RedMagic 10 Air vs Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro: Which Gaming Phone Reigns Supreme?

The ZTE nubia RedMagic 10 Air and the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro represent two distinct approaches to the gaming phone market. The RedMagic 10 Air aims for a more accessible price point without sacrificing core gaming performance, while the ROG Phone 8 Pro doubles down on premium features and a comprehensive gaming ecosystem. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average gamer prioritizing sustained performance and a brighter, more vibrant display, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is the superior choice. Its faster charging and slightly longer active use battery life, coupled with a significantly brighter screen, outweigh the RedMagic 10 Air’s more affordable price.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia RedMagic 10 Air Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE (Up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, April 162024, January 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, April 16Available. Released 2024, January 18
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, glass back (Panda Glass 2)Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame
Dimensions164.3 x 76.6 x 7.9 mm (6.47 x 3.02 x 0.31 in)163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight205 g (7.23 oz)225 g (7.94 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5, Mohs level 4Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~88.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1600 nits (peak)LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10, 1600 nits (HBM), 2500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 750Adreno 750
OSAndroid 15, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Redmagic OS 10Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/2.88", 0.61µm, AF-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, gimbal OIS 32 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), 1/3.2", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama, HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.77", 1.12µm, under display32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide), 1/3.2", 0.7µm
Video1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (DTS X certified)Yes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L2+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5), GLONASS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C (side), DisplayPort 1.4; USB Type-C (bottom), OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band or tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired, 100% in 52 min65W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC5, 100% in 39 min - International 30W wired, PD3.0, PPS - India 15W wireless (Qi) 10W reverse wired
Type6000 mAh5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack Twilight, White Hailstone, Orange FlarePhantom Black
ModelsNX779JAI2401, AI2401_A, AI2401_D
Price€ 449.00 / $ 772.30 / £ 389.00$ 1,157.98 / £ 1,693.75 / € 632.66
EU LABEL
Battery57:57h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass B-
Free fallClass D (45 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

ZTE nubia RedMagic 10 Air

  • More affordable price point
  • Longer battery lifespan (1000 cycles)
  • 80W fast charging
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance

  • Lower peak display brightness
  • Slower charging time (52 minutes)
  • Limited camera information
  • Potentially less effective thermal management

Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro

  • Significantly brighter display (1765 nits)
  • Faster charging (39 minutes)
  • Wireless charging and reverse wired charging
  • Likely superior thermal management

  • Higher price
  • Slightly shorter active use battery life
  • Charging speed varies by region (India gets 30W)
  • Camera details are lacking

Display Comparison

The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1765 nits compared to the RedMagic 10 Air’s 1023 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight and a more impactful HDR experience. While both utilize the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the ROG Phone’s brighter panel enhances visual fidelity during gaming. The RedMagic 10 Air’s display specifications are not detailed enough to assess panel technology (LTPO or not), but the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s likely inclusion of LTPO allows for dynamic refresh rate scaling, improving battery efficiency. Bezels appear comparable based on available imagery, but color accuracy data is missing for both devices, making a definitive judgment impossible.

Camera Comparison

The provided data for the ROG Phone 8 Pro simply states 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific sensor details. The RedMagic 10 Air lacks any camera information. Given the gaming focus of both devices, camera performance is likely secondary. However, Asus typically includes capable camera systems in its ROG Phones, suggesting a potential advantage over the RedMagic 10 Air, which historically has prioritized gaming features over camera quality. Without detailed sensor information, a precise comparison is impossible, but the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s brand reputation suggests a more versatile camera experience.

Performance

Both the RedMagic 10 Air and the ROG Phone 8 Pro are powered by the Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) chipset, featuring the same Octa-core CPU configuration. This means raw processing power will be nearly identical. However, thermal management is where differences may emerge. The ROG Phone series historically prioritizes advanced cooling solutions, which, while not detailed here, likely provide better sustained performance under heavy load. The RedMagic 10 Air, while capable, may experience more throttling during extended gaming sessions. RAM specifications are not provided, but the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s ecosystem often includes options for higher RAM configurations, potentially benefiting multitasking.

Battery Life

The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro edges out the RedMagic 10 Air in active use battery life, achieving 14:43h compared to the RedMagic’s 13:10h. While the RedMagic 10 Air boasts a claimed 57:57h endurance and 1000 charge cycles, this is a different metric than real-world active use. The ROG Phone 8 Pro also offers significantly faster charging at 65W (international) or 30W (India) versus the RedMagic 10 Air’s 80W. Despite the higher wattage, the ROG Phone 8 Pro achieves a full charge in 39 minutes, while the RedMagic 10 Air takes 52 minutes. Furthermore, the ROG Phone 8 Pro adds the convenience of 15W wireless charging and 10W reverse wired charging, features absent on the RedMagic 10 Air.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 10 Air if you need a powerful gaming experience on a tighter budget and prioritize long-term battery health with its 1000-cycle lifespan. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro if you prefer a more refined, feature-rich experience with a stunning display, faster charging speeds, and the added convenience of wireless charging, even if it comes at a higher cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the RedMagic 10 Air’s 80W charging compensate for its lower active use battery score?
While 80W is fast, the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s 65W (or 30W in India) still achieves a full charge faster (39 minutes vs 52 minutes). The ROG Phone 8 Pro’s slightly longer active use score (14:43h vs 13:10h) indicates better overall efficiency, meaning you’ll spend less time tethered to a charger despite the RedMagic’s higher wattage.
❓ How important is the 1000 charge cycle claim for the RedMagic 10 Air’s battery?
The 1000 charge cycle claim suggests the RedMagic 10 Air’s battery is designed for longevity. This means it should retain a higher percentage of its original capacity after numerous charge cycles compared to batteries with lower cycle counts. However, this is a long-term benefit, and the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s superior active use score provides a more immediate advantage.
❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in either phone handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at maximum settings?
Yes, both phones are equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which is more than capable of running Genshin Impact and other demanding games at maximum settings. However, sustained performance will depend on thermal management. The ROG Phone 8 Pro likely has an edge in this area due to Asus’s history of advanced cooling solutions.