ROG Phone 8 Pro Review: Play Like A Pro

The ROG Phone 8 Pro stands as ASUS's latest flagship gaming phone, boasting top-tier specs, innovative features, and a sleek design. However, with a hefty price tag of S$1999, potential buyers may wonder if it's worth the investment. Let's dive in and find out.

Design and Display:

The ROG Phone 8 Pro is large yet not overly heavy, weighing in at 233g. The matte-finish back panel and aluminium frame not only exude premium quality but also offer a comfortable grip. Its smooth texture ensures a pleasant holding experience, with the added benefit of being fingerprint-resistant, regardless of how you handle it. This thoughtful design choice enhances both the aesthetic appeal and practicality of the device.

Additionally, the phone flaunts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, rendering it a durable choice for gamers on the move.

One of its most striking features is the programmable AniMe VISION matrix on the phone’s rear. This mini-LED display allows you to show various animations, notifications, and even your signature on the back of your device, offering a fun and unique way to personalise and showcase your gaming spirit.

The 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED display is vibrant and sharp, boasting a max refresh rate of 165Hz and a 1Hz refresh rate when inactive, ensuring smooth visuals and responsiveness even when running demanding games. The display also reaches up to 1600 nits (HBM) and 2500 nits (peak), offering incredible brightness. Features like always-on-display and HDR are supported, while the Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 provides robust screen protection.

The addition of an extra USB-C port, designed for the Aero Active Cooler X, which doubles as a charging port, provides convenient options while charging, enhancing user experience and ergonomics.

Performance:

Powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, paired with 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB of UFS4.0 internal storage, the ROG Phone 8 Pro delivers blazing-fast performance ideal for gaming and multitasking. 

Running on Android 14 with ROG UI, the phone offers a clean, user-friendly interface with ample customisation options. The built-in Armoury Crate app allows for monitoring system performance, adjusting power modes, customising the AniMe Vision display, and other gaming features. Asus promises at least two major OS updates and four years of security updates, ensuring the phone remains up-to-date.

In various benchmarks, including 3DMark and Geekbench 6, the phone exhibits impressive performance, seamlessly handling intensive games like Genshin Impact, Honkai Star Rail, and PUBG without lag. Outperforming competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro in benchmarks, it stands as one of the most powerful smartphones available. Temperature management remains effective even during extended gaming sessions, with the device maintaining around 32 degree celsius.

Benchmarks:

Wild Life Extreme (3DMark)	5010
Single-core (GeekBench6)	2273
Multi-core (GeekBench6)	7140
GPU OpenGL (GeekBench6)	14443

Camera:

Featuring a triple rear camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, a 32MP telephoto lens, and a 13MP ultrawide lens, the ROG Phone 8 Pro captures decent photos and videos. However, it falls short of the quality offered by top-tier camera phones, with occasional over-sharpening in picture mode and subpar performance in portrait mode.

In video mode, it supports resolutions up to 8K at 24fps, but the auto-exposure adjustment occasionally results in noticeable colour tone shifts. The 32MP selfie camera, housed in a hole punch setup, offers up to 1080p at 30fps in video mode.

Battery:

With a massive 5500mAh battery, the ROG Phone 8 Pro delivers excellent battery life. We spent a half-day on the phone doing basic tasks and playing Genshin Impact and Pubg, and the phone only used 40% of its fully charged battery. Fast charging options like Quick Charge 5.0, PD Charging, and Qi 1.3 wireless charging ensure quick battery top-ups when needed.

Connectivity and Audio:

The phone has a comprehensive range of connectivity options, including 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, Dual SIM, GPS, and a 3.5mm headphone jack for low-latency audio, combined with dual stereo speakers supporting Qualcomm aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless codecs, which provide high-quality audio for gaming and multimedia consumption. The speakers offer warm, meaty, and punchy sound without becoming overly sharp in treble ranges. All that’s missing is a memory card slot for storage expansion.

Gaming Features:

The ROG Phone 8 Pro is loaded with gaming-centric features like pressure-sensitive zones acting as gaming triggers and AeroActive Cooler X for improved thermal management, enhancing the mobile gaming experience.

Unboxing the ROG Phone 8 Pro is an exciting experience that feels like completing a mission. One of the coolest features is how you interact with the phone and its packaging. For example, touching the sensor zone on the box activates the phone, leading to a short introduction that familiarises you with its features. This interactive element adds novelty and fun to the unboxing process while introducing you to the phone's capabilities right from the start.

Price and Value:

Priced at S$1,999 for the Pro Edition, which includes additional accessories and enhanced specifications, the ROG Phone 8 Pro ranks among the most expensive gaming phones on the market today. While it offers top-of-the-line specs and a plethora of gaming features, its high price tag may deter some buyers. However, for serious mobile gamers seeking peak performance and features, the ROG Phone 8 Pro remains a compelling choice.

Pros:

• Powerful performance with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor

• Stunning 165Hz AMOLED display

• Excellent battery life

• Unique design with customizable AniMe VISION display

• Comprehensive gaming features and accessories

• 3.5mm headphone jack

Cons:

• Expensive

• Camera quality doesn't match top-tier camera phones

Conclusion:

The ROG Phone 8 Pro emerges as a gaming powerhouse, offering exceptional performance, a beautiful display, and a host of gaming-centric features. Despite its high price tag and average camera quality, it remains a top contender for serious mobile gamers. However, for those prioritising affordability and camera performance, alternative gaming phones may present better options.

When considering why you might choose the ROG Phone 8 Pro over a flagship like the iPhone or the Samsung Galaxy Series, it's essential to look beyond mere specs. While both devices boast impressive hardware, the ROG Phone 8 Pro shines in its dedication to gaming excellence. Its unique gaming features, such as pressure-sensitive zones for enhanced control, the AeroActive Cooler X for optimal thermal management during extended gaming sessions, and compatibility with gaming accessories like the ROG Kunai 3 Gamepad, set it apart as a true gaming-centric device, making it a worthy investment for enthusiasts looking to elevate their gaming experience on the go.