Comparison Nubia Red Magic 9S Pro 256 GB / 12 GB vs Nubia Red Magic 9 Pro 256 GB / 12 GB

The clock frequency of the CPU that the device is equipped with. For multi-core processors, which are standard in modern smartphones, the frequency of each individual core is implied; and if the processor has cores with different frequencies (see "Number of cores") — usually, the maximum indicator is given.

In general, high performance smartphones have high frequency of the processor. However, note that this parameter itself is not directly related to the capabilities of the CPU: many other features of the chip affect the actual performance, and often a low cost solution with a higher clock speed turns out to be less performant than an expensive one, and at the same time, presumably, more "slow" processor. In addition, the overall performance of the system directly depends on a whole set of other factors — primarily the amount of RAM. Therefore, when evaluating a smartphone, it is worth focus not so much on the frequency of the processor, but on the general specs of the system and visual indicators like the results in tests (see below).

The test results are specified either by a younger model in a line or a particular model, made for a better understanding performance of phone models if you compare phones against these parameters. For example, the 128 GB model has test results, and the 256 GB model has no information on the network, and in both models you will see the same value that will give an understanding of the overall performance of the device. But if the editorial office has information for each model individually, then each model will have its test results filled out, and the model with bigger RAM will have bigger values.

The result shown by a device when undergoing a performance test (benchmark) in AnTuTu Benchmark.

AnTuTu Benchmark is a comprehensive test designed specifically for mobile devices, primarily smartphones and tablets. It evaluates the efficiency of the processor, memory, graphics, and input/output systems, providing a clear impression of the system's capabilities. The higher the performance, the more points are awarded. Smartphones that score over 1.1M points are considered high-performance according to the AnTuTu ranking.

Like any benchmark, this test does not provide absolute precision: the same device can show different results, usually with deviations within 5-7%. These deviations depend on various factors unrelated to the system itself, such as the device's load from third-party programs and the ambient temperature during testing. Therefore, significant differences between two models can only be noted when the gap in their scores exceeds this margin of error.

The result shown by a device when undergoing a performance test (benchmark) in Geekbench.

Geekbench is a specialized benchmark designed for processors. Since version 4.0, it also includes tests for graphics processors, and by the end of 2019, version 5 of the benchmark was released. Typically, the specifications for portable gadgets include data specifically for the CPU. During testing, Geekbench simulates workloads that occur during real-world tasks, evaluating both single-core performance and the efficiency of multi-core operations. This provides a solid overview of the processor's capabilities in everyday use. Additionally, Geekbench is cross-platform, allowing for comparisons between the CPUs of different devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, PCs). In reference materials, only the multi-core test results for the processor are usually provided.

The result was shown by the device when passing the Wild Life (Extreme) performance test (benchmark) from 3DMark.

The Wild Life (Extreme) benchmark offers two ways to test graphics performance: a quick test that evaluates instantaneous performance, and a longer test that subjects the device to sustained load. This way one can evaluate how stable performance remains and does not drop due to overheating or throttling. The benchmark is cross-platform, which makes it possible to compare devices running different OSs and even different classes (for example, smartphones and laptops).

It is important to understand that this test does not provide absolute accuracy. The same device can show different results — they depend on many factors not directly related to the system. The error caused by these factors is often on the order of 5–7%. So we can talk about a significant difference between the two models being compared if the difference in performance goes beyond the mentioned error.

Specs of the ultra wide-angle lens of the main camera installed in the phone.

These details are relevant only for cameras with several lenses (see "Number of lenses") — and not all, but only those where there is a lens with a small focal length (much less than in the main lens) and, accordingly, wider viewing angles. It is called ultra-wide. In the same paragraph, four main parameters can be indicated: resolution, aperture ratio, focal length and additional sensor data.

Resolution(in megapixels, MP)
The resolution of the sensor used for the ultra-wide lens.

The maximum resolution of the resulting image directly depends on the resolution of the sensor; and the high resolution of the "picture" allows you to capture small details better. On the other hand, an increase in the number of megapixels in itself can lead to a deterioration in the overall image quality — due to the smaller size of each individual pixel, the noise level increases. As a result, the direct resolution of the camera has little effect on the quality of photos and videos — a lot also depends on the size of the sensor, the features of the optics and various design tricks used by the manufacturer. At the same time, we note that the more megapixels a camera has, the more likely it is to implement various additional solutions aimed at improving image quality.

As for the specific resolution of ultra-wide optics, it can...correspond to the number of megapixels in the main lens (see "Main lens") or be lower, sometimes quite noticeable (for example, 8 MP with the main optics at 48 MP). This is due to the fact that an ultra-wide-angle lens often plays a secondary role, for which a small resolution is more than enough.

Aperture
Aperture describes the ability of a lens to transmit light. It is written as a fractional number, for example f/1.9. Moreover, the larger the number in the denominator, the lower the aperture ratio, that is, for example, an f/2.6 lens will transmit less light than f/1.9.

High aperture gives the camera a number of advantages: it allows you to shoot at low shutter speeds, minimizing the likelihood of “shake”, and also makes it easier to shoot in low light and shoot with artistic background blur (bokeh). However, for an ultra-wide lens, such features are not as important as for the main camera — such lenses usually have a specific purpose, and their small aperture is often more desirable, which allows you to increase the depth of field. So in general, this parameter is more of a reference than practically significant when choosing.

Focal length
The focal length is a distance between the sensor and the centre of the lens (focused to infinity), at which the most clear image is obtained on the sensor. However, for smartphones, the specifications indicate not the actual, but the so-called equivalent focal length — a conditional indicator recalculated using special formulas. This indicator can be used to evaluate and compare cameras with different sensor sizes (the actual focal length cannot be used for this, since with a different sensor size the same real focal length will correspond to different viewing angles).

Anyway, the viewing angle and the degree of magnification directly depend on the equivalent focal length: a larger focal length gives a smaller viewing angle and a larger size of individual objects that fall into the frame, and a decrease in this distance, in turn, allows you to cover more space. Ultra-wide optics, by definition, must have very short focal lengths — smaller than the corresponding main optics. However, "ultra-wide" focal lengths typically range from 13 mm to 26 mm; such values are not rare among the main lenses. At the same time, there is nothing illogical here — the point is the ratio of focal lengths in each individual smartphone. For example, a camera with a 25mm primary lens can carry a 16mm or 17mm ultra-wide lens; and models with a primary lens less than 24mm usually do not have additional ultra-wide optics at all, since the existing lens perfectly plays this role just fine. Also note that the difference between these types of optics is not as significant as one might imagine; and in some devices, both focal lengths are generally the same, while the difference in specialization is achieved due to the features of image processing in each lens.

Field of view(in degrees) It is the size of the area covered by the lens, as well as the size of individual objects "seen" by the camera. The larger this angle, the more of the scene gets into the frame, but the smaller the individual objects in the image are. The field of view is directly related to the focal length (see above): increasing this distance narrows the field of view of the lens, and vice versa.

Note that this parameter is generally considered important for professional use of the camera rather than for amateur photography. Therefore, the field of view data is given mainly for smartphones equipped with advanced cameras — including in order to emphasize the high class of cameras in this way. As for specific values, ultra-wide-angle optics, by definition, have very wide angles — from 107° and above; in some models, this figure reaches 125°.

Additional Sensor Data
Additional information regarding the sensor installed in the ultra-wide lens. This item can specify both the size (in inches) and the sensor model, and sometimes both parameters at once. Anyway, such data is provided only if the device is equipped with a high-class sensor. With the model, everything is quite simple: knowing the name of the sensor, you can find detailed data on it. The size is worth considering a little more.

The size of the sensor is traditionally indicated in fractional parts of an inch — accordingly, for example, a 1/3.1" sensor will be larger than 1/4". Larger sensors are considered more advanced, as they provide a better image at the same resolution. This is due to the fact that due to the larger sensor area, each individual pixel is also larger and receives more light, which improves sensitivity and reduces noise. Of course, the actual image quality will also depend on a number of other parameters, but in general, a larger sensor size usually means a more advanced camera. However, in ultra-wide lenses, the sensors are generally noticeably smaller than in the main ones — for example, the mentioned 1/3.1" and 1/4" are quite common options. This is primarily due to the secondary role of such cameras.

The presence of an auxiliary lens in the module of the main (rear) camera of the smartphone. Common to all auxiliary lenses is that they themselves do not shoot, but only supply the main camera with some useful additional data. But the types of this data and, accordingly, the methods of using auxiliary cameras can be different.

So, in some smartphones, an additional lens of a very small resolution is installed, which is used to obtain special information about the depth of field in some shooting modes (primarily in portrait mode). This format of work gives a number of interesting features — in particular, it allows you to change the depth of focus on an already finished image, moving the focus to a particular subject. Another interesting option is the so-called ToF (time of flight) cameras, which work on the principle of rangefinders and are capable of creating 3D models of various objects (including reading facial expressions from the user's face). There are other options, such as a black-and-white secondary camera for greater dynamic range and a fast aperture for better low-light performance.

The presence of a macro lens in a smartphone. In some models, this feature is performed by a separate specialized lens, in others — by the lens of the main camera, which operates in a special mode.

Macro photography, for which such lenses are used, is a special mode that allows you to get very large and detailed images of miniature objects (for example, dew drops or a small insect). This mode is most often used as an artistic tool, but it can also be useful for other purposes, such as scientific ones. And the presence of a full-fledged macro lens means that the smartphone has quite advanced capabilities for such shooting. At the same time, the main camera is considered a macro lens only if it is capable of performing macro photography from a distance of 3 cm or less.

The frame rate supported by the phone in slow motion (slow-mo).

In general, such shooting is called "high-speed" because it is carried out at an increased frame rate (more than 60 frames per second). As a result, when playing at normal speed (60 fps and below), the video looks slow (hence the name “slow-mo”). Such slowing down can be used just for fun, and as an artistic tool, and even for scientific purposes — to capture movement that is too fast for human perception. Anyway, the higher the slow-mo frame rate, the more you can slow down the video and the more advanced the camera is in this regard; the minimum value nowadays is actually 120 fps, and in advanced devices this figure is 480 fps and even more(in some models — more than 7000 frames per second). On the other hand, the higher the frame rate, the more performant the GPU should be; and this, in turn, affects the price of the device, sometimes quite noticeably.

Also note that slow-mo shooting can only be available at certain resolutions, which are not always the maximum; these points can be directly specified in the specs of the smartphone.