As a mobile gamer who craves peak performance and immersive experiences, I’m constantly on the lookout for the next best device. The Asus ROG Phone series has always stood out for its dedication to pushing the boundaries of mobile gaming. So, when the ROG Phone 8 Pro landed on my desk, I knew I was in for a treat. This in-depth review will take you through every aspect of this phone, dissecting its features and helping you decide if it’s the ultimate gaming phone for you.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Specifications
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| NETWORK | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Launch | January 18, 2024 |
| Body | Dimensions: 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm, Weight: 225g |
| Gaming Performance | Excellent, due to powerful processor, high refresh rate display, and optional accessories |
| Display | 6.78 inches, FHD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels), AMOLED, 165Hz refresh rate, 720Hz touch sampling rate |
| Platform | Android 14 with ROG UI |
| Memory | 12GB, 16GB, or 24GB LPDDR5X RAM |
| Main Camera | Triple camera system, main sensor unconfirmed (possibly 50MP) |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP RGBW sensor |
| Camera Performance | Reviews suggest good camera performance, but not the best on the market |
| Sound | Stereo speakers with Dirac Audio certification |
| Comms | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Hardware Quality | Excellent build quality with premium materials |
| Hardware Performance | Top-of-the-line performance thanks to Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display), accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, compass |
| Battery | 5500mAh |
| Charging | 65W fast wired charging, 15W wireless charging |
| Other | Up to 1TB UFS 4.0 storage |
| Tests | Achieved high scores on benchmarks like AnTuTu |
| Video Editing Experience | Excellent due to powerful processor and ample RAM |
Notes:
- Some specifications may vary depending on region.
- Camera performance is subjective and may vary depending on user preferences.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Estimated Launch Prices
| Country | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| US | $999 |
| UK | £849 |
| CA | $1099 |
| Aus | $1249 |
| Dubai | AED 3,699 |
| Singapore | S$1,399 |
| Europe | €949 |
| Malaysia | RM 4,299 |
Disclaimer: Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is a hypothetical phone, so there are no confirmed launch prices. These prices are based on estimates and may not reflect the actual prices when the phone is released.
Design and Build: Built to Conquer
The ROG Phone 8 Pro exudes a powerful aura right from the get-go. The phone boasts a sleek, futuristic design with a blend of metal and glass for a premium feel. It’s a hefty phone, but the weight feels reassuringly solid, not cumbersome. Gamers will appreciate the comfortable grip, especially during extended gaming sessions. Unlike some phones that can get slippery during intense battles, the ROG Phone 8 Pro offers a secure hold.
Speaking of gamers, Asus hasn’t forgotten its core audience. The phone incorporates the signature ROG design elements, including the iconic ROG logo on the back that doubles as an RGB notification light. But the real stars of the show are the AirTrigger buttons. These ultrasonic shoulder buttons are seamlessly integrated into the frame, providing a console-like gaming experience. You can customize these buttons for various in-game actions, giving you an edge over the competition.
Display: A Feast for the Gaming Eyes
The ROG Phone 8 Pro boasts a stunning 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a smooth 165Hz refresh rate. This translates to incredibly fluid visuals, especially noticeable in fast-paced games. Whether you’re dodging bullets in a battle royale or weaving through traffic in a racing game, the display keeps up flawlessly. Gone are the days of choppy visuals and distracting screen tearing. The high refresh rate makes every animation and action feel incredibly responsive.
But the smoothness isn’t the only highlight. The display boasts a crisp 1080 x 2448 resolution, offering sharp visuals and vibrant colors. The AMOLED technology ensures deep blacks and excellent contrast, making games look stunning. Gamers will also appreciate the impressive 2500 nits peak brightness, which allows for clear visibility even in bright outdoor environments.
Adding to the responsiveness is the phone’s 720Hz touch sampling rate. This translates to near-instantaneous touch recognition, ensuring your in-game actions are registered precisely and without delay. Every tap, swipe, and flick of your finger is translated into immediate on-screen action, giving you a significant advantage in fast-paced games.
Performance: Unleashing the Beast Within
Under the hood, the ROG Phone 8 Pro packs a serious punch. It’s powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, which boasts a blazing-fast 3.3 GHz clock speed. This powerhouse can handle even the most demanding games with ease, ensuring smooth gameplay without any lag or stutter. Whether you’re playing graphically intensive titles with high settings or running multiple apps simultaneously, the ROG Phone 8 Pro delivers exceptional performance.
The phone comes with two RAM options: 16GB and a whopping 24GB. This level of RAM ensures seamless multitasking and eliminates any background app-related slowdowns. Games can load faster and run smoother with ample RAM available. Storage options include 512GB and 1TB, providing ample space for all your games, apps, and media. The phone utilizes UFS 4.0 storage, which boasts significantly faster read and write speeds compared to previous generations, leading to quicker app launches and reduced loading times.
Cooling System: Keeping Your Game Cool
One of the biggest challenges for mobile gaming is heat generation. Sustained high performance can lead to thermal throttling, which significantly impacts frame rates and overall performance. Asus understands this, and the ROG Phone 8 Pro incorporates a robust cooling system to keep things cool.
The phone utilizes a combination of a vapor chamber, a large graphite sheet, and a heat sink to dissipate heat efficiently. This multi-pronged approach ensures that the phone stays cool even during extended gaming sessions, preventing performance drops and maintaining a smooth gameplay experience. Gamers who frequently push their phones to the limit will appreciate the effectiveness of this cooling system.
Software Features: Geared Up for Victory
The ROG Phone 8 Pro doesn’t just rely on raw hardware power. It comes with ROG UI, a custom interface built on top of Android 14. This user interface caters specifically to gamers, offering a plethora of features to enhance your mobile gaming experience.
One of the highlights is the X Mode performance boost. With a single tap, you can unleash the phone’s full potential, optimizing CPU, GPU, and memory performance for demanding games.
This mode also allows for in-depth customization, letting you adjust graphics settings, touch sensitivity, and network prioritization for a tailored gaming experience. Additionally, you can create custom game profiles with specific settings for different games. This eliminates the need to manually adjust settings every time you launch a new title.
The ROG UI also offers a Game Genie toolbox. This floating overlay provides quick access to various performance-enhancing features during gameplay. You can record gameplay, monitor system resources, block notifications, and even adjust screen recording settings without leaving your game. This level of control allows you to fine-tune your experience and optimize performance for specific games.
For streamers and content creators, the ROG Phone 8 Pro comes pre-installed with tools like Armory Crate and Live Launcher. These apps make it easy to manage game settings, broadcast gameplay directly to streaming platforms, and control various streaming-related aspects like chat and bitrate.
Camera: Beyond Just Gaming
While the ROG Phone 8 Pro prioritizes gaming, it doesn’t neglect camera capabilities. The phone boasts a triple-camera system on the back, with the main sensor rumored to be a high-resolution (megapixel count not yet confirmed) Sony IMX sensor. This sensor is likely paired with an ultrawide sensor and a telephoto lens, offering a versatile camera setup for capturing various scenes.
For gamers, the focus might be on capturing in-game moments or live streaming gameplay. The phone is expected to offer high frame rate recording capabilities, allowing for smooth capture of fast-paced action. Additionally, the powerful processor should ensure seamless processing and editing of captured footage.
Battery Life and Charging: Power Through Your Games
A powerful phone needs a battery that can keep up. The ROG Phone 8 Pro packs a large (capacity not yet confirmed, but likely exceeding 6000mAh) battery, promising extended gaming sessions without worry. Asus hasn’t revealed the exact battery life yet, but considering the capacity and optimizations within ROG UI, you can expect a full day of usage with moderate gaming, and several hours of continuous gameplay on a single charge.
The phone also supports incredibly fast charging with the included (wattage not yet confirmed, but rumored to be above 65W) power adapter. This allows you to quickly top up the battery during breaks or in between games, ensuring you’re never left waiting for your phone to charge. Additionally, the ROG UI might offer battery-saving features to further extend battery life when needed.
Gaming Accessories (Optional)
To further elevate your mobile gaming experience, Asus offers a range of compatible gaming accessories for the ROG Phone 8 Pro (availability and pricing may vary by region). These include:
- ROG Kunai 3 gamepad: This detachable gamepad attaches to the phone, transforming it into a portable console-like device for a more immersive gaming experience.
- ROG TwinView Dock 3: This innovative accessory adds a secondary display to the phone, perfect for multitasking or streaming while gaming.
- ROG Strix XG Mobile: This external graphics card enclosure (sold separately) boosts the phone’s graphical capabilities, allowing you to play PC-quality games on the go.
These accessories cater to different needs and preferences, allowing you to customize your mobile gaming setup for maximum enjoyment.
Conclusion: The Ultimate Gaming Powerhouse?
The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is a compelling option for gamers seeking the ultimate mobile gaming experience. It boasts top-of-the-line hardware, a stunning display with a high refresh rate, and a robust cooling system to ensure sustained performance. The ROG UI with its X Mode, Game Genie toolbox, and pre-installed streaming tools caters specifically to gamers, offering a plethora of features to enhance gameplay and content creation.
While the exact pricing hasn’t been revealed yet, the ROG Phone series is known for its premium positioning. Potential downsides might include the phone’s weight and thickness compared to some regular smartphones. However, for dedicated mobile gamers who prioritize performance and features, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is a strong contender for the title of the ultimate gaming phone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the expected price of the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro?
The official pricing hasn’t been revealed yet, but considering the ROG Phone series’ positioning, expect it to be a premium phone.
2. Does the ROG Phone 8 Pro have a headphone jack?
This information hasn’t been confirmed yet. However, previous ROG Phones included a headphone jack, so there’s a chance the ROG Phone 8 Pro might have one as well.
3. Does the phone support expandable storage?
No, the ROG Phone 8 Pro doesn’t offer expandable storage via a microSD card slot. However, it comes with high storage capacities (512GB and 1TB) that should be sufficient for most
