The Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro and ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro+ represent the pinnacle of Android gaming phone design. While both aim to deliver an unparalleled mobile gaming experience, they take fundamentally different approaches. The ROG Phone 9 Pro emphasizes sustained performance and all-day battery life, leveraging the Snapdragon 8 Elite, while the RedMagic 9 Pro+ prioritizes peak performance and blazing-fast charging with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This comparison dissects these philosophies to determine which device best suits your gaming needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average gamer prioritizing longevity and consistent frame rates during extended sessions, the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro emerges as the winner. Its superior battery life (16:41h active use) and the thermal efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset provide a more stable experience. However, the RedMagic 9 Pro+ is the clear choice for those who demand the absolute fastest performance and minimal charging downtime.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66 - International | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE (Up to 7CA), 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, November 19 | 2023, November 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, November 20 | Available. Released 2023, November 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 227 g (8.01 oz) | 229 g (8.08 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~88.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 185Hz, 670Hz PWM, HDR10, 1600 nits (HBM), 2500 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1600 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M) | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 830 | Adreno 750 |
| OS | Android 15, up to 2 major Android upgrades | Android 14, Redmagic OS 9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM | 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, gimbal OIS
32 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), 1/3.2", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide) | 50 MP, (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR10+ | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama, HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide), 1/3.2", 0.7µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5), GLONASS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C (side), DisplayPort 1.4; USB Type-C (bottom), OTG | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-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, PPS, QC5, 100% in 46 min
15W wireless (Qi)
10W reverse wired | 165W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 16 min |
| Type | 5800 mAh | Li-Ion 5500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Phantom Black | Sleet (Black), Snowfall (Silver), Cyclone (Transparent Black) |
| Models | AI2501-16G512G-BK, AI2501-24G1T-BK | - |
| Price | € 1,139.00 / $ 1,290.00 / £ 1,224.17 | About 710 EUR |
Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro
- Exceptional battery life (16:41h active use)
- Thermally efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset
- High peak display brightness (1958 nits)
- Slower charging speed (65W, 46 minutes)
- Camera likely not a primary strength
ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro+
- Blazing-fast 165W charging (16 minutes)
- Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset
- Likely high refresh rate display
- Potentially shorter battery life
- Thermal throttling may be more pronounced under sustained load
Display Comparison
The Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro boasts a display capable of reaching 1958 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the RedMagic 9 Pro+’s display specs aren’t provided, RedMagic typically focuses on high refresh rates rather than peak brightness. The ROG Phone’s display technology likely incorporates LTPO for adaptive refresh rate control, contributing to power efficiency. The ROG Phone’s display is geared towards a more visually balanced experience, while the RedMagic likely prioritizes responsiveness for competitive gaming.
Camera Comparison
Neither phone is primarily marketed for its camera capabilities, but the available data doesn’t allow for a detailed comparison. Given the gaming focus, both likely prioritize functional camera systems over flagship-level imaging. Without sensor size or aperture information for the RedMagic 9 Pro+, it’s difficult to assess its capabilities. The ROG Phone’s camera is likely adequate for casual photography and video recording, but it won’t compete with dedicated camera phones.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm), featuring a unique octa-core configuration with Oryon V2 Phoenix cores clocked up to 4.32 GHz. This architecture is designed for sustained performance and efficiency. Conversely, the ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro+ employs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) with a more traditional octa-core setup, peaking at 3.3 GHz. While the Gen 3 offers higher peak clock speeds, the 3nm process of the Snapdragon 8 Elite suggests superior thermal management and potentially longer periods of peak performance before throttling. The ROG Phone’s CPU architecture is optimized for complex tasks and sustained gaming, while the RedMagic prioritizes raw processing power.
Battery Life
Battery life is a significant differentiator. The Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro achieves an impressive 16:41 hours of active use, demonstrating exceptional endurance. The RedMagic 9 Pro+, while not providing active use data, compensates with an astonishing 165W wired charging, achieving a full charge in just 16 minutes. This rapid charging is a game-changer for users who prioritize minimizing downtime. The ROG Phone’s 65W charging (46 minutes to 100%) is respectable but significantly slower. The ROG Phone prioritizes longevity, while the RedMagic prioritizes speed.
Buying Guide
Buy the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro if you need a gaming phone that can last through a full day of intense use, offers a balanced experience with excellent display quality, and prioritizes sustained performance over short bursts of peak speed. Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro+ if you prefer the absolute fastest possible performance, require the quickest charging speeds (16 minutes to 100%), and are willing to trade some battery life for that advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the RedMagic 9 Pro+ overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a powerful chip, its 4nm process is less efficient than the 3nm process of the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the ROG Phone 9 Pro. This means the RedMagic 9 Pro+ may experience more thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, potentially leading to reduced performance over time. RedMagic typically employs aggressive cooling solutions, but the underlying thermal efficiency difference remains.
❓ How does the 65W charging on the ROG Phone 9 Pro compare to the 165W charging on the RedMagic 9 Pro+ in real-world usage?
The 165W charging on the RedMagic 9 Pro+ is significantly faster, taking just 16 minutes for a full charge. The ROG Phone 9 Pro’s 65W charging takes 46 minutes. This difference is crucial for users who need to quickly top up their battery between gaming sessions. However, the ROG Phone’s longer battery life means you may not need to charge as frequently.
❓ Is the difference between the Oryon V2 Phoenix cores in the ROG Phone 9 Pro and the Cortex cores in the RedMagic 9 Pro+ noticeable in everyday tasks?
For typical smartphone usage, the difference is unlikely to be significant. Both chipsets are incredibly powerful and will handle everyday tasks with ease. The architectural differences become more apparent during demanding tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and, most importantly, sustained gaming sessions where the ROG Phone’s efficiency shines.
