ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S vs. Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro: Which Gaming Phone Reigns Supreme?

Both the ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S and the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro represent the pinnacle of Android gaming phones, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. However, they diverge significantly in their approach to delivering that experience. The Red Magic 7S prioritizes blistering fast charging and a more aggressive cooling solution, while the ROG Phone 6 Pro focuses on a more balanced package with a larger battery and refined software features.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the gamer who values absolute charging speed and isn't afraid to top up frequently, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S is the clear winner. Its 120W charging is unmatched. However, the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro offers a more holistic experience with comparable performance and a more sustainable battery life profile, making it the better choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 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 bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/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-A, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat20 2024/210 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 - Version B
Launch
Announced2022, July 112022, July 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 15Available. Released 2022, July 13
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions170.6 x 78.3 x 9.5 mm (6.72 x 3.08 x 0.37 in)173 x 77 x 10.3 mm (6.81 x 3.03 x 0.41 in)
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight215 g (7.58 oz)239 g (8.43 oz)
 Pressure sensitive zones (520Hz touch-sensing) Built-in cooling fan Aviation aluminum middle frameIPX4 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 (~387 ppi density)1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors (China only), 165Hz, 700 nits (typ)AMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 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 SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, Redmagic 5.5Android 12, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM512GB 18GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1 NTFS support for external storage
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm-
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.0, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps8K@24fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama, HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm12 MP, 28mm (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jack-Yes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers)
 32-bit/384kHz audio32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, aptX, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connectorUSB 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
Charging120W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 17 min (advertised)65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 100% in 42 min 10W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, GrayStorm White
Models-AI2201_D
PriceAbout 590 EURAbout 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 nubia Red Magic 7S

  • Unrivaled 120W fast charging
  • Aggressive cooling system for sustained performance
  • Potentially lower price point (depending on configuration)

  • Battery life may be shorter than the ROG Phone 6 Pro
  • Camera performance likely inferior to the ROG Phone 6 Pro
  • Software experience may be less refined

Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro

  • Longer battery life (119h endurance rating)
  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility
  • More refined software experience and features

  • Slower charging speed (65W)
  • Potentially higher price point
  • May throttle slightly more under sustained load

Display Comparison

Both phones utilize the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, so display quality becomes a key differentiator. The Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 829 nits, offering superior visibility in bright outdoor conditions. While the Red Magic 7S’s display specs aren’t provided, nubia typically focuses on refresh rate over peak brightness. The ROG Phone 6 Pro’s infinite contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a high-quality AMOLED panel, likely with excellent black levels. The absence of LTPO information for either phone means both will likely rely on adaptive refresh rate switching to conserve battery, but the ROG Phone 6 Pro’s higher peak brightness gives it an edge for outdoor usability.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance isn’t the primary focus of either device, but the ROG Phone 6 Pro likely holds an advantage. Both are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but without specific sensor details for the Red Magic 7S, it’s difficult to assess its imaging prowess. Asus ROG phones generally feature competent camera systems, and the 6 Pro likely benefits from improved image processing algorithms. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely inconsequential; its limited resolution and fixed focus make it a novelty feature rather than a practical tool.

Performance

Both the Red Magic 7S and ROG Phone 6 Pro are equipped with the Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) chipset, featuring the same Octa-core CPU configuration (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2, 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510). This means raw processing power is virtually identical. However, thermal management is where differences emerge. The Red Magic 7S is known for its aggressive cooling solutions, potentially allowing for sustained peak performance for longer durations. The ROG Phone 6 Pro also features advanced cooling, but its larger battery and potentially more conservative power delivery might result in slightly less aggressive throttling under extreme load. Both utilize LPDDR5x RAM, ensuring fast memory access for demanding games.

Battery Life

The Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro boasts an endurance rating of 119 hours, indicating a substantial battery capacity. While the exact mAh isn’t specified, this rating suggests a larger battery than the Red Magic 7S. However, the Red Magic 7S compensates with its groundbreaking 120W wired charging, capable of a full charge in just 17 minutes (advertised). The ROG Phone 6 Pro’s 65W charging, while still fast, takes considerably longer at 42 minutes to reach 100%. The ROG Phone 6 Pro also offers 10W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Red Magic 7S. This means the Red Magic 7S is better for quick top-ups, while the ROG Phone 6 Pro offers longer overall usage between charges.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S if you need the absolute fastest charging available in a smartphone and prioritize short, intense gaming sessions. Its 120W charging allows for quick power-ups between matches. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro if you prefer a more balanced gaming experience with longer sustained performance, a brighter display, and a more refined software ecosystem. It’s ideal for marathon gaming sessions and everyday use.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the 120W charging on the Red Magic 7S degrade the battery health faster?
While 120W charging is incredibly fast, ZTE employs technologies to mitigate battery degradation. However, consistently using extremely fast charging *can* contribute to slightly faster long-term battery wear compared to slower charging methods. The ROG Phone 6 Pro’s 65W charging offers a more conservative approach, potentially extending battery lifespan.
❓ Is the cooling system on the Red Magic 7S loud under heavy gaming load?
The Red Magic 7S utilizes a fan-based cooling system, which can become audible under sustained heavy gaming. While effective at maintaining lower temperatures, the fan noise may be noticeable, especially in quiet environments. The ROG Phone 6 Pro’s cooling system is generally quieter, relying more on passive heat dissipation and a vapor chamber.
❓ Can the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro maintain peak performance for extended gaming sessions?
The ROG Phone 6 Pro’s advanced cooling system and larger battery capacity allow it to maintain high performance for longer durations than many other gaming phones. However, like all Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 devices, some thermal throttling is inevitable during prolonged, demanding gaming sessions. The ROG Phone 6 Pro’s software includes features to manage thermal performance and prioritize sustained frame rates.