Around a year after the last ROG phone, Asus brought us another new refreshed gaming device.
The new ROG Phone 8 Pro gets a major design update this time around.
In this review, I’m going to talk about the design changes, software, display, and gaming experience on the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro.
DESIGN CHANGES
DISPLAY AND SOUND
PERFORMANCE AND SOFTWARE
CHARGING AND BATTERY
ACCESSORIES
WRAPPING UP
Design Changes
This year, Asus is seemingly going for a more minimalistic look with the ROG Phone 8 Pro. The device is slimmer than before and has a bezel-less screen.
However, this comes at a cost. The dual front-facing speakers are gone this time and the screen has a punch-hole camera, which some gamers are going to hate as it can interrupt the content on the screen.
Despite the elimination of many amazing features, the headphone jack is still here, and the phone features a handy secondary USB-C port on the left side of the device. The phone also has an IP68 rating which is a welcome addition.
The back is plastic this time around instead of glass and has a pixel LED display at the back which can be toggled on or off. You can choose what you want to see with the display which makes it much better than the pointless RGB from previous phones.
This new design can be a mixed bag for many. Some are going to love the new changes but a lot of people are going to hate it.
Display and Sound
The display on the ROG Phone 8 Pro is a 6.78-inch screen with a 20:9 aspect ratio, similar to the previous ROG phones. The highest refresh rate is a whopping 165Hz and you can lock it to a framerate you prefer in the settings.
Although the display is 2400×1080, it looked vibrant and crisp. However, the previously mentioned punch-hole camera makes the display an eyesore for me.
The speakers sound loud but the audio spectrum isn’t as vivid as the previous ROG Phone 7 Ultimate. Not only that, the subwoofer from last year’s phone is also gone this time.
The sound, however, is still better than a lot of flagship phones out there but the compromises made for the subjectively better design can be felt here.
The haptics are more responsive, precise, and strong this time.
Performance and Software
Although Asus isn’t particularly well known for making Android phones, the company does a great job with its Android skin. You can choose if you want a stock Android experience, or the Asus gamer aesthetic.
After choosing the overall theme, you aren’t bound to it. You can still tweak individual theme settings to choose how you want your phone to look.
The Armory Crate app is worth using this time. I don’t like to have all the games cluttering my app drawer so I can just hide them. Not only that, I can set specific parameters for particular games that allow me to start them the way I want.
The performance is just amazing in this phone. Graphically intensive titles like Genshin Impact run very smoothly at maximum settings. Games like Call of Duty: Mobile are extremely fun to play, especially with the AirTriggers on the sides that make the phone feel like an actual controller.
Internet connectivity is amazing on this phone and games can take full advantage of the internet speed. I use Xfinity internet and saw no lag or performance dips during longer Call of Duty and PUBG.
Charging and Battery
The battery life of this phone is exceptional, mainly due to the huge 5,500mAh cell. The phone supports 65w wired charging which can top up the phone in an hour. Two USB-C ports make it easy to use the phone when it’s charging, whether in landscape or portrait.
The device also has a pass-through mode that allows power to go straight to the phone instead of the battery which can help save heat during long sessions. The phone can also be charged using Qi 1.3 wireless charging which will be slower than wired charging but is much more convenient.
Accessories
The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro has a 65w power adapter, USB-C cable, a SIM tool, a protective case, a warranty card, and a quick start guide in the box. The highest 24GB/1TB variant also includes a protective case and the AeroActive Cooler X fan in the box.
You can also buy the ROG Tessen Game Controller for around $100. Like the fan, it connects using the USB-C port and turns the phone into a handheld console.
Wrapping Up
The ROG Phone 8 Pro is a great smartphone with a lot of amazing features, especially for gamers. It has the cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 16/24GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of storage. The LTPO display can adjust between 1Hz and 165Hz.
However, this time, the phone was built to appeal to the general audience as well as gamers, and seems like it will be succeeding in its motive.