Smartphone Comparison: ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 vs. Samsung Galaxy A13 (SM-A137)
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Samsung Galaxy A13 (SM-A137) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-11 | 2022-07-01 | The Galaxy A13 is a newer device by over a year, so it may benefit from more recent software updates. |
| Dimensions | 169.9 × 77.2 × 9.7 mm | 165.1 × 76.4 × 8.8 mm | The Red Magic 6 is taller and thicker, making it less pocketable than the Galaxy A13. The Galaxy A13 is thinner and more comfortable for extended holding and better for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 220g | 195g | The Galaxy A13 is significantly lighter, which can result in better comfort during prolonged use. The Red Magic 6 may feel heavier in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.6" | The Red Magic 6 offers a slightly larger screen, which can be more immersive for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2408 | Both screens have a similar level of detail. |
| PPI | 387 | 400 | Both phones will provide sharp visuals. The difference in pixel density is negligible. |
| Technology | AMOLED | PLS LCD | The Red Magic 6's AMOLED display offers deeper blacks, richer colors, and better contrast, resulting in a more vibrant and engaging viewing experience. The Galaxy A13 has a standard LCD display. |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 60Hz | The Red Magic 6's 165Hz refresh rate will provide significantly smoother scrolling, animations, and a more responsive experience, especially noticeable during gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical brightness - however, both values are incorrect. Without official brightness specs, we cannot compare the devices on this metric. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Helio G80 (12 nm) | The Red Magic 6's Snapdragon 888 chipset is significantly more powerful, providing much faster performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications. The Galaxy A13's Helio G80 is more suitable for basic day-to-day tasks. |
| Antutu Score | N/A | 200,150 | Without data for the Red Magic 6, it is impossible to directly compare performance through AnTuTu. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G52 MC2 | The Adreno 660 in the Red Magic 6 is more powerful, offering superior gaming performance and graphics rendering. The Mali-G52 MC2 on the Galaxy A13 is fine for less demanding graphics. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 0 mAh | 5000 mAh | The Galaxy A13 has a significantly larger battery, likely resulting in longer battery life between charges. Red Magic 6's battery capacity is missing making this comparison impossible. |
| Charging | Standard charging | 25W fast charging | The Galaxy A13 supports faster charging, enabling quicker replenishment of the battery. |
| Battery Features | Standard features | Non-removable | The Galaxy A13 has a non-removable battery, which is standard for modern smartphones. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | N/A | 50MP, f/1.8 | The Galaxy A13 has a 50MP main camera for good picture quality and detail, while the Red Magic 6 has no specified camera specifications, making comparison impossible |
| Selfie Camera | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2 | The Galaxy A13 has a front facing 8MP camera while the Red Magic 6 does not. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 5MP, f/2.2 | The Galaxy A13 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing broader scenes, something the Red Magic 6 lacks. |
| Depth Sensor | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Galaxy A13 has a depth sensor to enable portrait mode photos with blurred backgrounds. The Red Magic 6 does not. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Galaxy A13 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. The Red Magic 6 does not. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps | 1080p@30fps | The Red Magic 6 can record higher-resolution videos, while the Galaxy A13 is limited to 1080p. |
| Stabilization | None | None | Both phones do not feature video stabilization. |
| Camera Features | N/A | Multiple Features | The Galaxy A13 has additional camera features such as digital zoom, autofocus, and HDR. The Red Magic 6 has no specified camera features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 (Upgradable to 13) | The Galaxy A13 has a more modern OS and is upgradable to Android 13, providing newer features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | N/A | 802.11ac, dual-band | The Galaxy A13 supports more Wi-Fi bands and features like Wi-Fi Direct for enhanced connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | N/A | 5.2 LE, A2DP | The Galaxy A13 has a newer Bluetooth version for improved performance and low energy consumption. |
| GPS | N/A | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | The Galaxy A13 supports more satellite systems, offering better accuracy and reliability in location tracking. |
| SIM | N/A | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | The Galaxy A13 supports dual SIM functionality, allowing use of two SIM cards simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 0GB | 0GB | Storage capacity is not available for either phone, making the comparison impossible. |
| RAM | N/A | N/A | RAM is not specified for either phone. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic Audio | Basic Audio | Both devices have basic audio features, and the quality is likely similar. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Galaxy A13 has a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The Galaxy A13 offers superior screen protection with Gorilla Glass 5. |
| Sensors | Basic Sensors | Multiple Sensors | The Galaxy A13 has a more complete array of sensors, including proximity, motion and biometrics sensor for more robust functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 offers drastically higher processing power, making it suitable for gaming, demanding apps, and overall smoother operation.
- Superior Display Technology: The AMOLED screen offers more vibrant visuals with deeper blacks and better contrast and color accuracy.
- High Refresh Rate: 165Hz refresh rate is a significant upgrade for fluid animations and smoother interaction.
- Higher Video Recording: Offers higher video recording resolutions including 8K, suitable for professional-grade video content creation.
Practical Implications:
- Ideal for mobile gamers and power users who need maximum performance.
- The better display makes it a great choice for media consumption and overall visual appeal.
- The faster refresh rate enhances the overall user experience.
Samsung Galaxy A13 (SM-A137) Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner: More comfortable and pocketable for everyday use.
- Larger Battery: Likely to have a longer battery life and better endurance.
- Fast Charging: 25W fast charging allows for quick battery replenishment.
- More Complete Camera System: Features a multi-lens setup, including ultrawide, macro and depth lenses as well as digital zoom and a high-resolution 50MP main camera.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with a newer Android version and support for Android 13.
- Better Connectivity: Supports more WiFi bands and a newer Bluetooth standard and wider GPS satellite support.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
- Better Sensor Array: Features a more complete array of sensors.
Practical Implications:
- Suitable for users who prioritize portability and long battery life.
- Ideal for users that like taking photos in a variety of conditions and use cases.
- Newer OS provides a more modern software experience.
- More reliable and accurate location tracking.
- Provides a more durable and reliable device overall.
Trade-offs:
- Red Magic 6: While powerful, its older age and missing specs (such as battery, camera specs) make it a riskier choice overall.
- Galaxy A13: Lacks the processing power of the Red Magic 6, the display technology is inferior and the video recording is limited.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6:
- Ideal User: Mobile gamers, tech enthusiasts who value high performance, users who want the best possible display experience and video recording.
- Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive games smoothly with high refresh rates.
- Consuming media content with vibrant visuals.
- Recording professional-grade video content.
- Running multiple apps simultaneously without lag.
- Price-to-Value: The value will depend on price. If the price is low enough it could still be a great gaming phone, but without the battery specs, it may not be an ideal choice overall.
Samsung Galaxy A13 (SM-A137):
- Ideal User: Everyday users who prioritize practicality, battery life, and a comprehensive camera system.
- Use Cases:
- Daily communication, browsing, social media, and basic productivity tasks.
- Taking photos and videos in a variety of conditions and use cases.
- Long periods of usage without needing to recharge, convenient fast charging when necessary.
- Users that require accurate location tracking.
- Users that want a more durable and reliable phone.
- Price-to-Value: Generally offers good value for its price segment, providing a balanced set of features for the average user.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? Gaming/heavy tasks (Red Magic 6) or everyday use/photography (Galaxy A13)?
- How important is display quality? Do you value AMOLED technology and high refresh rates (Red Magic 6), or is a standard LCD adequate (Galaxy A13)?
- How important is battery life, fast charging and portability? The Galaxy A13 excels at these compared to the unknown specs of the Red Magic 6.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For a Gamer: If maximum performance is paramount and the phone will be primarily used for demanding games and media consumption, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 is the better choice due to its powerful processor, superior display, and high refresh rate, as long as the battery life and condition are acceptable and priced accordingly. However, given how many specs are missing, it would be a very risky choice.
- For an Everyday User: If you need a reliable phone for daily use, longer battery life, better camera features, a more durable device, and value convenience, the Samsung Galaxy A13 (SM-A137) is the recommended choice. The multi-lens camera system, fast charging, modern OS and better connectivity is worth more than the theoretical performance advantages of the Red Magic 6.
Personal Choice
Given the information, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A13 (SM-A137). While the ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 boasts a significantly more powerful chipset and a superior display on paper, the lack of available specifications makes it a risky purchase. The missing battery capacity, camera specifications and missing storage/ram figures make it impossible to recommend the device. Additionally the older OS makes it less desirable.
The Galaxy A13, on the other hand, offers a more balanced and practical approach for everyday use. Its longer battery life, fast charging, and more comprehensive camera setup make it a more versatile choice. While it lacks the raw power of the Red Magic 6, the A13's performance is more than adequate for most tasks, and it is not missing any important specifications. I value reliability and practicality over the theoretical edge in raw performance, especially when that performance is coming from an older device with missing specifications.
In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy A13 is the more logical choice due to its complete specifications, practicality, and overall better value in its intended user segment. The Red Magic 6 might be a suitable option if only performance and display quality matter and the price is low enough, but is very risky and impossible to fully recommend.
