ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 vs Samsung Galaxy A04s - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date March 11, 2021 September 22, 2022
Release Year 2021 2022

Physical

Volume 127.23 cm³ 114.96 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.09 "/g 3.33 "/g
Weight 220 g 195 g
Height 169.9 mm 164.7 mm
Width 77.2 mm 76.7 mm
Thickness 9.7 mm 9.1 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Aurora
  • Eclipse Black
  • Black
  • White
  • Green
  • Copper

Display

Screen Size 6.8 " 6.5 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 85.1 % 80.7 %
Pixel Density 387 PPI 270 PPI
Refresh Rate 165 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness 630 nits N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A 400 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 109.21 mAh/in² 118.34 mAh/in²
Battery Density 39.69 mAh/cm³ 43.5 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5050 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) Exynos 850 (8 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 660 Mali-G52

Connectivity

USB Version 3.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.0, OTG, Accessory Connector USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 12
Maximum OS Version 14

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureZTE nubia Red Magic 6Samsung Galaxy A04sPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions169.9 x 77.2 x 9.7 mm164.7 x 76.7 x 9.1 mmRed Magic 6 is larger and thicker, potentially less pocketable; A04s is more compact and comfortable for one-handed use.
Weight220g195gRed Magic 6 is heavier, may be less comfortable for extended use; A04s is lighter and easier to handle.
Display
Size6.8"6.5"Red Magic 6 has a slightly larger screen for more immersive media consumption.
Resolution1080 x 2400720 x 1600Red Magic 6 offers a much sharper display with more detail.
PPI387270Red Magic 6's higher pixel density results in crisper text and images.
TechnologyAMOLEDPLS LCDRed Magic 6's AMOLED display provides deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors compared to the A04s's LCD panel.
Refresh Rate165Hz90HzRed Magic 6's 165Hz refresh rate offers significantly smoother scrolling and animations, particularly beneficial for gaming.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsBrightness is unknown for both phones.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 888 (5 nm)Exynos 850 (8 nm)Red Magic 6's Snapdragon 888 is a much more powerful chip, providing superior performance in gaming and demanding tasks.
AnTuTu ScoreN/A117,300Benchmark data unavailable for Red Magic 6. A04s scores relatively low, indicating basic performance levels.
GPUAdreno 660Mali-G52Red Magic 6's Adreno 660 provides significantly better graphics performance for gaming.
Camera
Standard CameraN/A50MP, f/1.8A04s has a main 50MP camera while the Red Magic 6's main camera specs are not listed.
Selfie CameraN/A5MP, f/2.2A04s has a front-facing 5MP camera, while the Red Magic 6's front camera is not listed.
Portrait CameraN/A2MP, f/2.4A04s has a 2MP depth sensor for portrait mode, while Red Magic 6 doesn't include one.
Macro LensN/A2MP, f/2.4A04s has a 2MP macro lens for close-up photography, while Red Magic 6 doesn't have one.
Video Recording8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, No stabilization1080p@30fps, Yes Slow-motion 34 fpsRed Magic 6 can record much higher quality video but lacks stabilization, leading to potentially shaky footage. A04s has basic video recording capabilities, with stabilization and slow motion.
Camera FeaturesDigital zoom, Triple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, Scene mode, Self-timerA04s has more additional camera features. The camera features for the Red Magic 6 are not specified.
Battery
Capacity0 mAh5000 mAhA04s has a much larger battery, suggesting significantly better battery life. Red Magic 6 battery is not specified.
ChargingStandard charging15W Fast ChargingA04s supports faster charging, meaning less time plugged into the wall.
FeaturesStandard featuresNon-removableA04s has a non-removable battery
Software
OSAndroid 11Android 12 (upgradable to 14)A04s has a more recent version of Android and guaranteed future updates which provides better performance and security.
Connectivity
WiFiUnknown802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Hotspot, Direct, DisplayA04s supports more modern WiFi standards including hot spot and direct capabilities; The specific WiFi features for the Red Magic 6 are not provided.
BluetoothUnknownBluetooth 5.0 LE, A2DPA04s has newer Bluetooth with low-energy support and high quality audio transmission. The specific bluetooth features for the Red Magic 6 are not provided.
GPSUnknownGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GalileoA04s has support for more satellite systems resulting in more reliable location tracking. The specific GPS features for the Red Magic 6 are not provided.
SIMUnknownDual SIM, Dual StandbyA04s allows you to use two SIM cards simultaneously. The specific SIM features for the Red Magic 6 are not provided.
Storage
InternalUnknown32/64/128GBA04s is available with different storage configurations and thus provides more storage capacity options. The internal storage specs for the Red Magic 6 are not provided.
RAMUnknown3/4GBA04s has 3GB or 4GB RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking. The RAM specs for the Red Magic 6 are not provided.
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone supports microSD card for additional storage.
Audio
QualityBasic audio featuresBasic audio featuresBoth phones have comparable basic audio features, sufficient for general media consumption.
Security
FeaturesBasic fingerprint sensorSide-mounted fingerprint sensorA04s's side-mounted sensor offers faster and more convenient access compared to the Red Magic 6's fingerprint sensor; provides basic biometric security.
Build Quality
Screen protectionUnknownUnknownScreen protection is unknown for both phones.
Sensors
SensorsBasic sensorsFingerprint, Light sensor, Accelerometer, Ultrasonic proximity virtualA04s has a better set of sensors providing added functionality; Good sensor configuration for most applications.

2. Key Differences Analysis

ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Advantages:

  • Superior Display: AMOLED panel with a much higher 165Hz refresh rate and higher resolution offers a much more vibrant, sharper, and smoother visual experience, especially for gaming and video content.
  • High Performance Chipset: The Snapdragon 888 provides significantly greater processing power for demanding applications and gaming.
  • High Resolution Video: Can record 8K video.

Practical Implications:

  • The Red Magic 6 excels in tasks where display quality and processing power are paramount, like high-end gaming, video editing, and watching high-resolution content.

Samsung Galaxy A04s Advantages:

  • Significantly Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery ensures much better battery life, making it more reliable for day-to-day use without the need for frequent charging.
  • More Feature-Rich Camera System: Includes multiple cameras (standard, macro, depth) and additional camera features like digital zoom and HDR.
  • More Modern Software: Runs on Android 12 with guaranteed updates up to Android 14, which provides better performance, security, and latest features.
  • More Connectivity Features: Supports more modern Wi-Fi standards, newer Bluetooth version, more satellite navigation systems, and Dual SIM functionality.
  • Fast Charging: Supports 15W fast charging for quicker recharge times.
  • Better Biometric Security: Features a convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
  • Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable for daily handling and pocketable.

Practical Implications:

  • The A04s provides better everyday usability with a longer-lasting battery, more practical camera setup, and latest software and connectivity features.

Significant Trade-offs:

  • The Red Magic 6 trades battery life and camera versatility for superior display and processing power, making it a less suitable daily driver for average users.
  • The A04s offers great battery and additional camera features, but has lower performance for demanding tasks and a less impressive display.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Ideal User:

  • Hardcore Gamers: Individuals who prioritize performance and display quality for gaming.
  • Media Enthusiasts: Users who consume a lot of high-resolution video content.
  • Power Users: People who need a high-performing phone for demanding tasks.

Use Cases:

  • Playing graphically intensive mobile games at high frame rates and resolutions.
  • Watching high-definition videos and movies for the best possible viewing experience.
  • Running demanding applications and multitasking with high responsiveness.
  • Recording high-resolution videos.

Samsung Galaxy A04s Ideal User:

  • Everyday Users: People looking for a reliable smartphone for basic daily tasks.
  • Budget-Conscious Buyers: Individuals seeking a well-rounded phone at a more affordable price point.
  • Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value a functional camera setup for capturing daily moments.

Use Cases:

  • General communication, browsing, social media, and streaming.
  • Taking photos and videos for everyday purposes.
  • Using GPS navigation with more accurate location tracking.
  • Enjoying a reliable battery life for extended use throughout the day.
  • Utilizing Dual SIM for work and personal use.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • The Red Magic 6 would be more expensive due to its premium features such as the high refresh rate AMOLED display and high-end processor. It might be overkill for someone who does not plan on using these features to their fullest potential.
  • The A04s would provide a greater value for budget-minded users who do not need the very high performance of the Red Magic 6.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your primary use case? Gaming and media consumption or general daily usage?
  2. How important is battery life? Do you need a phone that can last all day without needing to be charged?
  3. What is your budget? Are you willing to pay more for a high-end display and processor, or are you looking for a more affordable option?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Hardcore gamer or media enthusiast with a higher budget: Choose the ZTE nubia Red Magic 6. It's superior display and performance provide the best gaming and multimedia experience.
  • Scenario 2: Everyday user who values long battery life and a capable camera on a budget: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A04s. It offers more practical features for most people, including better battery life and camera versatility.
  • Scenario 3: User seeking the latest software and connectivity features: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A04s. It has a more modern operating system, better connectivity and security features.

My Choice

Personally, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A04s. Although the Red Magic 6 boasts a better display and processor, it is not a practical choice for my everyday usage scenarios. I prioritize battery life, a more modern software experience, and versatile camera capabilities. The A04s offers a more complete experience for general use and would be a more reliable choice for most of my day-to-day tasks. While gaming performance would be sacrificed, the A04s provides much better value for the price point by providing a great battery, more modern software, and a more reliable camera system.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.