ASUS has followed a similar pattern with its gaming phones over the last six years, rolling out devices with aggressive styling, the latest internal hardware, massive battery, and unique gaming extras along with an exhaustive accessory ecosystem. The brand’s previous offering, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate, was outstanding, delivering all the features one could ask for in a gaming phone. However, for 2024, ASUS is taking a different strategy – instead of making a phone just for gamers, the brand is rolling out a device that can do so much more, while still being the best at gaming.
The ambitious undertaking has paid off, as the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro is a terrific all-rounder that goes above and beyond a traditional gaming phone. With an all-new design that brings it in line with mainstream devices, overhauled cameras, IP68 ingress protection, wireless charging, clean software with plenty of unique features, and a battery that easily lasts two days, the phone is just as good as any traditional flagship in most areas.
Unveiled on January 8, the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro went on sale in select countries starting January 16. It is available in two models: the standard ROG Phone 8 and the ROG Phone 8 Pro model. The standard model with 16GB/256GB costs $1,099 in the U.S., but those pre-ordering the device will be able to pick it up at $999. The Pro variant is available in a 16GB/512GB version that costs $1,199, and a 24GB/1TB model that comes with the new AeroActive Cooler C bundled in the box, debuting at $1,499 globally.
The device boasts a 6.78-inch 165Hz LTPO AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, up to 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, a 5500mAh battery, and an array of other top-of-the-line features such as Wi-Fi 7, Sub-6 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, dual-band GPS, and IP68 dust and water resistance.
The standout feature of the ROG Phone 8 Pro is its all-new design, which brings a much more conservative look compared to its predecessors. The phone is designed to target a mainstream audience while still looking cool. The back has a satin texture that feels great to hold and use, and the in-hand feel is comfortable. The camera island is larger than previous iterations, and the phone now has ultra-thin bezels on all sides, with a hole-punch cutout at the front. The ROG Phone 8 Pro weighs 225g, 21g lighter than its predecessor, making it much more comfortable to use.
Another significant design change is the inclusion of IP68 ingress protection, making the ROG Phone 8 Pro the first gaming phone to offer this feature. The device also comes with an optical in-display fingerprint sensor and a back tap gesture that’s customizable for launching various actions.
The device’s display is a 6.78-inch panel with a 165Hz refresh rate, going up to 2,500 nits, and LTPO tech that dynamically switches the refresh down to 1Hz when viewing static content. However, there have been some issues with the ambient light sensor and the feature to wake the panel whenever a notification is received.
In terms of performance, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, offering the best gaming performance on Android. The device does not throttle even during extended gaming sessions and offers extensive customizability for gaming-related settings, including AirTriggers and different usage modes. It also includes a new AeroActive Cooler X for better thermal management.
The device’s 5,500mAh battery easily lasts a day and a half with heavy use, with the added convenience of 65W USB PD 3.0 charging and 15W Qi wireless charging. The phone also offers versatile cameras with a 50MP primary lens, 13MP wide-angle module, and 32MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS. The software experience is clean and customizable, although there have been some bugs and glitches reported.
While the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro delivers the best performance on Android, a great design, a vibrant display, versatile cameras, and clean software, it falls short in the area of software updates. With ASUS only offering two Android OS updates and four years of security updates, the device trails behind other major brands that now guarantee at least four Android OS updates. This limitation might deter potential buyers, considering the high price tag of $1,499 for the device.
Overall, the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro is a terrific gaming phone that is also much more than that. With its great design, outstanding performance, and a host of premium features, it is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-end phone that stands out. However, the lack of long-term software updates may be a deal-breaker for some prospective buyers.
