ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 vs Asus ROG Phone 5 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date March 11, 2021 April 26, 2021
Release Year 2021 2021

Physical

Volume 127.23 cm³ 137.58 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.09 "/g 2.85 "/g
Weight 220 g 238 g
Height 169.9 mm 172.8 mm
Width 77.2 mm 77.3 mm
Thickness 9.7 mm 10.3 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Aurora
  • Eclipse Black
  • Phantom Black
  • Storm White

Display

Screen Size 6.8 " 6.78 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2448
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 85.1 % 82 %
Pixel Density 387 PPI 395 PPI
Refresh Rate 165 Hz 144 Hz
Typical Brightness 630 nits 800 nits
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A 1200 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 109.21 mAh/in² 130.52 mAh/in²
Battery Density 39.69 mAh/cm³ 43.61 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5050 mAh 6000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 660 Adreno 660

Connectivity

USB Version 3.0 3.1
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.0, OTG, Accessory Connector USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, Accessory Connector

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 11
Maximum OS Version 12

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureZTE nubia Red Magic 6Asus ROG Phone 5Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions169.9 × 77.2 × 9.7 mm172.8 × 77.3 × 10.3 mmAsus ROG Phone 5 is slightly taller and thicker, may feel bulkier in hand, especially during extended use.
Weight220g238gZTE nubia Red Magic 6 is lighter, may be more comfortable for long gaming sessions.
Display
Size6.8"6.78"Virtually identical screen sizes; negligible difference for most users.
Resolution1080x24001080x2448Very similar sharpness; difference is barely noticeable to the naked eye.
Pixel Density387 PPI395 PPIVirtually identical sharpness; negligible difference for most users.
TechnologyAMOLEDAMOLEDBoth offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; typical for high-end displays.
Refresh Rate165Hz144HzZTE nubia Red Magic 6 provides slightly smoother animations and scrolling, potentially more responsive gaming.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsPeak brightness data missing; unable to compare display visibility in bright sunlight.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 888 5GSnapdragon 888 5GBoth offer flagship performance; capable of running demanding apps and games smoothly.
AnTuTu ScoreN/A883,000Asus ROG Phone 5 benchmark available, indicating high performance, ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 performance is unknown
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 660Both offer top-tier graphics for smooth gaming and demanding apps.
Battery
Capacity0 mAh6000 mAhAsus ROG Phone 5 has much larger battery, likely offering significantly longer battery life. ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 has no data for battery size
ChargingStandard charging65W Fast ChargingAsus ROG Phone 5 charges much faster; significantly reduced charging time.
FeaturesStandard FeaturesBypass, Reverse, Non-removableAsus ROG Phone 5 offers bypass charging for uninterrupted gaming, reverse charging for other devices and has a non removable battery.
Camera
Standard CameraN/A64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" IMX686Asus ROG Phone 5 has a main camera with detailed specs. ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 lacks a standard camera.
Selfie CameraN/A24MP, f/2.45, 1/2.8" S5K2X7Asus ROG Phone 5 has a selfie camera with detailed specs. ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 lacks a selfie camera.
Wide Angle CameraN/A13MP, f/2.5Asus ROG Phone 5 has a wide-angle camera with detailed specs. ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 lacks a wide-angle camera.
Macro CameraN/A5MP, f/2.0Asus ROG Phone 5 has a macro camera with detailed specs. ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 lacks a macro camera.
Video Recording8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, No stabilization8K@30fps, 4K@120fps, 1080p@240fps, EISAsus ROG Phone 5 has electronic image stabilization (EIS) for smoother video. Asus ROG Phone 5 offers slow-motion video recording while ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 doesn't
Features4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night ModeAsus ROG Phone 5 has additional photo features. ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 feature information is not available.
Software
OSAndroid 11Android 11 (Upgradable to 12)Asus ROG Phone 5 has a slightly newer OS; potential for more software updates.
Connectivity
Wi-FiUnknownWi-Fi 6, Dual Band, etc.Asus ROG Phone 5 supports Wi-Fi 6 for faster speeds and has additional Wi-Fi capabilities; ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 information is not available.
BluetoothUnknownBluetooth 5.2, A2DP, etc.Asus ROG Phone 5 has a newer version and broader range of supported Bluetooth profiles. ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Bluetooth data not available.
GPSUnknownGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, etc.Asus ROG Phone 5 has more accurate location tracking with more satellite support. ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 GPS data is missing.
SIMUnknownDual SIM Dual StandbyAsus ROG Phone 5 allows two SIM cards to be used concurrently. ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 SIM data is missing
Storage
InternalUnknown128/256/512 GBAsus ROG Phone 5 has more storage options; suitable for users with extensive media libraries. ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 internal storage is unknown.
RAMUnknown8/12/16/18 GBAsus ROG Phone 5 has higher RAM options; better for heavy multitasking and gaming. ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 RAM is unknown
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone supports memory card expansion; users are limited to built-in storage.
Audio
QualityBasic FeaturesDTS / DTS X, Hi-Res, Stereo SpeakersAsus ROG Phone 5 has more advanced audio, providing superior sound quality. ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 audio information is basic.
Security
FeaturesBasic Fingerprint SensorBasic Fingerprint SensorBoth have basic fingerprint sensors; offer similar biometric security.
Build Quality
ProtectionUnknownCorning Gorilla Glass 6Asus ROG Phone 5 has stronger screen protection; more resistant to scratches and impacts. ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 screen protection is unknown
SensorsBasic SensorsFingerprint, Proximity, etc.Asus ROG Phone 5 has a full suite of sensors; supporting a wide range of advanced features. ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 sensor information is basic.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Advantages of Asus ROG Phone 5:

  • Superior Battery Life: Significantly larger 6000mAh battery compared to the unknown battery of ZTE Nubia Red Magic 6 which leads to much better endurance.
  • Fast Charging: 65W fast charging drastically reduces charging times.
  • Enhanced Camera System: Features a full triple-lens system with a 64MP primary camera, a wide-angle lens, and a macro lens.
  • Advanced Video Recording: Offers electronic image stabilization (EIS) for smoother videos.
  • Greater Storage and RAM: Provides higher RAM and internal storage options for better performance in multitasking and gaming.
  • Superior Audio Features: Includes DTS/DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers for an immersive audio experience.
  • Newer Software: Upgradeable from Android 11 to 12, longer update support.
  • Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 6 offers enhanced protection.
  • Comprehensive sensor suite: Provides a wider range of sensor support for advanced features.
  • More Connectivity Features: Supports newer WiFi standard and has more robust Bluetooth with various profiles.
  • Dual SIM Support: Allows users to use two SIM cards simultaneously.

Advantages of ZTE nubia Red Magic 6:

  • Slightly Smoother Display: Higher 165Hz refresh rate for slightly smoother visuals.
  • Lighter Design: ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 is lighter which may make it comfortable for extended use.

Significant Trade-offs:

  • ZTE nubia Red Magic 6: Missing crucial details like battery capacity, camera specifications, storage capacity, and sensor information. The lack of detailed specs makes it impossible to make a definitive comparison with Asus ROG Phone 5.
  • Asus ROG Phone 5: is heavier, slightly thicker and taller.
  • Camera: ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 lacks a full triple-lens system and Electronic Image Stabilisation.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal User for Asus ROG Phone 5:

  • Hardcore Gamers: The large battery, fast charging, high refresh rate, powerful processor and advanced cooling make it perfect for prolonged gaming sessions.
  • Multimedia Enthusiasts: The high-quality display, stereo speakers, and Hi-Res audio are ideal for watching movies and listening to music.
  • Power Users: Those who need to multitask heavily and require ample storage for media and files.
  • Photography enthusiasts: This device provides a full range of cameras, including macro and wide angle, so it is ideal for those who are always on the lookout to take a picture.
  • Users wanting a future proof device: Due to its upgrade to Android 12, this device will have support for the newest software.

Ideal User for ZTE nubia Red Magic 6:

  • Users primarily seeking a smooth display: The 165Hz refresh rate might be appealing to users who prioritize smooth visuals above all else.
  • Users that value a lighter phone: The lighter weight of the ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 may be beneficial to some users.

Use Cases:

  • Asus ROG Phone 5: Excels in mobile gaming, multimedia consumption, content creation, professional work with multi-tasking, and photography.
  • ZTE nubia Red Magic 6: Is suitable for users wanting a light weight phone and a slightly higher refresh rate. Due to the lack of spec information, specific use cases are limited.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • Asus ROG Phone 5: Offers a significantly higher value due to its comprehensive feature set, especially for gamers and power users.
  • ZTE nubia Red Magic 6: This device is hard to evaluate due to the large number of missing specification data, however, it may have a slightly lower value compared to the Asus ROG Phone 5.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, general use)
  2. How important is battery life? (Do you need all-day endurance, or is fast charging sufficient?)
  3. What is your budget and are you willing to pay for the best overall features and performance?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: You are a hardcore mobile gamer who plays for hours daily.
    • Recommendation: Asus ROG Phone 5. Its superior battery, fast charging, and thermal management are crucial.
  • Scenario 2: You want a good camera, battery and a smooth performance.
    • Recommendation: Asus ROG Phone 5. Offers significantly better camera features and a larger battery than ZTE Nubia Red Magic 6.
  • Scenario 3: You want a smooth display and a lighter device
    • Recommendation: ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 It is more suitable for users wanting these two features.

My Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 5. Although some users may find the device bulky, its comprehensive package of features, superior battery life, versatile camera system, faster charging, advanced audio and overall performance make it a significantly better choice. The availability of specs data for the Asus ROG Phone 5 also makes it a far more attractive choice compared to the ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 that has many missing specs. The lack of information on the ZTE device makes it impossible to compare fairly, whereas the Asus ROG Phone 5 offers a robust set of features that justify the higher price point.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Digital media communication
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.