Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro Edition Review: Pure Power

Judgment

The Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro is one of the fastest, flashiest and most feature-packed pc gaming phones offered today. It’s likewise one of the easiest to deal with, as it has a decent electronic camera system, good software program and a fairly slim building and construction. Unfortunately, high pricing will certainly restrict its conventional allure.

Intro

The Asus ROG Phone 9 has actually landed, and at a glimpse, it looks a lot like the ROG Phone 8 Pro that came before it. As you may expect, it’s loading Qualcomm’s hot new Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset on the within, yet what else is brand-new?

Well, for starters, this model is also flashier than the last. Asus has actually revamped its AniMe Vision lighting system, almost increasing the pixel count and adding an additional colour. On an extra sensible note, it has a bigger battery, a new main electronic camera sensor and revamped air conditioning, also. There’s also some AI to assist with daily jobs and gaming.

Pc gaming phones constantly deliver excellent specs, however coping with one as your daily motorist generally comes with concessions. With the ROG Phone 8 collection, we saw the brand name edge better towards mainstream appeal, does the ROG Phone 9 Pro secure the deal? Allow’s find out.

Layout

• 163 8 x 76 8 x 8 9 mm, 227 g
• Aluminium frame, glass back
• 648 LED AniMe Vision matrix

As stated, the ROG Phone 9 Pro looks identical to the ROG Phone 8 Pro that we tested at the start of the year. The measurements are specifically the exact same, only inner adjustments cause a two-gram weight rise, which is not something you’ll feel or observe in the real world.

It’s just when you turn the phone on that particular the distinction radiates through– quite literally. Much like the last design, the ROG Phone 9 Pro has actually a hidden LED matrix on its rear panel, it’s invisible when turned off, but shines with the rear glass panel when it’s energetic.

The number of LEDs has nearly doubled, from 341 dots to 648, and it’s now two-tone. The LEDs on top of the matrix are white, while the bottom part has red pixels. By default, it cycles via the moment, battery percent and the ROG Logo design. It’s a whole lot like an always-on display, it’s just on the back of the phone, instead.

The LED matrix additionally shows a countdown timer for your pictures, a recording indicator for video clips and it can signal you to alerts. Asus has gone so far as to program a collection of games that you can play on the back panel, as well.

The video games are regulated making use of the two capacitive-touch Air Triggers on the side of the phone. There’s a serpent video game, brick pong, which one that Chrome lets you play when you lose link (whatever that’s called). It’s not something you’re likely to utilize often, nevertheless, you can play much more remarkable games on the actual display, however it’s a truly trendy event trick.

Aside from the light show, and a couple of tiny print adjustments, it’s specifically the same as the previous version. Nonetheless, that’s no negative point; the ROG Phone 8 Pro was Asus’ most refined video gaming phone to day, and it looks and feels equally as impressive this time around.

You still get double USB ports, so you can pleasantly bill while playing, and you still get the headphone socket, as well. The dual USB arrangement is so wonderful to have, and it truly provides this phone a boost over completing gadgets from the likes of RedMagic.

The ROG Phone 9 Pro is readily available in 2 various selections. There’s the ROG Phone 9 Pro and the ROG Phone 9 Pro Edition. It’s a quite complex calling scheme, however all you require to recognize is that the “Version” version comes with the AeroActive Colder X Pro in the box and has more RAM and storage space. If you opt for the normal design, you can get the cooler separately for around ₤ 90

The cooler looks a lot like the one for the ROG Phone 8 Pro, and it works identically. The concept is that it maintains temperatures down for extended video gaming sessions while likewise including 2 added shoulder switches. There’s likewise a kickstand built-in, as well as a passthrough for the USB-C and sound jack.

Nevertheless, while it may look really similar to the colder that came with the ROG Phone 8 Pro Version, this model has been modified to enhance its performance. The follower blades are somewhat larger, and obviously this can boost the cooling impact by approximately 29 %.

There’s likewise a subwoofer built-in, so your sound obtains a wonderful bass increase whenever the cooler is connected. This was an attribute of the cooler for the ROG Phone 7, but it was missing for the 8, so I’m really pleased to see it return.

My review device shipped with the Chill Case, which will be sold as an optional accessory. At first, I had not been too satisfied. It’s made from a matte black plastic that does not really feel specifically premium, and it’s strangely thick, as well. Ultimately, I realised its purpose, and it’s a quite creative idea.

The factor the instance is so thick is due to the fact that it has an integrated vapour chamber. So, it’s not only there to keep your tool safeguarded, it’ll in fact improve the performance also. It seems to function well, with the phone remaining much more comfortable to hold throughout long play sessions.

Display

• 6 78 -inch 185 Hz 1080 × 2400 OLED
• Totally flat-screen, Gorilla Glass Victus 2
• 2500 nits peak brightness

The screen likewise shares the majority of its specs with the ROG Phone 8 Pro, and again, there’s absolutely nothing incorrect with that. This panel wowed us at the beginning of the year, and it’s just as outstanding today.

The one point that has actually altered is the maximum revitalize rate. It can currently increase to a blisteringly quick 185 Hz. It’s not the fastest display ever before to elegance a smart device, the 240 Hz Sharp Aquos Absolutely No 2 still lugs that honour, but it’s the fastest on the market now– by a considerable margin.

Do you need your phone to freshen at 185 Hz? Probably not. Most games don’t also make use of the more typical 120 Hz criterion, however this is a video gaming phone, and pushing the limits is what it’s everything about.

Otherwise, this is an extremely similar Samsung E 6 LTPO OLED panel with 2400 × 1080 resolution and a peak brightness of 2500 nits.

The illumination could not seem also impressive, with some brands claiming upwards of 5000 nits, yet these numbers can be tricking. You’ll need to trust me when I state this is a really intense phone. You’ll have no difficulty seeing the display on a sunny day.

The colours show up lively and exact throughout and if you intend to tweak the image, you have a wealth of photo accounts at your disposal. Personally, I think it looks nearly excellent as typical, and it just obtains even more outstanding if you watch some HDR content.

Cams

• 50 MP major camera (1/ 1 56 -inch sensing unit)
• 13 MP ultrawide
• 32 MP 3 x telephoto (1/ 3 -inch sensing unit)
• 32 MP broad selfie camera

The Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro has a three-way cam arrangement on its back, and it’s mainly unmodified from the last generation. You still get a 50 MP primary electronic camera, a 13 MP ultrawide and a 32 MP 3 x telephoto. This moment, though, the main sensor has actually been upgraded.

Asus is now using Sony’s brand-new Lytia 700 sensing unit, rather than the IMX 890 It’s still a 1/ 1 56 -inch 50 MP device, yet it should have far better light-gathering abilities, and be less prone to motion blur when the light obtains low.

It still makes use of Asus’ innovative 6 -axis crossbreed gimbal stabiliser, but this has been upgraded, also. The system, currently in its fourth generation, includes 5 added degrees of activity settlement, which apparently equates to 66 % much better efficiency.

I didn’t have the older design on hand, so it’s tough to examine just how much of an improvement has actually been made, but no matter, the major camera executes quite possibly. It’s conveniently among the most effective video cameras on a pc gaming phone, and it delivers sharp photos with precise colours in all illumination conditions.

As usual, the ultrawide is the least outstanding lens, and it lacks some detail contrasted to the sensing units. There’s additionally no autofocus, so you can not utilize it for close-ups. It’s still suitable, simply do not expect to be wowed.

The 3 x telephoto, at the same time, delivers excellent shots in the daylight however deals with noise and motion blur during the night. It’s still really good to have, and supplies a field of view that a lot of pc gaming phones can not match.

You can zoom past the optical array and obtain solid results approximately around 10 x focus the daytime. I wouldn’t suggest doing it at night, though, as the sound and grain of the picture will certainly destroy your shot.

The selfie camera has a fairly broad 22 mm equivalent field of vision, which suggests it’s quite fantastic for showing off your environments or taking team shots. Unfortunately, there’s no autofocus, so you’ll want to make sure you’re standing in the wonderful place for the very best results.

When it involves video clip shooting, Asus’ gimbal stabilisation does an excellent work on the primary lens, autofocus fasts and the microphones audio respectable. You can tape at approximately 8 K @ 30 fps or 4 K @ 60 fps however just on the major lens. The ultrawide sustains capturing at up to 4 K @ 30 fps, while the 3 x lens supports 1080 p @ 60 fps and the selfie maxes out at 1080 p @ 30 fps.

This absence of uniformity is the system’s most significant weakness. It indicates you’ll require to think of which lenses you’ll want to use before setting your resolution. It’s safest to stay with 1080 p @ 30 fps if you’ll be switching lenses while videotaping, which’s unfortunate, particularly when the phone supports 8 K.

All-in-all, I think this is probably the best video camera system offered on a pc gaming phone today. Nevertheless, that’s not the highest bar to cross, and contrasted to mainstream front runner opponents, these cams are extremely drab. If you’re not that fussy with your photos, you’ll be happy sufficient, but eager digital photographers will obtain more for their money in other places.

Performance

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
• 16 GB/ 24 GB RAM, 512 GB/ 1 TB storage space
• Double stereo audio speakers, 3 5 mm headphone jack

This is the initial phone that I’m checking with Qualcomm’s latest top-tier chip, the Snapdragon 8 Elite. My sample is the Pro Version variation, which suggests it comes paired with an enormous 24 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage space, while the regular Pro design obtains an extra normal 16 GB and 512 GB arrangement.

Of course, given that this is a gaming mobile phone, Asus has put great deals of work into the air conditioning system, and it has actually been overhauled to obtain one of the most out of this powerful chip. The interior graphite sheet is now 57 % bigger and a brand-new fast cooling conductor transfers warm far from the SoC with 20 % far better effectiveness than the previous design.

In technique, this must relate to a 12 % drop in temperature levels while video gaming, and if that’s not enough, you can always clamp on the AeroActive Colder X Pro to maintain temperatures in check.

To the surprise of definitely no person, the ROG Phone 9 Pro achieved the best benchmark outcomes of any kind of phone that I have examined to day. The stability is respectable, yet the phone still throttles under continual loads. Utilizing the Wild animals Extreme stress test, the 9 Pro only scored 45 % for security without accessories, however if you utilize the AeroActive cooler, that score lifts to a staggering 98 5 %. It’s well worth the extra bulk if you’re clearing up in for a lengthy session.

Certainly, this equates to real-world gaming, as well. The ROG Phone 9 Pro can run basically any Android video game at optimal graphics setups, and it’ll offer a smooth stutter-free experience throughout.

Regardless of Asus’s best efforts with the air conditioning, it does get quite warm when you’re playing a demanding title, however it never ever gets to a concerning level. Both the Cool Instance and snap-on cooler create a much more comfortable experience when tapping away at Genshin for more than 30 minutes.

Beyond video gaming, the system really feels just as fast. Computer animations are quick and liquid, apps open in a split second and it multitasks without damaging a sweat.

The ROG Phone 9 Pro has double stereo speakers, and they suggest company. They’re among the most excellent I have heard from a smartphone, with better bass action than the competition, excellent clearness and a large soundstage. The only drawback is that the optimum volume isn’t the highest.

If you connect in the AeroActive Cooler, it sounds also much better, as the built-in speaker kicks the bass up a notch. With it affixed, it starts to take on budget Bluetooth speakers.

Software application

• Android 15 with Asus tweaks
• Comprehensive gaming functions
• New AI features

From the first minute that you turn on the ROG Phone 9 Pro, it’s clear that this equipment is everything about gaming. On the initial boot, you’re welcomed with an introductory video game, full with a cyberpunk story, that presents you to the different video gaming functions, like the AirTriggers.

Hereafter, you can select if you want your phone to have the edgy sci-fi ROG style or a more common Android look. Personally, I favor a little a lot more subtlety to my home screen, so I went the traditional path, yet it’s very easy to switch over to and fro if you alter your mind.

I was pleased to discover that the operating system is totally free from bloatware, the only bonus are a handful of Asus applications to regulate system functions. It’s always nice to be able to relocate into a phone without the hassle of cleaning up superfluous applications.

The system behaves a whole lot like supply Android, and it’s very simple to browse. Every little thing is where you would certainly anticipate it to be, and the additional features, like the lighting and AirTrigger setups, are mainly constrained to the preinstalled Depot Pet crate app.

One of the big points that makes a phone a pc gaming phone is the addition of software application features to assist in games, and the ROG Phone 9 Pro has one of the most thorough tool collections available.

These are primarily accessed by swiping from the corner of the screen while a video game is running to bring up the Video game Genie overlay. There are all the attributes you would certainly anticipate from an excellent game overlay, like efficiency settings, monitoring, alert barring and messaging. But Asus takes points an action further.

There are a lot of new AI-powered features to make your life less complicated in particular video games. I particularly like the X Sense “Car Get” attribute for Genshin Effect. It discovers when products are offered to grab, and will instantly tap the appropriate location of the screen to choose them up for you. There are also Auto Run and Speed Up Discussion choices for the very same title.

One more AI-powered function I located super beneficial is called “AI Grabber”. If you obtain stuck on a mission, you can open this function, and it’ll immediately scan your screen for and replicate the title of the energetic mission. Then, at the touch of a button, you can Google it and search for tips or a guide.

The AI functions aren’t simply for gaming, either. The operating system has great deals of efficiency devices built in, consisting of AI transcription for voice notes, automated telephone call translation and AI wallpaper generation.

I was a little disappointed that there’s no Circle to Search with Google on this gadget, a minimum of not yet. It’s ending up being an extra common feature on Android phones, and I discover it really useful. Besides that, though, I located the ROG OS a pleasure to live with. It feels quick, it’s easy to adapt to and it’s loaded with game-centric goodies.

Battery life

• 5800 mAh battery
• 65 W wired billing
• 15 W cordless (Qi 1 3

Among the greatest grievances regarding the ROG Phone 8 Pro was that, in an initiative to make the phone slimmer, Asus decreased the battery capability rather substantially. This time around about, we obtain an increase to 5800 mAh. It’s still reluctant of the ROG Phone 7’s 6000 mAh capability, yet it’s much better, and the performance gains ought to assist to close the void, as well.

For my demands, the 5800 mAh is more than enough, and I usually finished the day with over 30 % battery staying. Obviously, if you stick the performance setting into high equipment and play ready hours, it’ll drain quicker, yet that holds true of every phone.

I love that Asus has remained to include an extra USB port to its video gaming mobiles, and I want various other makers would adopt this feature, as well. It means you can conveniently video game in landscape alignment while keeping the tool covered up.

The phone comes with a 65 W wall adapter in the box and a nice braided USB-C cable. I would certainly have enjoyed to see faster charging, but 65 W is nothing to be sniffed at. It’ll get you from entirely dead to about 40 % butted in simply 15 mins.

The ROG Phone 9 Pro also sustains cordless billing, and it’s one of the only gaming phones to do so. I’m a fan of cordless charging, so I’m happy to see it, but the rates can certainly be better. It’ll just charge at 15 W utilizing the Qi 1 3 standard, and that indicates you’ll be waiting a good while if you desire a complete cost.

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