REDMAGIC 9 Pro vs nubia Z60 Ultra: Which is the better gaming smartphone?
Two of arguably the most stylish phones in the market have made their 2024 entrance, with them being the REDMAGIC 9 Pro and the nubia Z60 Ultra. They are essentially gaming phones, but perhaps one more so than the other.
While the REDMAGIC 9 Pro is a gaming device through and through with all the bells and whistles, the nubia Z60 Ultra hasn’t thrown itself full on into that bracket. Still, it will be a mistake to underestimate its gaming capabilities.
If you’re in the toss between the two, we’ve put them side-by-side in an effort to help you make your decision. Here’s the spec comparison between REDMAGIC 9 Pro and nubia Z60 Ultra.
| REDMAGIC 9 Pro | nubia Z60 Ultra | |
| Price | RM3,699 – 12GB+256GB (Sleet) RM4,499 – 16GB+512GB (Cyclone, Snowfall) | RM3,499 – 12GB+256GB RM4,299 – 16GB+512GB |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, Red Core 2 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Display | 6.8″ AMOLED, FHD+ (2480x1116px), 120Hz, 1,600nits, Gorilla Glass 5, Fully flat display | 6.8″ AMOLED, FHD+ (2480×1116), 120Hz, 1,500nits, Flat display |
| Battery & Charging | 6,500mAh, 80W wired charging | 6,000mAh, 80W wired charging |
| Wi-Fi & Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Shoulder Triggers | Yes; 520Hz touch sampling rate | N/A |
| Cooling System | ICE 13.0 vapour chamber; High-speed Turbofan (22,000rpm) | VC cooling system; aerospace-grade thermal plate |
| Speakers | Stereo Speakers; DTS: X ULTRA | Stereo Speakers; DTS HD sound |
| 3.5mm Jack | Yes | No |
| Protection Rating | N/A | IP68 |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Fingerprint Sensor | In-display | In-display |
| Rear Camera | 50MP wide w/ OIS + 50MP ultrawide + 2MP macro | 50MP (35mm) IMX800 main w/ OIS + 50MP (18mm) ultrawide w/ OIS + 64MP (85mm) portrait prime w/ OIS |
| Front Camera | 16MP, under-display | 12MP, under-display |
The first thing that separates the two devices is the number of chipsets they run on. Even though both rock the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the REDMAGIC 9 Pro piles on an additional Red Core 2 chip to help with haptics, audio processing, and activating the shoulder triggers, among many others. The secondary chip offloads some weight from the Snapdragon, thus allowing it to double down on other processing needs.
On a related note, one feature which really nails the REDMAGIC 9 Pro as a complete gaming phone is its 520Hz shoulder triggers which can be mapped to provide additional controls. This is particularly useful for first-person shooters (FPS) or racing games.
Things even out when it comes to displays, with both phones sporting a flat 6.8″ AMOLED with Full HD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rates. You won’t find a front camera notch on either, since both have found a way to sneak the selfie cameras under the displays.
One thing to note is that nubia does not list any glass protection for the Z60 Ultra, which might be a cause for concern if you’re prone to dropping phones (or tossing them out of frustration mid-game). The REDMAGIC, on the other hand, is protected with Gorilla Glass 5.
Its somewhat reversed when it comes to IP rating. While the nubia Z60 Ultra is IP68-rated for dust and water resistance, the REDMAGIC does not specify any IP rating for the 9 Pro, so it’s probably wise to keep it free from splashes.
The REDMAGIC 9 Pro triumphs in the battery department with a 6,500mAh capacity versus the 6,000mAh on the nubia Z60 Ultra. All is even on the charging side though, with both having an 80W wired fast charging, with no wireless charging option.
As for cooling systems, the nubia Z60 Ultra has an aerospace-grade thermal plate and a large vapour chamber for efficient heat dissipation. The REDMAGIC 9 Pro also has a vapour chamber, with the addition of a built-in cooling fan which at its maximum will run 22,000rpm.
For a gaming phone, the nubia Z60 Ultra has surprisingly versatile and impressive cameras. For one, its 50MP 35mm lens is backed by a 1/1.49″ Sony IMX800 sensor; which comes with OIS. This is flanked by a 50MP 18mm ultrawide lens, and a 64MP 85mm portrait prime lens; both of which are also fitted with OIS. Gaming phones typically don’t have the fanciest of cameras, so the Z60 Ultra could perhaps fill that gap.
The REDMAGIC 9 Pro has pretty decent 50MP wide camera with OIS to start with, but trails off with a 50MP ultra-wide and a 2MP macro lens that no longer have OIS.
Editor’s Note
Running on dual chips, equipped with shoulder triggers, and a built-in turbofan, the REDMAGIC 9 Pro looks to take top spot on the podium. It’s a total gaming phone, so hardcore gamers and perhaps even pro mobile gamers will no doubt see this is a clear choice. However, where the nubia Z60 Ultra lacks, it attempts to make up with the cameras. Remember, with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and a large vapour chamber, this is unmistakably a gaming phone which will appease gamers too. Just maybe not hardcore gamers.
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