ASUS set out not only to create the ultimate gaming phone but also a flagship device for everyday use, leading to the redesign of the ASUS ROG Phone 8 series. Comprising three versions (four, technically), these models differ mostly in cosmetic aspects.
The latest iteration of the ROG phone boasts a sleeker and lighter profile, measuring 8.9mm in thickness and weighing 225g, compared to the ROG Phone 7’s 10.3mm and 239g. Despite a slight dip in battery capacity to 5,500mAh (500mAh less), optimized hardware ensures nearly identical battery life to its predecessor.
The 6.78″ display retains its size from the previous year but now features slimmer bezels, albeit at the expense of adopting a punch hole camera, a shift from the previous top bezel placement of the selfie cam. On a positive note, the new model is considerably more compact at 163.8mm tall and 76.8mm wide, compared to the 173.0 x 77.0 dimensions of its predecessor.
The updated display maintains a 165Hz refresh rate but introduces an LTPO panel, allowing for a variable refresh rate between 1Hz and 120Hz. Peak brightness sees an increase to 2,500 nits.
ASUS proudly touts the ROG Phone 8 as its first water-resistant phone, now rated IP68, a significant upgrade from the IP54 rating of its predecessor. Departing from the traditional gaming phone focus on cooling, the 8-series employs conduction cooling through a copper block traversing the motherboard and contacting the back panel. This, coupled with the new AeroActive Cooler X, results in a 29% smaller, 10% lighter, and vastly improved cooling solution.
Under the hood, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset powers the ROG Phone 8, configurable with up to 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB UFS 4.0 storage. Offering a base configuration of 12/256GB, with a mid-tier option of 16/512GB.
In a bid to enhance the ROG Phone 8’s usability throughout the day, Asus introduces 15W Qi charging alongside the existing 65W HyperCharge for wired charging, achieving a 0-100% charge in just 39 minutes.
The camera system receives notable upgrades, featuring a 50MP main camera with a 6-axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer 3.0, a 13MP 120° ultra-wide camera, and a new 3x telephoto lens with a 32MP camera. AI enhancements include 10x Hyper Clarity AI zooming and Super Night Mode. The front-facing camera now boasts a 32MP sensor with improved binning and a wider 90° lens.
Asus incorporates AI functionalities for gaming assistance in titles like Genshin Impact and HK – Star Rail, introducing features like Auto Pick Up, Fast Forward, Running Lock, and Auto press-to-escape. Additionally, the AI Grabber helps users navigate puzzles by scanning text on the display and providing relevant walkthrough sections. AI is also harnessed to generate unique wallpapers for the phone.
Complete support for Microsoft Phone Link, including app streaming, screen mirroring, and seamless file transfers between the phone and PC, is integrated into the 8-series.
Available in Phantom Black and Rebel Grey, the Asus ROG Phone 8 features an RGB backlit ROG logo on the back. The ROG Phone 8 Pro and Pro Edition come exclusively in Phantom Black and include a small OLED display on their backs.
ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro specs page:
