1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 169.9 × 77.2 × 9.7 mm | 165 × 71 × 8.2 mm | Red Magic 6 is noticeably larger and bulkier, less comfortable for one-handed use, while the Xperia 1 IV is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 220g | 185g | Xperia 1 IV is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.5" | Red Magic 6 offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing, while the Xperia 1 IV is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1644x3840 | Xperia 1 IV has a significantly sharper and more detailed display due to its much higher resolution. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 387 | 643 | Xperia 1 IV's higher pixel density results in a much sharper and clearer image, especially noticeable with small text and fine details. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both provide vibrant colors and deep blacks; the difference between AMOLED and OLED is negligible for most users. |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 120Hz | Red Magic 6 has a smoother scrolling and animation experience, especially noticeable in fast-paced games. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits. However, peak brightness is an important metric, and that information is missing which is a limitation. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Xperia 1 IV has a newer and more powerful chip that should provide improved performance, efficiency, and better thermal management. |
| AnTuTu Score | N/A | 1,076,100 | Xperia 1 IV has a verified benchmark score, suggesting solid performance. The Red Magic 6's performance is unknown due to lack of score. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | Xperia 1 IV's GPU offers better graphics processing capabilities, beneficial for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 0mAh | 5000mAh | Xperia 1 IV has a larger battery, potentially providing longer battery life. The Red Magic 6 battery information is missing which is a limitation. |
| Charging | Standard charging | 30W fast charging | Xperia 1 IV supports fast charging, allowing for quicker battery replenishment compared to the standard charging of Red Magic 6. |
| Features | Standard features | Bypass Charging, Non-removable | Xperia 1 IV has bypass charging, which prevents battery strain during extended gaming sessions, and non-removable battery. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | N/A | 12MP, f/1.7, 1.8µm pixel | Xperia 1 IV has a standard camera, whereas Red Magic 6 does not. |
| Selfie Camera | N/A | 12MP, f/2.0 | Xperia 1 IV has a selfie camera, whereas Red Magic 6 does not. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 12MP, f/2.3, 1.0µm pixel | Xperia 1 IV has a telephoto lens for optical zoom, which the Red Magic 6 lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 12MP, f/2.2 | Xperia 1 IV has a wide-angle lens for capturing more expansive scenes, which the Red Magic 6 lacks. |
| ToF 3D sensor | N/A | Yes | Xperia 1 IV has a time of flight 3D sensor for depth sensing, which the Red Magic 6 lacks. |
| Video | 8K@30fps, no stabilization | 4K@120fps HDR with OIS/EIS | Xperia 1 IV offers superior video quality with stabilization and slow-motion, Red Magic 6 has higher resolution but no stabilization. |
| DxOMark | N/A | 105 (Overall), 107 (Photo), 92 (Video) | Xperia 1 IV's camera is verified to have great photo and video performance, whereas the Red Magic 6's camera quality is unknown. |
| Camera Features | N/A | 4K Video, Digital/Optical Zoom, Quad Camera, OIS/EIS, Auto/Touch/Continuous/PDAF, HDR, RAW, etc. | Xperia 1 IV boasts numerous camera features, while the Red Magic 6 camera features are unknown. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, upgradable to 13 | Xperia 1 IV has a newer OS and is likely to receive updates for longer, providing more modern features and security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | N/A | WiFi 6, Dual Band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | Xperia 1 IV supports newer WiFi standards, and offers more WiFi features such as hotspot and direct. |
| Bluetooth | N/A | 5.2 LE, A2DP, AVRCP, etc. | Xperia 1 IV features newer Bluetooth with more audio codecs and features like A2DP and LE for improved audio and power efficiency. |
| GPS | N/A | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | Xperia 1 IV supports a wider range of satellite systems for enhanced location accuracy. |
| SIM | N/A | Dual SIM, eSIM | Xperia 1 IV offers more SIM options, including dual SIM and eSIM, enabling greater flexibility for users. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | N/A | 256/512 GB | Xperia 1 IV has much more storage available, allowing you to store more files, games, and media. |
| RAM | N/A | 12/16 GB | Xperia 1 IV has a higher RAM capacity for smoother multitasking and overall faster operation. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage via microSD, which may be limiting for some users. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Xperia 1 IV has much better audio quality, with support for advanced audio technologies and stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Xperia 1 IV offers a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor, while Red Magic has a basic sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Xperia 1 IV's screen is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, providing a superior level of scratch resistance. |
| Sensors | Basic sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Light, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall | Xperia 1 IV includes many sensors for diverse functionality and better user experience, such as advanced gaming experiences. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Advantages:
- Higher Refresh Rate: The 165Hz display offers a smoother experience, especially in fast-paced games, though whether this is noticeable vs 120Hz is subjective.
Sony Xperia 1 IV Advantages:
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution and pixel density result in a sharper, more detailed screen.
- More Powerful Processor: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset offers better performance and efficiency over the Snapdragon 888.
- Better Camera System: Includes standard, selfie, telephoto, wide-angle lenses, and a ToF sensor, along with advanced video features like OIS/EIS and 4K at 120fps and slow-motion recording
- Larger Battery: A 5000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life and 30W fast charging.
- More Software Updates: Comes with a newer Android version and is likely to receive longer software support, therefore more features and security for longer.
- Better Connectivity: Features faster Wi-Fi, more advanced Bluetooth, GPS, and SIM support.
- Better Audio: Includes Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and Stereo Speakers.
- Superior Build Quality: It has Corning Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection and side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
- More RAM and Storage: comes with a larger storage and RAM.
- More Sensors: Includes a wide range of sensor for a more holistic smartphone experience.
Trade-offs:
- Size and Weight: The Red Magic 6 is larger and heavier, making the Xperia 1 IV more pocketable and easier to handle.
- Refresh Rate vs. Resolution: The Red Magic 6 prioritizes refresh rate over display sharpness, while the Xperia 1 IV provides a sharper display with a slightly lower refresh rate.
- Camera System vs. Gaming Focus: The Xperia 1 IV has a more versatile and higher-quality camera system, while the Red Magic 6 is more focused on gaming performance (though this isn't fully evident).
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Ideal User:
- Gamers: Prioritizing a higher refresh rate display for smoother gameplay, but camera quality is not a priority.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Likely to be cheaper when compared, the Red Magic 6 can be a cheaper option for those wanting a smoother display.
Specific Use Cases for Red Magic 6:
- Fast-paced mobile gaming.
- Consuming content with a higher refresh rate display.
Sony Xperia 1 IV Ideal User:
- Content Creators: Requiring a high-quality camera system with advanced video features.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Appreciating a sharper, more detailed display, great audio and more storage.
- Power Users: Demanding the best performance, connectivity, and a larger battery.
- Users who prioritize a more premium and complete experience wanting a very versatile phone that can handle gaming, media consumption, creative content and also everyday usage.
Specific Use Cases for Xperia 1 IV:
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos.
- Viewing detailed visual content and listening to high-quality audio.
- Demanding gaming experiences, content creation, and multitasking.
- General everyday smartphone use.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Xperia 1 IV offers a significantly higher value due to its superior display, camera, processing power, and features.
- The Red Magic 6 provides a more focused gaming experience, potentially at a lower price point (which was not specified).
- Value is relative to user needs; those who need the extra camera quality, processing power, etc will find the Xperia 1 IV a better value.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, Photography, Media Consumption, General Usage)
- What is your budget?
- Which features are most important to you? (Screen Quality, Camera, Performance, Battery Life)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you are a serious mobile gamer who prioritizes refresh rate and is on a budget: The Red Magic 6 could be a viable option, but with the limitations that there isn't information on camera, performance, battery, audio and build quality, it's hard to recommend.
- If you are a content creator, a power user, or someone who values a premium, all-around smartphone with excellent camera, display and features: The Sony Xperia 1 IV is the clear choice.
- If you prioritize a high-quality display with great color accuracy and clarity for media consumption or design work: The Sony Xperia 1 IV is recommended.
- If you need a camera system with telephoto and wide angle lens with OIS/EIS and slow motion video: The Sony Xperia 1 IV is recommended.
My Choice
If I were to choose between the two, I would choose the Sony Xperia 1 IV. My reasoning is as follows:
- More Complete Package: The Xperia 1 IV is superior in more categories. It wins in terms of overall performance, display quality, camera versatility, software, battery, audio and build quality. While the Red Magic 6 might excel in refresh rate, the Xperia 1 IV provides a far more well-rounded and polished experience with all of its extra features and capabilities.
- Future-Proofing: The newer chipset, OS version and overall specs of the Xperia 1 IV make it a more future-proof phone. It'll likely receive updates for longer and have a longer useful lifespan.
- Camera Versatility: I value a great camera and the Xperia 1 IV's multiple lenses, OIS/EIS, and video capabilities make it a much better option for my needs.
Even though the Red Magic 6 might have a higher refresh rate, the Xperia 1 IV provides superior advantages in practically every other category.
