The Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro is positioned as a high-end gaming smartphone, designed to cater to both avid gamers and everyday users. Retailing between $999 to $1499, it falls into the premium category with its sophisticated hardware and features. However, the limited software update support—only two years for Android updates and an additional two years for security updates—stands out as a major drawback, potentially deterring prospective buyers.
Evolution from ROG Phone 8 to ROG Phone 9
Broader Audience Appeal
The Asus ROG Phone 8 marked a significant shift in the ROG series by appealing beyond hardcore gamers to a broader audience, which diluted some of its dedicated gaming features. This approach continues with the ROG Phone 9, suggesting that consumer feedback favored this more inclusive direction. The central query remains: is the ROG Phone 9 primarily a gaming phone that seeks mainstream acceptance, or a mainstream phone aiming to gain credibility amongst gamers?
In trying to cater to a broader audience, Asus has fine-tuned the ROG Phone 9 to appeal to those who may not identify strongly as gamers but appreciate advanced technology and versatile performance. The strategy appears to be paying off as more consumers acknowledge the device’s potential beyond the gaming realm. Nevertheless, by adopting this strategy, Asus risks alienating its core gaming audience, which has been loyal to the ROG series for its hardcore gaming optimizations and unique features.
Design and Build
The ROG Phone 9 Pro maintains the subtle design language introduced with its predecessor. Its angular construction with chamfered edges offers a solid yet manageable feel. The camera island with a 45-degree sliced-off corner and the diagonal slash on the rear add distinctive touches without overwhelming the overall aesthetic. The AniMe display on the back, featuring 648 embedded LED lights, is a unique addition that livens up notifications and provides minimalistic gaming engagements.
The construction quality of the ROG Phone 9 Pro exudes durability and precision engineering, which aligns well with its premium status in the market. The thoughtful design elements, such as the strategic placement of the camera island and the intricately embedded LED lights, not only enhance the visual appeal but also cater to functionality aspects. The AniMe display on the back is more than decorative; it serves functional notifications and brief gaming cues. This blending of design and utility symbolizes the ROG Phone 9’s essence—an amalgamation of robust performance capabilities and aesthetic finesse.
Hardware and Performance
Incremental Upgrades
This iteration is more of an “S” update rather than a complete overhaul, with the inclusion of the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor making it one of the swiftest Android devices available. Battery capacity sees a marginal increase to 5800 mAh, allowing for extended use of up to two and a half days under regular conditions, and reasonably efficient 65W fast and 15W wireless charging options. Gaming, as expected, diminishes battery life, but the device still outlasts its predecessor, thanks to improved power management and cooling systems.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite processor not only enhances the overall speed and responsiveness of the device but also provides a seamless multitasking experience, critical for transitioning between gaming and everyday applications. The refined battery management system ensures that even with heavy gaming, the battery longevity is sustained longer than previous models. Additionally, with support for 65W fast charging, the phone can quickly regain power, a feature particularly beneficial during gaming sessions that necessitate breaks for recharging.
Key Hardware Improvements
The ROG Phone 9 sees enhancements in two main areas: RAM and passive cooling. The increased RAM boosts gaming performance and multitasking capabilities, while the improved passive cooling system is critical for maintaining optimal performance without throttling due to overheating. These changes, along with incremental improvements such as a higher screen refresh rate of 185 MHz and upgraded camera stabilization, make the ROG Phone 9 a refined version of the Phone 8 rather than a revolutionary new model.
Enhanced RAM capacity is pivotal in pushing the device’s gaming limits, allowing smoother transitions between apps and more stable performance during intensive gaming. The passive cooling system, on the other hand, effectively mitigates the risk of overheating, thus preserving the hardware integrity and sustaining optimum performance levels. This cooling advantage is particularly noticeable during extended gameplay sessions where overheating could traditionally throttle performance. Moreover, the higher screen refresh rate ensures that the display is fluid and responsive, while the updated camera stabilization is valuable for those who use their gaming phone for photos and videos.
Gaming Experience
Audio and Display Adjustments
The focus on reducing bezels aligns with mainstream expectations but affects the gaming experience. The bezels’ reduction leads to the omission of front-firing speakers, shifting audio output to the sides, which impacts sound immersion during games. The inclusion of a punch-hole selfie camera also detracts from the unimpeded viewing experience during gameplay. However, the secondary USB-C port on the side proves advantageous during landscape mode gaming by preventing charging cables from obstructing gameplay.
While the bezel reduction may meet the aesthetic and ergonomic preferences of mainstream users, it poses challenges for the hardcore gaming audience accustomed to front-firing speakers’ immersive sound experience. The shift of audio output to the sides inevitably alters the game’s atmosphere, as the spatial depth typically offered by front-facing speakers is compromised. The punch-hole selfie camera, while practical for everyday use, intrudes slightly during gaming sessions, diverting attention from the gameplay area. Nevertheless, the side-mounted USB-C port offers a thoughtful solution to avoid conflicts with charging cables, enhancing the usability during extended gaming sessions.
Compatibility Issues
There are compatibility concerns related to the off-center main USB port, which doesn’t align with the central positioning expected by most third-party controllers. This limits the device’s compatibility with some controllers, although Asus’s own Tessen controller accommodates this design. This design choice somewhat restricts user options in terms of gaming accessories.
The incompatibility with numerous third-party controllers due to the off-center USB port is a critical consideration for gamers reliant on their preferred gaming peripherals. This design deviation can limit users’ flexibility in accessorizing their gaming setup unless they opt for Asus’s proprietary Tessen controller. While the Tessen controller’s design might address the alignment issue, it introduces an additional cost and potentially undermines the user’s freedom to choose third-party accessories. This limitation could be a deterrent for those gamers unwilling to invest further in device-specific accessories.
Cooling System and Accessories
AeroActive Cooler X Pro
A significant gaming enhancement is the AeroActive Cooler X Pro accessory, which includes a fan for improved cooling and additional trigger buttons, enhancing the console-controller feel. However, the accessory’s top-heavy design can hinder the secure handling of the phone in intense gaming sessions. The inability to use the AeroActive Cooler while utilizing the Tensor controller marks a missed opportunity for the ultimate gaming setup.
The AeroActive Cooler X Pro brings substantial benefits to the gaming experience by effectively managing the heat generated during demanding gameplay sessions. The incorporation of additional trigger buttons simulates a more authentic console-controller experience, which is highly appreciated by serious gamers. Nevertheless, the accessory’s design could potentially compromise the device’s stability and handling due to its top-heavy nature. Furthermore, the mutual exclusivity between the AeroActive Cooler and the Tensor controller represents a significant oversight, depriving gamers of the opportunity to simultaneously exploit the full suite of available enhancements.
Armoury Crate
Armoury Crate remains a central element, allowing users to customize performance settings per game or app. Users can map controls to hardware buttons for titles that lack native support for these features, optimizing the gaming experience through personalized configurations. This software remains a mature and useful tool, bolstered by a robust online database of controller setups and performance profiles.
Armoury Crate exemplifies the integration of software and hardware to craft a tailored gaming experience for users. It extends the customization boundaries far beyond standard settings, enabling users to fine-tune their phone’s performance profiles, extending even to non-gaming apps. The ability to map hardware buttons enhances gameplay for titles lacking intrinsic support for physical controls, bridging gaps where software limitations exist. The platform’s maturity is evident in its comprehensive database, providing readily available configurations to optimize various games, thus elevating the overall gaming experience on the ROG Phone 9.
Gaming Performance
Heavy Gaming Titles
Heavy gaming titles like Genshin Impact run at an impressive 60fps with maximum graphical settings, demonstrating the ROG Phone 9’s capability to handle demanding games. The cooling system, enhanced both internally and by the AeroActive accessory, ensures sustained performance without the need for throttling. Less intensive games benefit from Armoury Crate’s performance-tuning capabilities, further extending battery life during casual gaming sessions.
The ROG Phone 9’s prowess in managing graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact is indicative of its robust hardware calibration. The seamless experience at 60fps on maximum settings underscores the device’s superiority in gaming performance. The dual-faceted cooling—internal enhancements coupled with the AeroActive accessory—guarantees that thermal management is adept, preventing performance dips due to overheating. For casual gaming, Armoury Crate’s more nuanced performance tuning significantly improves battery longevity, ensuring that even non-intensive gaming does not drain the battery quickly.
Market Position
The author expresses a preference for the design philosophy of the older ROG Phone 7, where gaming was the paramount focus, and the compromises were favorable towards gamers. With the rising performance and graphical capabilities of flagship smartphones, the distinct identity of gaming phones is fading. The ROG Phone 9 continues along the path set by its predecessor, blending gaming prowess with mainstream appeal, aiming to serve as a competent everyday phone while retaining significant gaming features.
With the ongoing enhancements in general smartphone technology, the clear distinction that once set gaming phones apart is diminishing. The ROG Phone 9 is crafted to bridge this widening gap, providing an exemplary gaming experience while simultaneously catering to mainstream consumers. By harnessing strong gaming attributes and aligning them with mainstream expectations, the ROG Phone 9 seeks to transcend its gaming phone label to become an all-encompassing device that satisfies both gamers and non-gamers alike.
Final Assessment
Conclusively, the ROG Phone 9 Pro excels as a “Gaming Smartphone… For Everyone Else,” delivering commendable performance and versatility. The device balances strong computing power with a mainstream-friendly design and everyday usability, albeit at the cost of some purely gaming-centric features. However, the notably high price tag combined with only two years of software updates significantly diminishes its appeal, despite its robust hardware and performance capabilities.
Conclusion
The Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro positions itself as a top-tier gaming smartphone, specifically crafted to appeal to hardcore gamers as well as everyday users. It sits in the premium segment, carrying a price tag between $999 to $1499. This range reflects its advanced hardware and a rich array of features designed to enhance user experience, especially in mobile gaming. The phone boasts powerful performance capabilities, a high-refresh-rate screen, and a robust cooling system to handle intensive gaming sessions without overheating.
Despite its impressive hardware and gaming-centric features, one significant drawback is the limited software support. Asus commits to only two years of Android updates, followed by an additional two years of security updates. This relatively short update period may be disappointing for those who prioritize long-term software support and security. In a market where competing devices offer longer update cycles, this limitation could be a deal-breaker for potential buyers. The phone’s impressive specs are somewhat overshadowed by the concern that it may not stay current with software advancements beyond a few years.
In summary, the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro offers a premium gaming experience with its high-end hardware, but its short software update cycle could deter some prospective buyers. For those who can look past this issue, it remains a powerful and attractive option in the gaming smartphone market.
