ZTE Nubia Red Magic 9 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
74
out of 100
VS
74
out of 100
Here we compared two flagship smartphones: the 6.8-inch ZTE Nubia Red Magic 9 Pro (with Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) that was released on November 23, 2023, against the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, which is powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy and came out 10 months before. On this page, you will find tests, full specs, strengths, and weaknesses of each of the devices.
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Key differences
Reasons to consider the ZTE Nubia Red Magic 9 Pro
- Comes with 1500 mAh larger battery capacity: 6500 vs 5000 mAh
- 37% better performance in AnTuTu Benchmark (2409K versus 1762K)
- Shows 13% longer battery life (29:26 vs 26:01 hours)
- Supports higher wattage charging (80W versus 45W)
- Compatible with Wi-Fi 7 wireless networks
- Has 2 SIM card slots
- 11% faster in single-core GeekBench 6 test: 2233 and 2010 points
- Includes a 3.5 mm headphone audio jack port
- The phone is 10 months newer
- Has a built-in infrared port
Reasons to consider the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Waterproof body (IP68 classification)
- The rear camera has a 10x optical zoom
- Handles wireless charging up to 15W
- Delivers 25% higher peak brightness (1266 against 1010 nits)
- More recent OS version: Android 16 versus 14
- Slow-motion recording at 960FPS
- 25% higher pixel density (500 vs 400 PPI)
- The front-facing camera can record video at 4K
- Ready for eSIM technology
Review
Display
Screen quality, color accuracy, brightness
Camera
Photo and video recording quality
Performance
CPU and memory performance (apps, system)
Gaming
Capabilities for playing modern games
Battery
Battery life, charging type and speed
Connectivity
Networks, ports, data transmission
Scores with a red asterisk (*) are approximate and may change in the future as we gather more data.
Select your primary usage scenario to get a more accurate DeviceFacts Score
Value for money (Beta)
Tests and specifications
Comparison table of technical specifications and testsDisplay
| Type | AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Size | 6.8 inches | 6.8 inches |
| Resolution | 1116 x 2480 pixels | 1440 x 3088 pixels |
| Aspect ratio | 20:9 | 19.3:9 |
| PPI | 400 ppi | 500 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Adaptive refresh rate | Yes | Yes (24-120 Hz) |
| Max rated brightness | 1600 nits | 1200 nits |
| Max rated brightness in HDR | - | 1750 nits |
| HDR support | No | Yes, HDR10+ |
| Touch sampling rate | - | 240 Hz |
| Screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| Screen-to-body ratio | 89.1% | 89.5% |
| Display features | - DCI-P3 - Always-On Display - DC Dimming |
- DCI-P3 - Always-On Display |
| RGB color space | 99.5% | 96.9% |
| PWM | 60 Hz | 240 Hz |
| Response time | 1 ms | 2 ms |
| Contrast | ∞ Infinity | ∞ Infinity |
Peak brightness test (auto)
Design and build
| Height | 164 mm (6.46 inches) | 163.4 mm (6.43 inches) |
| Width | 76.4 mm (3.01 inches) | 78.1 mm (3.07 inches) |
| Thickness | 8.9 mm (0.35 inches) | 8.9 mm (0.35 inches) |
| Weight | 229 g (8.08 oz) | 233 g (8.22 oz) |
| Waterproof | No | IP68 |
| Advanced cooling | Active fan | Vapor chamber |
| Rear material | Glass | Glass |
| Frame material | Metal | Metal |
| Colors | Black, Silver | White, Black, Gray, Blue, Green, Red, Purple |
| Fingerprint scanner | Yes, in-display | Yes, in-display |
Screen-to-body ratio
Performance
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy |
| Max clock | 3300 MHz | 3360 MHz |
| CPU cores | 8 (1 + 3 + 2 + 2) | 8 (1 + 2 + 2 + 3) |
| Architecture | - 2 cores at 2.27 GHz: Cortex-A520 - 2 cores at 2.96 GHz: Cortex-A720 - 3 cores at 3.15 GHz: Cortex-A720 - 1 core at 3.3 GHz: Cortex-X4 |
- 3 cores at 2 GHz: Cortex-A510 - 2 cores at 2.8 GHz: Cortex-A710 - 2 cores at 2.8 GHz: Cortex-A715 - 1 core at 3.2 GHz: Cortex-X3 |
| L3 cache | 12 MB | 8 MB |
| Manufacturing | TSMC | TSMC |
| Lithography process | 4 nanometers | 4 nanometers |
| Neural processor (NPU) | Hexagon | Hexagon |
| Graphics | Adreno 750 | Adreno 740 |
| GPU shading units | 1536 | 1536 |
| GPU clock | 903-1000 MHz | 680 MHz |
| FLOPS | ~2774 GFLOPS | ~2089 GFLOPS |
Benchmarks
Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)
Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)
Compute Score (GPU)
| Compute Score (GPU) | 14905 | 9254 |
| Single-core score | 2233 | 2010 |
| Multi-core score | 6869 | 5245 |
AnTuTu Benchmark 11
| CPU | 662661 | 556398 |
| GPU | 823958 | 445907 |
| Memory | 361209 | 285085 |
| UX | 561916 | 474949 |
| Total score | 2409744 | 1762339 |
| Samples | [5 tests] | [31 tests] |
3DMark Steel Nomad Light
| Stability | 92% | 81% |
| Graphics test | 13 FPS | 8 FPS |
| Graphics score | 1727 | 1098 |
3DMark Solar Bay
| Stability | 99% | 77% |
| Graphics test | 33 FPS | 20 FPS |
| Section 1 | 36 FPS | 23 FPS |
| Section 2 | 33 FPS | 20 FPS |
| Section 3 | 29 FPS | 18 FPS |
| Graphics score | 8666 | 5383 |
3DMark Wild Life Extreme
| Stability | 90% | 69% |
| Graphics test | 30 FPS | 22 FPS |
| Graphics score | 5156 | 3723 |
PCMark 3.0
| Web score | 20450 | 17072 |
| Video editing | 8590 | 7852 |
| Photo editing | 50380 | 33655 |
| Data manipulation | 14699 | 13329 |
| Writing score | 26447 | 19857 |
AnTuTu 11 Ranking List (#162nd place)
Recent User Tests
ZTE Nubia Red Magic 9 Pro
| Date | Benchmark | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 📘 2026-08-19 (mitchi) | AnTuTu 11 | 2432142 |
| 📘 2026-08-08 (PsIx0pAt) | AnTuTu 11 | 2320412 |
| 📘 2026-06-18 (Anonymous) | AnTuTu 11 | 2408843 |
| 📘 2026-05-01 (Shuller) | AnTuTu 11 | 2500131 |
| 📘 2026-04-06 (Vall) | AnTuTu 11 | 2409744 |
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
| Date | Benchmark | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 📘 2026-10-03 -> Thekinggoat | AnTuTu 12 | 1914947 |
| 📘 2026-10-03 (Thekinggoat) | Geekbench 7 CPU | 1471 / 4766 |
| 📘 2026-10-03 (Thekinggoat) | AnTuTu 12 | 1914947 |
| 📘 2026-09-28 -> Saad_irq | AnTuTu 12 | 1959121 |
| 📘 2026-09-23 (Horizon377) | AnTuTu 12 | 1894819 |
Memory
| RAM size | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR5X | LPDDR5X |
| Memory clock | 4800 MHz | 4200 MHz |
| Channels | 4 | 4 |
| Storage size | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Storage type | UFS 4.0 | UFS 4.0 |
| Memory card | No | No |
Software
| Operating system | Android 14 | Android 13 (Can be upgraded to Android 16) |
| ROM | Redmagic OS 9 | One UI 8.0 |
| OS size | 25 GB | 39.9 GB |
| OS updates | - | 4 years |
| Security updates | - | 5 years |
Battery
| Capacity | 6500 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Max charge power | 80 W | 45 W |
| Battery type | Li-Po | Li-Ion |
| Replaceable | No | No |
| Wireless charging | No | Yes (15 W) |
| Reverse charging | No | Yes, (wireless) |
| Bypass charging | - | Yes |
| Fast charging | Yes (84% in 30 min) | Yes (68% in 30 min) |
| Full charging time | 0:42 hr | 0:59 hr |
| Web browsing | 09:54 hr | 09:57 hr |
| Watching video | 21:54 hr | 15:38 hr |
| Gaming | 08:25 hr | 06:22 hr |
| Standby | 134 hr | 130 hr |
General battery life
Smartphones With Long Battery Life (56th and 139th place)
Main camera
| Matrix | 50 megapixels | 200 megapixels |
| Image resolution | 8160 x 6120 | 16320 x 12240 |
| Zoom | Digital | Optical, 10x |
| Flash | LED | LED |
| Stabilization | Optical | Optical |
| 8K video recording | Up to 30FPS | Up to 30FPS |
| 4K video recording | Up to 60FPS | Up to 60FPS |
| 1080p video recording | Up to 60FPS | Up to 120FPS |
| Slow motion | 240 FPS (1080p) | 960 FPS (1080p) |
| Angle of widest lens | 122° | 120° |
| Lenses | 1) Standard: 50 MP 2) Ultrawide: 50 MP 3) Macro: 2 MP |
1) Standard: 200 MP 2) Telephoto: 10 MP 3) Telephoto: 10 MP 4) Ultrawide: 12 MP |
| Camera features | - Bokeh mode - Pro mode |
- Bokeh mode - Pro mode - RAW support |
| Image resolution | 50 MP | 200 MP |
| Aperture | f/2.2 | f/1.7 |
| Focal length | - | 23 mm |
| Sensor | Samsung GN5 | Samsung ISOCELL HP2 |
| Sensor size | 1/1.57" (≈ 0.64 inch) | 1/1.3" (≈ 0.77 inch) |
| Pixel size | 1 micron | 0.64 micron |
| Autofocus | Phase autofocus | Laser autofocus |
| Stabilization | Optical | Optical |
| Image resolution | - | 10 MP |
| Aperture | - | f/4.9 |
| Focal length | - | 230 mm |
| Sensor | - | Sony IMX754 |
| Sensor size | - | 1/3.52" (≈ 0.28 inch) |
| Pixel size | - | 1.12 micron |
| Stabilization | - | Optical |
| Image resolution | 50 MP | 12 MP |
| Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.2 |
| Focal length | - | 13 mm |
| Sensor | - | Sony IMX564 |
| Sensor size | 1/2.76" (≈ 0.36 inch) | 1/2.55" (≈ 0.39 inch) |
| Pixel size | 0.64 micron | 1.4 micron |
| Stabilization | Digital | Digital |
| Image resolution | 2 MP | - |
| Aperture | f/2.4 | - |
| Stabilization | Digital | - |
DxOMark main camera tests
Photo quality
Video quality
Generic main camera score
| Bokeh | - | 70 |
| Preview | - | 73 |
| Zoom | - | 141 |
| Samples | - | Photo samples of Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra from DxOMark |
Selfie camera
| Megapixels | 16 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
| Image resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.2 |
| Focal length | - | 26 mm |
| Sensor | Omnivision OV16E1Q | Samsung S5K3LU |
| Sensor size | 1/2.8" (≈ 0.36 inch) | 1/3.24" (≈ 0.31 inch) |
| Pixel size | 1.12 micron | 1.12 micron |
| Autofocus | No | Phase autofocus |
| Stabilization | Digital | Digital |
| Video resolution | 1080p (Full HD) at 60 FPS | 2160p (4K) at 60 FPS |
| Depth sensor (TOF 3D) | No | No |
DxOMark front camera
| Photo | - | 139 |
| Video | - | 145 |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi standard | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be) | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) |
| Wi-Fi features | - Dual Band - Wi-Fi MiMO - Wi-Fi Direct - Wi-Fi Hotspot - Wi-Fi Display |
- Dual Band - Wi-Fi MiMO - Wi-Fi Direct - Wi-Fi Hotspot - Wi-Fi Display |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth features | LE | LE |
| USB type | USB Type-C | USB Type-C |
| USB version | 3.2 | 3.2 |
| USB features | - Charging - USB-Storage mode - OTG |
- Charging - USB-Storage mode - OTG |
| DisplayPort | Yes, DP 1.2 | Yes, DP 1.2 |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS |
| NFC* | Yes | Yes |
| Infrared port | Yes | No |
| Number of SIM* | 2 | 1 |
| Type of SIM card | Nano | Nano |
| Multi SIM mode | Standby | Standby |
| eSIM support* | No | Yes |
| Hybrid slot | No | No |
| LTE Cat* | 20 | 20 |
| 5G support | Yes | Yes |
Sound
| Speakers | Stereo | Stereo |
| Headphone audio jack | Yes | No |
| FM radio | No | No |
| Dolby Atmos | No | Yes |
Speakers test
Max loudness
Other
| Category | Flagship | Flagship |
| Announced | November 2023 | February 2023 |
| Release date | November 2023 | February 2023 |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $649 | $1199 |
| Successor | - ZTE Nubia Red Magic 11 Pro | - Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
| SAR (head) | - | 0.96 W/kg |
| SAR (body) | - | 1.4 W/kg |
| Sensors | - Proximity sensor - Gyroscope - Accelerometer - Ambient light sensor - Compass - Fingerprint |
- Hall-effect sensor - Barometer - Proximity sensor - Gyroscope - Accelerometer - Ambient light sensor - Compass - Fingerprint |
| Bundled charger | Yes, 80 W | Not included |
*Disclaimer! NFC, GSM network support, and some other specs can be different depending on the country.
Conclusion
If the performance, gaming, and battery life are more important to you, then choose the ZTE Nubia Red Magic 9 Pro. But if the display, camera, software, design, and sound are more of a priority – go for the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
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Total votes: 232