Asus Zenfone 7 Pro vs. ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Pro: A Deep Dive Comparison

The Asus Zenfone 7 Pro and ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Pro represent distinct philosophies in the smartphone market. The Zenfone 7 Pro aims for a balanced flagship experience in a relatively compact form factor, while the Red Magic 6 Pro is unapologetically focused on gaming performance, prioritizing cooling and speed above all else. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a well-rounded experience with a capable camera and solid battery life, the Asus Zenfone 7 Pro is the better choice. However, if mobile gaming is your absolute priority, and you can tolerate a less versatile camera, the Red Magic 6 Pro’s superior chipset and charging speed make it the clear winner.

PHONES
Phone Names Asus Zenfone 7 Pro ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
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, 29, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat19 1800/150 Mbps, 5G 3.6 Gbps DLHSPA, LTE-A, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2020, August 26. Released 2020, September 012021, March 04
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, March 11
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frameGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions165.1 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm (6.5 x 3.04 x 0.38 in)169.9 x 77.2 x 9.7 mm (6.69 x 3.04 x 0.38 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight230 g (8.11 oz)220 g (7.76 oz)
 -Pressure sensitive zones (400Hz touch-sensing) Built-in cooling fan
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED , 90Hz, HDR10+, 700 nits (HBM)AMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, 630 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.10 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 660
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 12, ZenUIAndroid 11, Redmagic 4.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal256GB 8GB RAM128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, auto panorama (motorized rotation)LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 113˚, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.0, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP, (macro)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, auto panorama (motorized rotation)HDR
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
TripleMotorized flip-up main camera module-
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNo-
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive5.1, A2DP, aptX, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired, PD3.0, 60% in 34 min, 100% in 93 min Reverse wired120W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 50% in 5 min (China) 66W wired, PD3.0, QC5 (International)
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5050 mAh, non-removable - International modelLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable - China model
Misc
ColorsAurora Black, Pastel WhiteEclipse Black, Moon Silver
ModelsZS671KS, ASUS_I002DDNX669J-P
PriceAbout 670 EURAbout 960 EUR
Tests
Battery lifeEndurance rating 99h-
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -26.6 LUFS (Good)-
Performance AnTuTu: 602934 (v8) GeekBench: 3302 (v5.1) GFXBench: 46fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Asus Zenfone 7 Pro

  • Excellent battery life (99h endurance)
  • Compact flagship form factor
  • Likely versatile camera system

  • Older Snapdragon 865 chipset
  • Slower charging speed (30W)

ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Pro

  • Powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset
  • Ultra-fast charging (120W/66W)
  • Optimized for gaming

  • Likely less versatile camera
  • Potentially shorter battery life

Display Comparison

The Zenfone 7 Pro boasts a display capable of 741 nits of peak brightness, providing good visibility outdoors. While the Red Magic 6 Pro’s display specs aren’t provided, nubia typically prioritizes refresh rate over peak brightness in their gaming phones. The Zenfone 7 Pro’s infinite (nominal) contrast ratio suggests a strong OLED panel. The Red Magic 6 Pro’s focus on gaming likely includes a high refresh rate panel, but without specific data, it’s difficult to assess its color accuracy or viewing angles relative to the Zenfone 7 Pro.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Given Asus’s history, the Zenfone 7 Pro likely features a more versatile camera system with a focus on image quality and features. The Red Magic 6 Pro, prioritizing gaming, likely has a simpler camera setup geared towards quick snapshots. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the Zenfone 7 Pro is expected to offer a more comprehensive photographic experience.

Performance

The Red Magic 6 Pro’s Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) represents a significant generational leap over the Zenfone 7 Pro’s Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7nm+). The 888’s Cortex-X1 prime core, clocked at 2.84 GHz, offers substantially improved single-core performance. The 5nm process node also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling during extended gaming sessions. While the Zenfone 7 Pro’s CPU configuration is complex, the Red Magic 6 Pro’s newer architecture and process node provide a clear performance advantage. The Red Magic 6 Pro’s focus on gaming also likely includes optimized thermal solutions, further enhancing sustained performance.

Battery Life

The Zenfone 7 Pro achieves an impressive 99-hour endurance rating, suggesting excellent battery optimization despite its older chipset. The Red Magic 6 Pro compensates for potentially higher power draw from the Snapdragon 888 with incredibly fast charging: 120W wired (in China) or 66W (internationally). This allows for a 50% charge in just 5 minutes (China). While the Zenfone 7 Pro’s 30W charging is respectable (60% in 34 minutes, 100% in 93 minutes), it pales in comparison to the Red Magic 6 Pro’s speed. The Red Magic 6 Pro prioritizes minimizing downtime through rapid recharging.

Buying Guide

Buy the Asus Zenfone 7 Pro if you need a compact flagship with a versatile camera system, excellent battery endurance (99h rating), and a more refined software experience. Buy the ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Pro if you prefer uncompromising gaming performance, lightning-fast 120W charging (in China, 66W internationally), and are willing to sacrifice camera quality and overall balance for raw power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Red Magic 6 Pro experience thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 888 is a powerful chipset, it's known to generate significant heat. The Red Magic 6 Pro addresses this with advanced cooling solutions, including a fan and vapor chamber. However, sustained peak performance over extended periods may still result in some throttling, though likely less than other 888-powered devices without similar cooling.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the Zenfone 7 Pro slow compared to modern standards?
Compared to the Red Magic 6 Pro’s 120W/66W charging, 30W is considerably slower. However, the Zenfone 7 Pro’s excellent battery optimization and 99-hour endurance rating mean you won’t need to charge it as frequently. It’s a trade-off between charging speed and overall battery efficiency.
❓ Can the Zenfone 7 Pro handle demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 865 5G+ is capable of running Genshin Impact, but you may need to lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The Red Magic 6 Pro, with its Snapdragon 888, will provide a smoother experience at higher settings.