ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 vs Sony Xperia 10 III - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date March 11, 2021 June 11, 2021
Release Year 2021 2021

Physical

Volume 127.23 cm³ 86.92 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.09 "/g 3.55 "/g
Weight 220 g 169 g
Height 169.9 mm 154 mm
Width 77.2 mm 68 mm
Thickness 9.7 mm 8.3 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Aurora
  • Eclipse Black
  • Black
  • Blue
  • White
  • Pink

Display

Screen Size 6.8 " 6 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2520
Aspect Ratio 20:9 21:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 85.1 % 80.3 %
Pixel Density 387 PPI 457 PPI
Refresh Rate 165 Hz N/A
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 125.00 mAh/in²
Battery Density 39.69 mAh/cm³ 51.77 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5050 mAh 4500 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver)
GPU Adreno 660 Adreno 619

Connectivity

USB Version 3.0 3.1
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.0, OTG, Accessory Connector USB Type-C 3.1, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 11
Maximum OS Version 13

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureZTE nubia Red Magic 6Sony Xperia 10 IIIPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions169.9 x 77.2 x 9.7 mm154 x 68 x 8.3 mmThe Red Magic is significantly larger and thicker, making the Xperia 10 III more pocketable and comfortable for smaller hands.
Weight220g169gThe Xperia 10 III is considerably lighter, reducing fatigue during extended use.
Display
Size6.8"6"The Red Magic offers a significantly larger viewing area, better for gaming and media consumption.
Resolution1080x24001080x2520The Xperia 10 III has a slightly sharper display but the difference is small for most users.
PPI387457The Xperia 10 III has a noticeably sharper display with higher pixel density, resulting in more detailed text and images.
TechnologyAMOLEDOLEDBoth displays offer vibrant colors and good contrast, with no significant difference in quality.
Refresh Rate165Hz60HzThe Red Magic offers drastically smoother animations and scrolling, making it feel more responsive, especially in gaming.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsPeak brightness is unknown for both, limiting comparison
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 888 (5nm)Snapdragon 690 (8nm)The Red Magic's chip offers vastly superior performance for gaming and demanding tasks.
AnTuTu ScoreN/A275,000The Antutu score is unavailable for the Red Magic, limiting performance comparison. However, the Snapdragon 888 is significantly more powerful than the Snapdragon 690.
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 619 (619L)The Red Magic's GPU is significantly more powerful, resulting in much better gaming performance.
Battery
Capacity0mAh4500mAhThe Xperia 10 III should have significantly better battery life, given the much larger battery.
ChargingStandard charging18W Fast chargingThe Xperia 10 III can recharge its battery considerably faster.
FeaturesStandard featuresNon-removableThe Xperia 10 III has a non-removable battery design.
Camera
StandardN/A12MP, f/1.8The Xperia 10 III has a standard camera, which is completely absent in the Red Magic.
Telephoto/PortraitN/A8MP, f/2.4The Xperia 10 III has a telephoto/portrait lens that's missing on the Red Magic.
SelfieN/A8MP, f/2.0The Xperia 10 III includes a selfie camera, which is not present on the Red Magic.
Wide AngleN/A8MP, f/2.2The Xperia 10 III includes a wide-angle lens missing from the Red Magic.
VideoUp to 8K/30fpsUp to 4K/30fpsThe Red Magic can record much higher resolution videos. The Xperia 10 III has slow-motion and stabilization features.
Camera FeaturesN/AMultipleThe Xperia 10 III has a range of camera features like Digital Zoom, autofocus, HDR, panorama. The Red Magic provides no comparable features.
Software
OSAndroid 11Android 11, upgradable to 13The Xperia 10 III has a newer OS version and is upgradable to Android 13, potentially providing longer software support.
Connectivity
WiFiN/A802.11 a/b/g/n/acThe Xperia 10 III has better WiFi standards with additional features, supporting more stable and faster connections.
BluetoothN/A5.1 LE with A2DP, etc.The Xperia 10 III has a newer Bluetooth version with more advanced audio features.
GPSN/AGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS etc.The Xperia 10 III has support for various satellite systems, offering more accurate location tracking.
SIMN/ADual SIM Dual StandbyThe Xperia 10 III can use two SIM cards simultaneously, offering more flexibility.
Storage
InternalN/A128 GBThe Xperia 10 III has a significant amount of storage available for apps and media while the Red Magic does not have any known internal storage.
RAMN/A6GBThe Xperia 10 III should be good for moderate multitasking due to the presence of 6 GB of RAM. The Red Magic is missing the RAM specification.
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone supports microSD card expansion.
Audio
QualityBasic audio featuresHi-Res Audio, 2 micsThe Xperia 10 III offers better audio recording and playback experience.
Security
Featuresbasic fingerprint sensorside-mounted fingerprint sensorThe Xperia 10 III has more secure fingerprint sensor.
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionUnknownCorning Gorilla Glass 6The Xperia 10 III has a superior, scratch and impact resistant screen.
SensorsBasic sensorsFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer etc.Xperia 10 III has a robust set of sensors, suited for most use-cases.

2. Key Differences Analysis

ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 offers significantly better processing and gaming capabilities. This translates to smoother gameplay and better performance in demanding applications.
  • Much Smoother Display: The 165Hz refresh rate is a huge advantage for gamers and anyone who values smooth scrolling and animations.
  • High-Resolution Video: Capable of recording 8K video, it appeals to users wanting the highest video quality.

Sony Xperia 10 III Advantages:

  • More Comfortable Design: Lighter, thinner, and smaller, making it more comfortable for daily carry and use.
  • Superior Battery: The 4500mAh battery should offer significantly better battery life, especially when combined with a less powerful processor.
  • Full Camera System: A complete set of cameras, including a standard lens, telephoto/portrait, wide-angle, and selfie, make it a more versatile camera phone.
  • Fast Charging: Supports 18W fast charging, enabling quick battery refills.
  • Full Range of Sensors: Includes a wide variety of sensors that make a phone more functional in most usage scenarios.
  • More advanced software features: The Sony Xperia 10 III has features such as Hi-Res Audio and more versatile connectivity options (WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS) .

Significant Trade-offs:

  • The Red Magic 6 sacrifices battery life, portability, camera versatility, and many software features for ultimate performance.
  • The Xperia 10 III sacrifices high-end gaming performance and display smoothness for a well-rounded user experience.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 - Ideal User:

  • Hardcore Mobile Gamers: Those who prioritize peak performance and smooth gameplay above all else.
  • Content Creators needing High-Resolution Video: Users who need to record 8K video footage.
  • Users comfortable with a bulky device: Individuals who prioritize gaming performance over portability.

Specific Use Cases:

  • Playing graphically intensive games with high frame rates.
  • Recording and editing high-resolution videos on the go.

Sony Xperia 10 III - Ideal User:

  • Everyday Users: Those who value portability, battery life, and a versatile camera system.
  • Casual Gamers: Individuals who play games occasionally but don't require the absolute highest performance.
  • Multimedia Consumers: Users who watch videos, listen to music and browse the internet, valuing a balanced user experience.
  • Users looking for a complete software experience: Users who value features like full connectivity and a wide range of available sensors.

Specific Use Cases:

  • General daily use – browsing the web, social media, and communication.
  • Taking photos and videos in a variety of scenarios.
  • Longer battery life for extended use away from a charger.

Price-to-Value Ratio: The Red Magic is targeted towards the niche demographic of gamers. The Xperia 10 III is targeted for mainstream users. The relative value of each phone will depend heavily on how well these designs align with the user's needs.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions to Consider:

  1. How important is gaming performance to you? If it's paramount, the Red Magic's raw power might be worth the trade-offs. If not, the Xperia 10 III is a better choice.
  2. How much do you value portability and battery life? If a compact, lightweight phone with good battery life is crucial, the Xperia 10 III is the obvious winner.
  3. What are your camera needs? The Xperia 10 III offers a versatile system for everyday photography, while the Red Magic lacks a dedicated camera system, except for high resolution video recordings.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Gaming Enthusiast: Choose the Red Magic 6 for its superior performance and refresh rate.
  • Scenario 2: Everyday User: Choose the Xperia 10 III for its well-rounded feature set, portability, and battery life.
  • Scenario 3: Casual Gamer and Photographer: Choose the Xperia 10 III for its balanced features.
  • Scenario 4: Mobile Video Creator: Choose the Red Magic 6 for its superior resolution capabilities. However, you may need a different phone for taking photos and videos in a wide array of scenarios.

What I Would Choose and Why

Based on the above analysis, I would personally choose the Sony Xperia 10 III.

Here's why:

  • Balanced Performance: While I appreciate the raw power of the Red Magic 6, I don't need the absolute best gaming performance. The Xperia 10 III's Snapdragon 690 is sufficient for everyday tasks, including light gaming and media consumption.
  • Portability and Comfort: I value a phone that's comfortable to hold and carry around. The Xperia 10 III's smaller size and lighter weight are significant advantages.
  • Versatile Camera: I regularly use the camera on my phone, so the diverse lens options and additional features (digital zoom, HDR, panorama, etc.) make the Xperia 10 III a better fit for my needs.
  • Battery Life: I prefer a phone that can comfortably last a full day on a single charge.
  • Software Features: Features such as advanced connectivity (Wifi, Bluetooth, GPS), Hi-Res audio, and a full range of sensors are important for the type of tasks that I would be doing on a regular basis.
  • Practicality Over Extremes: While the Red Magic is impressive in its specific niche, the Xperia 10 III offers a much more practical and balanced experience for my everyday needs.

In short, I'd prefer a phone that is good at almost everything rather than excelling in only one area. The Sony Xperia 10 III fulfills that requirement. The Red Magic 6 has limited usability in the real world, given the lack of multiple camera lenses, missing sensor support, and missing software features.

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.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Digital media communication
  • Technical storytelling
  • User-centric technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.