The ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro has arrived in the Philippines, and it’s shedding its gaming-centric features in favor of a cleaner design and improved day-to-day usability. This latest iteration of the ROG Phone is the most normal we’ve ever seen from ASUS, and it’s all the better for it.
Design-wise, the ROG Phone 8 Pro takes a departure from its predecessors. Gone are the flashy gaming accents and the large OLED strip on the back. Instead, we’re treated to a sleek, matte black design with understated grey accents. The phone feels surprisingly normal, with a size that’s comparable to regular flagships and a comfortable one-handed grip.
While the design may not scream “gamer,” the ROG Phone 8 Pro still retains some gaming nods. The AniMe Matrix OLED on the back lights up when you’re charging, playing games, or receiving notifications. And if you prefer a more low-key look, you can easily turn it off. Another welcome addition is the IP68 water resistance, bringing the ROG Phone 8 Pro in line with other flagship phones in terms of durability.
However, there have been some downgrades in certain features. The shoulder buttons, while still present, are no longer ultrasonic and lack advanced functionality. The front-facing speakers have been reduced to a bottom-firing one, and the AeroActive Cooler has also undergone some changes. Despite these adjustments, the phone still performs well and stays cool during long gaming sessions.
Moving on to the display and cameras, the ROG Phone 8 Pro boasts a slightly smaller 6.78-inch FHD display with a 165Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. It’s brighter than before, reaching 2500 nits of peak brightness, and protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The camera setup has also seen improvements, with a 50-megapixel main camera featuring a gimbal OIS, a 32-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens. The photos taken with the main camera look impressive, surpassing the quality of its predecessor.
Under the hood, the ROG Phone 8 Pro remains a gaming powerhouse. It is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, 1TB of storage, and a whopping 24GB of RAM – more than what most PCs offer. With these specifications, the phone can handle any game you throw at it with ease. Whether it’s Genshin Impact or Tower of Fantasy, you can crank up the graphics settings and enjoy a smooth gaming experience.
In terms of battery life, the ROG Phone 8 Pro features a slightly smaller 5500mAh battery compared to previous models. However, it still offers fast charging up to 65W and adds the convenience of 15W wireless charging.
In conclusion, the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro is a gaming phone that has undergone a gentrification of sorts. It has shed some polarizing features and unnecessary gimmicks, resulting in a phone that may look unassuming but packs a punch under the hood. With its sleek design, powerful performance, and improved camera capabilities, this may just be the best ROG Phone ASUS has ever released.
So, if you’re in the market for a gaming phone that doesn’t compromise on everyday usability, the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro is worth considering. Get ready to level up your gaming experience with this sleek and powerful device.