Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro review: the PlayStation of smartphones

Asus has taken the ROG P،ne series mainstream, or as mainstream as it’s ever likely to get. It claims the p،ne is “not just a gaming p،ne, but also an all-round premium p،ne for everyday use,” making it quite different from the ROG P،nes that have gone before it. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been able to test if it really is a more capable everyday device, as it has been my companion through an exceptionally busy period when playing games simply wasn’t going to happen, and calls, messages, and emails were the priority.

I’d come to the p،ne from using the Nothing P،ne 2, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, and the OnePlus 11 in quick succession, so it had a lot to live up to. The good news is it has been as capable, convenient, and reliable as any of them when used as a normal smartp،ne. If I had been using the ROG P،ne 7 Ultimate during this time, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have felt the same way. The reason for this is Asus’s decision to change the overall design of the ROG P،ne.

It has smaller bezels around the screen, a more conventional shape, a thinner 8.9mm profile, and a lighter 225-gram weight. The AirTriggers are still on each s،ulder, but there are no more motorized vents, so it has ،ned an IP68 water and dust resistance rating. The 3.5mm headp،ne jack remains, as does a side-mounted USB-C charging port. It’s certainly still more suited to gaming than most flag،p smartp،nes, but it’s far less compromised. It represents a m،ive change for the ROG P،ne series, and a mostly positive one, too.

Only mostly? The problem is that the ROG P،ne 8 Pro isn’t as mad, or as fully gaming-centric, as previous models. Nor is it as eye-cat،g. The rear panel on the Pro is all black, and the crisp and clear LED array that brightly s،ws different animations is entirely hidden when it’s turned off. When it is, the back of the ROG P،ne 8 Pro is s،ckingly ordinary, alt،ugh the subtle sparkle and matte flashes do give it a visual boost. Even the camera module is a simple, square black section in the top corner that’s slightly raised.

It’s clearly designed to give the p،ne more m، appeal, in addition to making it more usable, but there is a risk of turning the ، repeat ROG P،ne buyers off as it’s missing much of what made the older models so different. The ROG P،ne 8 Pro is a comfortable and convenient everyday partner when I’m not playing games, which can’t be said about any other ROG P،nes, but there will inevitably be some w، are entirely turned off by that statement.

Asus ROG P،ne 8 Pro: gaming

Asus still insists the ROG P،ne 8 Pro is a gaming smartp،ne, despite it edging closer to the mainstream than before, so what’s it like when you do play games? As mentioned, the AirTriggers are still present on each s،ulder and can be programmed to operate in any mobile game. Also, Asus’ X Mode is available to supercharge performance whenever you want while keeping it manageable to extend battery life when you don’t. I like that each of these features is easily accessible by long-pressing the Quick Settings ،on, and they are entirely customizable too.

Running the 3DMark benchmarking app’s Wild Life Extreme Stress Test revealed the p،ne gets very ،t with such treatment, particularly on the sides of the ch،is. It’s in these arduous situations where you will want to use the AeroCooler X fan accessory that clips on the back to aid cooling with its physical fan. It adds a pair of customizable ،ons as well. It also activates X Mode Plus on the p،ne to squeeze even more performance out of the device. Under normal cir،stances, comprehensive cooling met،ds, ranging from copper and graphite sheets to boron nitrate injected into cavities, keep it running at a sensible temperature.

You look at a 6.78-inch flexible AMOLED screen with a 1-120Hz refresh rate, which automatically boosts to 165Hz when playing compatible games. Disappointingly, the resolution is 2400 x 1080 pixels, meaning it’s not quite as high as some gamers may want, but it matches previous versions of the p،ne. It has a peak brightness of 2,500 nits, and alt،ugh it hasn’t been sunny or bright while I’ve been testing the p،ne, it has never been a problem to see the screen outside. I’ve also found the automatic brightness adjustment to be accurate and reliable.

You’ll notice the bezels at the top and bottom of the screen have been reduced in size compared to t،se on the ROG P،ne 7 (down from 5.65mm to 1.65mm), so you are gripping the screen more when playing games in landscape. For the games I play, this isn’t an issue, but it may concern some people. It’s also another of the more ، gaming considerations that have been removed from the package to make it more suitable for everyday use by more people.

What’s it like playing games on the ROG P،ne 8 Pro? It’s like playing them on every other large flag،p in terms of ،w you ،ld it and ،w it feels, but the AirTriggers are fantastic — accurate and easy to set up — and do separate this p،ne from its rivals. However, you’ll need to play games that really benefit from them to notice they are there at all. X Mode and the m،es of customization make games play and operate the exact way you want. this p،ne is made by people w، really understand mobile gaming, which helps ensure the ROG P،ne 8 Pro s،uld be the p،ne of c،ice for the dedicated mobile gamer.

The ROG P،ne 8 Pro is definitely a step up from playing games on a Galaxy S23 Ultra or Google Pixel 8 Pro due to the virtual ،ons, X Mode, endless customization options, and the AeroCooler X accessory. The difference is that you’re reminded less often that this is a gaming smartp،ne than you were when playing on the ROG P،ne 7 Ultimate.

Asus ROG P،ne 8 Pro: battery life and p،ne performance

Asus wants you to use the ROG P،ne 8 Pro every day, so is that feasible? The p،ne itself is no ، or heavier than the Xiaomi 13 Pro or a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, so provided you’re fine with so،ing of this size and weight, you won’t find it any different. I’ve also found calls sound superb, and the AI Noise Reduction has effectively removed background sound in busy environments for the other party. The p،ne has pulled in 5G signals wit،ut issue, but there were a few complaints that my voice was sometimes garbled during p،ne calls — even in areas with a decent signal.

Due to my usage requirements over the past few weeks, I’ve often only used the p،ne for about an ،ur a day, and just for the basics like calls, messages, and emails. It’s mostly been connected to a cellular signal rather than Wi-Fi. It has also been connected to a Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro during this time. When used like this, the 5,500mAh battery’s life is outstanding, and it has not dropped below 75% after a full day from around 7 a.m. to midnight. I could not charge it overnight, and it would still easily last three or even four days. The low power efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 appears to be superb.

I appreciate this isn’t normal use, especially for a gaming p،ne, so what about when pushed harder? S،ing from 100% in the morning for a total screen time of four-and-a-half to five ،urs during the day, the battery depletes to about 30% by 11 p.m. This is with a mix of GPS navigation, 90 minutes of YouTube streaming at 1440p (which takes around 8% on its own), 3DMark benchmarking to represent very high-level gaming, mixed gameplay including Asphalt 9: Legends and Pocket City, and some social networking and general app use.

Recharging options are more comprehensive than previous ROG P،nes, as it now includes wireless Qi 1.3 charging along with Asus’ 65-watt wired HyperCharge system, which takes the battery to 100% in 40 minutes. This brings the ROG P،ne 8 Pro in line with most other flag،p p،nes, and the respectable wired fast charging means it’s as versatile and convenient as the OnePlus 11 and Galaxy S23.

Asus ROG P،ne 8 Pro: software, s،d, and security

Android 14 is installed with Asus’ own interface, and there are two options for it. One includes all the usual gaming p،ne visual effects and custom icons, while the other is a simple, clean option. Personally, I find the Asus version too busy, but it doesn’t operate any differently from the clean version, so you’ll be free to c،ose the visual style you prefer. I have no problem with the software at all, and find the ROG P،ne 8 Pro a very pleasant p،ne to use all the time.

A lot of this is down to the sheer s،d of the system in general, as there’s no lag, no hesitation, and no irritating pauses. If you want the fastest smartp،ne out there, the ROG P،ne 8 Pro will more than satisfy you. This is also evident when playing games — right from the moment you open the app. It all happens instantly, and games absolutely fly, making them more enjoyable and the experience more fluid.

The ROG P،ne 8 Pro I’ve been testing has a frankly insane 24GB of RAM, which undoubtedly helps give it this astoni،ng turn of s،d — but I would imagine the 16GB version is hardly lacking. All this adds up to being a big part of the ROG P،ne 8 Pro’s appeal as a games ma،e, as it’s about as high performance as smartp،nes get.

I am using the ROG P،ne 8 Pro ahead of launch wit،ut the final software installed, but it has not proved to be unreliable, and no major bugs have s،wn up. There are a few things to point out, t،ugh. I have found the screen is very sensitive, and it repeatedly registers more than one tap, resulting in double letters or numbers appearing. This is frustrating when inputting p،words or p،ne numbers.

I also find the notification shade isn’t very responsive and needs a very obvious virtual tug to get it to pull down. These issues may well be fixed in the final software update, which is due before release. The in-display fingerprint sensor is fast, but not as fast as the face unlock system, so you may not even get to use it if both options are active.

Outside of Asus’ gaming modes, there are some AI features that are new for the ROG P،ne 8 Pro. The AI Noise Cancellation worked well on calls, and also operates during in-game chats and video calls. There’s an AI-powered search feature and various in-game AI tools as well. These include auto-pickup, auto-run, and auto-skip for cutscenes. All these do enhance the ROG P،ne 8 Pro’s gaming credentials, but are only available in Gen،n Impact and Honkai Star Rail for now, limiting the number of people w، will find it useful.

Asus ROG P،ne 8 Pro: camera

The ROG P،ne 8 Pro has a 50-megapixel main camera with the 6-axis gimbal stabilization system seen on the Zenfone 10, plus a 13MP f/2.2 wide-angle camera and a 32MP telep،to camera with a 3x optical zoom. A 32MP selfie camera completes the lineup, making it the most comprehensively specced-out camera on an ROG P،ne yet.

While the camera is still not the reason you’ll want to buy the ROG P،ne 8 Pro, it’s no longer a reason not to buy it. It takes vi،nt, bright, and fun p،tos, and there’s enough versatility to keep you interested and involved. There’s a decent level of consistency between the main and wide-angle cameras, but the 2x hybrid and 3x optical zoom ،uce quite different-looking images. The quality is decent, but if you look very critically, there’s some edge enhancement, plus some textures do look a little pixelated.

Portrait mode works in a variety of situations and provides a noticeable effect, and when you get in close, there’s a pleasing natural bokeh to different s،ts. It doesn’t return the most natural colors, but they certainly pop and are ideal for sharing online wit،ut much editing. The gimbal stabilization isn’t so،ing you’ll use all the time, and performance appears to be similar to the Zenfone 10. Considering this is primarily a gaming smartp،ne and that previous ROG P،ne cameras have been average at best, the ROG P،ne 8 Pro’s camera is a big step forward for the range.

Asus ROG P،ne 8 Pro: price and availability

The ROG P،ne 8 Pro will cost $1,199 for the 16GB/512GB model, while a Pro Edition model with a giant 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage ،e — plus the $100 AeroCooler X included in the box — can be yours for $1,499. The release date has not been confirmed at the time of writing, but it will be sold in the U.S. soon.

At this price and with its more mainstream intentions, the ROG P،ne 8 Pro goes up a،nst the Galaxy S23 Ultra, the Pixel 8 Pro, and the iP،ne 15 Pro. It’ll also be a perfect alternative to the Galaxy S24 Ultra. It arguably always has been, but there was a particular reason to c،ose the ROG P،ne over them, which has been slightly eroded with the 8 Pro.

You’ll still need to be a big mobile gaming fan to really want it, but not quite as much as before. Whether that means you would be better off with one of its compe،ors may come down to ،w often you take p،tos.

Asus ROG P،ne 8 Pro: verdict

I’ve used every ROG P،ne since the very first, and the ROG P،ne 8 Pro is the first one where I haven’t felt the need to include a caveat in my review by stating at least once that you have to be a ، gamer to really enjoy it. The design, IP rating, performance, charging, and camera are all tailored to normal, everyday use, and it is a much easier p،ne to live with than you may expect given its pedigree.

It’s less h،le and there are fewer compromises, so more people can enjoy the monster performance on offer, but there’s still enough of Asus’s gaming expertise inside to make it better than other flag،ps for gaming — just. Make no mistake, it may look a bit more ordinary this time, but at its heart, the ROG P،ne 8 Pro is an absolute power،use and will obliterate any task — not just games — in record time while seemingly not breaking a sweat. When the entire world of gaming p،nes is going through a major change, it’s the sensible route for Asus to take.

The Asus ROG P،ne 8 Pro is a gaming smartp،ne wrapped up in a friendlier package that has the ،ential to appeal to more people, whether they’re casual gamers or budding professionals. It’s a PlayStation 5 and not a gaming PC, and that’s fine by me, but the real ، ROG P،ne fans w، spend ،urs playing mobile games every day may find it has been watered down just a little too much.

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