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Asus ROG Phone
Asus ROG Phone
Asus ROG Phone
Asus ROG Phone
Asus ROG Phone
Asus ROG Phone
...


8.1/10
Informr score
The Asus ROG Phone currently has an Informr score of 8.1 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 35 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The "1-Minute" Review

Verdict

While the phone isn’t for everyone, those looking for a solid mobile gaming experience won’t find a better option on the market today.

What's good

  • Unique design
  • Best-in-class performance
  • 90Hz, HDR AMOLED display
  • A bounty of accessories
  • Headphone jack
  • Generous storage
  • Native game recording and streaming

What's bad

  • Expensive
  • No wireless charging
  • No microSD support

ASUS has established a solid reputation for high-performance gaming in the laptop and PC markets under their “Republic of Gamers” (ROG) label. Now, with the gaming phone market heating up, they’re trying to duplicate their success and offer a compelling mobile experience tailored to gaming enthusiasts.

Does their new release -- the ASUS ROG Phone -- check all the needed boxes? Let’s see what reviewers are saying...

Design

If you want a phone that will stand out from the crowd, the ASUS ROG Phone fits the bill. It uses an aluminum chassis and Gorilla Glass 6 back to provide a durable, sturdy feel. But the hexagonal camera and fingerprint scanner -- not to mention the RGB-lit ASUS ROG logo in the middle -- give it a very “pro gamer” feel.

Along the top edge of the phone, you’ll also find touch-sensitive AirTrigger buttons that mimic gamepad buttons and allow you to map controls to any part of the screen and keep fingers away from your display during intense gaming moments.

Overall, reviewers found little to complain about. The glass back is durable, the design feels great in the hand even if it’s a little unusual, and the weight is acceptable for slipping in your pocket or holding for extended gaming sessions.

TechRadar says, “Asus has managed to keep things in intuitive positions, so a fumbling finger will land on the scanner without any issues.”

Display

Around front, you’ll find a six-inch 1080-by-2160 pixel AMOLED display. Reviewers loved the contrast and vibrant colors on offer. The 90Hz refresh rate and HDR support provided buttery smooth gaming with details that popped.

While there are larger bezels compared to many top-tier phones, reviewers felt this helped the gaming experience by avoiding accidental inputs and allowing you to firmly grip the phone.

Performance

While most of 2018’s top-tier phones used the octa-core Snapdragon 845 processor, ASUS has gone one step further by overclocking the processor to 2.96GHz and pairing it with 8 GB of RAM.

Despite these tweaks, reviewers mentioned no issues of overheating or the phone getting warm to the touch unless you were charging and playing at the same time. Even then, it was warm… not uncomfortably hot.

Gizmodo says, “The ROG Phone’s performance is as good as it gets for a Snapdragon 845-powered device.”

Software

While the phone might look futuristic, it’s running a slightly dated version of Android -- 8.1 Oreo. However, reviewers felt that ASUS’ software changes were nice and provided a ton of extra functionality you won’t find in other phones.

The star of the software is a suite of gaming-focused features including in-game recording and streaming integration, recordable macros, and on-screen hardware stats.

Android Central notes, “Game Mode on the ASUS ROG Phone is nothing like anything you've ever used before. The software has dozens of features for you to tweak, from notification bothering you to how fast you want the CPU to run and what apps are allowed to continue living in memory when you game.”

Storage

The phone ships with a generous 128GB or 512GB of storage. However, unlike many Android competitors, the phone does not allow you to expand storage with a microSD card. So if you plan to play multiple games or like reassurance, the 512GB model is likely the best choice.

Cameras

For a phone designed for gaming, the cameras received decent reviews. The phone features rear 12MP and 8MP cameras with an 8MP front-facing shooter. The rear cameras include optical image stabilization and an ultra-wide lens mode.

Overall, it impressed reviewers in well-lit conditions. While low light shooting wasn’t a strong point, many reviews noted that even a little light could improve shots and that noise and grain were slow to creep in.

TechAdvisor UK summed up opinions well, saying, “While photography is ok, there's nothing to write home about here.”

Battery Life

Cutting-edge performance does no good if you can’t keep a charge. Fortunately, the 4000mAh battery with two USB Type-C ports and fast charging wowed reviewers with some of the longest run-time tests they’ve seen to date.

While there is no wireless charging, the phone includes a second USB Type-C port on the side to let you charge while you hold the phone in landscape mode for less cable clutter while gaming.

Audio

If you’re watching videos or listening to your favorite music, the front-facing stereo speakers offer plenty of volume without distorting. However, if you’re looking to immerse yourself in a game, there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The Takeaway

If you don’t mind the price, reviews for the ASUS ROG Phone are great. It will not be everyone’s style, but the aesthetic is unique, and the phone delivers on its many promises.

TechRadar says, “... it’s a blooming good smartphone. If you like the design, you get a great HDR 90Hz AMOLED screen, a snappy UI, tonnes of storage, power in spades and excellent battery life.”

Android Central declares, “... the ROG Phone isn't just a great gaming phone, I think it's the only real gaming phone. And the new standard by which every other gaming phone is judged.”


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
2.96 GHz
Processor
Processor
2.96 GHz
6"
Screen Size
Screen Size
6"
12+ MP
Camera
Camera
12+ MP
4000 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Gadgets 360
Gadgets 360

For the asking price of Rs. 69,999 the Asus ROG Phone will appeal to gamers. It is capable of running most popular titles without breaking a sweat. If you are looking for a smartphone for the primary purpose of gaming, then the Asus ROG Phone will appeal to you.

- Aditya Shenoy, Gadgets 360
Fone Arena
Fone Arena

As a gamer, there are five things, which are very crucial to me in any gaming smartphone. Those are bright colourful display, longer battery life, better heat management, faster charging time and comfortable to hold while gaming. The ROG phone ticks all the boxes of my use case.

- Vigneshwar SR, Fone Arena
Good Gear Guide
Good Gear Guide

Being a gamer means I can appreciate silly things like RGB logos and active cooling—even on my phone. When improvements like front-firing speakers and high-refresh-rate screens improve daily use as well as gaming, that's the best of both worlds. But as it stands, the Razer Phone 2 (and Razer Phone 1...

- Adam Patrick Murray, Good Gear Guide
PCWorld
PCWorld

The excitement for another high end gaming phone quickly washed away after using daily.

- Adam Patrick Murray, PCWorld
Firstpost
Firstpost

In terms of the gaming experience and raw performance, the ROG Phone can do no wrong. It is the perfect visual blend of design and aesthetics. Combined with the number of accessories that Asus provides, no other phone on the market can offer what the ROG does.

- Kshitij Pujari, Firstpost


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


Asus backs up the ROG Phone with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your ROG Phone has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Asus support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Asus's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.



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Quick view

Screen Size
6"

The Asus ROG Phone's screen size is 6 inches with 1080 x 2160 pixels resolution.

Processor
2.96 GHz

There is a Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 Octa core 2.96 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 8.1 Oreo operating system (OS).

Camera
12+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 12+ MP camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 8+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
128/512 GB

Internal memory is 128/512 GB. No external card slot is available for expansion.

Battery
4000mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 4000 mAh battery.

ROG Phone Specs

Overview
Release Date October 18, 2018
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 8.1 Oreo

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 Octa core 2.96 GHz
Internal Storage 128/512 GB
RAM 8 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible Unknown
TTY/TDD Unknown
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Unknown
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included USB Power Adapter, Manual, Data Cable
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Unknown
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Unknown
SIM card size
Nano-SIM
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB USB Type-C
USB OTG Support Unknown
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP, PAN
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC, aptX HD
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot No
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
12+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, Multi-shot, Panorama, Self-timer, Dual camera feature (8 MP 2nd camera, 120° wide-angle)
Video Recording Formats
MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology AMOLED
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1080 x 2160 pixels
Pixel Density 402 pixels
Size 6 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen, 90Hz refresh rate with 1ms pixel response time, HDR, Corning Gorilla Glass
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 4000 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging
Fast Charging Yes
Video Playback Time Unknown
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Unknown
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Unknown
Standby Time Unknown
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Aluminium
Colors Black
Dimensions [H x W x D] 15.88 x 7.62 x 0.86 cm (6.3 x 3 x 0.3 in)
Weight 200 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Yes
Rugged design No
IP Rating Unknown
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Stereo
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor Yes
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Additional Information Other Names (AKA):
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