Released in different eras of the mid-range market, the Asus Zenfone 6 and Realme XT 730G represent distinct approaches to delivering value. The Zenfone 6, a late 2019 release, aimed for near-flagship performance with its Snapdragon 855, while the XT 730G, launched around the same time, focused on optimizing the Snapdragon 730G for gaming and everyday use. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and a unique camera experience, the Asus Zenfone 6 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 855 offers a significant performance leap over the XT 730G’s Snapdragon 730G. However, the Realme XT 730G remains a compelling option for budget-conscious users who value gaming optimization and faster charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - A version |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - A version |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 28, 38, 39, 41, 46 - C version |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2019, May 16. Released 2019, May |
| Status | Cancelled | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 158.7 x 75.2 x 8.6 mm (6.25 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) | 159.1 x 75.4 x 9.2 mm (6.26 x 2.97 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), planned upgrade to Android 10, ColorOS 6 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, ZenUI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.4, 11mm (ultrawide) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, auto panorama (motorized rotation) |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS (except @240/480fps) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | Motorized flip-up main camera module |
| Features | HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, auto panorama (motorized rotation) |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS (except @240/480fps) |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired | 18W wired
10W reverse wired, QC4 |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 624 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 33 h (3G) |
| Type | 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pearl White, Pearl Blue | Midnight Black, Twilight Silver |
| Models | - | ASUS_I01WD, ZS630KL, I01WD |
| Price | - | About 500 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -85.8dB / Crosstalk -76.2dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 112h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1201:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.7 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 361679 (v7), 447774 (v8)
GeekBench: 10721 (v4.4), 2609 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 36fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme XT 730G
- Faster 30W charging
- Optimized Snapdragon 730G for gaming
- Generally more affordable
- Less powerful processor than Zenfone 6
- Potentially lower camera quality (details unknown)
- No reverse wireless charging
Asus Zenfone 6 ZS630KL
- More powerful Snapdragon 855 processor
- Versatile flip camera design
- Reverse wired charging with QC4
- Slower 18W charging
- Potentially larger and heavier build
- May be harder to find at a competitive price
Display Comparison
Both the Realme XT 730G and Asus Zenfone 6 feature displays with a 1201:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Zenfone 6 boasts a measured peak brightness of 455 nits, which will translate to better visibility in direct sunlight compared to the XT 730G (brightness data unavailable). While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the Zenfone 6’s higher brightness provides a tangible advantage for outdoor use. The lack of high refresh rate support on either device is typical for their release window, but limits their appeal to users accustomed to smoother scrolling.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but the Zenfone 6’s unique flip camera design provides versatility. While specific sensor details are missing for both, the Zenfone 6’s design allows it to utilize the main camera for both selfies and rear-facing shots, eliminating the need for a dedicated front-facing camera and potentially offering higher selfie quality. The XT 730G likely relies on a more conventional camera setup, potentially including lower-resolution auxiliary sensors. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to assess image quality, but the Zenfone 6’s design offers a clear hardware advantage in terms of flexibility.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Asus Zenfone 6’s Snapdragon 855, built on a 7nm process, significantly outperforms the Realme XT 730G’s Snapdragon 730G (8nm). The 855 features a 1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 core, alongside 3x2.42 GHz and 4x1.78 GHz cores, providing a substantial CPU performance advantage over the XT 730G’s 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver configuration. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a better experience with graphically intensive games. The 7nm process of the 855 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 112 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Realme XT 730G supports 30W wired charging, allowing for a much faster 0-100% charge compared to the Zenfone 6’s 18W charging. The Zenfone 6 does offer 10W reverse wired charging with Quick Charge 4 (QC4) support, a feature absent on the XT 730G, allowing it to charge other devices. While battery life is similar, the XT 730G’s faster charging is a significant convenience factor.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme XT 730G if you need a phone primarily for gaming and social media, and prioritize fast 30W charging and a lower price point. Buy the Asus Zenfone 6 ZS630KL if you prefer a more powerful processor for demanding tasks, a longer-lasting battery, and a versatile camera system with its innovative flip design, even if it means sacrificing charging speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 855 in the Zenfone 6 experience significant thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 855 is a powerful chip, it was known to run warm under sustained load. However, the Zenfone 6’s larger chassis and cooling system likely mitigate throttling better than some other 855-powered devices. Expect some performance reduction after extended gaming, but it should remain playable.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the Realme XT 730G compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
The Realme XT 730G utilizes Realme’s proprietary 30W charging standard, which is *not* Power Delivery (PD). While it may work with some PD chargers, it’s best to use the included charger for optimal charging speeds and compatibility.
❓ How does the flip camera mechanism on the Zenfone 6 hold up over time?
The Zenfone 6’s flip camera was a novel design, and durability was a concern for some users. While generally reliable, the mechanism is a potential point of failure. Proper care – avoiding drops and excessive force – is crucial to ensure its longevity.
