1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 169.9 × 77.2 × 9.7 mm | 162.9 × 76 × 8.9 mm | The Red Magic 6 is larger and thicker, potentially feeling bulkier in hand and less pocketable. The Note 12 Pro+ is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 220g | 208.4g | The Red Magic 6 is slightly heavier, which might be noticeable during extended use, potentially making the Note 12 Pro+ more comfortable to hold. |
| Build | Not specified | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (screen) | The Note 12 Pro+ has a known screen protection, while the Red Magic 6 screen protection is unknown. This gives the Note 12 Pro+ some advantage in screen durability and resistance to scratches. |
Display
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.67" | The Red Magic 6 has a slightly larger screen, which could be preferred for media consumption and gaming, while the Note 12 Pro+ is slightly smaller, making it easier to handle. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both phones offer the same level of sharpness and clarity, so no noticeable difference in detail. |
| Pixel Density | 387 PPI | 395 PPI | Both phones have very similar sharpness; difference is not noticeable in day-to-day usage. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use similar quality display technology and likely exhibit similar color vibrancy and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 120Hz | The Red Magic 6 offers a significantly smoother visual experience, particularly during gaming and fast scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 900 nits | The Note 12 Pro+ is significantly brighter, making it much more usable in bright sunlight conditions and provides better visibility outdoors. |
Performance
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) | The Snapdragon 888 is a higher-end chip, and while the Dimensity 1080 is quite capable, the Snapdragon chip is usually preferred for more demanding games and resource intensive apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | N/A | 573,100 | No benchmark for the Red Magic 6 available, making it difficult to directly compare overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Adreno 660 is known for better gaming performance. Mali-G68 MC4 will still provide good performance, but with slight differences in gaming and rendering. |
Camera
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | N/A | 200MP, f/1.65, 1/1.4", Samsung ISOCELL HPX | The Note 12 Pro+ has a high-resolution main sensor, allowing for greater detail and potentially better low-light performance, while the Red Magic 6 does not have a standard camera. |
| Selfie Camera | N/A | 16MP, f/2.45 | The Note 12 Pro+ has a dedicated front-facing camera for selfies, while the Red Magic 6 does not. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355 | The Note 12 Pro+ has a wide-angle lens for capturing expansive scenes, while the Red Magic 6 does not. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", GalaxyCore GC02M1 | The Note 12 Pro+ includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, while the Red Magic 6 does not. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps, No stabilization | Up to 4K@30fps, Stabilization, Slow motion | The Red Magic 6 offers higher resolution video recording (8K), but lacks stabilization. The Note 12 Pro+ offers stabilization and slow-motion capabilities. |
| DXOMark Score | N/A | 113 (Mobile), 117 (Photo), 117 (Video) | The Note 12 Pro+ has been tested and received good camera performance score, while the Red Magic 6 is untested. |
| Features | None Specified | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | The Note 12 Pro+ has a significantly more advanced camera setup, with many features for more versatile photography, while the Red Magic 6 has no mentioned features. |
Battery
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 0 mAh | 5000 mAh | The Note 12 Pro+ has a significantly larger battery capacity, potentially offering much longer battery life, while battery capacity for Red Magic 6 was not specified. |
| Charging | Standard Charging | 120W Fast Charging | The Note 12 Pro+ has very fast charging, allowing for quick top-ups, while Red Magic 6 charging was not specified. |
| Features | Standard Features | Non-removable | The Note 12 Pro+ battery is non-removable while the Red Magic 6 battery feature was not specified. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Advantages:
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: 165Hz provides exceptionally smooth visuals, especially beneficial for gamers. This makes animations and scrolling much smoother than the 120Hz of the Note 12 Pro+.
- Potentially Stronger Gaming Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset is usually found in high-performance phones and may provide better raw gaming power if there is optimization for it.
- 8K Video Recording: Higher video resolution capabilities can be useful for high-quality content creation, while the Note 12 Pro+ does not offer this.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Advantages:
- Significantly Brighter Display: The 900 nits brightness is ideal for outdoor use, greatly improving visibility in bright sunlight, making it easier to see content on the screen.
- Larger Battery Capacity: The 5000mAh battery will likely offer much longer battery life than Red Magic 6 and would reduce the need for frequent charging.
- 120W Fast Charging: Can significantly reduce charging time, providing quick top-ups when needed for the day.
- Superior Camera System: The 200MP main camera, wide-angle, and macro lenses provide versatility and detailed images. It also has stabilization, more features and better video recording.
- Better connectivity: New WiFi standard, Bluetooth 5.2, more satellite systems for better location accuracy and more.
- More RAM and Storage: Comes in 8 GB or 12 GB of RAM, and 128 GB or 256 GB of storage configurations.
- Software Updates: The phone comes with Android 12, and will get Android 14 updates.
Trade-offs:
- The Red Magic 6 trades off camera versatility, battery life, and screen brightness for a higher refresh rate and potentially more raw processing power. It is geared toward gaming.
- The Note 12 Pro+ provides a better all-round experience with a superior camera, faster charging, better display brightness and battery life but it does not have the highest refresh rate.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for ZTE nubia Red Magic 6:
- Hardcore Mobile Gamers: Those who prioritize the smoothest gaming experience above all else. Users who value the higher refresh rate display and are looking for the best graphics card performance.
- Users Seeking High Resolution Video: People who create content who want the option of 8K video recording.
Ideal User for Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+:
- Everyday Users: People who need a reliable phone with a good camera, long battery life, and a bright display for regular use.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with good image quality and features like stabilization and slow-motion.
- Media Consumers: Those who watch videos and movies on their phone and would benefit from a brighter screen and stereo speakers.
- Users Needing Fast Charging: People who require fast battery charging capabilities.
Use Cases:
- Red Magic 6: Excels in high-intensity gaming sessions where maximum frame rate and responsiveness are critical. Good for recording in 8K.
- Note 12 Pro+: Excels in daily use scenarios where a reliable camera, long battery life, and a bright screen are needed, such as social media, photography, video consumption, and general productivity.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is a much newer model with better features and it will likely be the more expensive phone of the two. While we don't have pricing information, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ presents a more value-driven proposition for most users due to its overall improvements.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is gaming performance and smooth display? If gaming is the top priority, the Red Magic 6 may be considered if you are ok with its other short-comings. But if it is not the main use, the Note 12 Pro+ is a better all-rounder.
- How much do you value camera quality and versatility? If good camera performance is essential, the Note 12 Pro+ is the clear choice given its excellent camera system.
- What is more important - battery life or the fastest display refresh rate? If long battery life and fast charging are key, the Note 12 Pro+ is better but if you would rather have the fastest display refresh rate at the cost of battery life, then Red Magic 6 is an option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Hardcore Mobile Gamer: If you primarily use your phone for gaming, and 8K video, the Red Magic 6, if found at a lower price, might be appealing due to its higher refresh rate. However, you'll need to be ok with the other limitations.
- Scenario 2: Everyday User & Photography Enthusiast: If you use your phone for a mix of tasks including photography, the Note 12 Pro+ is the better option due to the advanced camera system, faster charging, and much longer battery life.
- Scenario 3: Outdoor Use & Media Consumption: If you need a phone with a very bright screen for outdoor visibility and enjoy watching media, the Note 12 Pro+ is the better choice due to it being the brighter phone, and due to the added stereo speakers.
My Choice and Explanation
I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+.
Here's why:
- Well-Rounded Performance: While the Red Magic 6 might offer a slight edge in raw gaming performance due to its processor, the Note 12 Pro+ provides a more complete and modern experience for everyday use. It's not just good at one thing, but excels in multiple areas.
- Superior Camera Versatility: The 200MP camera with multiple lenses (wide-angle, macro) provides a far more versatile and capable photography experience than the Red Magic 6. Having optical image stabilization (OIS), Digital image stabilization, and many other camera features makes it a superior camera setup.
- Practical Battery and Charging: The 5000mAh battery combined with the 120W fast charging is a game-changer for daily usability. It gives much longer battery life, and it can recharge it quickly, so you never have to worry about running out of battery.
- Brighter Display for Outdoor Use: The 900 nits brightness is a huge benefit for outdoor visibility, which is something I value a lot, making it easier to use on a sunny day.
- Modern Features and Support: The Note 12 Pro+ is a newer phone that will receive more software updates, has better sensors, better connectivity, and has stereo speakers. This will ensure the phone stays usable for a longer time, which is important.
- Missing Specifications: Due to the Red Magic 6 not having any specifications for camera, battery, connectivity and more, I am more inclined to favor the Note 12 Pro+, which provides the specifications.
While the 165Hz refresh rate on the Red Magic 6 is appealing, I value the Note 12 Pro+'s well-roundedness much more. The Note 12 Pro+ offers a better all-around experience, making it the superior choice for my needs.
