Asus ROG Phone 8 Review: Power Play or Overplay?

Asus ROG Phone 8

4.5

Overall

4.5/5

The Good Stuff

• Impressive performance
• Adequate speaker performance
• Fast charging & impressive battery life
• Slimmer design
• Better camera & video quality
• Impressive display
• Water/dust resistance
• Includes 3.5mm audio jack

The Bad Stuff

• Very expensive
• Gets hot after prolong gaming

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.