Asus Snapdragon Showdown: ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal vs. Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders

Asus has doubled down on Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform with two distinct devices. The Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders, released with the Snapdragon 888, aimed for a pure enthusiast experience. Now, the ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition, powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, raises the stakes with improved efficiency and performance. This comparison dissects the core differences to help you decide which Asus phone best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition is the superior choice. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s 4nm process delivers noticeably better sustained performance and thermal management compared to the 5nm Snapdragon 888 in the Insiders phone, justifying the price difference for serious gamers and power users.

PHONES
Phone Names Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - A version, C version
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 48, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66, 71 - A version
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - A version
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - C version
Launch
Announced2021, July 082022, November 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, August 31Available. Released 2022, November 18
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions173.2 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm (6.82 x 3.04 x 0.38 in)173 x 77 x 10.4 mm (6.81 x 3.03 x 0.41 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight210 g (7.41 oz)239 g (8.43 oz)
 -IPX4 water resistant Illuminated RGB logo (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak)
 Always-on display-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 730
OSAndroid 11Android 12
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal512GB 16GB RAM512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1 NTFS support for external storage
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), PDAF, 3x optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 112˚, 14mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 4K@120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama, HDR
Single24 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm12 MP, 28mm (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers)
 Snapdragon Sound Technology 32-bit/384kHz audio32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), 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/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Illuminated Snapdragon fireball icon on the back-
Battery
Charging65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 50% in 30 min, 100% in 50 min65W wired, PD3.0, QC5 10W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMidnight blueHellfire Red
ModelsI007D-
PriceAbout 1270 EURAbout 860 EUR

Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Snapdragon Insiders branding appeals to enthusiasts
  • 65W fast charging

  • Snapdragon 888 prone to thermal throttling
  • Less efficient than Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
  • Older chipset architecture

Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition

  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
  • Improved thermal management and efficiency
  • 10W reverse wired charging

  • Higher price tag
  • Gaming-focused design may not appeal to all
  • Larger size and weight (likely)

Display Comparison

While both phones likely feature high-refresh-rate AMOLED panels (data not provided), the core difference lies beneath the surface. The ROG Phone 6 benefits from the advancements in panel technology available at its release, potentially offering higher peak brightness and improved color accuracy. The Snapdragon Insiders phone, being an earlier release, may have slightly less refined display characteristics. Bezels are likely comparable, but the ROG Phone 6’s gaming-focused design may prioritize a slightly more immersive experience.

Camera Comparison

Without specific camera sensor details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the ROG Phone 6’s later release, it likely incorporates newer image processing algorithms and potentially larger sensor sizes for improved low-light performance. Asus typically focuses on computational photography, so the 8+ Gen 1’s improved ISP (Image Signal Processor) will contribute to better image quality. The Insiders phone’s camera is likely competent, but the ROG Phone 6 has the edge due to hardware and software advancements.

Performance

The heart of the matter: the chipsets. The ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) represents a significant leap over the Snapdragon 888 (5nm) in the Insiders phone. The 8+ Gen 1’s new architecture, featuring the Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.19 GHz versus the 888’s 2.84 GHz Cortex-X1, translates to faster single-core performance. More importantly, the 4nm process node drastically improves power efficiency, reducing thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The ROG Phone 6 also benefits from a newer generation of Cortex-A710 cores (2.75 GHz) compared to the 888’s A78 cores (2.42 GHz), further enhancing multi-core performance. Both utilize LPDDR5 RAM, but the ROG Phone 6 likely benefits from optimizations for the newer chipset.

Battery Life

Both phones offer 65W wired charging, achieving a 100% charge in approximately 50 minutes. The ROG Phone 6 also includes 10W reverse wired charging, a feature absent in the Insiders phone. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the ROG Phone 6’s more efficient Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 will translate to longer real-world battery life, despite potentially having a similar mAh rating. The 4nm process significantly reduces power consumption, especially during demanding tasks.

Buying Guide

Buy the Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and are comfortable with the known thermal limitations of the Snapdragon 888. It’s a good option for users who don’t consistently push their phone to its limits. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition if you demand the best possible gaming performance, longer sustained workloads, and benefit from the improved efficiency of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, even if it comes at a higher cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 888 in the Insiders phone struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact after extended play sessions?
Yes, the Snapdragon 888 is known to throttle under sustained load. While the Insiders phone has cooling solutions, the 5nm process and chipset architecture are less efficient than the 8+ Gen 1, leading to reduced performance over time in graphically intensive games.
❓ Does the ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition's improved efficiency translate to a noticeable difference in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Absolutely. While the difference isn't as dramatic as in gaming, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s efficiency gains mean less heat generation and better battery life even during typical usage. You'll experience smoother multitasking and longer periods between charges.
❓ Is the 10W reverse wired charging on the ROG Phone 6 useful for topping up accessories like earbuds?
Yes, the 10W reverse wired charging is a convenient feature for charging small accessories like wireless earbuds or a smartwatch. It's not a replacement for a dedicated charger, but it's a handy emergency option when you're on the go.
❓ Given the price difference, is the ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition worth the extra cost for someone who primarily uses their phone for social media and light gaming?
For light users, the ROG Phone 6's extra performance is likely overkill. The Snapdragon Insiders phone provides a perfectly adequate experience for everyday tasks. However, if you anticipate even occasional gaming or demanding app usage, the ROG Phone 6's superior thermal management and efficiency will be beneficial.