In Brief: Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro
The ROG Phone 9 Pro is Asus’s latest iteration of its iconic gaming phone series. Now sporting the Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm), up to 24 GB of RAM, and 1 TB of storage, it focuses on sheer performance while striving to be an all-round daily driver rather than a flashy one-trick device. Its refined design, bigger battery, and robust gaming features may well make it the smartphone gaming king for 2025.
Pros
- Powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite performance
- Impressive battery life and fast charging
- Enhanced, more subtle gaming design
- 6.78″ E6 OLED with up to 185 Hz refresh
- Dual USB-C ports and 3.5 mm jack
- Solid gaming features (AirTriggers, AeroActive Cooler)
- Reasonable camera improvements
Cons
- Only 2 OS updates (until Android 17)
- Camera still lags behind top flagships
- Notably heavy and large
- Cooling fan system offers minimal extra performance gain
Pricing & Availability
- Standard model: 16 GB RAM / 512 GB storage at €1299
- Pro Edition: 24 GB RAM / 1 TB storage at €1499 (includes the AeroActive Cooler X Pro fan)
Pre-orders started on November 19, with deliveries by mid-December in Europe. A more affordable variant with 12 GB RAM/256 GB storage is expected in January 2025 at €1099.
Design: Subtlety Meets Gaming Heritage
Refined Aesthetics
While still large (163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm, 227 g), the ROG Phone 9 Pro looks more understated than past ROG Phones. The rear Gorilla Glass Victus 2 panel is mostly matte and fingerprint-resistant, while the AniMe Vision mini-screen and branding remain, though less conspicuous. The phone is IP68-rated (a step up from many gaming rivals). On the left sits a second USB-C port for more convenient charging in landscape.
Cooling & Accessories
Instead of an internal fan, Asus relies on the improved AeroActive Cooler X Pro. It clips onto the side, providing additional airflow, physical triggers, and customizable RGB. One minor criticism: the top and bottom speakers are now offset, meaning the bottom one is side-firing. Official cases help direct audio forward if that bothers you.
Display: Speed & Clarity
- 6.78-inch E6 AMOLED (Full HD+ 1080×2400)
- Refresh Rate: up to 185 Hz (auto mode), 1–185 Hz LTPO
- Brightness: peaks at ~1832 nits
- Delta E: ~3.78 in default mode (more neutral options available)
Although it retains the same general specs as the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s display, this panel is exceptionally bright and responsive. The maximum refresh rate rises to a theoretical 185 Hz, though real-world benefits over 165 Hz may be minimal. Meanwhile, color accuracy is decent out of the box, with advanced tweaks for discerning users.
Performance: A New Power King
Snapdragon 8 Elite
Asus is among the first to adopt Qualcomm’s 3 nm SoC, delivering a ~40% gain in multi-core CPU performance over last year’s model, plus ~20% better GPU performance. Geekbench 6 multi-core surpasses 10,000—on par with or slightly above Apple’s A18 Pro. However, extended heavy loads can push CPU temps above 48 °C, though typical gaming remains comfortable.
Memory & Thermal Design
Available with up to 24 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 1 TB UFS 4.0 storage, the ROG Phone 9 Pro rarely stutters or reloads apps. The internal architecture places the SoC center, flanked by dual battery cells and an expanded graphite sheet. A second USB-C port on the side allows the connected fan or bypass-charging in game sessions.
Battery & Charging: Endurance Leader
5800 mAh Capacity
Expanding from 5500 mAh to 5800 mAh, the ROG Phone 9 Pro easily outlasts average flagships. Our standard lab test clocked about 24 hours 18 minutes before shutdown—surpassing the ROG Phone 8 Pro (~20h). Typical usage easily covers a full day with heavy gaming.
65 W Wired, 15 W Wireless
A complete charge from 0–100% takes ~56 minutes. There’s also 15 W Qi wireless. The bypass-charging feature remains, letting you power the device directly from a charger while gaming to reduce heat stress on the battery.
Software & Interface
Android 15, ROG UI
Users can choose between a subdued interface or a more “ROG-themed” layout. The OS is snappy thanks to the new chipset and minimal bloatware. Armoury Crate organizes gaming profiles, real-time monitoring, lighting (AniMe Vision), and the AeroActive Cooler’s fan or LED settings.
AI Features
Local AI enhancements include live call transcription, advanced image recognition in the gallery, and more. A minor frustration is that Asus only promises 2 years of Android updates (through Android 17) and 4 years of security patches. Many rivals offer longer OS support for flagship devices.
Cameras: Modest Upgrades
Triple Camera Setup
- Main: 50 MP Sony Lytia 700 (IMX 890 rebrand)
- Ultra-Wide: 13 MP
- Telephoto: 32 MP 3× optical
- Front: 32 MP selfie
While an improvement over earlier ROG Phones, results lag behind top camera phones. Daytime shots are decent but sometimes oversharpened; low-light photos gain brightness but show some noise and color shifts. The 3× telephoto is surprisingly useful up to ~10× digital, though detail degrades. Video up to 8K/30 with improved stabilization.
Conclusion
Overall Rating: 9/10
With the ROG Phone 9 Pro, Asus cements its leadership in the gaming phone arena while broadening appeal for everyday use. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite, massive RAM/storage combos, extended battery life, and refined design create a potent do-it-all handset. The phone’s flamboyant gaming roots remain—like dual USB-C, 3.5 mm jack, AirTriggers, and the optional AeroActive cooler. Photography sees mild gains, but it’s no photography champ. The short OS update window might be a concern at this price. Nevertheless, for gamers seeking unstoppable performance, sophisticated controls, and top-tier battery life, the ROG Phone 9 Pro is a must-buy.
