ZTE nubia Red Magic 5S vs Asus ROG Phone 3: The Ultimate Gaming Phone Battle

The world of gaming phones is fierce, and two titans clash: the ZTE nubia Red Magic 5S and the Asus ROG Phone 3. Both pack powerful specs and gamer-centric features, but which one truly delivers the best experience? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The ROG Phone 3 edges out the Red Magic 5S thanks to its superior battery life, brighter display, and slightly faster CPU. While the Red Magic 5S boasts faster charging, the ROG Phone 3's overall package provides a more consistently premium and long-lasting gaming experience.

PHONES
Phone Names	ZTE nubia Red Magic 5S	Asus ROG Phone 3

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - A version
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 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 - A version
5G bands	41, 78, 79 SA/NSA	1, 2, 3, 5, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - A version
Speed	HSPA, LTE-A, 5G 7.5 Gbps DL	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G 4.4 Gbps DL
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO	-

Launch
Announced	2020, July 28	2020, July 22. Released 2020, July 23
Status	Available. Released 2020, August 01	Discontinued

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions	168.6 x 78 x 9.8 mm (6.64 x 3.07 x 0.39 in)	171 x 78 x 9.9 mm (6.73 x 3.07 x 0.39 in)
SIM	Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	220 g (7.76 oz)	240 g (8.47 oz)
	Pressure sensitive zones (300Hz touch-sensing) Built-in cooling fan	-

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass	Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution	1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)	1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density)
Size	6.65 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio)	6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~79.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 144Hz	AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 650 nits (typ)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (1x3.10 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)	Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7 nm+)
GPU	Adreno 650	Adreno 650
OS	Android 10, Redmagic 3.0	Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, ROG UI

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM	128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
	UFS 3.1	-

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple	64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.0, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm 2 MP, (macro)	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	8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps	8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	Panorama, HDR
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm	24 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	No
35mm jack	-	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with DTS:X stereo speakers (2 dedicated amplifiers)
	32-bit/384kHz audio	-

Comms
Bluetooth	5.1, A2DP, aptX, LE	5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connector	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/6, 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	55W wired, 56% in 15 min, 100% in 40 min (advertised)	30W wired, PD3.0, QC4 10W reverse wired
Type	Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable	Li-Po 6000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Silver, Pulse	Black Glare
Models	-	ASUS_I003D, ZS661KS, I003DD, I003D
Price	About 540 EUR	About 650 EUR
SAR	-	0.74 W/kg (head) 1.50 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	Endurance rating 83h	Endurance rating 120h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-22.6 LUFS (Excellent)	-23.1 LUFS (Very good)
Performance	AnTuTu: 557056 (v8) GeekBench: 13400 (v4.4), 3386 (v5.1) GFXBench: 46fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 621932 (v8) GeekBench: 13306 (v4.4), 3386 (v5.1) GFXBench: 48fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE nubia Red Magic 5S

Faster Charging (55W)
Aggressive Gaming Design
Good Performance
High Endurance Rating (83h)

Lower Display Brightness
Slightly Less Battery Life
Camera Not a Standout

Asus ROG Phone 3

Exceptional Battery Life (120h)
Brighter Display (719 nits)
Slightly Faster CPU (865+)
Reverse Wired Charging

Slower Charging (30W)
More Conventional Design (less aggressive)
Camera Performance Average

Display Comparison

The ROG Phone 3 takes the display crown with a measured peak brightness of 719 nits, offering significantly better visibility in bright sunlight. Both phones feature excellent contrast ratios (nominally infinite), but the ROG Phone 3's brightness advantage is undeniable. The Red Magic 5S's display is still good, but not as impressive outdoors.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is generally comparable on both devices, focusing more on video recording capabilities than exceptional photography. Both offer decent image quality in good lighting conditions, but struggle in low light. Neither phone is a standout in the camera department.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the Snapdragon 865, but the ROG Phone 3 has the 'Plus' variant (865+), resulting in a slightly higher CPU clock speed (3.10 GHz vs 2.84 GHz). This translates to a marginal performance advantage in demanding games and multitasking. Both offer smooth gaming experiences, but the ROG Phone 3 has a slight edge.

Battery Life

The ROG Phone 3 absolutely dominates in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 120 hours compared to the Red Magic 5S's 83 hours. This means significantly longer gaming sessions and less frequent charging for the ROG Phone 3.

Buying Guide

The ZTE nubia Red Magic 5S is ideal for gamers prioritizing fast charging and a slightly more aggressive design. The Asus ROG Phone 3 is the better choice for those who value exceptional battery life, a brighter screen for outdoor gaming, and a more refined overall experience, even if it means slightly slower charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for competitive gaming?

The Asus ROG Phone 3's longer battery life and slightly faster CPU make it a better choice for extended competitive gaming sessions.

❓ Is the Red Magic 5S worth it if I prioritize fast charging?

Yes, the Red Magic 5S's 55W charging is significantly faster than the ROG Phone 3's 30W, making it a good option if charging speed is your top priority.