Asus ROG Phone 6D vs ZTE RedMagic 8 Pro+: Which Gaming Flagship Reigns Supreme?

The Asus ROG Phone 6D and ZTE nubia RedMagic 8 Pro+ represent the pinnacle of Android gaming phone design. While both prioritize performance and immersive experiences, they take distinctly different approaches. The ROG Phone 6D leverages the Mediatek Dimensity 9000+ for a balanced experience, while the RedMagic 8 Pro+ opts for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, pushing the boundaries of raw power and charging speed. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your gaming needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average gamer prioritizing sustained performance and rapid charging, the ZTE nubia RedMagic 8 Pro+ emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and groundbreaking 165W charging significantly outperform the ROG Phone 6D’s Dimensity 9000+ and 65W charging, making it ideal for marathon gaming sessions.

PHONES
Phone Names Asus ROG Phone 6D ZTE nubia RedMagic 8 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48 - A versionLTE
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A versionSA/NSA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat19 1600/210 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - B version-
Launch
Announced2022, September 192022, December 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, October 11Available. Released 2022, December 28
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frameGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions173 x 77 x 10.4 mm (6.81 x 3.03 x 0.41 in)164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight239 g (8.43 oz)230 g (8.11 oz)
 IPX4 water resistant Illuminated RGB logo (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers)-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusUnspecified
Resolution1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density)1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.35 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 9000+ (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G710 MC10Adreno 740
OSAndroid 12Android 13, Redmagic OS 6
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1 NTFS support for external storage-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR10+8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanorama, HDRHDR
Single12 MP, 28mm (wide)16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers)Yes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1), 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 3.2, OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-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 10W reverse wired165W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 14 min
TypeLi-Po 6000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSpace GrayBlack, Transparent
ModelsAI2203, AI2203_D-
PriceAbout 690 EURAbout 700 EUR

Asus ROG Phone 6D

  • Balanced performance with the Dimensity 9000+
  • Potentially more refined software experience
  • Established brand reputation and ecosystem

  • Significantly slower charging speed (65W)
  • May experience more thermal throttling under sustained load
  • Less aggressive cooling solution

ZTE nubia RedMagic 8 Pro+

  • Unmatched performance with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Revolutionary 165W fast charging
  • Superior cooling system for sustained performance

  • Software experience may be less polished
  • Aggressive design may not appeal to everyone
  • Potential for higher price

Display Comparison

While both phones likely feature high refresh rate AMOLED displays (data not provided), the core difference lies in their processing power. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the RedMagic 8 Pro+ benefits from a more efficient 4nm process, potentially leading to lower heat generation during graphically intensive tasks. This efficiency translates to longer sustained performance, crucial for competitive gaming. The ROG Phone 6D’s Dimensity 9000+ is also 4nm, but the Snapdragon’s architectural improvements give it an edge. We expect both to have excellent color accuracy, but the RedMagic’s under-display camera (likely) will offer a more immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the gaming focus, both phones likely prioritize image quality for social sharing rather than professional photography. The RedMagic 8 Pro+ may benefit from Qualcomm’s improved image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, offering better noise reduction and dynamic range. The ROG Phone 6D’s camera performance will likely be solid, but the RedMagic’s chipset advantage could provide a slight edge in image processing speed and quality. We anticipate both phones will include standard features like HDR and night mode.

Performance

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the RedMagic 8 Pro+ is the clear performance leader. Its Cortex-X3 prime core, clocked at 3.2 GHz, surpasses the ROG Phone 6D’s Cortex-X2 (3.35 GHz) due to architectural improvements and the more efficient 4nm node. The RedMagic also boasts a more modern CPU configuration with two Cortex-A715 cores alongside two A710 cores, compared to the ROG Phone’s three A710 and four A510 cores. This translates to faster multi-core performance and improved responsiveness. The RedMagic’s advanced cooling system, a hallmark of the brand, further enhances sustained performance, mitigating thermal throttling that could affect the Dimensity 9000+ under prolonged load.

Battery Life

The RedMagic 8 Pro+’s 165W wired charging is a game-changer, promising a full charge in just 14 minutes. This is a massive advantage over the ROG Phone 6D’s 65W charging, which will take considerably longer. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed of the RedMagic effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery. Both phones support PD3.0, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of chargers. The RedMagic’s faster charging is particularly beneficial for gamers who need to quickly top up their battery between matches.

Buying Guide

Buy the Asus ROG Phone 6D if you need a more refined software experience with broader ecosystem support and value a slightly more balanced thermal profile. It’s a great choice for users who enjoy a variety of tasks beyond gaming. Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 8 Pro+ if you prioritize absolute gaming performance, the fastest possible charging speeds, and a more aggressive cooling solution, even if it means a less polished software experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 9000+ in the ROG Phone 6D overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 9000+ is a capable chip, but it's known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 under sustained load. While the ROG Phone 6D has a cooling system, it may not be as effective as the RedMagic 8 Pro+'s, potentially leading to thermal throttling and reduced performance during long gaming sessions.
❓ How much faster is the 165W charging on the RedMagic 8 Pro+ compared to the 65W charging on the ROG Phone 6D in real-world use?
The RedMagic 8 Pro+ can charge from 0 to 100% in approximately 14 minutes, while the ROG Phone 6D will likely take over an hour. This means you can quickly top up your RedMagic between gaming sessions, minimizing downtime. The difference is substantial and a key advantage for competitive gamers.
❓ Will the RedMagic 8 Pro+ support high frame rates (90fps or 120fps) in popular games like PUBG Mobile and Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2's powerful GPU and optimized drivers make it highly likely that the RedMagic 8 Pro+ will support high frame rates in most popular games. However, achieving these frame rates will depend on the game's settings and optimization.
❓ Is the software experience on the RedMagic 8 Pro+ significantly different from other Android phones?
The RedMagic UI, based on Android, is known for its gaming-focused features and customization options. However, it may not be as polished or feature-rich as the software on Asus ROG Phones or other mainstream brands. Users prioritizing a clean and intuitive interface might prefer the ROG Phone 6D.