1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Foldable design of the Z Fold3 allows for a larger screen in a smaller overall footprint when folded; Red Magic 6 is a more traditional phone. |
| Dimensions | 169.9 x 77.2 x 9.7 mm | 158.2 x 128.1 x 6.4 mm (Unfolded) | Red Magic 6 is taller and thicker, while the Z Fold3 is wider when unfolded. The Z Fold3 is much thicker when folded, which is not specified here |
| Weight | 220g | 271g | Red Magic 6 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 7.6" | Z Fold3 has a larger display for more immersive media consumption and multitasking; Red Magic 6's smaller screen may be easier to handle one-handed. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1768x2208 | Z Fold3 has higher resolution, resulting in sharper and more detailed visuals. |
| PPI | 387 | 374 | Both phones offer very similar pixel density, so screen sharpness is comparable at normal viewing distances. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unknown | Red Magic 6 has superior display technology offering deeper blacks, better contrast, superior power efficiency for dark themes, more vibrant colors |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 120Hz | Red Magic 6 offers a smoother visual experience, especially during fast-paced gaming and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones' brightness is not listed properly, making this comparison unhelpful |
Performance
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G | Both phones offer flagship-level performance for demanding apps and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 | Identical GPUs mean very similar graphics performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | N/A | 898,700 | Z Fold 3 has a benchmark score which indicates very strong real-world performance. The Red Magic 6 doesn't have a benchmark available to compare. |
Camera
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | None | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", Sony IMX555, 1.80 µm | Z Fold3 has a dedicated standard camera, which enables high-quality photos in different conditions, Red Magic 6 does not have a main camera listed |
| Selfie Camera | None | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", Sony IMX374, 1.22 µm | Z Fold3 offers a dedicated front-facing camera for selfies and video calls, Red Magic 6 does not have a front camera listed. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP, f/2.4, 1.00 µm | Z Fold3 has a telephoto lens for optical zoom, providing better quality zoomed-in images, Red Magic 6 does not have a telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", Sony IMX258, 1.12 µm | Z Fold3 has a wide-angle lens for capturing expansive scenes, Red Magic 6 does not have a wide angle lens. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps No stabilization | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS, 1080p@240fps with HDR, EIS, 720p@960fps with HDR, EIS; Slow-motion: Yes, 240 fps | Red Magic 6 can record higher resolution video, but Z Fold3 offers image stabilization and slow-motion, producing better-looking videos. |
| DXOMark Scores | Not Available | Mobile: 120 (Photo: 129, Video: 105); Selfie: 83 (Photo: 79, Video: 89) | Z Fold3 has verified camera scores, which indicate strong real-world performance for both main and selfie cameras, Red Magic 6 scores are not available to compare. |
| Features | Unknown | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Laser AF, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Dual front camera, Under display camera, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Z Fold3 offers a far more versatile and feature-rich camera system with advanced capabilities. The Red Magic 6 features are not listed. |
Battery
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 0mAh | 4400mAh | Z Fold3 has a significantly larger battery, suggesting a much longer usage time between charges. The Red Magic 6 is missing battery capacity data. |
| Charging | Standard | 25W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | Z Fold3 supports fast charging, reducing the time spent waiting for the phone to charge fully. Red Magic 6 charging features are unknown |
| Features | Standard features | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 9W | Z Fold3 offers significantly more battery flexibility, including wireless charging options and bypass charging, which allows users to power the phone directly without charging the battery. The Red Magic 6 features are not listed. |
Connectivity
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wifi | Unknown | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MiMO | Z Fold3 supports newer WiFi standards with faster speeds and lower latency. Additional features enhance connectivity and signal quality. Red Magic 6 features are unknown |
| Bluetooth | Unknown | Bluetooth 5.2 LE, A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, LE, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB, APT-x | Z Fold3 has newer Bluetooth, offering better battery management and higher quality audio. Additional features enhance compatibility and audio streaming. Red Magic 6 features are unknown |
| GPS | Unknown | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Z Fold3 offers more accurate GPS tracking, providing better navigation experience. Red Magic 6 features are unknown |
| SIM | Unknown | Dual SIM, eSIM, Nano SIM, Dual Standby | Z Fold3 supports dual SIM use, including eSIM functionality, enhancing flexibility and convenience, particularly for frequent travelers. The Red Magic 6 features are unknown |
Storage
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | Unknown | 256GB/512GB | Z Fold3 offers ample storage for apps, photos, videos, and files. Red Magic 6 features are unknown |
| RAM | Unknown | 12GB | Z Fold3 has plenty of RAM for smooth multitasking and running demanding apps. Red Magic 6 features are unknown |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
Audio
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Z Fold3 offers a superior audio experience with spatial sound and better audio separation. Red Magic 6 basic audio features are listed but are vague |
Security
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Z Fold3 offers a more advanced side-mounted sensor which might be more convenient. Red Magic 6 sensor type is listed as basic. |
Build Quality
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Z Fold3 provides significantly enhanced scratch and damage resistance. Red Magic 6 protection is unknown |
Sensors
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Basic sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Light sensor, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Gravity, Hall, Geomagnetic | Z Fold3 offers a comprehensive sensor suite supporting enhanced functionality and a wider range of apps. Red Magic 6 sensors are listed as basic, indicating a smaller range of sensors |
Software
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to 15 | Z Fold3 will likely get more future software updates. Red Magic 6 is not specified to receive software updates beyond the initial OS. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Advantages:
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: Offers a smoother visual experience with 165Hz, beneficial for gaming and scrolling.
- Potentially Better Display Technology: AMOLED display provides better contrast, colors, and power efficiency.
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G Advantages:
- Foldable Design: Offers a larger screen area when unfolded, ideal for multitasking and media consumption.
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper and more detailed visuals.
- Superior Camera System: Includes multiple lenses (standard, telephoto, wide-angle) with OIS, and comprehensive features. Verified DXOMark scores highlight better real-world performance
- Fast Charging & Wireless Charging: Faster charging speeds and convenient wireless charging options.
- Better Battery Features: Offers features like bypass charging, reverse charging and reverse wireless charging
- Better Connectivity: Supports newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards, plus dual-SIM and eSIM.
- Dolby Atmos Stereo Speakers: Provides immersive audio experience.
- More Robust Sensor Suite: Greater range of sensors for enhanced functionality.
- Better screen protection: Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection.
- Software Updates: Planned updates up to Android 15.
- More Memory: Both RAM and Storage options
Better navigation: Supports a wider array of satellite systems
Practical Implications & Trade-offs:
Red Magic 6: Its strengths are focused on gaming with higher refresh rate and the potential for a very nice OLED screen. Lacks advanced camera features, charging options, and software update path.
- Z Fold3: A more versatile device with a superior camera, and a foldable screen for a better productivity and multimedia experience. It is heavier and more expensive.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6:
- Ideal User: Gamers who prioritize smooth gameplay with the best possible refresh rate.
- Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intense mobile games (e.g., first-person shooters, racing games).
- Users who appreciate a lightweight device.
- Value: Might be cheaper given its older release. The lack of many specs makes it hard to determine its price-to-value ratio.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G:
- Ideal User: Professionals and multi-taskers who value a large screen and a feature-rich camera system.
- Use Cases:
- Multitasking with multiple apps side-by-side.
- Viewing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos in various situations.
- Users who appreciate wireless charging and better connectivity.
- Value: More expensive due to its foldable display, advanced camera, and comprehensive features. But due to the listed advantages in almost every category, the price-to-value ratio could be very strong.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is screen size and multitasking to you? (Foldable vs Standard)
- What are your camera priorities? (Versatility and quality vs specific needs like video resolution)
- How important is gaming, refresh rate, and battery features? (Prioritize game-centric vs all-around features)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Hardcore Gamer - If you are a gamer who prioritizes refresh rate and lightweight, the Red Magic 6 might be considered, but note that very little info is available for the Red Magic 6.
- Scenario 2: On-the-Go Professional - If you need a versatile device with a great camera, strong software support, better connectivity and a large screen for productivity, the Z Fold3 is a much better option.
- Scenario 3: Average Smartphone User - The Z Fold3 would provide a much more rounded experience due to its advanced features and better connectivity, camera performance and software support, although at a high price. The Red Magic 6 might be a cheaper option if you are on a strict budget but the lack of specs, cameras, connectivity and battery features, is very concerning.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G. Here’s why:
- Versatility: The foldable screen and multitasking features are compelling for both work and entertainment, offering a unique smartphone experience.
- Camera System: The camera capabilities of the Z Fold3 significantly surpass those of the Red Magic 6 (from what we know). The presence of the multiple lenses, advanced video capabilities with OIS and verified scores make it a more robust camera for most use cases.
- Battery and Charging: The fast charging, wireless charging, and bypass charging options on the Z Fold3 make it a more practical device for daily use, as well as its larger battery capacity.
- Connectivity: The superior connectivity is also much more future proof.
- Software: The promise of several major Android updates up to version 15, will make the phone relevant for a longer period, while no info was available for the Red Magic 6.
While the Red Magic 6's higher refresh rate is attractive for gaming, the Z Fold3's overall package of features, especially its superior camera, makes it a much more versatile and capable device for my needs. The trade-off in weight and size is acceptable given the additional functionality. Also, the lack of specific details for the Red Magic 6 makes it a riskier choice, as the Z Fold 3 has demonstrated strong performance in multiple categories.
