1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Realme 12+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 169.9 × 77.2 × 9.7 mm | 163 × 75.5 × 7.9 mm | The Realme 12+ is noticeably more compact and thinner, making it easier to handle and pocket. The Red Magic 6 is bulkier, likely due to gaming features. |
| Weight | 220g | 190g | Realme 12+ is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and less tiring to hold. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.67" | The Red Magic 6 offers a slightly larger screen, which could be preferable for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both phones offer similar sharpness. |
| PPI | 387 | 395 | Both phones have similar pixel densities. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks typical of AMOLED displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 120Hz | The Red Magic 6's higher refresh rate will result in smoother animations and scrolling, especially noticeable in gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | The Realme 12+ will be much easier to view under direct sunlight due to significantly higher brightness. The Red Magic 6's screen brightness is not listed, making it hard to compare and assume is lower. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 | The Snapdragon 888 (Red Magic 6) is a flagship-level chip from 2021, offering high performance, while the Dimensity 7050 (Realme 12+) is a mid-range chip. In most cases the Snapdragon 888 is more powerful. |
| AnTuTu Score | N/A | 601,000 | The Antutu score is not available for the Red Magic 6, preventing a direct comparison with the 601,000 of the Realme 12+. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Adreno 660 (Red Magic 6) is generally more powerful than Mali-G68 MC4 (Realme 12+) for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | N/A | 50MP, f/1.88, Sony LYT-600 | Realme 12+ features a capable main camera with a modern sensor, resulting in good image quality. The ZTE Nubia Red Magic 6 lacks a main camera in the specifications. |
| Selfie Camera | N/A | 16MP, f/2.45 | The Realme 12+ has a dedicated front-facing camera for selfies, while the Red Magic 6 specifications lack any info. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2 | Realme 12+ includes a wide angle lens for capturing broader scenes. The Red Magic 6 lacks a wide-angle lens, limiting photographic versatility. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Realme 12+ has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots; The Red Magic 6 lacks a macro lens limiting close up photography. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps, no stabilization | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Red Magic 6 can record higher resolution video, but lacks stabilization. Realme 12+ offers stabilized 4K recording. |
| Camera Features | N/A | 4K Video, OIS, etc | Realme 12+ includes a comprehensive set of camera features, such as stabilization, autofocus, HDR etc. The Red Magic 6 camera specifications are not detailed. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 0mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 12+ has a significantly larger battery, likely resulting in longer battery life. The Red Magic 6 battery specifications are not listed. |
| Charging | Standard Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Realme 12+ offers significantly faster charging capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | Realme 12+ comes with a much newer version of Android, offering the latest features and security patches. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Unknown | WiFi 6, Dual-band | Realme 12+ supports the latest Wi-Fi standard for faster speeds and improved performance. The ZTE Nubia Red Magic 6 has no specifications listed. |
| Bluetooth | Unknown | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | Realme 12+ has a more modern Bluetooth version offering more efficient power management and advanced features. The ZTE Nubia Red Magic 6 has no specifications listed. |
| GPS | Unknown | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | Realme 12+ supports multiple satellite systems for precise location tracking. The ZTE Nubia Red Magic 6 has no specifications listed. |
| SIM | Unknown | Dual SIM Dual Standby | The Realme 12+ supports dual SIM usage allowing two phone numbers on one device. The ZTE Nubia Red Magic 6 has no specifications listed. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | Unknown | 128/256/512 GB | Realme 12+ provides large storage options, the ZTE Nubia Red Magic 6 has no internal storage details. |
| RAM | Unknown | 8/12GB | Realme 12+ provides multiple RAM options for smoother multitasking, the ZTE Nubia Red Magic 6 has no RAM details. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage capabilities. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic Audio Features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | Realme 12+ offers much better audio experience, including spatial sound and better playback. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both have a basic fingerprint sensor for biometric security. |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones use similar screen protection technology (missing) |
| Sensors | Basic Sensors | Full Suite | The Realme 12+ includes a comprehensive sensor suite compared to the basic sensors on the ZTE Nubia Red Magic 6. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Advantages:
- Potentially higher gaming performance: The Snapdragon 888, even if older, can outperform the Dimensity 7050 in raw power, crucial for demanding games, though lacking specific performance data
- Higher refresh rate: 165Hz display offers an extremely fluid experience, very beneficial for gaming and fast scrolling.
- Higher video resolution capable of recording 8k video, potentially useful for professional content creation.
Realme 12+ Advantages:
- Better Display Brightness: 2000 nits brightness will provide much better visibility outdoors, and is missing from the Red Magic 6 specifications.
- Significantly lighter and more compact: More portable and comfortable for daily use.
- Superior Battery life and Fast Charging: larger 5000mAh battery coupled with 67W fast charging. The Red Magic 6 battery is unknown, but the Realme 12+ wins in this category.
- Better and Versatile Camera Setup: Equipped with a main camera and wide angle, macro and front-facing camera for better all round photography. Lacking any camera specifications, the Red Magic 6 loses out in this category.
- Newer Software: Comes with Android 14 providing a modern software experience and better security.
- Better Connectivity: Supports the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards, resulting in faster speeds.
- Better Audio Quality: Includes Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers for an enhanced experience.
- More Detailed Sensors: The device provides a much larger variety of sensors, which enable better functionality within the device.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Red Magic 6 trades better portability, battery life, camera features, and updated software for a potentially more powerful processor and higher refresh rate.
- The Realme 12+ prioritizes a more well-rounded experience, with a great display, better cameras and battery life, but compromises a bit on raw gaming performance compared to the Red Magic 6.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Ideal User:
- Hardcore Gamers: Those who prioritize maximum frame rates and responsiveness over all else.
- Video Content Creators: Individuals who need the highest possible resolution for video recording, and don't care about stabilisation.
- Users who don't mind a large, heavy device: Individuals who prioritize performance and don't mind a bulkier build.
- Users who plan to use the device indoors: Individuals who would not require a lot of brightness on their display.
Use Cases:
- Competitive mobile gaming where every frame counts.
- Creating professional-grade video content.
- Long gaming sessions where performance is key.
Realme 12+ Ideal User:
- General users: People who want a well-rounded device for daily tasks, photography, and some gaming.
- Users who prioritize a comfortable design: Individuals looking for a light and easy-to-handle phone.
- Users who want great battery life: Individuals that plan to use their phone throughout the day without charging it.
- Users that plan to use the phone outdoors: Individuals that want a screen capable of being viewed in broad daylight.
Use Cases:
- Everyday use including social media, browsing, and communication.
- Mobile photography and videography.
- Casual gaming sessions.
- Users who require good battery life throughout the day.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is gaming performance vs. overall usability? If maximum gaming performance is critical, and you are not bothered by a lack of camera features or battery life, the Red Magic 6 might be more suitable, otherwise, the Realme 12+ is the better choice.
- Do you value portability and battery life? If these are important, the Realme 12+ is the better choice due to its lighter design and greater battery capacity.
- Do you need a versatile camera system? If so, the Realme 12+ has a superior camera system, that the Red Magic 6 lacks in the specifications.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Hardcore Gamer - If gaming is your primary focus, and you don't need the best battery or camera performance, and don't mind a heavier device, then the Red Magic 6 may be better despite it's old age.
- Scenario 2: Everyday User - If you need a balanced phone with good performance, a versatile camera, great battery life, fast charging, and a comfortable design, the Realme 12+ is a better option.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Photographer - The Realme 12+ with its versatile camera setup and additional features is clearly the preferred choice for this scenario.
What I would choose
I would choose the Realme 12+. Here's why:
Well-Rounded Experience: The Realme 12+ offers a much more well-rounded experience that is suitable for an everyday user. I value good cameras, great battery life, fast charging, a lightweight design, a good display that's bright enough to be viewed outdoors, and an up to date version of Android, all features that the Realme 12+ provides.
Practicality Over Raw Power: While the Red Magic 6 may offer more raw performance due to the Snapdragon 888 (although there is not benchmark data to prove this), I find the practical advantages of the Realme 12+ far more appealing. The additional benefits like improved cameras, battery life, brightness, updated software and fast charging make the Realme 12+ more suitable for my typical use cases.
Lack of Information for Red Magic 6: The missing specifications for the Red Magic 6, especially regarding the battery, camera and sensors makes it very difficult to recommend this device over the Realme 12+, which provides a more complete feature set in the specifications.
In short, while the Red Magic 6 might appeal to a niche audience of hardcore gamers or video creators, for the vast majority of users, the Realme 12+ represents a much better and balanced choice.
