It’s 2024 and gaming phones are no longer the quirky niche they once were. The ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro is here to prove that not only can a gaming phone deliver high-end specs but it can also rival the flagship devices from brands like Apple and Samsung. But at a premium price tag of PHP 60,995 (or PHP 59,995 on limited promotions) the question is: Who is this phone really for and does it justify the investment?

What Makes the ROG Phone 8 Pro Tick?

The ROG Phone 8 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor paired with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM. Translation: this thing is fast. Gaming on this device feels smoother than buttered silk whether you’re grinding ranked matches in Call of Duty Mobile or immersing yourself in the sprawling worlds of Genshin Impact.

The 6.78-inch AMOLED LTPO display is another standout feature offering a 165Hz variable refresh rate. You’ll notice it immediately—scrolling feels hyper-responsive and fast-paced action in games like PUBG looks crisp and fluid. Add in the 1080 x 2448 resolution, HDR10+ support and 2500 nits peak brightness and you’ve got visuals that pop like a bag of Skittles.

A Cooling System That Doesn’t Mess Around

Gaming for hours can turn most phones into pocket-sized hand warmers. The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a solution: GameCool 8 Technology featuring a 360° SoC Cooling System Gen 2 with vapor chambers and thermal compounds that actually work. Even during marathon sessions the phone stays comfortably cool—especially if you attach the AeroActive Cooler X accessory which also adds physical shoulder buttons for extra control.

Battery Life That Won’t Let You Down

With a 5500mAh dual-battery system supporting 65W HyperCharge and 15W wireless charging this phone is built to last. I went through a day of heavy gaming, streaming and regular phone use without hitting 10% by bedtime. The fast-charging feature also ensures you’re not tethered to an outlet for long with a full charge taking just over an hour.

Why Choose This Over a Regular Flagship Phone?

Gaming phones like this aren’t just about performance; they’re about the ecosystem. The ROG Phone 8 Pro integrates features like AirTrigger touch controls and the Armory Crate app where you can tweak performance settings, adjust RGB lighting and even set up macros for games. These are features you simply don’t get on devices like the Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 16 Pro Max.

And then there’s the sound: multi-magnet dual stereo speakers with Hi-Res audio support and a 3.5mm headphone jack—remember those? The audio experience is further enhanced with Dirac Virtuo for Headphone Spatial Sound making this a great phone for both gaming and media consumption.

The ROG Experience

The ROG Phone 8 Pro is an experience. Everything about it, from the AniMe Vision customizable lighting to the GameCool 8 system, is designed to immerse you in a world tailored for gamers. It’s not just about having a phone that runs games smoothly; it’s a device that feels like an extension of your gaming lifestyle. The X Mode performance boost, coupled with AI features like X-Sense and X-Capture, ensures that every gaming session is optimized for maximum fun and minimal distractions. For its niche, the ROG Phone 8 Pro delivers something unique—an all-encompassing platform for both gaming and entertainment.

The Drawbacks

It’s not all sunshine and RGB rainbows though. While the camera setup is impressive for a gaming phone with a 50MP Sony IMX890 main sensor (featuring a 6-axis hybrid gimbal stabilizer) a 13MP ultra-wide and a 32MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom it still falls short compared to the top-tier flagships in pure photography performance.

That said, the 6-axis hybrid gimbal stabilizer significantly improves video and photo quality by reducing shakes and jitters, making it ideal for capturing smooth footage during dynamic or handheld shooting. If you care about photography as much as gaming this might not be the phone for you.

Additionally the design—complete with angular accents and AniMe Vision programmable mini-LED lighting—isn’t for everyone. If you’re not into the gamer aesthetic you might find it a bit over-the-top compared to sleeker flagships.

Final Thoughts

The ROG Phone 8 Pro isn’t trying to be everything to everyone. It’s a gaming phone first, a flagship competitor second. But if you’re the kind of person who spends hours on mobile games and values performance over camera prowess this phone is as good as it gets.

Yes, the price is steep but for serious gamers the ROG Phone 8 Pro is less of a phone and more of a weapon in your arsenal. And honestly? It’s a damn good one.

Filed under: Gadget Reviews,Reviews - @ December 22, 2024 4:23 am