Asus has recently introduced its highly anticipated ROG Phone 8 and Phone 8 Pro at CES 2024. These new additions to the ROG gaming phone line not only cater to gaming enthusiasts but also offer improved functionality as general smartphones.
Powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, both the ROG Phone 8 and Phone 8 Pro feature a 6.78-inch display with an impressive refresh rate of up to 165Hz. The Pro edition takes it up a notch, boasting specifications such as 24GB of memory and 1TB of storage. In a notable shift for Asus, these phones now include wireless charging and IP68 resistance against water and dust.
One major redesign in the series is the adoption of a punch-hole front-facing camera style, eliminating the need for a large top bezel. While this design choice does create a small interruption in games played on full screen, Asus offers the option to slightly shrink the display area to avoid the front-facing camera. This differs from the approach taken by rival brand RedMagic, which incorporates the selfie camera below the display, but this often results in compromised image quality for photos.
The AI-focused Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 enhances various aspects of the phone’s performance. The ROG Phone 8 introduces Semantic Search, which processes search queries in the launcher, device settings, and photo gallery to deliver accurate results. Additionally, the phone includes an AI noise-canceling feature for voice and video calls, improving overall call quality. Users can also utilize AI to generate personalized phone wallpapers from selected objects and backgrounds.
Asus has also improved the camera system in these new devices. The main highlight is the 50-megapixel main camera, supported by the 6-Axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer 3.0 feature for smooth videos and photos. Complementing this camera are a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens and a 32-megapixel telephoto lens with a 3x optical zoom. The display now houses a 32-megapixel selfie camera.
To accommodate the IP68 water resistance, Asus has redesigned the cooling system of the ROG Phone 8 series by implementing conduction cooling to dissipate heat efficiently. Furthermore, Asus offers an optional AeroActive Cooler X attachment for enhanced cooling.
The Pro model features a rear mini-LED display known as AniMe Vision, showcasing contextual animations. In contrast, the standard Phone 8 models have an RGB-lit logo on the back.
The ROG Phone 8 series retains the 65-watt wired charging from its predecessor, with a slightly reduced battery capacity of 5,500mAh. Additionally, it introduces 15-watt wireless charging. Wi-Fi 7 support, two USB-C ports, and a headphone jack are still present.
The Asus ROG Phone 8 starts at $1,100 and the Pro model starts at $1,200. The highest-tier Pro model, priced at $1,500, includes 24GB of memory, 1TB of storage, and the AeroActive Cooler X. The phones are set to release in the first quarter of 2024, with an early bird discount of $100 during the initial sales period.