Realme X9 Pro vs Asus ROG Phone 5s: Which Gaming Phone Delivers the Best Performance?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing value and sustained performance, the Realme X9 Pro emerges as the winner. While the Asus ROG Phone 5s boasts a more powerful chipset, its potential for thermal throttling under extended load, coupled with a higher price, makes the X9 Pro a more practical choice for all-day use and gaming.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Realme X9 Pro | Asus ROG Phone 5s |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - Version 1 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - Version 1 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 1 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 1400/150 Mbps, 5G 4 Gbps DL |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| - | 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 4 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2021, August 16 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2021, August 26 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 72.5 x 8 mm (6.30 x 2.85 x 0.31 in) | 172.8 x 77.3 x 9.9 mm (6.80 x 3.04 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.49 oz) | 238 g (8.40 oz) |
| - | RGB light panel (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | 1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, ROG UI |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128/256/512GB, 3/8/12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF 16 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 11mm, 125˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS, HDR | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Panorama | Panorama, HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 24 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers) |
| - | 24-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Unspecified | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-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 5W reverse wired | 65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 70% in 30 min, 100% in 52 min 10W reverse wired |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Blue; other colours | Phantom Black, Storm White |
| Models | - | ZS676KS |
| Price | - | About 1030 EUR |
Realme X9 Pro
- Excellent price-to-performance ratio
- More efficient Snapdragon 870 processor
- Sustained performance with less throttling
- Fast 65W charging
- Less raw processing power than the ROG Phone 5s
- May lack dedicated gaming features
Asus ROG Phone 5s
- More powerful Snapdragon 888+ processor
- Dedicated gaming features (AirTriggers, etc.)
- Potentially higher display quality
- Fast 65W charging with PD3.0/QC5 support
- Higher price point
- Prone to thermal throttling under sustained load
- Less efficient processor impacting battery life
Display Comparison
While both devices likely feature high refresh rate AMOLED panels (data not provided), the core difference lies in the chipsets powering them. The Realme X9 Pro’s Snapdragon 870 will deliver a smooth visual experience, but the ROG Phone 5s, with its 888+, has the potential for higher graphical fidelity in demanding games. However, the 888+'s increased power draw could impact battery life during extended gaming. The ROG Phone 5s likely benefits from a higher peak brightness and potentially a more sophisticated color calibration, catering to a more discerning visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, given the ROG Phone 5s’ focus on gaming, its camera system is likely optimized for general use rather than photographic excellence. The Realme X9 Pro, positioned as a more mainstream flagship, may offer a more refined camera experience with potentially larger sensors and more advanced image processing algorithms. Both phones likely feature multiple lenses, but the ROG Phone 5s may prioritize video recording capabilities geared towards streaming gameplay.
Performance
The Asus ROG Phone 5s’ Snapdragon 888+ (5nm) represents a clear step up in raw processing power compared to the Realme X9 Pro’s Snapdragon 870 (7nm). The 888+ features the Cortex-X1 prime core clocked at 2.99 GHz, offering a significant performance boost over the Kryo 585 in the 870. However, the 7nm process of the 870 is inherently more efficient, leading to better thermal management. The ROG Phone 5s, while faster on benchmarks, is more prone to throttling under sustained load. Both phones utilize Octa-core CPUs, but the architectural differences and node size significantly impact real-world performance and thermal behavior. The ROG Phone 5s's advantage is most noticeable in CPU-intensive tasks and graphically demanding games, but the X9 Pro maintains consistent performance for longer.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 65W wired charging, offering rapid replenishment. The ROG Phone 5s claims a 70% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 52 minutes, while the X9 Pro’s charging speed is not specified beyond 65W. The Snapdragon 888+ in the ROG Phone 5s is more power-hungry, potentially offsetting any battery capacity advantage it might have. The X9 Pro’s more efficient Snapdragon 870 will likely translate to longer battery life during typical usage, despite potentially having a smaller battery capacity. Both offer 5W/10W reverse wired charging, useful for topping up accessories.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme X9 Pro if you need a powerful, well-rounded smartphone with excellent performance for gaming and everyday tasks, all without breaking the bank. It’s ideal for users who want flagship-level specs without the premium price tag. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 5s if you prioritize raw power, are a hardcore gamer who demands the absolute best performance, and are willing to pay a premium for features like AirTriggers and a more robust cooling system, even if it means potentially managing thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions.