ASUS has unveiled its latest flagship gaming smartphones – the ROG Phone 8 and ROG Phone 8 Pro – at CES 2024. The new phones boast upgraded specs and several new features to enhance the mobile gaming experience.
Key highlights of ROG Phone 8 series
The ROG Phone 8 series comes with some major upgrades over the previous generation:
- Powered by latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip
- 165Hz AMOLED displays with 720Hz touch sampling rate
- Up to 18GB LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB storage
- 50MP main camera with Sony IMX989 sensor
- 6000mAh battery with 65W wired charging
ROG Phone 8
| Specs | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.78″ 2448×1080 165Hz AMOLED, 720Hz Touch sampling rate |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| RAM/Storage | 8GB/12GB LPDDR5X RAM, 128GB/256GB UFS 4.0 storage |
| Rear Camera | 50MP (IMX989) main + 13MP ultrawide |
| Front Camera | 12 MP |
| Battery | 6000mAh, 65W charging |
| extras | Stereo speakers, AirTrigger buttons, etc |
ROG Phone 8 Pro
Same as ROG Phone 8 but with:
- 18GB LPDDR5X RAM
- 1TB storage
- RGB light panel on rear
Enhanced design and durability
The new ROG Phone 8 series comes with several design changes for better handling and improved ruggedness. Key highlights:
- Slimmed down design making it easier to hold
- IPX4 water resistance rating
- Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on front and back
There is also a RGB LED dot matrix panel on the ROG logo and rear of the ROG Phone 8 Pro for added gaming flair.
Upgraded performance and display
With Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, the ROG Phone 8 promises top-tier performance for mobile gaming and multimedia. The phones also pack LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage for blazing fast speeds.
For graphics, the Adreno GPU has been upgraded to render complex game visuals smoothly at high frame rates. The 165Hz AMOLED displays also ensure fluid responsiveness while gaming.
Enhanced imaging with Sony IMX989 camera
The ROG Phone 8 is the first gaming phone to feature Sony’s advanced 50MP IMX989 camera sensor seen on flagship phones. Combined with ASUS’s tuning, users can expect significantly improved image quality over previous ROG phones.
The main 50MP camera is joined by a 13MP ultrawide module. There is also a 12MP selfie camera. The camera app has several gaming centric features as well like RGB light effects.
Massive battery with super fast charging
Battery life is crucial for gaming and ASUS has equipped a large 6000 mAh battery in the new ROG phones. 65W wired charging allows the battery to charge from 0 to 100% in just 46 minutes.
Several battery optimizations have been implemented as well including CPU power tuning when gaming for longer run times.
Upgraded peripherals and accessories
The existing ecosystem of ROG Phone accessories has been upgraded to better complement the new phones. These include:
- AeroActive Cooler 6 – Upgraded clip-on cooling fan with RGB lighting
- ROG Kunai Gamepad – New gamepad design and features
- Joystick accessories
- TwinView Dock – Dual screen accessory
Software and special features
The ROG Phone 8 series runs Android 13 with ASUS’s ROG UI skin on top. There are several gaming focused software features as well, like:
- Armoury Crate app for customizing performance
- Multiple ultrasonic sensors for grip detection
- 360° spatial audio with dual front speakers
- Mimo touch latency optimizer
There will also be exclusive gaming content and deals for ROG Phone 8 series.
India launch and availability
The ROG Phone 8 and 8 Pro will be launching in India on January 9th, 2024. Pricing will start at Rs. 55,999 for the base ROG Phone 8 model with 8GB/128GB. There will also be special launch offers.
Pre-orders in India will open after the launch event along with the sale of new accessories. The first sale is expected by end of January once stocks arrive.
Outlook and closing thoughts
With significant upgrades across the board, the new ROG Phone 8 series is primed to be amongst the top gaming smartphones of 2024. ASUS has checked all the boxes – power, display, camera and battery life – to make the ultimate mobile gaming weapon.
Of course, the high end pricing does limit accessibility for many buyers. But for committed mobile gamers who want the very best hardware with accessories to match, the ROG Phone 8 series delivers in spades. It sets a benchmark for gaming that competitors will struggle to keep up with.
To err is human, but AI does it too. Whilst factual data is used in the production of these articles, the content is written entirely by AI. Double check any facts you intend to rely on with another source.
