ZTE nubia RedMagic 7 vs Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition: A Gamer's Deep Dive

The ZTE nubia RedMagic 7 and Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition represent two distinct approaches to mobile gaming. The RedMagic 7 prioritizes aggressive cooling and rapid charging, while the ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition leverages the more efficient Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and a refined gaming ecosystem. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device delivers the ultimate gaming experience.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average gamer prioritizing raw performance and sustained frame rates, the Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset offers a noticeable performance uplift and improved thermal management over the RedMagic 7’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, justifying its price premium.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia RedMagic 7 Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - A version, C version
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 - A version
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 - A version
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - C version
Launch
Announced2022, February 172022, November 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, February 21Available. Released 2022, November 18
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 10.4 mm (6.81 x 3.03 x 0.41 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight215 g (7.58 oz)239 g (8.43 oz)
 -IPX4 water resistant Illuminated RGB logo (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning 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 (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 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 SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, Redmagic 5.0Android 12
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 256GB 18GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM512GB 16GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1 NTFS support for external storage
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
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 (macro)50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 4K@120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR10+
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 -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers)
 -32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, aptX, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
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 (China) 65W wired, PD3.0 (International)65W wired, PD3.0, QC5 10W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsObsidian, Pulsar, SupernovaHellfire Red
ModelsNX679J-
PriceAbout 630 EURAbout 860 EUR

ZTE nubia RedMagic 7

  • Blazing-fast 120W charging (China)
  • Aggressive active cooling system
  • More affordable price point

  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 prone to throttling
  • International version limited to 65W charging
  • Camera likely less refined

Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition

  • Superior Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 performance
  • Improved thermal management
  • More polished software experience

  • Slower 65W charging
  • Higher price tag
  • Less aggressive cooling solution (relies on chipset efficiency)

Display Comparison

The nubia RedMagic 7 features a display capable of 527 nits of peak brightness, a respectable figure but potentially challenged in direct sunlight. While refresh rate details are missing, the ROG Phone 6 likely boasts a higher peak brightness and potentially a more color-accurate panel, typical of Asus’s display technology. Both devices target high refresh rates for smooth gameplay, but the ROG Phone 6’s panel is likely LTPO, allowing for dynamic refresh rate scaling and improved power efficiency. Bezels are likely comparable, but the ROG Phone 6’s design language often emphasizes a more premium aesthetic.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are primarily focused on gaming, and their camera systems reflect this. Details are limited, but both likely offer a competent photo/video experience. The ROG Phone 6, given Asus’s broader smartphone portfolio, likely benefits from more sophisticated image processing algorithms. Sensor size and aperture details are unavailable, making a direct comparison difficult. However, focusing on the primary sensor is key; the inclusion of low-resolution macro lenses on either device adds little value.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the RedMagic 7 utilizes the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) while the ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition features the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm). The ‘+’ generation represents a significant architectural refinement, boosting the Cortex-X2 prime core to 3.19 GHz versus 3.00 GHz on the RedMagic 7, and the Cortex-A710 performance cores to 2.75 GHz versus 2.50 GHz. This translates to a tangible performance advantage for the ROG Phone 6, particularly in sustained workloads. Both phones utilize LPDDR5x RAM, but the ROG Phone 6’s superior thermal design allows it to maintain peak performance for longer periods without throttling. The RedMagic 7 relies heavily on its active cooling system to mitigate the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1’s heat output.

Battery Life

The RedMagic 7 boasts a significant charging advantage with its 120W wired charging (in China, 65W internationally), capable of a full charge in just 17 minutes. The ROG Phone 6 is limited to 65W, a still-respectable speed, but noticeably slower. While the RedMagic 7’s endurance rating is 89 hours, the ROG Phone 6’s efficiency gains from the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 likely close the gap in real-world usage. The ROG Phone 6 also offers 10W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the RedMagic 7.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 7 if you need the absolute fastest charging speeds available (120W) and prioritize a more affordable entry point into the high-end gaming phone market. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition if you prefer a more polished software experience, superior thermal performance for extended gaming sessions, and the benefits of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the RedMagic 7 throttle significantly during prolonged gaming sessions?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is known to generate substantial heat under sustained load. While the RedMagic 7’s active cooling system helps, it’s unlikely to completely eliminate throttling, potentially leading to frame rate drops during extended gaming sessions. The ROG Phone 6’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is significantly more efficient and less prone to throttling.
❓ What kind of gaming accessories are compatible with each phone?
Both phones support a wide range of gaming accessories. The ROG Phone 6 has a more mature ecosystem with official Asus accessories like the AeroActive Cooler and Kunai Gamepad. The RedMagic 7 also supports external controllers and cooling fans, but the selection is generally less extensive.
❓ Is the 65W charging on the international RedMagic 7 a dealbreaker?
While 65W is still fast, it's considerably slower than the 120W available in China. If minimizing charging time is a top priority, this difference is significant. However, for most users, 65W will still provide a full charge within a reasonable timeframe.