Asus ROG Phone 5s vs. Tecno Phantom X: A Deep Dive into Performance and Endurance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing gaming and demanding performance, the Asus ROG Phone 5s is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 888+ chipset delivers significantly faster processing and graphics capabilities. However, if battery life and value are paramount, the Tecno Phantom X offers a compelling alternative with its 122-hour endurance rating.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Tecno Phantom X | Asus ROG Phone 5s |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - Version 1 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 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, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 1 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 1400/150 Mbps, 5G 4 Gbps DL |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | 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 | 2021, June 24 | 2021, August 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 06 | Available. Released 2021, August 26 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.5 x 73.8 x 8.7 mm (6.44 x 2.91 x 0.34 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 | 201 g (7.09 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 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density) | 1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~91.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 90Hz | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, ROG UI |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm 8 MP, f/2.2, 105˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Features | Laser AF, Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.3", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.3, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF | 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@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm 8 MP, f/2.2, 105˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash | Panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 24 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers) |
| - | 24-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, 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 | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 70% in 30 min | 65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 70% in 30 min, 100% in 52 min 10W reverse wired |
| Type | 4700 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Starry Night Blue, Monet Summer | Phantom Black, Storm White |
| Models | AC8 | ZS676KS |
| Price | About 470 EUR | About 1030 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 122h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker | -26.7 LUFS (Good) | - |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 309055 (v8) GeekBench: 1670 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Tecno Phantom X
- Exceptional battery life (122h endurance)
- More affordable price point
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Mid-range chipset limits gaming performance
- Lower display brightness may struggle outdoors
- Limited camera details available
Asus ROG Phone 5s
- Flagship Snapdragon 888+ processor for superior gaming
- Faster charging speeds (65W)
- Likely higher quality display with high refresh rate
- Shorter battery life compared to the Phantom X
- Higher price tag
- Gaming-focused design may not appeal to all users
Display Comparison
The Tecno Phantom X features a display with a measured peak brightness of 405 nits, which is adequate for indoor use but may struggle in direct sunlight. While the contrast ratio is nominally infinite, this is typical of OLED panels and doesn't necessarily translate to superior image quality. The ROG Phone 5s, while lacking specific brightness data, benefits from a higher refresh rate (typically 144Hz on ROG Phones) which is crucial for smooth gaming. The ROG Phone's display technology is geared towards responsiveness, while the Phantom X prioritizes power efficiency. The lack of detailed display specs for the ROG Phone 5s necessitates relying on the brand's reputation for high-quality gaming displays.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is limited for the Tecno Phantom X. The ROG Phone 5s, while primarily a gaming phone, typically includes a capable camera system. Without specific sensor sizes or aperture details for the Phantom X, it's difficult to make a direct comparison. However, ROG Phones often prioritize image processing for vibrant colors and detail, catering to social media sharing. The absence of information regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device makes it difficult to assess low-light performance. It's safe to assume the ROG Phone 5s will offer a more refined camera experience due to its higher-end positioning.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Asus ROG Phone 5s boasts the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5nm), a flagship processor with an octa-core configuration featuring a Cortex-X1 prime core clocked at 2.99 GHz. This architecture provides a substantial performance leap over the Tecno Phantom X’s MediaTek Helio G95 (12nm). The G95, while capable, is a mid-range chip with a Cortex-A76 based core configuration. The 5nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon 888+ also offers superior thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained gaming sessions. This translates to consistently higher frame rates and smoother gameplay on the ROG Phone 5s. The ROG Phone 5s also benefits from faster RAM (likely LPDDR5) compared to the Phantom X, further enhancing performance.
Battery Life
The Tecno Phantom X shines in battery endurance, achieving a measured 122 hours on a single charge. This is a significant advantage for users who prioritize all-day battery life. The Asus ROG Phone 5s, designed for power-intensive gaming, likely has a shorter endurance rating. While the ROG Phone 5s offers faster charging at 65W (70% in 30 minutes, 100% in 52 minutes) and even 10W reverse wired charging, the Phantom X’s 33W charging (70% in 30 minutes) is still respectable. The ROG Phone 5s’ faster charging mitigates some of the battery life concerns, but the Phantom X remains the clear winner for longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Phantom X if you need a reliable smartphone with exceptional battery life for everyday tasks, media consumption, and light gaming, and are on a tighter budget. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 5s if you are a serious mobile gamer who demands the highest frame rates, responsive controls, and advanced cooling solutions, and are willing to compromise on battery life for peak performance.