Asus ROG Cellphone Eight Professional evaluation: the PlayStation of smartphones

Is the Asus ROG Cellphone Eight Professional nonetheless a gaming telephone? In spite of everything, it’s a really totally different beast visually from the fashions we’ve seen earlier than. Don’t fear — the ROG Cellphone Eight Professional is nonetheless all about video games, however whereas the earlier fashions have been the telephone equivalents of a gaming PC, the ROG Cellphone Eight Professional is extra like a PlayStation.

It nonetheless has all the fitting gaming credentials, however with out all the trouble. Has this change destroyed every little thing that made the ROG Cellphone sequence so distinctive? I’ve been discovering out.

Asus ROG Cellphone Eight Professional: design

Asus has taken the ROG Cellphone sequence mainstream, or as mainstream because it’s ever prone to get. It claims the telephone is “not only a gaming telephone, but additionally an all-round premium telephone for on a regular basis use,” making it fairly totally different from the ROG Telephones which have gone earlier than it. Over the previous few weeks, I’ve been capable of check if it truly is a extra succesful on a regular basis gadget, because it has been my companion by way of an exceptionally busy interval when enjoying video games merely wasn’t going to occur, and calls, messages, and emails have been the precedence.

I’d come to the telephone from utilizing the Nothing Cellphone 2, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely, and the OnePlus 11 in fast succession, so it had quite a bit to dwell as much as. The excellent news is it has been as succesful, handy, and dependable as any of them when used as a traditional smartphone. If I had been utilizing the ROG Cellphone 7 Final throughout this time, I’m fairly certain I wouldn’t have felt the identical method. The explanation for that is Asus’s choice to vary the general design of the ROG Cellphone.

It has smaller bezels across the display, a extra typical form, a thinner 8.9mm profile, and a lighter 225-gram weight. The AirTriggers are nonetheless on every shoulder, however there aren’t any extra motorized vents, so it has gained an IP68 water and dirt resistance score. The three.5mm headphone jack stays, as does a side-mounted USB-C charging port. It’s definitely nonetheless extra suited to gaming than most flagship smartphones, nevertheless it’s far much less compromised. It represents an enormous change for the ROG Cellphone sequence, and a principally optimistic one, too.

Solely principally? The issue is that the ROG Cellphone Eight Professional isn’t as mad, or as totally gaming-centric, as earlier fashions. Neither is it as eye-catching. The rear panel on the Professional is all black, and the crisp and clear LED array that brightly reveals totally different animations is fully hidden when it’s turned off. When it’s, the again of the ROG Cellphone Eight Professional is shockingly strange, though the refined sparkle and matte flashes do give it a visible increase. Even the digicam module is a straightforward, sq. black part within the high nook that’s barely raised.

It’s clearly designed to provide the telephone extra mass enchantment, along with making it extra usable, however there’s a threat of turning the hardcore repeat ROG Cellphone consumers off because it’s lacking a lot of what made the older fashions so totally different. The ROG Cellphone Eight Professional is a cushty and handy on a regular basis associate after I’m not enjoying video games, which might’t be mentioned about some other ROG Telephones, however there’ll inevitably be some who’re fully turned off by that assertion.

Asus ROG Cellphone Eight Professional: gaming

Asus nonetheless insists the ROG Cellphone Eight Professional is a gaming smartphone, regardless of it edging nearer to the mainstream than earlier than, so what’s it like whenever you do play video games? As talked about, the AirTriggers are nonetheless current on every shoulder and will be programmed to function in any cell recreation. Additionally, Asus’ X Mode is out there to supercharge efficiency everytime you need whereas maintaining it manageable to increase battery life whenever you don’t. I like that every of those options is definitely accessible by long-pressing the Fast Settings button, and they’re fully customizable too.

Operating the 3DMark benchmarking app’s Wild Life Excessive Stress Check revealed the telephone will get highly regarded with such therapy, notably on the edges of the chassis. It’s in these arduous conditions the place you’ll want to use the AeroCooler X fan accent that clips on the again to help cooling with its bodily fan. It provides a pair of customizable buttons as nicely. It additionally prompts X Mode Plus on the telephone to squeeze much more efficiency out of the gadget. Below regular circumstances, complete cooling strategies, starting from copper and graphite sheets to boron nitrate injected into cavities, hold it working at a smart temperature.

You take a look at a 6.78-inch versatile AMOLED display with a 1-120Hz refresh fee, which robotically boosts to 165Hz when enjoying appropriate video games. Disappointingly, the decision is 2400 x 1080 pixels, that means it’s not fairly as excessive as some players might want, nevertheless it matches earlier variations of the telephone. It has a peak brightness of two,500 nits, and though it hasn’t been sunny or shiny whereas I’ve been testing the telephone, it has by no means been an issue to see the display outdoors. I’ve additionally discovered the automated brightness adjustment to be correct and dependable.

You’ll discover the bezels on the high and backside of the display have been contracted in comparison with these on the ROG Cellphone 7 (down from 5.65mm to 1.65mm), so you’re gripping the display extra when enjoying video games in panorama. For the video games I play, this isn’t a problem, however it might concern some individuals. It’s additionally one other of the extra hardcore gaming issues which were faraway from the bundle to make it extra appropriate for on a regular basis use by extra individuals.

What’s it like enjoying video games on the ROG Cellphone Eight Professional? It’s like enjoying them on each different giant flagship when it comes to the way you maintain it and the way it feels, however the AirTriggers are unbelievable — correct and simple to arrange — and do separate this telephone from its rivals. Nonetheless, you’ll must play video games that basically profit from them to note they’re there in any respect. X Mode and the plenty of customization make video games play and function the precise method you need. this telephone is made by individuals who actually perceive cell gaming, which helps make sure the ROG Cellphone Eight Professional ought to be the telephone of selection for the devoted cell gamer.

The ROG Cellphone Eight Professional is unquestionably a step up from enjoying video games on a Galaxy S23 Extremely or Google Pixel Eight Professional because of the digital buttons, X Mode, limitless customization choices, and the AeroCooler X accent. The distinction is that you simply’re reminded much less usually that it is a gaming smartphone than you have been when enjoying on the ROG Cellphone 7 Final.

Asus ROG Cellphone Eight Professional: battery life and telephone efficiency

Asus desires you to make use of the ROG Cellphone Eight Professional daily, so is that possible? The telephone itself is not any larger or heavier than the Xiaomi 13 Professional or a Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely, so offered you’re effective with one thing of this dimension and weight, you received’t discover it any totally different. I’ve additionally discovered calls sound very good, and the AI Noise Discount has successfully eliminated background sound in busy environments for the opposite get together. The telephone has pulled in 5G indicators with out situation, however there have been a number of complaints that my voice was typically garbled throughout telephone calls — even in areas with an honest sign.

As a result of my utilization necessities over the previous few weeks, I’ve usually solely used the telephone for about an hour a day, and only for the fundamentals like calls, messages, and emails. It’s principally been related to a mobile sign relatively than Wi-Fi. It has additionally been related to a Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Professional throughout this time. When used like this, the 5,500mAh battery’s life is excellent, and it has not dropped beneath 75% after a full day from round 7 a.m. to midnight. I couldn’t cost it in a single day, and it might nonetheless simply final three and even 4 days. The low energy effectivity of the Snapdragon Eight Gen three seems to be very good.

I recognize this isn’t regular use, particularly for a gaming telephone, so what about when pushed more durable? Ranging from 100% within the morning for a complete display time of four-and-a-half to 5 hours through the day, the battery depletes to about 30% by 11 p.m. That is with a mixture of GPS navigation, 90 minutes of YouTube streaming at 1440p (which takes round 8% by itself), 3DMark benchmarking to symbolize very high-level gaming, combined gameplay together with Asphalt 9: Legends and Pocket Metropolis, and a few social networking and common app use.

Recharging choices are extra complete than earlier ROG Telephones, because it now contains wi-fi Qi 1.three charging together with Asus’ 65-watt wired HyperCharge system, which takes the battery to 100% in 40 minutes. This brings the ROG Cellphone Eight Professional according to most different flagship telephones, and the respectable wired quick charging means it’s as versatile and handy because the OnePlus 11 and Galaxy S23.

Asus ROG Cellphone Eight Professional: software program, velocity, and safety

Android 14 is put in with Asus’ personal interface, and there are two choices for it. One contains all the standard gaming telephone visible results and customized icons, whereas the opposite is a straightforward, clear choice. Personally, I discover the Asus model too busy, nevertheless it doesn’t function any otherwise from the clear model, so that you’ll be free to decide on the visible model you favor. I’ve no downside with the software program in any respect, and discover the ROG Cellphone Eight Professional a really nice telephone to make use of on a regular basis.

Lots of that is right down to the sheer velocity of the system generally, as there’s no lag, no hesitation, and no irritating pauses. If you’d like the quickest smartphone on the market, the ROG Cellphone Eight Professional will greater than fulfill you. That is additionally evident when enjoying video games — proper from the second you open the app. All of it occurs immediately, and video games completely fly, making them extra pleasant and the expertise extra fluid.

The ROG Cellphone Eight Professional I’ve been testing has a frankly insane 24GB of RAM, which undoubtedly helps give it this astonishing flip of velocity — however I might think about the 16GB model is hardly missing. All this provides as much as being an enormous a part of the ROG Cellphone Eight Professional’s enchantment as a video games machine, because it’s about as excessive efficiency as smartphones get.

I’m utilizing the ROG Cellphone Eight Professional forward of launch with out the ultimate software program put in, nevertheless it has not proved to be unreliable, and no main bugs have proven up. There are some things to level out, although. I’ve discovered the display could be very delicate, and it repeatedly registers multiple faucet, leading to double letters or numbers showing. That is irritating when inputting passwords or telephone numbers.

I additionally discover the notification shade isn’t very responsive and desires a really apparent digital tug to get it to drag down. These points might be fastened within the closing software program replace, which is due earlier than launch. The in-display fingerprint sensor is quick, however not as quick because the face unlock system, so it’s possible you’ll not even get to make use of it if each choices are energetic.

Outdoors of Asus’ gaming modes, there are some AI options which might be new for the ROG Cellphone Eight Professional. The AI Noise Cancellation labored nicely on calls, and in addition operates throughout in-game chats and video calls. There’s an AI-powered search function and numerous in-game AI instruments as nicely. These embrace auto-pickup, auto-run, and auto-skip for cutscenes. All these do improve the ROG Cellphone Eight Professional’s gaming credentials, however are solely accessible in Genshin Impression and Honkai Star Rail for now, limiting the quantity of people that will discover it helpful.

Asus ROG Cellphone Eight Professional: digicam

The ROG Cellphone Eight Professional has a 50-megapixel important digicam with the 6-axis gimbal stabilization system seen on the Zenfone 10, plus a 13MP f/2.2 wide-angle digicam and a 32MP telephoto digicam with a 3x optical zoom. A 32MP selfie digicam completes the lineup, making it essentially the most comprehensively specced-out digicam on an ROG Cellphone but.

Whereas the digicam continues to be not the rationale you’ll need to purchase the ROG Cellphone Eight Professional, it’s now not a cause not to purchase it. It takes vibrant, shiny, and enjoyable photographs, and there’s sufficient versatility to maintain you and concerned. There’s an honest stage of consistency between the primary and wide-angle cameras, however the 2x hybrid and 3x optical zoom produce fairly different-looking pictures. The standard is first rate, however in case you look very critically, there’s some edge enhancement, plus some textures do look a bit pixelated.

Portrait mode works in quite a lot of conditions and supplies a noticeable impact, and whenever you get in shut, there’s a satisfying pure bokeh to totally different photographs. It doesn’t return essentially the most pure colours, however they definitely pop and are perfect for sharing on-line with out a lot enhancing. The gimbal stabilization isn’t one thing you’ll use on a regular basis, and efficiency seems to be just like the Zenfone 10. Contemplating that is primarily a gaming smartphone and that earlier ROG Cellphone cameras have been common at greatest, the ROG Cellphone Eight Professional’s digicam is an enormous step ahead for the vary.

Asus ROG Cellphone Eight Professional: worth and availability

The ROG Cellphone Eight Professional will value $1,199 for the 16GB/512GB mannequin, whereas a Professional Version mannequin with an enormous 24GB of RAM and 1TB of cupboard space — plus the $100 AeroCooler X included within the field — will be yours for $1,499. The discharge date has not been confirmed on the time of writing, however it is going to be bought within the U.S. quickly.

At this worth and with its extra mainstream intentions, the ROG Cellphone Eight Professional goes up towards the Galaxy S23 Extremely, the Pixel Eight Professional, and the iPhone 15 Professional. It’ll even be an ideal different to the Galaxy S24 Extremely. It arguably all the time has been, however there was a selected cause to decide on the ROG Cellphone over them, which has been barely eroded with the Eight Professional.

You’ll nonetheless have to be an enormous cell gaming fan to actually need it, however not fairly as a lot as earlier than. Whether or not which means you’d be higher off with certainly one of its opponents could come right down to how usually you are taking photographs.

Asus ROG Cellphone Eight Professional: verdict

I’ve used each ROG Cellphone because the very first, and the ROG Cellphone Eight Professional is the primary one the place I haven’t felt the necessity to embrace a caveat in my evaluation by stating at the very least as soon as that you must be a hardcore gamer to actually take pleasure in it. The design, IP score, efficiency, charging, and digicam are all tailor-made to regular, on a regular basis use, and it’s a a lot simpler telephone to dwell with than it’s possible you’ll count on given its pedigree.

It’s much less problem and there are fewer compromises, so extra individuals can benefit from the monster efficiency on supply, however there’s nonetheless sufficient of Asus’s gaming experience inside to make it higher than different flagships for gaming — simply. Make no mistake, it might look a bit extra strange this time, however at its coronary heart, the ROG Cellphone Eight Professional is an absolute powerhouse and can obliterate any job — not simply video games — in report time whereas seemingly not breaking a sweat. When the whole world of gaming telephones goes by way of a significant change, it’s the smart route for Asus to take.

The Asus ROG Cellphone Eight Professional is a gaming smartphone wrapped up in a friendlier bundle that has the potential to enchantment to extra individuals, whether or not they’re informal players or budding professionals. It’s a PlayStation 5 and never a gaming PC, and that’s effective by me, however the actual hardcore ROG Cellphone followers who spend hours enjoying cell video games daily could discover it has been watered down just a bit an excessive amount of.

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