RedMagic 11S Pro vs Z80 Ultra
It depends
Too close to call outright
These two are within 3 points overall — it genuinely depends on price on the day. The RedMagic 11S Pro edges both longevity and performance, so prefer it when prices are close.
Value Score: RedMagic 11S Pro 60 · Z80 Ultra 63 — methodology
Who should pick which
Beyond the scores — our take on each phone and the buyer it actually suits.
A 2026 gaming powerhouse with the fastest Snapdragon, a massive 7500mAh battery and active fan cooling for the money, but RedMagic's short update support and bulky design limit its all-rounder appeal.
Pick it if
- ✓ Mobile gamers who want top sustained performance and active cooling at a lower price than mainstream flagships
- ✓ Users who need the biggest possible battery and fast wired-and-wireless charging
- ✓ Buyers who still want a headphone jack and physical shoulder triggers
Skip it if
- ✗ You want long-term OS updates and a lightweight, camera-first phone
- ✗ You prefer a subtle design and don't play demanding games
A big-battery, full-screen flagship with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and a true periscope zoom at a sub-$750 price, held back by Nubia's short and vague update record.
Pick it if
- ✓ Buyers who want flagship power and a massive battery for the money
- ✓ People who love a clean, notch-free all-screen design
- ✓ Users who value fast wired and wireless charging plus a real periscope zoom
Skip it if
- ✗ You want long, guaranteed OS and security support
- ✗ You prefer polished software and wide local warranty coverage
The lifespan decider
When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.
Category by category
Both displays are effectively the same class.
Performance is a wash — same chip tier.
The Z80 Ultra has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 2).
Battery capacities are close enough not to decide this.
The RedMagic 11S Pro is supported until Jun 2029 — 8 months longer than the Z80 Ultra.
Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.
Frequently asked
When does the RedMagic 11S Pro stop getting updates?
RedMagic (part of ZTE/Nubia) does not commit to a clear multi-year policy, and its gaming phones have historically received only about two Android upgrades and a couple of years of patches. From its June 2026 launch we estimate roughly 2 OS updates and around 3 years of security support, into about 2029, which is shorter than the 5-plus years offered by many mainstream brands.
Is the RedMagic 11S Pro worth buying in 2026?
For gamers it is outstanding value: a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Leading chip, a 7500mAh battery, a real cooling fan, shoulder triggers and a headphone jack, often undercutting mainstream flagships. The catch is weaker cameras and short software support, so it is best as a dedicated gaming device rather than a long-term daily driver for everyone.
When does the Nubia Z80 Ultra stop getting updates?
Nubia and parent ZTE make no clear multi-year update promise. In practice their flagships have often received only one to two Android upgrades and a couple of years of patches. We estimate around 2 OS updates and roughly 3 years of security support from its October 2025 launch (into about 2028), which is shorter than most mainstream flagships, so buy it for the hardware, not the software timeline.
Is the Nubia Z80 Ultra worth buying in 2026?
For the price it is one of the best hardware bargains around: a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a 7200mAh battery, a genuine periscope zoom and an under-display camera for well under $750. The trade-offs are Nubia's rougher software and short update support, so it suits enthusiasts and value hunters more than someone who wants years of guaranteed updates.
Full spec table
| Spec | RedMagic 11S Pro | Z80 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Price (street) | $849 | $680 |
| Display | 6.85-inch flat AMOLED, 1216x2688 (1.5K), 144Hz, 1800-nit peak, under-display selfie camera | 6.85-inch flat AMOLED, 1216x2688 (1.5K), 144Hz, 2000-nit peak, under-display selfie camera |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Leading Version with RedCore R4 gaming chip | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB/24GB | 12GB/16GB |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB/1TB | 256GB/512GB/1TB |
| Battery | 7,500 mAh | 7,200 mAh |
| Charging | 80W wired, 80W wireless | 80W wired (up to 90W with official charger), 80W wireless |
| Rear cameras | 50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide | 50MP main, 64MP telephoto, 50MP ultra-wide |
| Dimensions | 163.82 x 76.54 x 8.9 mm | 164.5 x 77.2 x 8.6 mm |
| Weight | 230 g | 227 g |
| Water resistance | IPX8 | IP68/IP69 |
| Supported until | Jun 2029 | Oct 2028 |
More comparisons
Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.