1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 169.9 x 77.2 x 9.7 mm | 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm | ZTE is taller and thicker, Asus is slightly more compact, potentially fitting better in hand/pocket |
| Weight | 220g | 224g | Virtually identical; both feel substantial. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.78" | Negligible difference; both offer immersive viewing experiences |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Identical sharpness for images and text |
| PPI | 387 | 388 | Virtually identical; very crisp displays |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vibrant colors, deep blacks, good contrast |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 144Hz | ZTE offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations; Asus is still very fluid |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Asus significantly brighter, making it much more usable in bright sunlight. ZTE's brightness is not provided so it's hard to compare. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) | Asus offers noticeably faster performance, better efficiency, and more future-proof |
| Antutu Score | N/A | 1,532,000 | Asus demonstrates significantly higher benchmark performance, indicating a notable advantage in overall speed |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 750 | Asus offers superior graphics performance for demanding games and apps |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | N/A | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", Sony IMX890 | Asus captures high-quality, detailed images in good lighting. ZTE's main camera spec is not listed |
| Selfie Camera | N/A | 32MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2", Omnivision OV32C | Asus offers high resolution and captures detailed selfie in good lighting. ZTE's selfie camera spec is not listed |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 32MP, f/2.4 | Asus offers telephoto zoom capabilities for better distant shots. ZTE has no telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 13MP, f/2.2 | Asus offers better versatility, especially for group photos or landscapes. ZTE has no wide-angle lens. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps, No Stabilization | Up to 8K@24fps with HDR & EIS, Slow-mo | Asus offers stabilized footage, essential for handheld videography, and includes slow-motion capture. |
| DxOMark | N/A | Mobile 125, Photo 131, Video 115 | Asus provides a benchmark rating suggesting capable photographic performance |
| Features | N/A | OIS, EIS, Gimbal, PDAF, etc. | Asus has enhanced features, such as image stabilization, autofocus and extra shooting modes for more high-quality images and videos |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 0mAh | 5500mAh | Asus has a much larger battery, likely resulting in significantly longer battery life. ZTE's battery capacity is not listed |
| Charging | Standard | 65W fast charging, 15W wireless, 10W reverse | Asus charges significantly faster, includes wireless and reverse charging for added convenience |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | Asus has much more up-to-date OS, offering the latest features and security. |
| WiFi | N/A | Wi-Fi 7 | Asus offers faster Wi-Fi speeds and better network performance |
| Bluetooth | N/A | Bluetooth 5.4 | Asus has better audio codecs and a more advanced version. |
| GPS | N/A | L1+L5, etc | Asus has a more comprehensive set of GPS sensors for much more accurate positioning. |
| SIM | N/A | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Asus offers dual SIM support, allowing for two active numbers simultaneously |
| Storage & Audio | |||
| Internal Storage | N/A | 256GB or 512GB | Asus offers much more internal storage, which is beneficial for storing photos, videos and large apps. |
| RAM | N/A | 12GB or 16GB | Asus provides more RAM for smoother multi-tasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio Quality | Basic | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation | Asus provides better sound quality for music and voice calls. |
| Security & Build | |||
| Fingerprint sensor | basic | basic | Both phones offer standard fingerprint security. |
| Screen protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Asus offers superior scratch and drop protection. |
| Sensors | Basic | Comprehensive sensor suite | Asus provides many more sensors than ZTE for better gaming and usability |
2. Key Differences Analysis
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Advantages:
- Potentially slightly smoother display: 165Hz refresh rate (vs 144Hz) may offer a marginally smoother experience, but the difference may not be noticeable.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Advantages:
- Significantly better Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a newer, more powerful and more efficient chipset.
- Much Brighter Display: 2500 nits brightness for vastly improved outdoor visibility.
- Superior Camera System: The Asus has a proper multi-lens camera with a main, ultrawide, and telephoto and much better overall features.
- Longer Battery Life: Larger 5500mAh battery offers much better endurance and 65W fast charging, wireless and reverse charging.
- Latest Android OS: Runs on Android 14, with an upgrade to 16, providing more features and better security.
- Better Connectivity: Offers newer versions of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, better satellite positioning, and dual-SIM support.
- Enhanced Audio: Features Hi-Res Audio, stereo speakers and noise cancellation microphones for better audio and voice capture.
- More RAM and Storage: Comes with 12GB or 16GB of RAM and 256 or 512 GB of storage.
- Superior Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for much better screen protection.
- Comprehensive Sensor Suite: More sensors for advanced functionality.
Trade-offs:
- The ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 has the slightly higher refresh rate, but that's where its advantages end. The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is superior in most areas.
- The ZTE is potentially less costly, but it is not mentioned in the provided data
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6:
- Ideal User: Gamers on a very tight budget or those who heavily favor a slightly higher refresh rate.
- Use Cases: Basic mobile gaming (if the GPU can handle it), casual social media browsing, simple tasks.
- Price-to-Value: It's hard to assess this because the price wasn't provided but it will likely have a lower price. However, the value of this device would only be applicable to a niche user that really needs a higher refresh rate display and won't want to take photos.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Ideal User: Power users who prioritize performance, photography enthusiasts, and users who consume a lot of media and want an excellent screen.
- Use Cases: High-end mobile gaming, professional-grade photography and videography, outdoor usage in bright conditions, long days away from a power outlet, heavy multitasking.
- Price-to-Value: Offers premium features and performance, justifies the cost for users who need a high-end device.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? (This can help limit the selection)
- How important is mobile gaming and video/photo quality to you? (This will decide how much you should prioritize the camera and the performance)
- Do you need long battery life and fast charging for everyday use? (If you are always on the go, you should prioritize the better battery)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget Conscious & Simple Needs: If budget is the biggest consideration, and you do not mind basic features, the ZTE may be okay for casual use.
- Performance & Gaming Focused: The Asus is superior for high-end games because of the CPU and GPU, and will give you a smoother experience due to all the extra features.
- Photo & Video Enthusiast: The Asus is undoubtedly the better choice because of its superior camera features, such as stabilized 8k video, multi-lens camera and other camera features.
- Outdoor User: The Asus is clearly better, having much brighter display that is usable in direct sunlight.
My Choice
I would choose the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra.
Here's why:
- Performance Matters: As a tech enthusiast and a mobile gamer, I prioritize the best possible performance. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Asus is a significant upgrade, guaranteeing smoother gaming and better overall responsiveness.
- Camera Versatility: I regularly use my phone for photos and videos, and the comprehensive camera system with stabilization on the Asus is a must. The lack of this in the ZTE would make it a non-starter for me.
- Battery and Charging: I appreciate the larger battery and fast charging of the Asus, as I like to go out for long periods of time and always have enough battery. The wireless and reverse charging are also nice to have.
- Overall User Experience: With the newest OS, brighter screen and better audio, the Zenfone 11 Ultra will provide a much better overall user experience than the ZTE.
While the ZTE might offer a slightly higher refresh rate, the massive compromises in performance, camera, battery, and features makes it less appealing. The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra, while likely more expensive, provides a far superior all-around experience that aligns with my preferences.
