1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 169.9 × 77.2 × 9.7 mm | 161.7 × 78 × 8.2 mm | Red Magic 6 is taller and thicker, less pocketable. A35 is more compact. |
| Weight | 220g | 209g | Red Magic 6 is slightly heavier, which might be noticeable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.6" | Red Magic 6 has a slightly larger display for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both offer similar sharpness, minor difference. |
| PPI | 387 | 390 | Visually identical sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use vibrant AMOLED panels. |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 120Hz | Red Magic 6 has significantly smoother animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Data is missing, cannot make a comparison. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | Red Magic 6's Snapdragon 888 is older but a flagship chipset, expect better gaming performance, while A35's Exynos 1380 offers good mid-range performance |
| AnTuTu Score | N/A | 578,500 | Unable to directly compare, A35 score provides some performance context. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G68 MP5 | Red Magic 6's Adreno GPU is more powerful for high-end gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | N/A | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.96", Samsung GN8, 0.80µm | A35 has a detailed main camera, Red Magic 6 lacks a dedicated main camera listed. |
| Selfie Camera | N/A | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | A35 includes a selfie camera, Red Magic 6 doesn't include a selfie camera in the provided data. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2, Pixel size is missing | A35 has a wide-angle camera for more creative shots, Red Magic 6 has no wide angle camera mentioned. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | A35 has a macro lens for close-up details, Red Magic 6 has no macro camera mentioned. |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, No stabilization | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS, Slow-motion 240fps | Red Magic 6 offers higher resolution, but A35 has electronic image stabilization (EIS) and slow motion. |
| DxOMark Score | N/A | Overall: 104, Photo: 107, Video: 110 | A35's camera performance is rated, while Red Magic 6 has no data. |
| Camera Features | N/A | Extensive: OIS, Pro mode, Autofocus, etc. | A35 has a comprehensive set of camera features for various shooting scenarios. Red Magic 6 has no camera features mentioned. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 0 mAh | 5000mAh | A35 has much larger battery, should have significantly longer battery life. Data is missing for Red Magic 6 |
| Charging | Standard charging | 25W fast charging | A35 can charge much faster. |
| Features | Standard | Non-removable | A35 has a non removable battery |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14, upgrade to 18 | A35 has a newer OS and will receive more updates. |
| WiFi | N/A | Wi-Fi 6, Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MiMO | A35 has more advanced WiFi connectivity features, no data available for Red Magic 6 |
| Bluetooth | N/A | Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, AVRCP, etc. | A35 has newer version with more features. No data available for Red Magic 6 |
| GPS | N/A | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | A35 has broader satellite support for more accurate location. No data available for Red Magic 6 |
| SIM | N/A | Dual SIM, Nano SIM, Dual Standby | A35 can use two SIMs at the same time. No data available for Red Magic 6 |
| Storage & Audio | |||
| Internal Storage | N/A | 128GB or 256GB | A35 offers more internal storage, no data on Red Magic 6. |
| RAM | N/A | 6GB or 8GB | A35 comes with more RAM, better for multitasking, no data on Red Magic 6. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | A35 provides enhanced audio output. |
| Security & Build | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint security. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | A35 has superior screen protection from scratches and impact. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Basic sensors | Fingerprint, Light, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | A35 has a comprehensive sensor suite. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Advantages:
- Higher Refresh Rate Display (165Hz): Offers significantly smoother scrolling and animations, especially beneficial for gaming.
- Potentially stronger chipset: The Snapdragon 888 is a flagship level chip from 2021, and will provide better gaming and general performance.
Samsung Galaxy A35 Advantages:
- Significantly Better Camera System: Includes a main camera, selfie camera, wide-angle, and macro lens, with features such as OIS, and EIS.
- Significantly larger battery: A 5000 mAh battery will offer a far superior battery experience.
- Fast Charging: 25W fast charging for quicker power-ups.
- Newer Android OS (Android 14): Provides access to the latest features and security updates, with a guaranteed update to Android 18.
- Superior Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and Stereo Speakers.
- More Modern Connectivity: WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and more comprehensive GPS support.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for better protection.
- More storage and RAM: comes with up to 256GB of storage and up to 8GB of RAM
Significant Trade-offs:
- Red Magic 6: Better display refresh rate and potentially better performance, but lacks a good camera system, up-to-date software, and a decent battery.
- Samsung A35: Has a better camera system, battery, software and connectivity but a lower display refresh rate.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6:
- Ideal User: Hardcore mobile gamers who prioritize high refresh rates and raw performance above all else and are willing to sacrifice camera quality, battery life and software support for it.
- Use Cases:
- Playing competitive games that benefit from the 165Hz refresh rate.
- Users who prefer high performance in all tasks.
- Users on a very tight budget, who can tolerate compromises
Samsung Galaxy A35:
- Ideal User: General users who need a reliable, all-around device with good camera capabilities, modern software, excellent battery life and strong multimedia consumption features.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday photography and videography.
- Streaming videos and listening to music.
- General smartphone use with good software support
- Users who desire more connectivity options
- Users that want a device that is still modern.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is mobile gaming? If gaming is a primary focus, the Red Magic 6's higher refresh rate is a plus, but consider the A35 for battery life and a far better all-round experience
- How important is camera quality? If camera quality is essential, the Samsung A35 is the clear winner with its better sensor, multiple lenses, and camera features.
- How important is battery life and software support? The Samsung A35 has better battery life and a newer Android OS with more years of support.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Hardcore Gamer on a Budget: Choose the Red Magic 6 for the smoother display experience and raw processing power, but be aware of the camera limitations, battery life and software support.
- Scenario 2: Multimedia Consumption & Social Media: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A35 for the superior camera, sound quality, battery life and software support.
- Scenario 3: All-Around User: The Samsung Galaxy A35 is the better choice for a well-rounded device with better features overall.
Final Decision
Based on the data, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A35.
Reasoning:
While the Red Magic 6 has a faster refresh rate display and potentially a stronger chipset, the Samsung Galaxy A35 offers a far better overall experience for most users. The A35 has a superior camera system, better battery life, a more up-to-date operating system with future updates, fast charging, better audio capabilities, more modern connectivity, and a more comprehensive sensor suite.
The Red Magic 6 is a niche device designed for hardcore gamers. While the A35 is more of an all-rounder which does everything well.
Therefore, I think for most users the A35 is the better option.
