Asus has been a pioneer in dedicated gaming phones and is poised to shake up the market again with the upcoming ROG Phone 8 release on January 8. Through its Republic of Gamers (ROG) series, Asus has consistently pushed the envelope and set new bars for gaming smartphones. In the dynamic landscape of gaming smartphones, the ROG Phone series stands as a beacon of innovation and power. Now, with the arrival of the ROG Phone 8 in the UK, gamers can expect nothing short of excellence. The eagerly awaited model is expected to redefine gaming phones once more by building on the legacy of previous models. This latest iteration introduces numerous innovative features and design changes, shifting away from conventional gaming aesthetics towards a more mainstream versatile appeal. With this, Asus aims to revolutionise gaming phones again as a long-time leader at the forefront of innovation in this market.
With confirmed design modifications and a focus on delivering superior performance, the ROG Phone 8 aims to solidify Asus’s position as a pioneer in the dedicated gaming phone market. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the intricacies of the ROG Phone, examining its design overhaul, notable specifications, standout features, potential drawbacks, and the overall value it brings to gamers and smartphone enthusiasts alike.
Design Overhaul Confirmed
Asus has teased two significant design changes for the ROG Phone 8, indicating a departure from conventional gaming aesthetics. The “edgeless frame” showcased in a Twitter teaser suggests a more mainstream design approach. This aligns with Asus’s confirmation of the phone being “IP68 dustproof and waterproof,” hinting at a less extreme cooling system for improved water and dust resistance. The design shift marks a departure from the robust gaming-centric look of its predecessors, promising a more versatile appeal.
Design & Build: Aesthetic Evolution
- Adopts a lighter and sleeker build compared to previous models
- Ditches the bold white colour scheme for a discreet all-black design with a broader appeal
- Weighs 225g and measures 8.9mm thick, balancing bulk and portability
- Features a redesigned, squarish camera module for a more minimalist look
- Achieves an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, a practical upgrade
- The more understated design makes it suitable for everyday use beyond gaming
- Overall evolution focuses on a lighter, slimmer, and more subtle aesthetic
Screen & Speakers: Immersive Display Experience
The ROG Phone 8 retains a large 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a remarkable 165Hz refresh rate. The introduction of LTPO technology allows automatic refresh rate adjustments, optimising battery life. The display peak brightness reaches 2500 nits, enhancing visibility in various lighting conditions. However, the inclusion of an always-on display and a smaller top bezel sacrifices the impressive dual front-facing speakers found in its predecessor. The trade-off ensures a more sophisticated appearance but may impact the audio experience.
Specs & Performance: Powerhouse Unleashed
With the newest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, the ROG Phone 8 solidifies its status as a premium gaming phone. In benchmark testing, it outperforms its predecessor powered by the Gen 1 chip. Configurations come with 16GB or 24GB of RAM to ensure smooth multitasking and gaming. The Adreno 750 GPU also provides top-notch graphical performance. Storage options range from 512GB up to 1TB, providing ample space for game downloads and media files. During testing, the phone handled demanding games like Call of Duty: Mobile and PUBG Mobile flawlessly, demonstrating its gaming prowess.
The AeroActive Cooler X accessory further enhances the gaming experience by improving thermal control during extended play sessions. With its upgraded processor, ample RAM and storage, and optimised cooling, this model has the specs and features necessary for a stellar gaming experience. Benchmark results and hands-on testing confirm the phone’s power for gaming, multimedia, and daily use. It cements itself as one of the most capable gaming phones available.
Cameras: Bridging the Gap Between Gaming and Photography
To transcend the gaming phone stereotype, the ROG Phone 8 emphasises camera improvements. The triple rear lens setup, featuring a 50Mp main lens, 13Mp ultrawide, and a new 32Mp telephoto with 3x optical zoom, represents a substantial leap in camera performance. The gimbal-based optical image stabilisation ensures sharp and natural-looking photos, even in challenging conditions. The inclusion of a dedicated night mode enhances low-light photography. While not rivalling traditional camera phones, it marks a significant improvement in its camera capabilities.
Battery Life & Charging: Balancing Act
The ROG Phone 8 comes with a 5500mAh battery, smaller than its predecessor. However, improved software optimization maintains a strong battery life for the phone. For everyday usage, users can expect the battery to last a couple of days on a single charge. Gamers should still get through a full day of intensive gaming before needing to recharge. Benchmarks show battery life is slightly reduced compared to the previous model. However, the phone supports 65W wired charging that can bring the battery to around 80% in just 30 minutes. This helps offset the smaller battery capacity.
Additionally, it also introduces 15W wireless charging support. This provides more flexibility in charging options, although it requires purchasing a separate compatible wireless charger. The combination of fast wired charging and new wireless charging capabilities ensures users can quickly top up the battery regardless of gaming or everyday needs. The phone maintains relatively robust longevity despite the smaller battery size.
Software & Apps: Tailored Gaming Experience
The ROG Phone 8 runs on Android 14 with a user-friendly ROG UI overlay. Gaming-centric features like Game Genie and Armory Crate enhance the gaming experience by allowing users to customise settings and fine-tune performance. The inclusion of AI-powered tools, such as noise cancellation on calls and semantic search, extends utility beyond gaming. While the core software experience remains consistent, the device commits to two Android version updates, falling slightly behind competitors but compensating with four years of security updates.
Price & Availability: Premium Investment for Gaming Enthusiasts
The Asus ROG Phone 8 is available in two configurations, with prices ranging from £1,099/$1,199.99 to £1,299/$1,499.99. The absence of contract options necessitates an outright purchase, potentially limiting accessibility. Buyers in the UK can benefit from an early-bird offer, receiving the AeroActive X cooler with the 16GB version. Alternatives include the standard ROG Phone 8 and other gaming phones in a similar price range. Despite the premium cost, this model justifies its price through a combination of a sharp display, rapid charging, versatile cameras, and unparalleled gaming performance.
Final Evaluation of ROG Phone 8
The ASUS ROG Phone 8 comes with several noteworthy advantages, including the lightning-fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, a refreshed lightweight construction, a smooth 165Hz refresh rate, upgraded cameras, and an IP68 rating for dust and water protection. However, potential buyers should also consider a few limitations. Battery life remains largely unchanged from its predecessor, and the premium pricing may be prohibitive for some users. There are also restrictions around operating system update support.
In summary, the ROG Phone 8 is an extremely capable device thanks to its cutting-edge power and innovations, making it a top choice for gaming and power users. But its high cost, battery life concerns, and software update restrictions are worth examining to determine if it outweighs the cons based on individual priorities. The phone shines when it comes to raw performance, but misses the mark on certain practical elements. Carefully weighing its strengths against weaknesses will allow buyers to make an informed decision.
Conclusion
The Asus ROG Phone 8 is a multipurpose high-end smartphone that efficiently transcends its gaming roots. It has advanced cameras, an eye-catching layout, and fantastic processing energy. For the ones looking for a top-tier Android tool, it gives an alluring alternative although it is still priced better. This smartphone offers a fascinating experience for informal customers and die-difficult game enthusiasts. Asus is a leader within the rapidly evolving cellphone market, and this phone is a prime example of its modern gaming phone technology. As its release nears, this phone is transformative, blending energy, aesthetics, and capability uniquely. Whether a gaming expert or an ordinary consumer, the ROG Phone 8 merits extreme consideration as a cutting-edge, do-it-all cellphone. For more information, visit Savewithnerds.
