Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders vs. Google Pixel 6 Pro: A Deep Dive

The Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders and the Google Pixel 6 Pro represent distinct philosophies in the Android space. The Asus prioritizes unadulterated Qualcomm power, aiming for peak performance, while the Pixel 6 Pro integrates Google’s Tensor chip, focusing on AI-driven features and computational photography. This comparison dissects these approaches, revealing which phone best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw speed and faster charging, the Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders is the clear winner. However, the Pixel 6 Pro’s superior AI capabilities, particularly in photography and software features, make it the better choice for those valuing a seamless, intelligent user experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders Google Pixel 6 Pro
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
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, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - GLUOG, G8VOU
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, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - G8VOU
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GLUOG
Launch
Announced2021, July 082021, October 19
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, August 31Available. Released 2021, October 28
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions173.2 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm (6.82 x 3.04 x 0.38 in)163.9 x 75.9 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight210 g (7.41 oz)210 g (7.41 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels (~395 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~512 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.6 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+
 Always-on displayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Google Tensor (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Mali-G78 MP20
OSAndroid 11Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal512GB 16GB RAM128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single-11.1 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.22µm
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, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/3.5, 104mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 4x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single24 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm11.1 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.22µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 Snapdragon Sound Technology 32-bit/384kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Illuminated Snapdragon fireball icon on the backUltra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 50% in 30 min, 100% in 50 min23W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 23W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Ion 5003 mAh
Misc
ColorsMidnight blueCloudy White, Sorta Sunny, Stormy Black
ModelsI007DGLUOG, G8VOU, GF5KQ
PriceAbout 1270 EUR€ 199.99 / $ 204.99 / £ 275.00 / ₹ 29,699
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 84h
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Performance- AnTuTu: 585485 (v8), 719815 (v9) GeekBench: 2831 (v5.1) GFXBench: 39 fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders

  • Significantly faster 65W charging
  • Potentially superior sustained gaming performance due to Snapdragon 888
  • More customizable Android experience

  • Missing detailed display specifications
  • Camera system likely less advanced than Pixel 6 Pro's AI-powered setup

Google Pixel 6 Pro

  • Exceptional camera performance with AI-powered features
  • Clean and intuitive software experience with guaranteed updates
  • Bright and vibrant display with high contrast

  • Slower 23W wired charging
  • Tensor chip may not match Snapdragon 888 in raw gaming performance

Display Comparison

The Pixel 6 Pro boasts a bright display, reaching a measured 846 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility outdoors. While the Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders’ display specs aren’t provided, its target audience suggests a focus on refresh rate and color accuracy for gaming. The Pixel 6 Pro’s infinite (nominal) contrast ratio contributes to a more immersive viewing experience. The absence of detailed display specs for the Asus phone leaves a gap, but its gaming focus implies a high-quality panel, potentially with a higher refresh rate to complement the Snapdragon 888’s gaming prowess.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 6 Pro’s camera system is heavily reliant on Google’s computational photography, leveraging the Tensor chip’s AI capabilities for features like Magic Eraser and Real Tone. While specific sensor details are missing for the Asus, the Pixel 6 Pro’s image processing excels in dynamic range and detail preservation. The Tensor chip’s dedicated image signal processor (ISP) allows for advanced processing techniques not readily available on the Snapdragon 888. The Asus phone likely relies more on the Snapdragon’s ISP and lens quality, potentially appealing to users who prefer a more natural image aesthetic. The absence of detailed camera specs for the Asus makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Pixel 6 Pro’s AI-driven approach is a significant differentiator.

Performance

Both phones utilize an octa-core CPU configuration with Cortex-X1 prime cores, but differ significantly in their system-on-chips. The Asus features the Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm), known for its raw processing power and Adreno 660 GPU. The Pixel 6 Pro, however, employs Google’s Tensor chip (5 nm), designed for machine learning tasks. While the Tensor’s Cortex-X1 cores clock slightly higher (2.80 GHz vs 2.84 GHz), the Snapdragon 888’s architecture and GPU generally provide superior sustained performance in graphically intensive applications. The Asus’s focus on Snapdragon internals suggests a priority on minimizing throttling during extended gaming sessions. Both utilize Cortex-A78 and A55 cores, but the Pixel's A76 cores (2.25 GHz) are a generation older than the Asus's A78 cores (2.42 GHz).

Battery Life

Both devices achieve a similar endurance rating of 84 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite differing battery capacities (not specified for the Asus). However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders supports 65W wired charging, achieving 50% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 50 minutes. The Pixel 6 Pro is limited to 23W wired charging, also reaching 50% in 30 minutes, but taking considerably longer to fully charge. The Pixel 6 Pro also offers 23W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, features absent on the Asus. The Asus’s faster wired charging is a significant advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders if you need a phone optimized for demanding mobile gaming, benefit from the fastest possible charging speeds (65W), and prefer a more customizable Android experience. Buy the Google Pixel 6 Pro if you prioritize exceptional camera performance powered by AI, a clean and intuitive software experience with guaranteed updates, and a vibrant, high-brightness display.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 888 in the Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders experience throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 888 is a powerful chip, it is known to generate heat under sustained load. However, the Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders, being designed for enthusiasts, likely incorporates advanced cooling solutions (vapor chamber, graphite sheets) to mitigate throttling and maintain peak performance for longer gaming sessions. The specific cooling implementation will determine the extent of throttling.
❓ How does Google's Tensor chip handle demanding tasks like video editing compared to the Snapdragon 888?
The Google Tensor chip prioritizes AI and machine learning tasks, excelling in areas like video stabilization and object recognition. While it can handle video editing, the Snapdragon 888 generally offers faster processing speeds for raw encoding and rendering due to its more powerful GPU. The Tensor’s strength lies in enhancing the editing experience with features like automatic scene detection and intelligent color correction.
❓ Is the 23W wireless charging on the Pixel 6 Pro significantly slower than the 65W wired charging?
Yes, 23W wireless charging is considerably slower than 65W wired charging. Expect a full wireless charge to take several hours, whereas the Asus can achieve a full charge in 50 minutes with its wired connection. Wireless charging is convenient, but sacrifices speed for ease of use.
❓ What kind of software support can I expect from Asus compared to Google's guaranteed updates for the Pixel 6 Pro?
Google guarantees at least 3 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of security updates for the Pixel 6 Pro. Asus's software support track record is less consistent. While they typically provide updates, the duration and frequency are not as reliably guaranteed as with Google's Pixel devices. This is a key consideration for users who prioritize long-term software support.