Asus ROG Phone 5s vs. ZTE Blade V80 Pro: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The Asus ROG Phone 5s represents a peak in mobile gaming technology, boasting a flagship Snapdragon processor and aggressive cooling. Conversely, the ZTE Blade V80 Pro aims to deliver a functional smartphone experience at a significantly lower price point, relying on the Unisoc T7280 chipset. This comparison dissects the core differences, helping you determine if the premium gaming features of the ROG Phone 5s justify the cost, or if the Blade V80 Pro provides sufficient performance for everyday tasks.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For gamers and power users, the Asus ROG Phone 5s is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 888+ chipset and 65W charging are in a different league. However, the ZTE Blade V80 Pro offers excellent value for budget-conscious users who prioritize essential smartphone functionality over raw performance.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE Blade V80 Pro Asus ROG Phone 5s
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - Version 1
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, 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
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 1400/150 Mbps, 5G 4 Gbps DL
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 4
Launch
Announced2025, November2021, August 16
StatusComing soon. Exp. release 2025, DecemberAvailable. Released 2021, August 26
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions166 x 79 x 7.7 mm (6.54 x 3.11 x 0.30 in)172.8 x 77.3 x 9.9 mm (6.80 x 3.04 x 0.39 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight195 g (6.88 oz)238 g (8.40 oz)
 -RGB light panel (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution900 x 1940 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~317 ppi density)1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density)
Size6.75 inches, 112.2 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM)AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetUnisoc T7280 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MP1Adreno 660
OSAndroid 16Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, ROG UI
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lenses-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
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)
Video1080p@30fps8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-Panorama, HDR
Single16 MP24 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers)
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCUnspecifiedYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging22.5W wired 10W reverse wired65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 70% in 30 min, 100% in 52 min 10W reverse wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsWhitePhantom Black, Storm White
Models-ZS676KS
Price-About 1030 EUR

ZTE Blade V80 Pro

  • Excellent value for money
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks
  • Reverse wired charging capability

  • Significantly weaker performance than the ROG Phone 5s
  • Slower charging speeds
  • Likely lower-quality display

Asus ROG Phone 5s

  • Flagship-level performance with Snapdragon 888+
  • Ultra-fast 65W charging
  • Superior gaming experience

  • Significantly higher price
  • Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load (though mitigated by efficiency)
  • Larger and heavier form factor

Display Comparison

While display specifications for the ZTE Blade V80 Pro are not provided, it's reasonable to expect a standard LCD panel targeting cost-effectiveness. The Asus ROG Phone 5s, however, benefits from a higher-end AMOLED display, likely with a high refresh rate (typically 120Hz or 144Hz in ROG phones). The Snapdragon 888+’s image signal processor (ISP) also supports higher resolution displays and faster refresh rates. This difference translates to a significantly more vibrant and fluid visual experience on the ROG Phone 5s, crucial for immersive gaming.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the ZTE Blade V80 Pro, a conservative expectation is a basic camera setup focused on functionality. The Asus ROG Phone 5s, while not primarily camera-focused, likely features a more advanced camera system leveraging the Snapdragon 888+'s ISP capabilities. The 5nm process allows for more complex image processing algorithms, resulting in better low-light performance and dynamic range. The ROG Phone 5s is likely to have a larger main sensor and potentially optical image stabilization (OIS), features unlikely to be found on the Blade V80 Pro.

Performance

The core disparity lies in the chipsets. The Asus ROG Phone 5s’s Snapdragon 888+ (5nm) is a flagship-level processor built on a smaller fabrication node than the ZTE Blade V80 Pro’s Unisoc T7280 (12nm). This means the Snapdragon 888+ is significantly more power-efficient and delivers substantially higher performance. The Snapdragon 888+’s Cortex-X1 prime core, clocked at 2.99 GHz, provides a substantial performance boost over the Cortex-A75 cores in the Unisoc T7280. The ROG Phone 5s also benefits from faster RAM (likely LPDDR5) and a more sophisticated cooling system, mitigating thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions.

Battery Life

The Asus ROG Phone 5s’s 65W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving a 70% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 52 minutes. This drastically reduces downtime for gamers. The ZTE Blade V80 Pro’s 22.5W charging is considerably slower. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the ROG Phone 5s’s more efficient chipset and optimized power management likely offset any potential capacity difference, providing comparable or even superior real-world battery life despite the higher performance demands.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE Blade V80 Pro if you need a reliable, affordable smartphone for everyday communication, social media, and light tasks. It’s ideal for users who prioritize battery life and don’t require demanding gaming or intensive applications. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 5s if you prioritize a top-tier gaming experience, fast charging, and are willing to invest in a device designed for sustained high performance. This is the phone for mobile esports enthusiasts and those who demand the best.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Unisoc T7280 in the ZTE Blade V80 Pro struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Unisoc T7280 is not designed for high-end gaming. While it can handle less demanding titles, Genshin Impact and similar games will likely experience significant frame rate drops and require reduced graphics settings, potentially impacting the overall experience.
❓ Does the Asus ROG Phone 5s get excessively hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
The ROG Phone 5s incorporates advanced cooling solutions, including a vapor chamber and potentially external fan accessories. While it will get warm, the cooling system is designed to mitigate thermal throttling and maintain consistent performance during extended gaming sessions, far better than the Blade V80 Pro.
❓ Is the 10W reverse wired charging on either phone useful for anything beyond emergencies?
The 10W reverse wired charging on both devices is primarily for emergency situations, such as topping up a wireless earbud case. It's too slow to meaningfully charge a smartphone.
❓ What kind of gaming accessories are compatible with the Asus ROG Phone 5s?
The ROG Phone 5s has a robust ecosystem of gaming accessories, including external cooling fans, gamepads, and even a second screen attachment. These accessories enhance the gaming experience and provide additional functionality.