ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 vs Samsung Galaxy M12 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date March 11, 2021 April 30, 2021
Release Year 2021 2021

Physical

Volume 127.23 cm³ 120.74 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.09 "/g 3.07 "/g
Weight 220 g 212 g
Height 169.9 mm 164 mm
Width 77.2 mm 75.9 mm
Thickness 9.7 mm 9.7 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Aurora
  • Eclipse Black
  • Black
  • Blue
  • Green

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 % 81.9 %
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 N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 109.21 mAh/in² 118.34 mAh/in²
Battery Density 39.69 mAh/cm³ 41.41 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 11
Maximum OS Version

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureZTE nubia Red Magic 6Samsung Galaxy M12Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions169.9 × 77.2 × 9.7 mm164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mmRed Magic 6 is slightly larger and may feel bulkier, M12 is more compact. Both have similar thickness.
Weight220g212gRed Magic 6 is slightly heavier, may be noticeable during prolonged use.
Display
Size6.8"6.5"Red Magic 6 offers a larger viewing area for media and gaming.
Resolution1080 x 2400720 x 1600Red Magic 6 provides much sharper and clearer visuals.
Pixel Density (PPI)387270Red Magic 6 has significantly more detail and less pixelation.
TechnologyAMOLEDPLS LCDRed Magic 6 has richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast.
Refresh Rate165Hz90HzRed Magic 6 displays much smoother motion for gaming and scrolling.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsBrightness comparison unavailable.
Performance
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Exynos 850 (8 nm)Red Magic 6 offers significantly faster performance for demanding tasks.
GPUAdreno 660Mali-G52Red Magic 6 has a much more powerful GPU for gaming and graphics.
AnTuTu ScoreN/A117,341Performance benchmark data not available for Red Magic 6, so cannot make direct comparison.
Battery
Capacity0mAh5000 mAhM12 has a significantly larger battery, likely longer battery life. Battery of Red Magic 6 is not available.
ChargingStandard Charging15W Fast ChargingM12 can charge faster, while Red Magic 6 does not have fast charging mentioned.
Battery FeaturesStandardNon-removableM12's battery is non-removable.
Camera
Standard CameraN/A48MP, f/2.0M12 has a standard camera, while the Red Magic 6 has no standard camera.
Selfie CameraN/A8MP, f/2.2M12 has a front-facing camera, while the Red Magic 6 does not.
Wide Angle LensN/A5MP, f/2.2M12 has a wide-angle lens, the Red Magic 6 does not.
Portrait ModeN/A2MP, f/2.4M12 has a portrait mode camera, the Red Magic 6 does not.
Macro LensN/A2MP, f/2.4M12 has a macro lens camera, the Red Magic 6 does not.
Video RecordingUp to 8K@30fps1080p@30fpsRed Magic 6 offers much higher video resolution capabilities.
Video StabilizationNo stabilizationStabilizationM12 offers video stabilization while the Red Magic 6 does not.
Camera FeaturesN/ADigital zoom, Quadruple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timerM12 offers a full suite of camera features
Software
Operating SystemAndroid 11Android 11Both run Android 11.
Connectivity
Wi-FiNot specified802.11b/g/nM12 supports Wi-Fi standards and has features like hotspot, direct, and display. Red Magic 6 is not specified.
BluetoothNot specified5.0M12 supports a newer Bluetooth version with additional features. Red Magic 6 is not specified.
GPSNot specifiedGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeidouM12 supports multiple satellite systems for better location accuracy. Red Magic 6 is not specified.
SIMNot specifiedDual SIM Dual StandbyM12 supports using two SIM cards simultaneously. Red Magic 6 is not specified.
Storage
Internal StorageNot specified32GB/64GB/128GBM12 has varying storage options, the Red Magic 6 has not specified options.
RAMNot specified3GB/4GB/6GBM12 has varying RAM options, the Red Magic 6 has not specified options.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither device supports expandable storage.
Audio
Audio QualityBasicBasicBoth phones have similar audio capabilities.
Security
Security Featuresbasic fingerprint sensorside-mounted fingerprint sensorM12 has a more convenient side fingerprint sensor.
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionUnknownUnknownProtection is not defined for either device.
Sensors
SensorsBasic sensorsFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Light sensor, HallM12 has an advanced sensor suite.

2. Key Differences Analysis

ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Advantages:

  • Superior Display: Larger size, higher resolution, higher pixel density, AMOLED technology, and a much higher refresh rate (165Hz) provide a significantly better visual experience.
  • High Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset and Adreno 660 GPU offer flagship-level performance for gaming, video editing, and demanding applications.
  • High Quality Video Recording: Supports up to 8K video recording, suitable for users who need professional video capabilities.

Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:

  • Better Battery: Larger 5000mAh battery offers longer battery life, which is significant for everyday use.
  • Fast Charging: 15W fast charging reduces the time spent plugged in.
  • Versatile Camera System: Includes standard, wide-angle, macro, and portrait cameras, offering a wide range of photographic options.
  • Comprehensive Connectivity: Supports various WiFi standards, newer Bluetooth version, and multi-satellite GPS.
  • Feature Rich: Provides digital zoom, autofocus, PDAF, and other features for photography.
  • Practical Sensor Configuration: Includes fingerprint, proximity, and motion sensors for common tasks.

Trade-offs:

  • The Red Magic 6 excels in display and performance but has limited camera features, unspecified battery and storage options.
  • The Galaxy M12 excels in camera versatility and battery life but has a lower-resolution display and less performance.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Ideal Users:

  • Mobile Gamers: The high refresh rate display and flagship processor provide an edge in competitive gaming.
  • Multimedia Consumers: The superior display makes it ideal for watching videos, movies, and other content.
  • Video Creators: The ability to record 8K video suits users who need top-end video capabilities.
  • Performance Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize processing power over other features.

Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal Users:

  • Everyday Users: Users who need a reliable phone for daily tasks, with a focus on battery life and camera flexibility.
  • Budget-Conscious Consumers: Offers a good balance of features at a more accessible price point.
  • Casual Photographers: The versatile camera system provides decent photos in various scenarios.
  • Practical Users: Users who value practical features like a long-lasting battery, fast charging and a complete sensor set.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your primary use case? (Gaming, multimedia, photography, everyday use)
  2. How important is battery life? (Do you need a full day's charge or more?)
  3. What are your display preferences? (Sharpness, colors, refresh rate, size)

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: High-Performance Gaming & Multimedia:
    • Recommendation: ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 is the better choice due to its superior display, high refresh rate, and powerful processor.
  • Scenario 2: Everyday Use and Photography:
    • Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy M12 is more suitable with a longer battery life, fast charging, and a versatile camera system.
  • Scenario 3: Balanced Performance and Features on a Budget:
    • Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy M12 is the superior choice due to its versatile camera, and practical features.

What I Would Choose and Why

Based on the provided specifications and my own priorities, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy M12.

Here's why:

  1. Practicality: While the Red Magic 6 boasts impressive performance and display specs, its lack of a complete camera system and an unknown battery capacity make it less practical for my daily needs. The M12 provides a much more rounded and balanced experience.
  2. Battery Life: As an everyday user, long battery life is essential for me, and the 5000mAh battery of the M12, coupled with fast charging, is very compelling. The Red Magic 6 has no information about battery capacity which is unacceptable.
  3. Versatile Camera: I appreciate the flexibility offered by the M12's quad-camera setup for capturing various moments, and the front-facing camera for video calls. The Red Magic 6 doesn't even list these options and seems to lack basic camera functionality.
  4. Sensor Package: The inclusion of a full sensor package on the M12, as well as multiple satellite GPS systems, shows that it is more versatile, functional and ready for practical daily use.
  5. Price to Value: The M12 represents better value because it provides core functionalities for a more affordable price. The Red Magic 6, with its gaming-focused design, is likely to be more expensive while omitting common features, making it unsuitable for a general user.

While the Red Magic 6 has some impressive features on paper, the Galaxy M12 offers a more practical and well-rounded package for my usage scenarios. Therefore, the Samsung Galaxy M12 is my choice.

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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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.