ZTE

ZTE Nubia Red Magic 2: Pros and Cons

Android OS v8.1 (Oreo)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
Adreno 630
8 GB / 64 GB
6 inch (1080 x 2280 px)
24 MP, 5632 x 4224 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization

ZTE announced the launch of the Nubia Red Magic 2 smartphone in 2018. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 6 inch IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC, and 8 GB of RAM. It comes with Android OS v8.1 (Oreo) out of the box, and a Li-Po non-removable battery. The 6 inch phone comes with a high resolution IPS display (1080 x 2280 px). This smartphone has a single camera on the back (24 MP, 5632 x 4224 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization). Is this phone a good value for its price? My review aims to answer that question by the end.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the ZTE Nubia Red Magic 2 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

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ZTE Nubia Red Magic 2 specifications

BrandZTE
NameNubia Red Magic 2
ModelREDMAGIC2
Release date2018

Weight, dimensions, colors

Colorsblack, red
SIM typeNano SIM

Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a small chipcard for a subscriber identity module (SIM).

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v8.1 (Oreo)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 845
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 2.8 GHz Kryo, Quad-core 1.8 GHz Kryo
GPUAdreno 630

The ZTE Nubia Red Magic 2 comes with Android OS v8.1 (Oreo) out of the box. Android is a mobile operating system. Google built it using a modified version of the Linux kernel. They also used other open-source software. It's a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 octa-core processor. It can handle complex tasks and run many applications. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size6 inch
Resolution1080 x 2280 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 6 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. The 6 inch display should be big enough for your needs. It will make viewing comfortable. This is true whether you're reading, browsing, or watching. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

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Memory, storage

RAM8 GB
Internal storage64 GB
Memory card slotno

The 8 GB of RAM on the ZTE Nubia Red Magic 2 should be more than enough to handle their daily needs without any major issues. More RAM lets you keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. 64 GB of storage is usually seen as good for a smartphone. It should be enough for most users. The internal storage of the ZTE Nubia Red Magic 2 (8 GB) cannot be expanded.

Cameras, flash

Main camera24 MP, 5632 x 4224 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera13 MP

The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The main camera of Nubia Red Magic 2 has optical image stabilization (OIS). It counters camera shake.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv5.0, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBUSB Type-C
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The 4G provides faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. This phone like all modern smartphones, is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Nubia Red Magic 2 smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po non-removable

The Li-Po non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The battery of Nubia Red Magic 2 isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, light, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM, Fast charging

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer is a sensor. It measures the tilting motion and orientation of the phone. The Nubia Red Magic 2 phone has a fingerprint scanner. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use. The fast charging technology comes in handy when you need quick juice on your device.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this ZTE phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • appropriate screen size
  • generous memory
  • optical image stabilization (OIS)
  • Dual SIM support

Cons

  • non-expandable storage
  • single camera setup
  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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