ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro [Newly Launched Gaming Smartphone]

ASUS has once again pushed the boundaries with the release of the ROG Phone 8 Pro. Launched on January 18, 2024, this powerhouse device promises to redefine the gaming experience with its cutting-edge features and unparalleled specifications.

1. Release and Availability:
   • Launched on January 18, 2024.
   • Available for purchase since January 18, 2024.
2. Design and Build:
   • Sleek and durable design with a weight of 225g and thickness of 8.9mm.
   • Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front, Gorilla Glass on the back, and aluminum frame.
   • Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) with IP68 dust/water resistance.
   • Innovative features include a 341 Mini-LED programmable matrix on the back and pressure-sensitive gaming triggers.
3. Display Excellence:
   • 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display with 1080 x 2400 pixel resolution.
   • 165Hz refresh rate, HDR10 support, and brightness up to 1600 nits (HBM) and 2500 nits (peak).
   • Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection and Always-On display feature.
4. Performance Beast:
   • Powered by Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset (4nm process).
   • Octa-core CPU with Cortex-X4, Cortex-A720, and Cortex-A520 cores.
   • Adreno 750 GPU for a smooth gaming experience.
5. Memory and Storage:
   • Two variants: 512GB storage with 16GB RAM and 1TB storage with 24GB RAM.
   • UFS 4.0 technology for faster data transfer.
   • NTFS support for external storage.
6. Photography Redefined:
   • Triple-camera system with a 50MP wide-angle lens, 32MP telephoto lens, and 13MP ultrawide lens.
   • Video recording capabilities up to 8K at 24fps and various other modes.
   • 32MP selfie camera with advanced features.
7. Immersive Audio Experience:
   • Stereo speakers for immersive sound during gaming.
   • 3.5mm headphone jack and support for 32-bit/384kHz Hi-Res audio and Hi-Res wireless audio.
8. Connectivity:
   • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band support.
   • Bluetooth 5.3 with advanced audio capabilities.
   • Comprehensive positioning system with GPS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC, and GLONASS.
   • NFC for wireless transactions.
9. Innovative Features for Gamers:
   • Mini-LED programmable matrix on the back with 341 LEDs.
   • Pressure-sensitive gaming triggers for precise control.
10. Battery and Charging:
    • Massive 5500mAh non-removable battery for extended gaming sessions.
    • 65W wired charging with technologies like PD3.0, PPS, and QC5 (International version).
    • Additional 30W wired charging option for the Indian market.
    • 15W wireless charging (Qi standard) and 10W reverse wired charging.
11. Software and User Interface:
    • Runs on Android 14 with ASUS's custom UI tailored for gaming.
    • Designed to maximize performance and deliver a smooth gaming experience.
12. Pricing and Availability:
    • Available in Phantom Black color.
    • Priced at $1,705.00 or €1,199.99.
13. Performance Benchmarks:
    • Impressive AnTuTu scores of 1639368 (v9) and 2167612 (v10).
    • GeekBench scores of 6542 (v5) and 7178 (v6).
    • GFXBench score of 163fps in offscreen 1080p rendering.

Design and Build:

The ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro boasts a sleek and robust design, weighing in at 225g with a thickness of 8.9mm. The combination of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front, Gorilla Glass on the back, and an aluminum frame not only gives it a premium look but also ensures durability. The device is equipped with a dual SIM card slot and is IP68 dust/water-resistant, capable of withstanding depths of up to 1.5m for 30 minutes.

Display Excellence:

The phone features a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 1080 x 2400 pixel resolution, providing a 20:9 aspect ratio and a pixel density of approximately 388 ppi. The display supports an impressive 165Hz refresh rate, HDR10, and achieves a brightness of 1600 nits (HBM) and 2500 nits (peak). The Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection ensures durability, and an Always-On display feature enhances user convenience.

Performance :

Under the hood, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, built on a 4nm process. The octa-core CPU configuration includes one Cortex-X4 core clocked at 3.3 GHz, five Cortex-A720 cores at 3.2 GHz, and two Cortex-A520 cores at 2.3 GHz. The Adreno 750 GPU ensures a smooth and immersive gaming experience.

Memory and Storage:

The phone offers two variants: 512GB storage with 16GB RAM and a massive 1TB storage with 24GB RAM. The use of UFS 4.0 technology guarantees faster data transfer rates, while NTFS support for external storage opens up additional possibilities for expanding storage capacity.

Camera Capabilities: 

ASUS has equipped the ROG Phone 8 Pro with a versatile triple-camera system.

• The primary camera is a 50MP wide-angle lens with an f/1.9 aperture, featuring PDAF and gimbal OIS for exceptional stability.
• The telephoto lens offers 3x optical zoom, with a 32MP sensor and f/2.4 aperture.
• Completing the setup is a 13MP ultrawide lens with an f/2.2 aperture and a 120˚ field of view.
• The camera system supports video recording up to 8K at 24fps and various other modes, such as 4K at 30/60fps, 1080p at 30/60/120/240fps, and 720p at 480fps.
• The selfie camera features a 32MP sensor with an f/2.5 aperture, ensuring crisp and clear images.

Immersive Audio Experience:

The ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro takes audio seriously, providing a rich auditory experience. The device comes equipped with stereo speakers for immersive sound during gaming sessions. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack ensures compatibility with a wide range of audio peripherals. Moreover, the phone supports 32-bit/384kHz Hi-Res audio and Hi-Res wireless audio, enhancing the overall audio quality.

Connectivity:

In terms of connectivity, the ROG Phone 8 Pro supports the latest standards. It features Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 with tri-band support, ensuring optimal wireless connectivity. Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, and aptX Lossless provide advanced audio capabilities. The phone's positioning system includes GPS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC, and GLONASS. NFC is also present for convenient wireless transactions.

Innovative Features for Gamers:

True to its Republic of Gamers (ROG) lineage, this phone comes with several gaming-centric features. The device sports a Mini-LED programmable matrix on the back, comprising 341 LEDs. These LEDs can be customized to display various patterns, enhancing the gaming aesthetic. The inclusion of pressure-sensitive gaming triggers further elevates the gaming experience, providing users with precise control during intense gameplay.

Battery and Charging:

The ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro is equipped with a massive 5500mAh non-removable battery, ensuring extended gaming sessions without the need for frequent recharges. The phone supports 65W wired charging with technologies like PD3.0, PPS, and QC5, allowing users to reach 100% battery capacity in just 39 minutes (for the international version).

Additionally, a 30W wired charging option is available for the Indian market. Wireless charging is supported at 15W (Qi standard), and the device can even reverse charge other devices at 10W through its USB Type-C port.

Software and User Interface:

Running on Android 14, the ROG Phone 8 Pro combines the latest Android features with ASUS's custom UI tailored for gaming. The interface is designed to maximize performance and deliver a smooth, lag-free gaming experience.

Pricing and Availability:

The ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro, also known as the Pro Edition, is available in the market with a Phantom Black color option. The phone is priced at $1,705.00 or €1,199.99, reflecting its high-end specifications and gaming-centric features.

Performance Benchmarks:

In various performance benchmarks, the ROG Phone 8 Pro has showcased its prowess. AnTuTu scores of 1639368 (v9) and 2167612 (v10) indicate the device's top-tier performance. GeekBench scores of 6542 (v5) and 7178 (v6) further emphasize its computational capabilities. In GFXBench, the phone achieved an impressive 163fps in offscreen 1080p rendering.

The ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro stands as a testament to ASUS's commitment to delivering a top-tier gaming experience. From its powerful hardware to innovative features tailored for gaming enthusiasts, this smartphone raises the bar for what a gaming device can achieve.

With a striking design, cutting-edge display, and a robust camera system, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is not just a gaming device; it's a multimedia powerhouse. While the price may be on the higher side, the device undoubtedly caters to a niche audience that demands uncompromising performance and features for their gaming adventures. If you're a dedicated gamer looking for the ultimate gaming smartphone, the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro is a compelling choice that delivers on every front.