The Nubia Play 5G, also marketed as the Redmagic 5G Lite in some global regions (model NX651J), is a powerful upper mid-range smartphone designed for a high-performance gaming experience. It brings flagship gaming features to a more accessible price point, boasting a super-smooth 144Hz AMOLED display, built-in pressure-sensitive shoulder triggers, and the capable Snapdragon 765G 5G processor. This guide provides both the official OTA Update packages for manually updating your device and the low-level QFIL Unbrick Firmware for restoring a bricked phone.
Important: Please read carefully and download the correct type of file for your situation. QFIL firmware is for unbricking a dead phone and will erase all data. OTA updates are for upgrading a working phone.
Quick Device Specs
- Device: Nubia Play 5G / Redmagic 5G Lite (NX651J)
- Release year: 2020
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G 5G
- Display: 6.65″ AMOLED, 144Hz
- Battery: 5100 mAh, 30W fast charging
- Original OS: Android 10, Nubia UI 8.0
- Key Features: 144Hz Display, Built-in Shoulder Triggers
Required Downloads
Different tools are required depending on the flashing method. You can find download links for these tools in the pillar guides linked in the “How to Flash” sections.
- For Unbricking (QFIL Method): QPST Suite & Qualcomm QDLoader USB Drivers.
- For OTA Updates (ADB Sideload): ADB Platform-Tools & Drivers.
Firmware Files
| Region | Version | Type | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| International | – | OTA Update Zip | Download |
| Unspecified | 200520 | QFIL Unbrick ROM | Download |
| International (EN) | V2.04 | QFIL Unbrick ROM | Download |
| International (EN) | V2.04 | QFIL Unbrick ROM | Download |
How to Flash Firmware
1. How to Unbrick with QFIL Firmware (.zip containing programmer files)
This is an advanced method for a hard-bricked phone that won’t turn on. Restoring a bricked Nubia Play requires a Windows PC and the QFIL tool. The process involves installing Qualcomm drivers, forcing your phone into EDL Mode by holding Volume Up + Down and connecting the USB cable, loading the firehose programmer and other XML files from the firmware, and then starting the download.
For a detailed, step-by-step guide with screenshots and tool download links, please follow our comprehensive pillar guide: How to Use QFIL to Flash Qualcomm Devices.
2. How to Install an OTA Update (.zip)
This is the standard method for manually updating a working phone. The easiest way is the “Local Update” feature: place the OTA .zip file in your phone’s internal storage, then go to Settings > System update and use the menu to find and select the local file. Alternatively, you can use the more advanced adb sideload command in recovery mode.
Device-Specific Troubleshooting
- Choose the Right File Type: Ensure you download the correct file for your needs. QFIL ROMs are for unbricking a dead phone and will erase all data. OTA Zips are for updating a working phone and will not erase data. They are not interchangeable.
- QFIL “No Port Available” / EDL Mode Issues: If QFIL doesn’t see the “Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008” port, it’s a driver problem. You must disable Driver Signature Enforcement in Windows before installing the Qualcomm drivers. Ensure you hold both volume keys *before* plugging in the cable.
- OTA “Verification Failed”: If a local update fails, it’s likely a region or version mismatch. You cannot flash a China OTA on a Global phone, and you often cannot skip multiple update versions (e.g., jump from V1.xx to V3.xx).
- QFIL “Sahara/Firehose” Error: This error in QFIL points to a communication failure. Use a different USB 2.0 port, a high-quality data cable, and make sure the correct
firehoseprogrammer file from the extracted firmware is loaded.
FAQs
Q1. What’s the difference between the Nubia Play 5G and Redmagic 5G Lite?
They are essentially the same phone (model NX651J). Nubia used different marketing names for the same device in different regions. “Nubia Play 5G” was the name for the Chinese market, while “Redmagic 5G Lite” was used in some global markets.
Q2. What is the difference between an OTA and a QFIL ROM?
An OTA (Over-The-Air) ROM is an update package for a working phone and is installed via recovery. A QFIL ROM is a low-level service package used to unbrick a dead phone in EDL mode and will wipe all data.
Q3. Do I need an unlocked bootloader to flash these files?
No. Both official OTA updates and QFIL unbrick flashing can be done on a device with a locked bootloader.
Q4. Will flashing the QFIL ROM erase my data?
Yes. The QFIL unbrick process is a complete factory restore and will erase all user data from the phone’s internal storage.
