Gaming smartphones are becoming more popular lately. That’s thanks to their fast processors, smooth displays, and unique and aggressive design that’s a standout to the competition.
So today, we’ll be comparing two of your best options in this category. Starting with the Nubia Red Magic 5G.
This device has all the over-the-top features that we’ve mentioned earlier. It’s a great companion not just for gamers, but also for power-users and productivity junkies.
We’ll be comparing Nubia’s latest to the Vivo iQOO Neo 3. Much like the former, this one wants a slice of the pie in the growing popularity of gaming smartphones. Although, with a more straightforward and elegant design.
With that, here in our Nubia Red Magic 5G versus Vivo iQOO Neo 3 specifications and features comparison, we’ll see which one is right for you.
| Nubia Red Magic 5G | Vivo iQOO Neo 3 | |
| Operating System | Android 10 Red Magic OS | Android 10 iQOO UI |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby |
| Display | 6.65-inch FHD+ AMOLED 2340 x 1080 pixel resolution ~388ppi 144Hz refresh rate 240Hz touch-sensing 100% DCI-P3 Corning Gorilla Glass | 6.57-inch FHD+ IPS 2408 x 1080 pixel resolution ~401ppi 144Hz refresh rate 90.4% screen-to-body ratio HDR10 |
| Processor | 2.84GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 octa-core Air-Cooling fans Liquid pipes | 2.84GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 octa-core |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB/16GB | 6GB/8GB/12GB |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 650 |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB UFS 3.0 non-expandable | 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1 non-expandable |
| Front Camera | 8-megapixel | 16-megapixel |
| Rear Camera | 64-megapixel (f/1.8) 8-megapixel (ultra-wide) 2-megapixel (macro) PDAF AI Scene Detection LED flash | 48-megapixel (f/1.8) 8-megapixel (ultra-wide, f/2.2) 2-megapixel (macro) PDAF AI Scene Detection LED flash |
| Audio | Headphone jack Stereo speakers | Headphone jack Stereo speakers |
| Security | In-display fingerprint scanner Face unlock | Side-mounted fingerprint scanner Face unlock |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, 5G WiFi 6 Bluetooth 5.0 GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, NAVIC USB Type-C Magnetic pins | 4G LTE, 5G WiFi 6 Bluetooth 5.0 GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS GALILEO USB Type-C NFC |
| Others | Physical trigger buttons | n/a |
| Dimensions | 168.56 x 78 x 9.75mm | 163.71 x 75.55 x 8.93mm |
| Weight | 218g | 198.1g |
| Battery | 4,500mAh 55W air-cooled fast charging Dock charging | 4,500mAh 44W fast charging |
| Colors | Black Cyber Neon Mars Red Transparent Edition | Black Blue |
| Price | 8GB/128GB: CNY3,799 (~Php27,700) 12GB/128GB: CNY4,099 (~Php29,900) 12GB/256GB: CNY4,399 (~Php32,100) 16GB/256GB: CNY4,999 (~Php36,500) Transparent Edition: 12GB/256GB: CNY4,599 (~Php33,600) 16GB/256GB: CNY5,199 (~Php37,900) | 6GB/128GB: CNY2,698 (~Php19,300) 8GB/128GB: CNY2,998 (~Php21,400) 12GB/128GB: CNY3,298 (~Php23,600) 8GB/256GB: CNY3,398 (~Php24,300) 6GB/128GB: CNY2,698 (~Php19,300) 8GB/128GB: CNY2,998 (~Php21,400) 12GB/128GB: CNY3,298 (~Php23,600) 8GB/256GB: CNY3,398 (~Php24,300) |
With a noticeable difference in pricing, it’s no surprise that the Nubia Red Magic 5G is much better than the Vivo iQOO Neo 3. However, that doesn’t mean that the latter is a lousy competitor.
If you want a straightforward and normal-looking smartphone, then you should go with the Vivo option. It may not have the flashy and for-gamers features and aesthetics that the former Red Magic 5G, but it does come with the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor, which is honestly the only thing that most people care about.
The Neo 3 also features the same 144Hz refresh rate. So, games and the interface will look and feel as smooth as what you can experience on the Red Magic 5G.
Related
- Vivo iQOO Neo 3 vs Xiaomi Black Shark 3: Specs Comparison
- Nubia Red Magic 3 5G vs Xiaomi Black Shark 3 Pro: Specs Comparison
If you’re really into speed, you’d be glad to know that the Vivo iQOO Neo 3 has 44W fast-charging. It may not be as fast as the 55W charging on the competition, but it’s still one of the fastest in the market today.
So, the question is, what makes the price premium of the Nubia Red Magic 5G worth it?
For starters, it is equipped with air-cooling fans. Yup, this is a real spinning fan that you would normally see in computers. It’s tasked to cool the Snapdragon 865 when gaming, and the batteries while you’re fast charging at high 55W to prevent overheating issues that can degrade the components’ performance over time.
The Nubia Red Magic 5G also has physical shoulder trigger buttons for games. This is a standard feature that we’re seeing in more gaming smartphones like the Black Shark 3 series.
The Red Magic 5G also has a 240Hz sampling rate for a more responsive experience, a sharper 64-megapixel main camera, 16-megapixel selfie snapper, and magnetic pins that let you attach different gaming accessories.
Bottomline: if you want a straightforward but powerful smartphone, go with the Vivo iQOO Neo 3.
But if you’re really heavy on gaming and flashy specs, then spending more on the Nubia Red Magic 5G shouldn’t bother you. The extra money spent will be for the air-cooling fans, faster-charging support, bigger max RAM capacity, and better cameras might be a better option.