time. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | N/A | 200MP, f/1.69, 1/1.4", ISOCELL HP3 | Realme 11 Pro+ has a significantly more advanced standard camera, with high resolution, larger sensor, and better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | N/A | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/2.74", Sony IMX615 | Realme 11 Pro+ has a dedicated selfie camera. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355 | Realme 11 Pro+ has a wide-angle lens for capturing more in the frame. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.3, 1/5", GalaxyCore GC02M1 | Realme 11 Pro+ has a dedicated macro lens for closeup shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps, No stabilization | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS, slow-motion | Red Magic 6 offers higher resolution video recording but lacks stabilization. Realme 11 Pro+ has smoother video thanks to EIS and slow-motion options. |
| Features | N/A | Extensive camera features | Realme 11 Pro+ has many features which aid in better quality photos and videos. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13, upgradable to 15 | Realme 11 Pro+ has a much more recent OS version, offering newer features, better security, and longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | N/A | WiFi 6, Dual-band, Hotspot, etc. | Realme 11 Pro+ supports faster and more stable Wi-Fi connections with modern standards. |
| Bluetooth | N/A | Bluetooth 5.3 with LE, aptX, etc. | Realme 11 Pro+ has a newer version of bluetooth for better connectivity with wireless devices, and more support for audio codecs. |
| GPS | N/A | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, etc. | Realme 11 Pro+ offers more accurate location tracking with support for multiple satellite systems. |
| SIM | N/A | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Realme 11 Pro+ can be used with two SIM cards simultaneously, while Red Magic 6 doesn't have it stated so we assume only one. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | N/A | 256/512/1024 GB | Realme 11 Pro+ has far more storage for apps, photos, videos, and other files. |
| RAM | N/A | 8GB/12GB | Realme 11 Pro+ offers more RAM, leading to better multitasking and more smooth performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards for extra storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, etc. | Realme 11 Pro+ offers better audio output with more immersive sound, and clearer voice calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint sensor security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown protection for both phones. |
| Sensors | Basic Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, etc | Realme 11 Pro+ has a more complete sensor set, which can enhance features like automatic screen brightness, and activity tracking. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 11 Pro+ Advantages:
- Significantly better camera system: The 200MP main camera, along with wide-angle, macro, and selfie lenses, provides versatile photography capabilities and good quality.
- Superior display brightness: 950 nits of brightness makes the phone much more visible in bright sunlight.
- Modern Software: Android 13 with an upgrade to Android 15 provides an up to date software experience and security patches.
- Faster charging and larger battery: 100W charging allows for quicker top-ups. The 5000mAh battery provides reliable day-long battery life.
- Newer and more comprehensive connectivity options: WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and multiple GPS systems.
- More RAM and storage options: Up to 12GB RAM and 1TB storage for better multitasking.
- Better audio quality: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers for a more immersive experience.
- Lighter and more compact design: Easier to handle and more comfortable to carry.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Advantages:
- Higher display refresh rate: 165Hz provides an extremely smooth experience, especially noticeable in games.
- Higher resolution video recording: Up to 8K recording for professional-grade video content.
Trade-offs:
- The Realme 11 Pro+ trades peak processing performance for modern features, a better camera, and battery. The ZTE Nubia Red Magic 6, while having a more powerful chip, lacks many of the newer features present in the Realme phone.
- The ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 sacrifices modern features, a good camera, and overall usability for higher refresh rate and higher recording resolution.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 11 Pro+:
- Ideal Users:
- Everyday users who prioritize camera quality, battery life, and software experience.
- Users who enjoy casual gaming and media consumption.
- People who need a phone for daily tasks and work.
- Those who value a sleek design and portability.
- Specific Use Cases:
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos in different situations.
- Reliable battery life for full-day usage without frequent charging.
- Streaming movies and shows with good audio quality.
- Smooth multitasking for work and productivity apps.
- Navigation with accurate GPS support.
- Price-to-Value: The Realme 11 Pro+ offers a good balance of features and price, making it a great choice for its price range.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6:
- Ideal Users:
- Gamers who prioritize a high refresh rate display.
- Users who need high-resolution video recording.
- Those who prioritize a powerful chipset, and are fine with the rest being standard.
- Specific Use Cases:
- Playing fast-paced games that benefit from a high refresh rate.
- Shooting 8K video for professional use.
- Price-to-Value: Without clear specifications or a recent price, it's hard to make a statement on price-to-value.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize camera quality and versatility?
- Is long battery life and fast charging important for your daily use?
- Do you need an extremely high refresh rate display and higher video recording resolution?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the casual user: If you primarily use your phone for photos, social media, and browsing, the Realme 11 Pro+ is the better option. It provides a good camera experience and long battery life and a good software experience.
- For the power user/gamer: If you play a lot of fast-paced games that benefit from a 165Hz screen, and need high resolution video recording, the ZTE Nubia Red Magic 6 might be your pick, but note that you will be losing out on all the other benefits of the Realme 11 Pro+.
- For the user who values modern features: If you value all the features of a modern phone, the Realme 11 Pro+ is the better choice. The Realme offers features that the ZTE lacks in pretty much every single category.
My Choice
I would choose the Realme 11 Pro+. While the Red Magic 6 has a higher refresh rate and video resolution, the Realme 11 Pro+ wins in almost every other aspect. It offers a significantly better camera system, a brighter display, a longer battery life with fast charging, a more modern OS with better software support, better connectivity options and more storage and RAM. For me, those features are much more important than the small benefits of the ZTE phone. The superior display brightness of the Realme makes it usable in bright daylight, and it has a better audio system with Dolby Atmos. The modern chipset of the Realme phone offers great performance for everyday use, with an optimized software experience, while the chipset of the Red Magic 6, although powerful, is older and may lack some optimization in newer apps. Also the design of the Realme 11 Pro+ is much more modern, with a sleek and comfortable design. The Red Magic 6 is bulky, and not as comfortable to hold for long periods of time.
