10 months after the release of the ROG Phone 8, Asus is back with a new smartphone for mobile gamers: the ROG Phone 9. Equipped with Qualcomm’s now famous Snapdragon 8 Elite, this new model takes the formula of its predecessor while improving the spec sheet. All for the same price. Is that enough to convince you?
In January 2024, we published a complete test of the ROG Phone 8 in our columns, here in its best configuration. A smartphone very different from its predecessor, especially on a physical level. Asus really wanted to erase some of the line’s historic ergonomic attributes, bowing to pressure from some of its customers who wanted to turn their ROG Phone into an everyday phone.
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As a result, the ROG Phone 8 looked more like a ZenFone. The two front speakers have disappeared. The ventilation hatch has been removed. Wide borders have been adjusted. A bang appeared on the screen. That was very unfortunate. This did not prevent the phone from being a “gaming” smartphone thanks to AirTriggers, a 3.5mm jack port and of course a robust platform. And it seems to have paid off, as confirmed by Asus The ROG Phone 8 sold better.
The ROG Phone 9 takes over the location of its predecessor
10 months later, under pressure from some competitors who shortened the refresh cycle, Asus is at it again. Therefore, today the brand reveals the ROG Phone 9, which is available in three versions, with the only differences being the RAM, storage and the Anime Vision display on the back (8 times more dots in the Pro version):
- ROG Phone 9 with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage
- ROG Phone 9 Pro with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage
- ROG Phone 9 Pro Edition with 24GB RAM and 1TB storage
As we could see during our handling, this ROG Phone 9 retains the waterproof design (IP68) of its predecessor, with straight edges, a protruding photo module, metal on the sides and glass on the front surfaces. The dimensions are identical. The weight is almost the same. The screen retains the same size and the vast majority of technical characteristics: 6.78 inches, AMOLED LTPO, Full HD+, maximum brightness of 1600 nits in HBM). The Anime Vision display is back with double the dots. We noticed some additional markings on the back.
ROG Phone 9 improvements are inside
So you won’t really see the differences on the outside, but on the inside. Two changes caught our attention. First, the arrival of the Snapdragon 8 Elite to further improve the performance of the smartphone. Next, an increase in battery capacity, from 5500 mAh to 5800 mAh. Another interesting change for photography enthusiasts, Asus here accepts the Sony Lytia 700, the successor to the IMX890. The gain is not in terms of definition, but in terms of bursts and video. Here it is connected to a new optical gimbal stabilizer, which further compensates for parasitic movements.
Like its predecessors, the ROG Phone 9 comes with a new fan called Aeroactive cooler. This is the AeroActive Cooler X, with the addition of a subwoofer that Asus previously removed. For the rest, it offers the same services: additional buttons, intelligent ventilation, a remote USB-C port and another 3.5 mm jack port. Note that AeroActive Cooler X is compatible with ROG Phone 9 and AeroActive Cooler X Pro is compatible with ROG Phone 8.
As for the rest, the ROG Phone 9 includes all the elements of its predecessor, whether it is the internal structure, two asymmetrical speakers, RAM, storage, fast charging and wireless charging, or even secondary photographic sensors (ultra-wide , periscopic zoom and selfie).
The price of the ROG Phone 9 is not increasing (almost)
These changes may seem very modest. However, despite the increase in certain costs, they are accompanied by a stable price of two versions: the “standard” ROG Phone 9 and the ROG Phone 9 Pro Edition. The ROG Phone 9 Pro is experiencing an increase of 100 euros, which is information that was leaked recently. So here are the prices:
- ROG Phone 9: 1099 eurossupplied without charger
- ROG Phone 9 Pro: 1299 eurossupplied with charger
- ROG Phone 9 Pro Edition: 1499 eurossupplied with charger and fan.
The ROG Phone 9 is available in two colors: white and black for the standard version and black only for the Pro version. The gray version was abandoned due to lack of commercial success. The ROG Phone 9 Pro will be the first to be available as it arrives in the course the first half of Decemberwhile you will have to wait until January 2025 to get the standard version. Note that pre-orders are being organized: to buy the “non-edition” ROG Phone 9 Pro, Asus offers you a fan. This promotion is valid from today until January 1, 2025.