Asus ROG Phone 8

The entry-level gaming smartphone comes with a slimmer design, better camera, and wireless charging, making it a premium gaming device that doesn’t compromise on being, a phone.

 

In the fight arena of mobile gaming, every warrior strives for dominance. Enter the Asus ROG Phone 8, a fearsome contender wielding the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 like a flaming trident. But is its roars of power a mere bluster, or does it truly conquer the battlefield once again like previous models before? Let’s dissect the the ROG Phone 8, pixel by pixel, to see if it deserves a champion’s throne or a deathblow.

 

 

Overview

The ROG Phone 8 is ASUS’ gaming smartphone for 2024, packing top-tier specs to improve overall performance and advanced gaming features to make the most of the best mobile titles. The ROG Phone 8 series, comprising the regular ROG Phone 8 and the ROG Phone 8 Pro models, is the successor to 2023’s ASUS ROG Phone 7 range.

 

Power and Performance

The ROG Phone 8’s heart throbs with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a chipset so potent it could probably run Crysis on a potato. 16GB or 24GB of RAM stand sentinel, ensuring multitasking at ease making gaming look and feel smoother. 

And to keep visuals as silky as Cleopatra’s bathwater, the 165HZ refresh rate paints every frame with the precision. But raw power is only half the story. Does the ROG Phone 8 handle like a nimble chariot or a clunky tank?

Fear not, gamers. This smartphone powerhouse dances with surprising finesse. Menus smoothly fly by, apps load in the blink of an eye, and even the most demanding titles like Genshin Impact and Apex Legends run as smooth as a freshly paved highway. But with great power comes great responsibility…heat, that is.

While the upgraded cooling system handles casual gaming sessions like a champ, marathon battles can make the phone a tad toasty. Not unbearable, but enough to remind you that pushing the limits comes with a price. 

 

Specs

 

Display and Design

The ROG Phone 8’s 6.78-inch AMOLED display is a visual masterpiece that would make Van Gogh himself weep with joy. Colors explode like fireworks, HDR content pops like champagne corks, and peak brightness vanquishes shadows like a knight slaying a dragon.

Gaming on this beauty is an experience that begs to be shared, which is where the aggressive design and customizable LEDs come in. Angles galore and pulsating lights scream “gamer,” turning heads faster than a Sonic the Hedgehog spin attack. But is this flamboyant attire merely an attention grab, or does it actually enhance the gameplay experience?

That depends on your tastes. The angular design feels grippy and secure, the LEDs add a touch of personalization, and dual USB-C ports are a gamer’s dream come true (no more fumbling with charging cables in the heat of battle!).

However, some might find the aesthetics a bit much, preferring a more understated elegance. Ultimately, the ROG Phone 8’s look is a matter of personal preference, a battle fought on the battlefield of style.

 

Features and Enhancements

But the ROG Phone 8 isn’t just about brute force. It’s packed with features designed to give you an edge in the digital arena. AirTriggers and shoulder buttons put precision control at your fingertips, letting you strafe, snipe, and unleash devastating combos with unmatched finesse.

Are they game-changers? Not necessarily for everyone, but for hardcore players who crave every tactical advantage, they’re a welcome addition.

And then there’s the sound. Dual front-facing speakers and Dolby Atmos support immerse you in the game’s soundscape, making explosions boom and footsteps whisper like secrets in the night. Can you finally ditch those clunky headphones?

Not quite. While the audio is adequate, true audiophiles might still prefer the isolation and nuanced soundscape of a good pair of cans.

The 5500mAh battery, provides enough juice to keep you gaming for hours on end. However, heavy users will need the AeroActive Cooler X to stabilize the temperature of the smartphone for those prolong gaming sessions.

The gaming smartphone is more durable. Thanks to the IP68 rating, it makes the phone more resistant to water/dust. It also includes the tough Gorilla Glass panels on the front and rear of the phone, making it scratch resistant. 

And finally, the ROG Armoury Crate app is your command center, letting you tweak performance settings, create game profiles, and customize every aspect of your gaming experience. With the ROG Phone 8, you’re not just playing the game, you’re mastering it.

 

The Verdict

So, is the ROG Phone 8 the undisputed king of mobile gaming? It’s certainly a serious contender. The entry-level gaming smartphone comes with a slimmer design, better camera, and wireless charging, making it a premium gaming device that doesn’t compromise on being, a phone.

Its impressive performance, stunning display, and gamer-centric features are undeniable. Yet the price tag, and heat management, might see budget gamers turn to other brands.

Ultimately, the ROG Phone 8 is one gaming smartphone gamers will love to start off 2024. It’s a beast, no doubt, and pushes the boundaries of mobile gaming, offering an experience that’s as close to console-quality. 

What do you like about the Asus ROG Pro Phone 8? Do you consider it the best gaming mobile device? What is your experience with gaming smartphones? If you like this review, please leave a comment here below. 

Samsung Galaxy S24

 

 

Don’t underestimate the pint-sized powerhouse! Forget comparisons to the hulking Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Phone packs premium performance in a pocket-friendly design. Imagine this: AI superpowers in the palm of your hand.

New Samsung and Google features like ‘Circle to Search’ lets you instantly identify anything on your screen, from web pages to YouTube videos. Just by asking “Hey, what’s that?!” plus, break down language barriers with Samsung’s magic AI translation, seamlessly converting your words for effortless communication across borders.

The Galaxy S24 might be small, but it packs a punch of cutting-edge tech, empowering you to stay connected and informed in style. Let’s get into it and see what’s it all about. 

 

 

Specs

 

Great Display, Not the Best, But Big Software Issue

Samsung usually nails displays, and the S24 is decent, but not a champion. I enjoyed reading, gaming, and photo editing on the smaller screen, and the sharpness was good (with glasses). It even stayed bright outdoors.

However, it’s not the sharpest. Pixel 8 and iPhone 15 technically win there, but you might not see the difference. S24 shines brighter than those two, but OnePlus blows everyone away with 4,500 nits on the similarly priced 12.

 

 

Overall, no major complaints, except for nitpicking: Future Labs tests showed the S24 has the widest colour gamut. It still lacks Dolby Vision (Netflix’s preference), but HDR10+ content looks great too.

Here’s the real issue: the smaller screen clashes with Samsung’s feature overload. The default Edge Panel eats up precious space, making accidental swipes likely. The Quick Panel also got more complex, making it harder to read and use on the S24 compared to larger Samsung phones.

Simply put, the software needs to be less cluttered to truly showcase the display’s potential. Don’t bury it under a barrage of icons and menus.

 

Familiar Design, Fresh Colors, But A Scratchy Misstep

This year’s Samsung Galaxy S24 Phone leans closer to the iPhone than ever, with rounded corners mirroring the iOS flagship. While not inherently bad, it lacks the uniqueness expected from Samsung. Thankfully, vibrant colour options like Sandstone Orange and Amber Yellow stand out, although they could be bolder.

However, a major letdown is the back glass. Though it’s the latest Victus 2, scratches easily compared to the more scratch-resistant Gorilla Armor on the S24 Ultra. This, combined with the lack of glare reduction (present only on the Ultra), is a missed opportunity.

 

 

On the bright side, Samsung maintains its mastery of lightweight design. The S24 is thinner and lighter than its competitors, including the iPhone and Pixel. Surprisingly, this doesn’t impact battery life, as the S24 boasts the best of the bunch.

So, the S24 delivers a familiar look with some refreshing hues, but the easily scratched glass and lack of glare reduction on the base model are undeniable stumbles. Its stellar battery life remains a saving grace, though.

 

Pocket Power Rocket

Don’t underestimate the small but mighty S24! Packing the same overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor as its Ultra sibling, it outperforms any non-Pro iPhone 15 and most Android rivals.

This translates to:

• Smooth gaming, like blazing through Call of Duty: Mobile at max settings with silky 60fps
• Watch photo edits happen in real-time with Adobe Lightroom
• Multitasking powerhouse

A small snag: New AI features from Google and Samsung introduce slight delays. Waiting for Circle to Search activation or text rewriting can be frustrating. Is this a deal-breaker? Not necessarily. The S24 still shines in day-to-day tasks, opening apps seamlessly and handling high-demand games effortlessly.

The small performance gap with the Ultra is only noticeable in side-by-side comparisons. Why? This could be due to the S24’s 8GB RAM compared to the Ultra’s 12GB. While software updates might improve AI responsiveness, both cloud and on-device processing contribute to current bottlenecks.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S24 phone delivers outstanding performance for its size, making it a pocket powerhouse ideal for mobile gamers, multitaskers, and casual users alike. If the new AI features are your main focus, consider the Ultra or wait for potential future optimization. Remember, size isn’t everything – this little phone packs a punch!

 

Camera Not Quite Ultra, But Packs a Punch

While the Galaxy S24 Ultra reigns supreme in camera prowess, its smaller counterpart doesn’t disappoint. Samsung’s improved image processing shines through, delivering more natural-looking photos compared to its predecessor and even the iPhone 15.

The real advantage? Optical zoom. Yes, the sensor lacks, but having a true 3x zoom beats digital any day, offering better reach for capturing distant action or details. While Pixel 8 might excel in low light and the iPhone 15 occasionally wins with its main camera, the S24 offers unique versatility.

 

 

Fun and practical camera modes like “Food” and dual-camera video recording stand out. Baked goods transform into mouthwatering masterpieces, and recording reactions alongside your child becomes seamless.

However, the app situation gets convoluted. With Google Photos already in the mix, having two separate editing apps (Samsung’s Gallery app with “Magic Editor” and Google Photos with AI magic) feels unnecessary.

Here’s where things get interesting: “Magic Editor” lets you resize and move objects, erase backgrounds, add backgrounds, and even extend images naturally. While ethically questionable, removing unwanted spectators from photos or magically expanding an image with blank space offers surprisingly practical tools. Samsung wisely watermarks AI-edited images, balancing functionality with transparency.

In essence, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Phone camera delivers vibrant, natural photos, boasts a valuable optical zoom, and offers fun, AI-powered editing tools. While not dethroning the Ultra, it packs a solid punch for your everyday photo needs.

 

Battery Champ, Charge Laggard

While the S24’s battery might be marginally bigger than its predecessor, the endurance leap is impressive. Active screen time soared, lasting a full day with regular use and into the evening on heavy-gaming days with a quick dinner-time top-up. So, rest assured, it won’t die on you before bedtime!

However, charging speeds haven’t budged. 30 minutes gets you to 50%, mirroring the iPhone 15. While Pixel 8 fares slightly better, phones like the similarly priced OnePlus 12 boast lightning-fast speeds, fully charged in 30 minutes.

 

 

Finding battery-saving options is another headache. Blame Samsung’s confusing Settings menu. Fortunately, the phone smartly manages battery life itself. Just occasionally switch on Power Saving from the Quick Settings panel for an extra boost.

In conclusion, the S24 delivers stellar battery life, making it a daily driver that can handle busy schedules. But if fast charging is your priority, look elsewhere. Just remember, sometimes bigger isn’t always better, and this small battery packs a powerful punch.

 

Verdict

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Phone offers exceptional value and performance in a compact package. If you prioritize raw camera power and prefer a simpler interface, consider alternatives.

But for most Android users seeking a reliable, versatile daily driver, the S24 might be the best “affordable” Galaxy phone in years. Remember, sometimes the best things come in small packages!

Let’s run through the benefits once more:

• Battery life lasts all day, even with heavy use.
• Impressive performance as it blazes through tasks and games.
• Fits comfortably into pockets and can operate using one hand.
• Packed with the latest AI features, Google’s “circle-to-search”, and Samsung’s signature apps and modes.
• Impressive durability as it withstands everyday wear and tear.

 

 

But before you click “buy,” consider this:

• Samsung’s interface might feel cluttered and confusing.
• While not top-tier, it boasts zoom and fun shooting modes.

Is it worth your investment? What other smartphones are you looking into considering? Let’s start a discussion below by adding comments and answering questions you may have. If the  Samsung Galaxy S24 Phone is your choice, then click here to see your purchase options. See you next time! ;-D