A Snapdragon 8 Elite gaming smartphone without the ASUS name stamped on it would be next to impossible, which is why it is no surprise to learn that the new ROG Phone 9 and ROG Phone 9 Pro have officially been announced. In addition to the chipset upgrade, the new flagships also sport newer displays with a higher refresh rate and other specification improvements, which we will discuss in detail here. So, let us jump right into it.
New ROG Phone 9 and ROG Phone 9 Pro feature up to a 57 percent larger graphite sheet, which helps to keep the components cool; the top-end model ships with 24GB LPDDR5X RAM
Both the ROG Phone 9 and ROG Phone 9 Pro feature a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel boasting an FHD+ resolution with up to 2,500 nits of peak brightness. Given that both smartphones are geared towards gamers, ASUS has incorporated a refresh rate that goes up to 185Hz, but that must be enabled using ASUS’ Game Genie, and it will only be applicable in certain games. Secondly, the ROG Phone 9 and ROG Phone 9 Pro ship with a secondary rear AniMe Vision, which is a grid of mini-LEDs that can be used to customize the look of the phone.
The base model is equipped with 85 LEDs, while the ROG Phone 9 Pro goes all out with a whopping 648 LEDs. The regular ROG Phone 9 can be configured with up to 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage, while the ROG Phone 9 Pro can be kitted out with 16GB RAM and 1TB of storage. Of course, as you would expect, there is an even better version called the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro Edition, and it comes with a mammoth 24GB RAM and 1TB of onboard storage. Like the previous iterations, the company continues adding improved cooling solutions to its smartphones.
With the latest models, ASUS claims that it has added a new graphite sheet that is 57 percent larger, along with a vapor chamber cooler to keep the Snapdragon 8 Elite temperatures at bay. The battery of both models has been increased to 5,800mAh, which ASUS says is more than sufficient to last for more than four hours of heavy gaming sessions, with the cell retaining at least 80 percent of its charge after 1,000 complete cycles. Charging is possible with the use of a 65W wired connection, with the battery getting topped wirelessly up to 15W.
As for the optics, a 50MP 1/1.56-inch Sony Lytia 700 sensor is present on both the ROG Phone 9 and ROG Phone 9 Pro, along with a 13MP ultrawide-angle unit, and a 5MP macro sensor for the base model and a 32MP 1/3-inch telephoto lens available for the ‘Pro’ version. Both flagships are equipped with a single 32MP front-facing camera. ASUS has bucked the trend by adding a 3.5mm audio jack to its flagship range. For those wanting to pre-order, the ROG Phone 9 and 9 Pro can be secured today, with shipping happening tomorrow for customers living in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China.
U.S. customers will have to wait a little longer because the ROG Phone 9 and ROG Phone 9 Pro will start selling in January 2025, and European regions will be able to purchase the flagships in December 2024.
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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