The Asus ROG Phone 9 and ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro+ represent the pinnacle of gaming smartphone design, but they take distinctly different approaches. The ROG Phone 9 leverages Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite, focusing on sustained performance and a balanced user experience, while the RedMagic 9 Pro+ opts for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and prioritizes raw speed and incredibly fast charging. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your gaming needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average gamer prioritizing long-term performance and battery life, the Asus ROG Phone 9 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, coupled with a measured 16:41 active use battery score, provides a more consistent experience. However, the RedMagic 9 Pro+ is the clear winner for users who demand the absolute fastest charging and peak performance bursts.
| 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, 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, upgradable to Android 16, up to 2 major Android upgrades | Android 14, Redmagic OS 9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB 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
13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro) | 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, Storm White | Sleet (Black), Snowfall (Silver), Cyclone (Transparent Black) |
| Models | AI2501-12G256G-BK, AI2501-12G256G-WH, AI2501-16G512G-WH, AI2501-16G512G-BK | - |
| Price | £ 799.99 / € 899.90 | About 710 EUR |
Asus ROG Phone 9
- Exceptional battery life (16:41h active use)
- Bright and efficient display (1958 nits)
- Snapdragon 8 Elite optimized for sustained performance
- Charging speed is slower than the RedMagic 9 Pro+ (65W)
- Camera likely not a primary strength
ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro+
- Ultra-fast 165W charging (0-100% in 16 minutes)
- Latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset for peak performance
- Likely high refresh rate display
- Battery life likely shorter than the ROG Phone 9
- Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
The Asus ROG Phone 9 boasts a bright display, reaching a measured 1958 nits peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the RedMagic 9 Pro+’s display specifications aren’t provided, nubia typically focuses on high refresh rates. The ROG Phone 9’s brightness advantage is significant, and its likely use of LTPO technology (though unconfirmed in the data) would contribute to power efficiency. The ROG Phone 9’s display is geared towards a more visually immersive and power-conscious experience.
Camera Comparison
Neither device is primarily marketed for its camera capabilities, and the provided data doesn’t offer detailed camera specs. However, given the gaming focus, we can assume both prioritize functionality over flagship-level photography. The absence of detailed camera information suggests that image quality isn’t a key differentiator. Users seeking a top-tier camera experience should look elsewhere.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Asus ROG Phone 9 utilizes the Qualcomm SM8750-AB 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. Conversely, the RedMagic 9 Pro+ employs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) with a more traditional core layout, peaking at 3.3 GHz. While the Gen 3 offers higher peak clock speeds, the 3nm process of the Snapdragon 8 Elite should provide superior thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during prolonged gaming. The ROG Phone 9’s architecture is optimized for consistent, long-term performance, while the RedMagic 9 Pro+ aims for short bursts of maximum power.
Battery Life
The Asus ROG Phone 9 shines in battery life, achieving an impressive 16:41 hours of active use. While the RedMagic 9 Pro+’s battery capacity is unknown, its 165W wired charging is a game-changer, fully charging the device in just 16 minutes. This is a massive advantage for users who need to quickly top up their battery. However, the ROG Phone 9’s longer battery life reduces the need for frequent charging, offering a more convenient experience for extended gaming sessions. The ROG Phone 9 prioritizes endurance, while the RedMagic 9 Pro+ prioritizes speed.
Buying Guide
Buy the Asus ROG Phone 9 if you need a phone that can maintain high frame rates for extended gaming sessions, appreciate a more refined software experience, and value excellent battery endurance. Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro+ if you prioritize the fastest possible charging speeds (16 minutes to 100%), demand the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset for benchmark dominance, and are willing to trade some battery life for peak performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the RedMagic 9 Pro+ overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a powerful chip, but its 4nm process may be more prone to thermal throttling than the 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite in the ROG Phone 9 during prolonged, demanding gaming. While the RedMagic 9 Pro+ likely has robust cooling, the ROG Phone 9’s architecture is specifically designed for sustained performance without significant throttling.
❓ How does the 65W charging on the Asus ROG Phone 9 compare to the 165W charging on the RedMagic 9 Pro+ in real-world use?
The RedMagic 9 Pro+’s 165W charging is significantly faster, taking just 16 minutes for a full charge. The ROG Phone 9’s 65W charging takes 46 minutes. This means if you frequently run out of battery, the RedMagic 9 Pro+ offers a much quicker top-up, but the ROG Phone 9’s longer battery life may reduce the need for such frequent charging.
❓ Does the Asus ROG Phone 9 support high refresh rate gaming?
While not explicitly stated in the provided data, ROG Phones traditionally support high refresh rate gaming. Given the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and likely high-quality display, it's highly probable the ROG Phone 9 can handle games at 120Hz or even 144Hz, providing a smoother gaming experience.
