Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro vs. ZTE nubia RedMagic 6 Pro: A Deep Dive for Gamers

Both the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro and ZTE nubia RedMagic 6 Pro represent the pinnacle of Android gaming phones, built around the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G chipset. However, they diverge significantly in their approach to cooling, charging, and overall user experience. This comparison dissects these differences to help you choose the ultimate gaming companion.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average gamer prioritizing sustained performance and a more refined software experience, the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro is the better choice. While the RedMagic 6 Pro boasts incredibly fast 120W charging, the ROG Phone 5 Pro’s more robust thermal solution and feature-rich software provide a more consistent and enjoyable gaming experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro ZTE nubia RedMagic 6 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 1400/150 Mbps, 5G 4 Gbps DLHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, March 102021, March 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, July 02Available. Released 2021, March 11
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frameGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions172.8 x 77.3 x 10.3 mm (6.80 x 3.04 x 0.41 in)169.9 x 77.2 x 9.7 mm (6.69 x 3.04 x 0.38 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight238 g (8.40 oz)220 g (7.76 oz)
 Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers) Touch sensor; ROG Vision color PMOLED display (on the back)-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass
Resolution1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, 630 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 660
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13, ROG UIAndroid 11, Redmagic 4.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal512GB 16GB RAM128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 11mm, 125˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.0, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanorama, HDRHDR
Single24 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with DTS:X stereo speakers (2 dedicated amplifiers)Yes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.1, A2DP, aptX, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connectorUSB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 70% in 30 min, 100% in 52 min 10W reverse wired120W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 50% in 5 min (China) 66W wired, PD3.0, QC5 (International)
TypeLi-Po 6000 mAhMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Po 5050 mAh (Global)· Li-Po 4500 mAh (China only)
Misc
ColorsGlossy BlackEclipse Black, Moon Silver
ModelsZS673KS, ZS673KS-1A079INNX669J-P
PriceAbout 680 EURAbout 960 EUR

Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro

  • More refined software experience with ROG UI.
  • Potentially better sustained performance due to advanced vapor chamber cooling.
  • Likely more versatile camera system.

  • Slower charging speed compared to the RedMagic 6 Pro.
  • Potentially higher price point.

ZTE nubia RedMagic 6 Pro

  • Incredibly fast 120W charging (China) / 66W (International).
  • Active cooling fan for potentially higher peak performance.
  • Aggressive gaming-focused design.

  • Software experience may be less polished.
  • Fan noise may be noticeable during intense gaming.

Display Comparison

Both devices utilize the Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) chipset, meaning core performance is identical. Display specifics are not provided in the context data, but given the target market, both likely feature high refresh rate AMOLED panels. The RedMagic 6 Pro is known for its fully flat display, minimizing distortion, while the ROG Phone 5 Pro often incorporates curved edges. The absence of display specs necessitates relying on market knowledge; the ROG Phone 5 Pro typically boasts higher peak brightness and color accuracy, while the RedMagic 6 Pro prioritizes a fully immersive, flat viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are absent from the provided data. However, based on brand positioning, the ROG Phone 5 Pro is likely to offer a more versatile camera system with a greater emphasis on image quality and features beyond gaming. The RedMagic 6 Pro typically prioritizes front-facing cameras for streaming, with the rear cameras being functional but less emphasized. Without specific sensor sizes or apertures, it’s difficult to make a definitive comparison, but the ROG Phone 5 Pro is expected to deliver a more well-rounded photography experience.

Performance

The shared Snapdragon 888 5G chipset and identical CPU configuration (Octa-core with 1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) guarantee similar raw processing power. However, the RedMagic 6 Pro’s active cooling system – a built-in fan – gives it a potential edge in sustained performance by mitigating thermal throttling. The ROG Phone 5 Pro relies on a more sophisticated vapor chamber cooling system. While less visually dramatic, this system is often more effective at distributing heat evenly. The RAM configuration (not specified) will also impact performance, with LPDDR5 being the standard for this class of device.

Battery Life

The most significant difference lies in charging speed. The RedMagic 6 Pro’s 120W wired charging (50% in 5 minutes in China, 66W internationally) is substantially faster than the ROG Phone 5 Pro’s 65W wired charging (70% in 30 minutes, 100% in 52 minutes). This means the RedMagic 6 Pro can top up its battery much quicker, crucial for gamers who need minimal downtime. However, faster charging can generate more heat, potentially impacting battery longevity. The actual battery capacity (not provided) will also play a role; a larger battery on the ROG Phone 5 Pro could offset the slower charging speed with longer overall runtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro if you need a phone with a more balanced feature set, a superior software experience, and a cooling system designed for extended gaming sessions. Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 6 Pro if you prioritize the absolute fastest charging speeds and are willing to trade some software polish for a more aggressive, gaming-focused design and potentially higher peak performance in short bursts.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the RedMagic 6 Pro's fan significantly impact gaming performance?
The active cooling fan in the RedMagic 6 Pro can help maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods, potentially reducing thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. However, the effectiveness depends on the game and ambient temperature. The ROG Phone 5 Pro's vapor chamber is a more passive but often more consistent cooling solution.
❓ How does the charging speed difference affect daily use?
The RedMagic 6 Pro's 120W (China) / 66W (International) charging allows for a substantial top-up in just minutes, ideal for gamers who need to quickly get back into a session. The ROG Phone 5 Pro's 65W charging is still fast, but takes considerably longer to reach a full charge.
❓ Is the software experience on the RedMagic 6 Pro significantly different from the ROG Phone 5 Pro?
Yes. The RedMagic 6 Pro typically runs a more streamlined, gaming-focused software experience, while the ROG Phone 5 Pro's ROG UI offers a wider range of customization options and features, including dedicated gaming tools and performance profiles.