Asus has reimagined its ROG gaming phone series to emphasize gaming performance while enhancing overall phone functionality. The latest Asus ROG Phone 8 and Phone 8 Pro are powered by the advanced Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, unveiled at Les 2024 on Monday. The Pro variant stands out with impressive specs such as 24GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and a 6.78-inch display offering refresh rates of up to 165Hz. Notably, the Phone 8 lineup incorporates wireless charging and IP68 water and dust resistance, solidifying its position as a leading contender in Asus’ gaming phone range.
The unique top bezel that previously housed the front-facing camera in ROG phones has been replaced with a new punch-hole camera design. While this alteration reduces the screen space around the punch hole during full-screen gaming, Asus provides the option to minimize the screen area to prevent obstruction of the front camera. In contrast, RedMagic, a competitor, integrates its selfie camera under the display to achieve an uninterrupted full-screen experience, albeit sacrificing photo quality.
The 6.78-inch display on the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro supports an impressive refresh rate of up to 165Hz. The AI-powered Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 enhances various phone functionalities, including Semantic Search for processing app inputs, system settings, and image searches. The ROG Phone 8 introduces AI noise cancellation for voice and video calls, applicable to both regular calls and in-game communication. Additionally, users can now create personalized wallpapers using AI-generated elements, colors, and backgrounds.
Asus has also revamped its camera setup, highlighting a 50-megapixel main camera with 6-Axis Hybrid Stabilizer 3.0 for steady videos and images. Alongside the main camera, a 32MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and ultrawide 13MP cameras enhance the photography experience. Furthermore, a 32MP selfie camera is seamlessly integrated into the front display of the device.
Despite the IP68 water resistance in the ROG Phone 8 series, Asus has enhanced the phone’s cooling system to tackle heat dissipation effectively. The Phone 8 now utilizes transmission cooling to redirect heat from the components to the device’s back cover. An additional cooling solution, the AeroActive Cooler X attachment, further enhances thermal management without requiring a rear panel opening like its predecessor, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate.
Similar to the rear display on the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro, the Pro model now features a mini-LED rear display that can transition from a full-color screen to a dimmer LED. This secondary display, known as AniMe Vision, can display animated designs. The standard Phone 8 models replace the mini-LED display with an RGB-lit logo for an added visual touch.
The Asus ROG Phone 8 series retains the 65-watt wired charging system from the previous model, now supported by a slightly smaller 5,500mAh battery compared to the Phone 7’s 6,000mAh capacity. A new addition is the 15-watt wireless charging feature, although it does not support the updated Qi2 standard. The phones also come equipped with two USB-C ports, Wi-Fi 7 support, and retain the headphone jack, catering to the requirements of gamers and tech enthusiasts.
The starting price for the Asus ROG Phone 8 is set at \\(1,100 for the base model featuring 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, while the Pro model is priced at \\\)1,200 with similar storage configurations. The top-tier Pro model, equipped with 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, is priced at \\(1,500 and includes the AeroActive Cooler X attachment. Alternatively, the cooler can be purchased separately for \\\)100. Early buyers can benefit from a \$100 discount during the first quarter of 2024 when the phones are released for purchase.
