Asus ROG Phone 5 vs. ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Pro: The Ultimate Gaming Phone Battle
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most gamers, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Pro emerges as the winner. Its significantly faster 120W charging (66W internationally) drastically reduces downtime, while the shared Snapdragon 888 chipset provides comparable performance. The ROG Phone 5 remains a strong contender, particularly for those prioritizing a more refined software experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Asus ROG Phone 5 | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - Version 1 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 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, 71 - Version 1 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 1 | 1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 1400/150 Mbps, 5G 4 Gbps DL | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 2, Version 3 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 10 | 2021, March 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 26 | Available. Released 2021, March 11 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 172.8 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) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 238 g (8.40 oz) | 220 g (7.76 oz) |
| RGB light panel (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers) | Pressure sensitive zones (400Hz touch-sensing) Built-in cooling fan | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, 630 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-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) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, ROG UI | Android 11, Redmagic 4.0 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Triple | 64 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) |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Panorama, HDR | HDR |
| Single | 24 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with DTS:X stereo speakers (2 dedicated amplifiers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | 32-bit/384kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.1, A2DP, aptX, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector | USB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 70% in 30 min, 100% in 52 min 10W reverse wired | 120W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 50% in 5 min (China) 66W wired, PD3.0, QC5 (International) |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh, non-removable - International modelLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable - China model |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Phantom Black, Storm White | Eclipse Black, Moon Silver |
| Models | ZS673KS, ZS673KS-1B048IN, ASUS_I005DB, ASUS_I005DA, I005DA, I005DB | NX669J-P |
| Price | About 370 EUR | About 960 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 110h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker | -24.0 LUFS (Very good) | - |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 718864 (v8) GeekBench: 14536 (v4.4), 3745 (v5.1) GFXBench: 72fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Asus ROG Phone 5
- Higher peak display brightness for outdoor visibility
- More refined software experience and ecosystem
- Solid overall battery endurance (110h)
- Slower charging speed compared to Red Magic 6 Pro
- Potentially more thermal throttling during extended gaming
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Pro
- Blazing-fast 120W (or 66W) charging
- Active cooling fan for sustained peak performance
- Aggressive gaming-focused design
- Potentially less refined software experience
- Camera likely not a priority
Display Comparison
Both phones utilize the Snapdragon 888, meaning display differences become crucial. The Asus ROG Phone 5 boasts an 806-nit peak brightness, providing excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. While the Red Magic 6 Pro’s brightness isn’t specified, nubia historically focuses on refresh rate over peak brightness. Both likely employ high refresh rate panels (assumed 144Hz based on market positioning), but the ROG Phone 5’s higher brightness gives it an edge for general use. Contrast ratios are nominally infinite on both, typical of AMOLED panels.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices, with both listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities. Given the gaming focus, neither phone prioritizes camera prowess. Expect competent, but not class-leading, image quality. The ROG Phone 5 likely benefits from Asus’s image processing expertise, potentially offering slightly more refined results. The Red Magic 6 Pro’s camera is likely tuned for quick snapshots rather than detailed photography. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner.
Performance
Both the Asus ROG Phone 5 and ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Pro are powered by the Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) chipset, featuring an Octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78, 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55). Performance will be largely identical in CPU-bound tasks. However, the Red Magic 6 Pro’s active cooling system – a built-in fan – is a key differentiator. This allows it to sustain peak performance for longer periods, mitigating thermal throttling that can affect the ROG Phone 5 during extended gaming sessions. While the ROG Phone 5 has its own cooling solutions, the Red Magic 6 Pro’s fan provides a more aggressive approach.
Battery Life
The Asus ROG Phone 5 has an endurance rating of 110 hours, indicating solid battery life. It supports 65W wired charging, achieving 70% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 52 minutes, alongside PD3.0 and QC5. The ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Pro, however, takes charging to another level. It boasts 120W wired charging (50% in 5 minutes in China, 66W internationally), significantly reducing downtime. While the battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed is a major advantage for gamers who need to quickly get back into the action. The ROG Phone 5’s 10W reverse wired charging is a niche feature, while the Red Magic 6 Pro’s charging speed is a game-changer.
Buying Guide
Buy the Asus ROG Phone 5 if you need a more polished software experience with broader ecosystem support and a generally more versatile phone beyond gaming. Buy the ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Pro if you prioritize absolute charging speed, aggressive cooling for sustained peak performance, and a more focused, no-frills gaming experience. The Red Magic 6 Pro is the choice for the hardcore gamer who values minimal interruptions.