Yes really they are. I don't know how much gundam you watch but you might want to watch more UC. There are some big differences.

In UC newtypes could see and talk to ghosts, some could fry peoples minds and send you into a coma. Others could use their newtype abilities to help move a mobile suit or power it up in essence. While the principles of newtypes are the same between the UC and CE newtypes they are slightly different.

In Seed a newtype is someone with an enhanced spatial awareness. They can sense people or distances without seeing them. Almost forming a telepathic bond. They are have a better sense of their surroundings concerning attacking and defending against attacks. Their reaction times are also seem enhanced since they may have a form of precog. Newtypes in this era are very rare possibly disappearing.

UC newtypes were people who were thought to be the next evolution of mankind. People with precognition and those that had a better grasp of how to use machines. They developed the ability to communicate and sense things over great distances. Even using their mind they could mentally control weapons remotely using a device in a mobile suit. And then there are a few more as well.

Somewhere in these forums I believe we had this discussion before and did an indepth look throughout the series for the abilities. If you did you may find it.