ZTE A41 Ultra vs. Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro: A Deep Dive into Gaming and Performance

The ZTE A41 Ultra and Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro represent distinct approaches to the high-end smartphone market. The A41 Ultra aims for a balanced flagship experience, while the ROG Phone 6 Pro is unapologetically geared towards mobile gaming. This comparison dissects their key differences, focusing on performance, battery life, and features to determine which device delivers the best value for your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a well-rounded experience, the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset offers superior thermal management and sustained performance, coupled with a comparable battery life and faster 65W charging. While the ZTE A41 Ultra is a capable device, the ROG Phone 6 Pro’s gaming-centric features and optimized performance give it the edge.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE A41 Ultra Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66, 71 - Version A
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Version A
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat20 2024/210 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 - Version B
Launch
Announced20222022, July 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2022Available. Released 2022, July 13
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions161.9 x 72.9 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 2.87 x 0.33 in)173 x 77 x 10.3 mm (6.81 x 3.03 x 0.41 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)239 g (8.43 oz)
 -IPX4 water resistant 2" OLED display (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~91.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144HzAMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, MyOS 12Android 12, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM512GB 18GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1 NTFS support for external storage
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple64 MP, f/1.7, 35mm (standard), 1/1.7", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 116˚ (ultrawide)50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
VideoYes8K@24fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-Panorama, HDR
Single44 MP, (wide)12 MP, 28mm (wide)
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackUnspecifiedYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers)
 -32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired, PD3.0, QC465W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 100% in 42 min 10W reverse wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackStorm White
Models-AI2201_D
Price-About 800 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 119h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.1 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 973756 (v8), 1103188 (v9) GeekBench: 3980 (v5.1) GFXBench: 79fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE A41 Ultra

  • Fast 66W wired charging
  • Balanced flagship features
  • Potentially more understated design

  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 prone to throttling
  • Less optimized for gaming
  • Limited camera details available

Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro

  • Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers superior performance
  • Faster 65W charging with QC5
  • Gaming-centric features (AirTriggers)

  • Gaming aesthetic may not appeal to everyone
  • Potentially higher price point
  • Large form factor

Display Comparison

Both devices offer large displays, but the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 829 nits, suggesting a more visible screen outdoors compared to the ZTE A41 Ultra (brightness data unavailable). While both likely utilize high refresh rate panels, the ROG Phone 6 Pro’s infinite contrast ratio (nominal) indicates a superior OLED panel capable of deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. The absence of LTPO information for either device means we can’t assess dynamic refresh rate capabilities, but the ROG Phone 6 Pro’s display is likely optimized for gaming with faster response times.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture data, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given Asus’s history with ROG phones, the camera is likely tuned for vibrant, shareable images rather than professional-grade accuracy. The ZTE A41 Ultra may offer a more balanced camera experience, but without specific details, it’s impossible to definitively say. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely a marketing feature with limited real-world utility.

Performance

The Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) represents a significant upgrade over the ZTE A41 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm). The 8+ Gen 1 features a higher peak CPU clock speed (3.19 GHz vs 3.00 GHz) and more efficient architecture, resulting in improved sustained performance and reduced thermal throttling. Both utilize the same core configuration (1x Cortex-X2, 3x Cortex-A710, 4x Cortex-A510), but the ROG Phone 6 Pro’s chipset will consistently deliver higher frame rates in demanding games. The ROG Phone 6 Pro also benefits from optimized cooling solutions, further enhancing its performance capabilities.

Battery Life

Both the ZTE A41 Ultra and Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro achieve an endurance rating of 119 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the ROG Phone 6 Pro’s 65W charging with QC5 support and a reported 42-minute 0-100% charge time is significantly faster than the ZTE A41 Ultra’s 66W charging with PD3.0 and QC4. The ROG Phone 6 Pro also offers 10W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the A41 Ultra, adding to its versatility.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE A41 Ultra if you need a powerful, all-around flagship with fast 66W charging and prefer a more understated design. It’s ideal for users who enjoy gaming but don’t require the specialized features of a dedicated gaming phone. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro if you prioritize maximum gaming performance, sustained frame rates, and features like AirTriggers. This phone is built for enthusiasts who demand the best possible mobile gaming experience and are willing to pay a premium for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the ROG Phone 6 Pro actually stay cooler during extended gaming sessions compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the A41 Ultra?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is built on a more efficient 4nm process and features architectural improvements that generate less heat. Combined with the ROG Phone 6 Pro’s advanced cooling system (likely including vapor chamber and graphite sheets), it will maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods without significant throttling, resulting in smoother and more consistent gaming performance.
❓ How much does the faster charging of the ROG Phone 6 Pro impact daily use? Is the difference noticeable?
The ROG Phone 6 Pro’s 65W charging with QC5 is significantly faster than the A41 Ultra’s 66W charging. The reported 42-minute 0-100% charge time means you can quickly top up your battery during short breaks, minimizing downtime. This is particularly beneficial for gamers who need to quickly get back into the action.
❓ Are the AirTriggers on the ROG Phone 6 Pro useful, or are they just a gimmick?
AirTriggers are ultrasonic shoulder buttons that can be customized to perform various actions in games, such as aiming, shooting, or jumping. They provide a tactile advantage and can significantly improve your gaming experience, especially in fast-paced titles. They are not a gimmick; they offer a genuine competitive edge.