Smartphone Comparison: ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 vs. Realme 12 Pro+
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Realme 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 169.9 × 77.2 × 9.7 mm | 161.5 × 74 × 8.8 mm | Red Magic 6 is larger and bulkier, potentially less comfortable to hold. Realme 12 Pro+ is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 220g | 196g | Realme 12 Pro+ is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.7" | Negligible difference; both provide immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Essentially the same sharpness; both are FHD+. |
| PPI | 387 | 394 | Almost identical; both will appear very sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 120Hz | Red Magic 6 provides a smoother visual experience, especially for gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness not specified; difficult to compare in terms of direct sunlight readability. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | Red Magic 6's Snapdragon 888 is an older high-end chip, while Realme 12 Pro+'s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is a newer mid-range chip. Expect better raw power from the Red Magic 6 for intensive tasks, but potentially better efficiency and newer features in the Realme 12 Pro+. |
| AnTuTu Score | N/A | 603,400 | Unable to make a direct performance comparison. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 710 | Red Magic 6 might have a slight edge in gaming performance, but this depends on optimization. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | N/A | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" Sony IMX890 | Realme 12 Pro+ has a capable main camera, while the Red Magic 6 has no standard camera listed. |
| Selfie Camera | N/A | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74" Sony IMX615 | Realme 12 Pro+ has a front-facing camera, while the Red Magic 6 has no selfie camera listed. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 64MP, f/2.6, 1/2" Omnivision OV64B | Realme 12 Pro+ offers telephoto zoom capabilities, while Red Magic 6 does not. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" Hynix HI-846 | Realme 12 Pro+ offers a wide-angle and macro lens, while Red Magic 6 doesn't. |
| Video Recording | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, No Stabilization | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30/60/120fps with EIS | Red Magic 6 can record at a higher resolution but lacks video stabilization. Realme 12 Pro+ has stabilization for smoother video. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Digital/Optical Zoom, Triple Camera, EIS, OIS, PDAF, Continuous Shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face Detection, Settings, Scene Mode, Self-Timer, RAW | Realme 12 Pro+ has significantly more advanced camera features for versatile photography and videography. | |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 0 mAh | 5000 mAh | Realme 12 Pro+ has a 5000 mAh battery which provides a huge advantage over the Red Magic 6 that has no specified battery size, which means it most likely has a smaller battery. |
| Charging | Standard charging | 67W fast charging | Realme 12 Pro+ charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Standard features | Non-removable | |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | Realme 12 Pro+ offers a newer Android version, leading to better features, security, and longer update support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MiMO | Realme 12 Pro+ supports newer WiFi standards, offering faster speeds and better network performance. | |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE, A2DP, LE, Apt-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Realme 12 Pro+ has better Bluetooth technology for higher quality audio transmission. | |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Realme 12 Pro+ has a wider range of GPS systems for more accurate location tracking. | |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby (Nano SIM) | Realme 12 Pro+ supports Dual SIM, Dual Standby functionality. | |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Realme 12 Pro+ provides ample storage options, while the Red Magic 6's storage options are unspecified. | |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | Realme 12 Pro+ offers more RAM for smoother multitasking and gaming performance. | |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage, meaning no option for extra space. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers, 2 mics | Realme 12 Pro+ delivers superior audio quality and better sound features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer similar basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Screen protection information not available for either phone. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Basic sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Light Sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | Realme 12 Pro+ has more sensors for better functionality across different applications. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Advantages:
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: 165Hz provides a smoother experience, especially for gaming.
- Potentially Stronger Chipset: The older Snapdragon 888 still offers strong performance for demanding tasks.
- Potentially Higher Video Recording Resolution: Offers up to 8K video recording.
Realme 12 Pro+ Advantages:
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 14, meaning better features, security, and likely longer software support.
- Significantly Better Camera System: Includes a dedicated standard, selfie, telephoto, and wide-angle camera, with OIS and EIS stabilization.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: 5000 mAh battery and 67W fast charging offer much longer battery life and faster charging.
- More Storage and RAM options: Offers 128GB/256GB/512GB Storage and 8 or 12 GB RAM, while the Red Magic 6 storage and RAM options are unspecified.
- Better Connectivity & GPS: Supports newer WiFi, Bluetooth, and multiple satellite GPS systems, offering better performance and more precise location tracking.
- Enhanced Audio Features: Includes Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers.
- More Sensors: Features more sensors which allows for better functionality overall.
- More Compact and Lighter: More comfortable to hold and carry around.
Trade-offs:
- The ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 prioritizes gaming performance and a very high refresh rate screen, but has an older OS, a much weaker camera system, an unknown battery capacity, and lacks some important features.
- The Realme 12 Pro+ provides a more well-rounded experience with a better camera, longer battery life, newer features, and connectivity, while the display has a slightly lower refresh rate and the performance is that of a mid-range device.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for ZTE nubia Red Magic 6:
- Hardcore Gamers: Users who prioritize raw gaming performance and a super-smooth display above all else.
- Those who value High Resolution Video: Users that would make use of the 8K video recording.
- Users not prioritizing camera quality: Users that do not put an emphasis on camera quality.
Ideal Use Cases for ZTE nubia Red Magic 6:
- Competitive gaming where every frame and millisecond matters.
- Content creators who need the option of recording 8K video.
- Users who are okay with older software.
Ideal User for Realme 12 Pro+:
- Everyday Users: People looking for a reliable, all-around smartphone with a good camera, battery life, and features.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who want a versatile camera system with various lenses and shooting modes.
- Users who want long-term software support: Those who want a newer Android version with future updates.
Ideal Use Cases for Realme 12 Pro+:
- Everyday photography and videography.
- Multi-tasking, browsing, and social media.
- Users who need long battery life.
- Anyone that will benefit from a good audio experience.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Realme 12 Pro+ likely offers better value for most users due to its more well-rounded features and modern OS, even though it's performance is that of a midrange device. The Red Magic 6's value proposition is dependent on finding a user that heavily prioritizes performance and display refresh rate.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, everyday use)
- How important is camera quality to you? (Basic snapshots vs. versatile photography and videography)
- How crucial is having a long-lasting battery and fast charging?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you are a hardcore gamer: The ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 may offer slightly better raw performance, but the Realme 12 Pro+ is a better all-rounder.
- If you prioritize photography, battery life, and modern software: The Realme 12 Pro+ is the superior choice due to its far more capable camera system and modern software experience.
- For everyday users who want a good overall phone: The Realme 12 Pro+ provides a far more balanced and functional experience with modern software, a significantly better camera system, a larger battery and fast charging, and superior audio features.
My Choice
I would choose the Realme 12 Pro+. While the ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 might offer slightly higher raw performance in gaming scenarios, the Realme 12 Pro+ provides a much more well-rounded and modern user experience. The Realme's superior camera system (with standard, selfie, telephoto, and wide angle lenses, along with stabilization), larger battery capacity with fast charging, newer Android OS, better connectivity, superior audio features, and overall more polished experience makes it the better choice for most users. Given my need for a good camera, long battery life, and modern features, the Realme 12 Pro+ better aligns with my priorities. The Red Magic 6, while potentially powerful for gaming, makes too many compromises in other areas that are vital for my everyday use.
