The new Asus ROG Phone 9 series brings more processing power, better cooling, a faster display and a bigger battery. That makes them the ultimate gaming phones, right? Maybe, but they are not without their flaws
Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro
The Asus ROG Phone 9 and 9 Pro will receive only 2 OS updates (they start with Android 15) and will continue getting security patches for 5 years. The latter number is nice – these days our phones provide access to our personal data, bank accounts and more – but missing out on new features after Android 17 on a $1,000+ phone isn’t a great look.
Asus ROG Phone 9
Check out our review of the ROG Phone 9 series for an in-depth look. As we note in the review, Asus toned down the “gamer look” and that makes the ROG a suitable phone for just about everyone. Admittedly, the AniMe Vision LED matrix on the back is a bit gimmicky, but if you switch it off, it’s as if it’s not there.
Asus ROG Phone 9 with SD 8 Elite, 5,800mAh battery and 50+32+13MP camera
The battery life is great, in part thanks to the 300mAh extra capacity in the 5,800mAh battery and in part because the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset is quite efficient when not running at full tilt. The fast charging with battery passthrough option is also great – Asus offers a ton of software and hardware customization features.
Speaking of, the new AeroActive Cooler X Pro has a built-in subwoofer that pairs with the stereo speakers in the phone itself, has two extra buttons and is even better at cooling than the previous model. That is especially important since the 8 Elite tends to throttle under sustained load. This accessory is so good, that it is almost a must-have for gaming, but it costs extra (unless you get it with the pricey Edition version). Here are the prices:
| Model | Storage | Price (USD) | Price (EUR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asus ROG Phone 9 | 12GB/256GB | $1,000 | €1,100 |
| 12GB/512GB | – | €1,150 | |
| Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro | 16/512GB | $1,200 | €1,300 |
| Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro Edition | 24GB/1TB | $1,500 | €1,500 |
A quick word on what separates the Asus ROG Phone 9 from the ROG Phone 9 Pro. First and foremost, the Pro has a 32MP 3x telephoto camera, while the vanilla model replaces it with a macro cam. Also, the Pro has 648 LEDs on the back, compared to just 85 LEDs on the vanilla model. And it’s got more RAM and storage too.
The ROGs are not the only Snapdragon 8 Elite phones around. For example, the Red Magic 10 Pro will launch globally in about a week’s time. Here, the chipset has a built-in cooling fan and doesn’t need to rely on external accessories (at the cost of lacking dust and water resistance). It uses the same chip. Its 6.85” display has a higher pixel density but a lower peak refresh rate – 144Hz vs. 185Hz (though getting more than even 60Hz requires special support for each game).
The under display camera keeps the screen unblemished and there is a larger 6,500mAh battery inside. The camera setup has a higher resolution 50MP ultra wide camera, but no telephoto lens. There’s no word on the global pricing yet, in China the 10 Pro costs CNY 5,300 (~€690) for a 12/256GB phone. For comparison, the base ROG Phone 9 (12/256GB) is CNY 5,000 in China, while the 9 Pro (12/512GB) is CNY 5,500.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 10 Pro
The Realme GT 7 Pro is not a gaming phone, but it can easily stand in for one with its SD 8 Elite chipset and 6.78” 120Hz LTPO display. It has a 50MP 3x periscope, so it can go up against the ROG Phone 9 Pro. The global launch of the GT 7 Pro is scheduled for Tuesday. In China, the phone starts at CNY 3,600 (€465) for a 12/256GB unit.
The OnePlus 13 hasn’t made the jump to global sales yet either, but a 12/256GB unit costs CNY 4,500 (€590) in China. This one also has a 50MP periscope and a 6,000mAh battery (the Realme battery is even bigger at 6,500mAh).
Realme GT 7 Pro • OnePlus 13 • vivo iQOO 13
The iQOO 13 will launch in India on December 3. In China, it starts at CNY 4,000 (€525) for a 12/256GB unit. This one has a sharp 6.82” 144Hz LTPO display with 1,440 x 3,160px resolution (same as the OnePlus, more than the others) and a 6,000mAh battery. Note that the international versions of these phones might have smaller capacities.
What do you think of the Asus ROG Phone 9? The vanilla phone is a bit cheaper than the Pro and you might not miss the extra LEDs on the back – but will you miss the telephoto camera?
What about the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro? It costs a bit more, but if you’re already spending $1,000, you may as well spend a bit more and get the best. That is, if you think the ROG Phone 9 Pro is the best – do you?
