Asus ROG Phone 9

Designed for spectators and performance enthusiasts, the Asus ROG Phone 9 is an unreserved powerhouse that was released on November 19, 2024. In-depth analysis of its design, display, hardware, photography capabilities, battery life, and overall value proposition are all covered in this review. A gamer’s paradise, the ROG Phone 9 maintains its gaming roots with a design that is both practical and eye-catching. The weight of 227 grams and measurements of 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm demonstrate a robust construction. Although it weighs a little more than other smartphones, the weight gives it a more upscale feel and makes room for sturdy internal components. Both the front and rear of the smartphone are protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and its aluminum frame ensures durability. The Mini-LED programmable matrix, its most notable feature, gives a distinctive flair with customized lighting effects for gaming profiles and notifications.

Additionally, there are pressure-sensitive areas, sometimes known as gaming triggers which enable accurate in-game controls, a crucial advantage for professional gaming. The design which is offered in Phantom Black and Storm White appeals to warriors who want a polished yet aggressive appearance. The 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED screen carries a nice part of art. It leads the phone display market with 1 billion colors, a refresh rate of 185 Hz, and a maximum brightness of 2,500 nits. The display maintains clear images and smooth action whether playing in brilliant sunshine or in dimly lit areas.

Its HDR10 support improves contrast and its 1080 x 2400 resolution and 388 PPI density produce crisp images and vibrant colors. Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 delivers scratch resistance and longevity. The Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) chipset that is backed by the Adreno 830 GPU and octa-core CPU (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M) is at the core of the ROG Phone 9. For demanding apps, this trio ensures performance that is unmatched. Because of the civilized cooling mechanism, frame dips and overheating are essentially nonexistent. There are two configurations for the gadget. You can get 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for $999. And for $1149, you can get 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Lightning-fast multitasking and program loading are provided by the UFS 4.0 storage. Most users find the ample onboard storage options adequate while others might change their buying decision because of the lack of extendable storage.

Gaming has always been associated with Asus ROG phones and the ROG Phone 9 is no different in this category. Its aluminum frame’s pressure-sensitive gaming triggers improve gameplay accuracy especially in racing and gun games. Smooth visuals are provided by the 185 Hz refresh rate while superabundant soundscapes are produced by the dual speakers and 32-bit/384kHz Hi-Res audio. Additionally, the two USB-C connectors enable the best possible ergonomics for charging while playing. Low-latency connections are ensured by the tri-band Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 which are essential for online gaming.

The ROG Phone 9 is a nice phone even if it isn’t tagged as a camera phone. A triple camera configuration is included in the Asus ROG Phone 9. The 50MP primary camera sensor takes crisp, clear pictures even in difficult lighting conditions because of its f/1.9 aperture, PDAF, and gimbal OIS. 13MP ultra-wide sensor is ideal for group and landscape photography having a field view of 120-degree. A specialized tool for close-up photography is the 5MP macro camera.

With its 32MP sensor, the front camera is excellent for taking selfies and making video calls. With gyro-EIS and HDR10+ assuring fluid, high quality recordings, the video capabilities are remarkable, therefore, offering 8K at 30 frames per second, 4K at 120 frames per second, and 720p at 480 frames per second. With its 5800 mAh Li-Po battery and 65W wired fast charging capability, the ROG Phone 9 can be fully charged in about 50 minutes. Versatility is even increased with 15W wireless Qi charging and 10W reverse wired charging; meeting a range of use cases. The battery’s remarkable longevity even when gaming or streaming videos confirms its reputation as a gaming powerhouse.

This phone which runs Android 15, promises frequent security patches and two significant Android updates. With features like Game Genie, it offers instant access to performance indicators. Further, it is incredibly customizable and bloat-free, making it suitable for everyday users.

With 5G, tri-band Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4, the ROG Phone 9 is a great connectivity device that provides smooth and fast connections. IP68 water/dust resistance is a useful characteristics that increases the device’s durability in commonplace situations. Dual SIM (Nano-Sim, dual standby) features is for increased network flexibility. DisplayPort 1.4-enabled USB Type-C for external display connections is another noteworthy feature and compatibility with larger file transfers is ensured by NTFS support for external storage.

The 32-bit/384kHz Hi-Res audio enhances play and media consumption with this aural feast. Excellent immersive soundscapes are produced by the stereo speakers and audiophiles can enjoy their preferred accessories because of the 3.5mm headphone connection. Even while the ROG Phone 9 is almost flawless, there are few things that could still be improved. The first thing is that there is no microSD card slot, lack of this feature could be restrictive for users who depend on expandable storage. Second aspect that can be considered for improvement is its weight; it’s quite heavy for some users.

Unmatched performance, state-of-the-art hardware, and a number of features targeted for enthusiasts are all included in the $999 ROG Phone 9. For committed users, the 16GB/512GB version which costs $1149, offers future-proofing. The features and performance outweigh the price even though it falls into the flagship category. In 2024, the Asus ROG Phone 9 becomes a standard for premium smartphones. It caters to both gaming warriors and everyday people looking for top performance because of its stunning display, excellent performance, multipurpose cameras, and long battery life. The Asus ROG Phone 9 is a worthwhile purchase if you’re a committed gamer or want a smartphone that doesn’t skimp on any features.

Pros

• Outstanding features, Mini-LED matrix, 185 Hz frame rate, and pressure-sensitive triggers.
• Magnificent display, LTPO AMOLED, HDR10, and maximum brightness of 2500 nits.
• Top tier performance with Adreno 830 GPU and Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset.
• Superior build quality with components like Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
• Large battery with 5800 mAh capacity, reverse, and fast charging capabilities.
• Wireless audio capabilities and a 3.5mm jack are features of Hi-Res audio.

Cons

• Bulky design, it weighs more than other smartphones.
• Limited software updates.
• The versatility of storage is restricted by the absence of a microSD slot.