The gaming smartphone war just got a major shake-up with ASUS unveiling its ROG Phone 9 series, featuring the ROG Phone 9 and the ROG Phone 9 Pro. Packed with industry-leading features, quirky innovations, and jaw-dropping specs, these phones are tailor-made for hardcore gamers and tech enthusiasts.
Game On, Front and Back
The ROG Phone 9 Pro is grabbing attention with its ability to play games directly on the backlighting system! This is not a gimmick—it’s a fun addition allowing users to play classic mini-games like Brick Smasher and Snake Venture using Air Triggers. While the standard model doesn’t include these games, it still offers customizable backlighting for notifications and more.
Monster Specs for Power Users
Both models come powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, supported by LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage. The Pro model is a performance beast, offering configurations up to 24GB RAM and 1TB storage, complete with a bundled AeroActive Cooler X Pro accessory for optimal thermal control.
To handle heat, ASUS integrated a 57% larger graphite sheet and a new rapid cooling conductor, ensuring a 12% temperature reduction during intense sessions.
Display and Audio Bliss
The phones feature a stunning 6.78-inch LTPO OLED screen with a blazing 185Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 2,500 nits. Coupled with Dirac Virtuo-powered spatial audio, Snapdragon Sound support, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, this is a multimedia powerhouse for gamers and audiophiles alike.
Cameras That Pack a Punch
The Pro model shines in photography, boasting a 50MP main camera with gimbal OIS, a 13MP ultrawide lens, and an impressive 32MP 3x telephoto camera. Meanwhile, the standard variant trades the telephoto lens for a 5MP macro lens, keeping photography features competitive.
Battery and Software Commitment
With a 5,800mAh battery supporting 65W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, gaming marathons won’t be interrupted. ASUS is also promising two major OS updates and five years of security updates, though this lags behind rivals like Google and Samsung.
Pricing and Availability
The ROG Phone 9 starts at $999, while the Pro model has premium configurations priced higher. The phones are rolling out in APAC regions today, with Europe getting pre-orders starting this month and a US launch slated for January 2025.
The ROG Phone 9 series doesn’t just raise the bar; it redefines what gaming smartphones can be. From backlit gaming to top-tier specs, this lineup is for those who demand innovation and performance in one sleek package.
