ZTE nubia RedMagic 6R vs Asus ROG Phone 5s: A Deep Dive for Gamers
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average gamer prioritizing value, the ZTE nubia RedMagic 6R delivers excellent performance and endurance at a more accessible price. However, the Asus ROG Phone 5s is the superior choice for users demanding the absolute best performance and fastest charging speeds, justifying its higher cost.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | ZTE nubia RedMagic 6R | Asus ROG Phone 5s |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - Version 1 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 4, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | 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 - Version 1 |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA - China | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 1 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 1400/150 Mbps, 5G 4 Gbps DL |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| - | 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 4 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 27 | 2021, August 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 02 | Available. Released 2021, August 26 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163 x 75.3 x 7.8 mm (6.42 x 2.96 x 0.31 in) | 172.8 x 77.3 x 9.9 mm (6.80 x 3.04 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 238 g (8.40 oz) |
| - | RGB light panel (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 770 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 11, Redmagic 4.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, ROG UI |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.0, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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) |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 24 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers) |
| - | 24-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, aptX, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| 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/6e, 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, PD3.0, QC4 (China) 30W wired, PD3.0, QC4 (International) | 65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 70% in 30 min, 100% in 52 min 10W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4200 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Mercury Silver, Light Blue | Phantom Black, Storm White |
| Models | NX666J | ZS676KS |
| Price | About 500 EUR | About 1030 EUR |
ZTE nubia RedMagic 6R
- Excellent battery life (76h endurance)
- More affordable price point
- Effective cooling system for sustained performance
- Slower charging speeds (30W/55W)
- Less powerful chipset (Snapdragon 888)
- Camera likely less refined than ROG Phone 5s
Asus ROG Phone 5s
- Faster Snapdragon 888+ chipset
- Significantly faster charging (65W, 52 min to full)
- Likely superior camera system
- Higher price tag
- Battery life potentially lower than RedMagic 6R
- May require more active thermal management
Display Comparison
The RedMagic 6R boasts a display capable of 588 nits of peak brightness, which is respectable but falls short of flagship standards. While the ROG Phone 5s’ display specifications aren’t provided, Asus typically prioritizes high refresh rates and color accuracy in their ROG line. The RedMagic 6R’s focus on a flat display is beneficial for minimizing glare during intense gaming sessions, while the ROG Phone 5s likely incorporates features like HDR10+ for enhanced visual fidelity. The absence of LTPO technology in either device means refresh rate adjustments won’t be as dynamically power-efficient as newer panels.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance isn’t the primary focus of either device, but the ROG Phone 5s likely offers a more versatile and refined camera system. The RedMagic 6R’s camera is listed as ‘Photo / Video’ without further detail, suggesting a standard configuration. Asus ROG Phones typically include larger sensors and more advanced image processing algorithms. While neither phone is expected to compete with dedicated camera flagships, the ROG Phone 5s is likely to deliver better image quality in various lighting conditions.
Performance
Both phones utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 series, but the ROG Phone 5s steps up to the Snapdragon 888+ 5G. This ‘plus’ variant features a slightly higher clock speed (2.99 GHz vs 2.84 GHz on the RedMagic 6R’s 888), resulting in a measurable, though not massive, performance uplift. Both share the same CPU core configuration (1x Cortex-X1, 3x Cortex-A78, 4x Cortex-A55), but the ROG Phone 5s’ chipset benefits from improved thermal management, potentially leading to less throttling during extended gaming. The RedMagic 6R’s cooling system is a key selling point, but the 888+ in the ROG Phone 5s is inherently more efficient.
Battery Life
The RedMagic 6R has an endurance rating of 76 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the ROG Phone 5s’ battery capacity is unknown, its 65W charging significantly outperforms the RedMagic 6R’s 55W (China) or 30W (International) charging. The ROG Phone 5s can reach 70% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 52 minutes, a substantial advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups. The RedMagic 6R’s slower charging speeds mean longer downtime between gaming sessions, despite its potentially larger battery capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 6R if you need a long-lasting battery and solid gaming performance without breaking the bank, and are comfortable with potentially less refined software. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 5s if you prefer a more premium build quality, faster charging, and the incremental performance boost of the Snapdragon 888+, and are willing to pay a premium for those features.