Asus Rog Phone 6 review
The Asus ROG Phone 6 is a powerhouse of a gaming phone that delivers an unmatched experience with its plethora of features and options to enhance gameplay. Equipped with a new chipset and various tweaks, this device stands tall as the top dog in mobile gaming tech. However, its full potential can only be harnessed when paired with the cooling fan, which is now sold separately. Despite being pricey, the ROG Phone 6 offers great battery life, excellent audio quality, and a standout display that makes it a must-consider for gamers seeking the latest and greatest in mobile gaming tech.
Build Quality and Design
The Asus Rog Phone 6 is a powerhouse of a device that boasts an impressive array of features, but its build quality and design are equally noteworthy. From the moment I took it out of the box, I was impressed by the phone's solid construction and premium feel. The Rog Phone 6's body is made from a durable metal frame, which provides a sturdy foundation for the device. The phone's edges are neatly rounded, making it comfortable to hold in my hand. The rear panel features a textured pattern that adds a touch of visual interest to the design. While not exactly splashproof (a feature that has been added to this year's model), the phone still feels rugged enough to withstand the rigors of everyday use. One of the standout design elements is the phone's massive 6.55-inch AMOLED display, which takes up a significant portion of the front panel. The screen itself is stunning, with vibrant colors and razor-sharp text that make it a joy to gaze at for extended periods. The bezels are narrow and unobtrusive, allowing the user to focus on the content being displayed. In terms of design, the Rog Phone 6 is unmistakably a gaming phone. The phone's layout has been optimized for gaming performance, with the power button and volume controls cleverly placed on either side of the device. The phone's overall shape and size make it easy to hold in my hand, even during extended gaming sessions. While some may find the Rog Phone 6's design a bit too aggressive or bold, I believe that its sheer confidence and ambition are refreshing. This is a phone that is unapologetically designed for gamers, and its build quality and design reflect that commitment to excellence.
Battery Life
One of the most pleasant surprises in the Asus Rog Phone 6 is its battery life. With a 6000mAh power capacity split into two cells, this phone is capable of delivering extended usage times that are hard to match in the gaming smartphone market. In our proprietary tests, the Rog Phone 6 managed an impressive 119 hour endurance rating, surpassing both its predecessor and several rivals. This feat was achieved despite the addition of a more powerful chipset and other tweaks that might have been expected to drain the battery. The bundled 65W charger also deserves praise for its ability to rapidly top up the device's power reserves. We were able to reach 75% charge in just half an hour, a testament to the efficiency of the charging system. Overall, the Asus Rog Phone 6's battery life is a welcome respite from the otherwise pricey nature of this device. While it may not be a massive upgrade over last year's model, the improved power management and rapid charging capabilities make it a compelling aspect of this gaming smartphone.
Display
The display on the Asus Rog Phone 6 is undoubtedly one of its standout features. This gaming powerhouse boasts a stunning 6.7-inch AMOLED screen that delivers vibrant colors, crisp graphics, and an impressive level of detail. With a resolution of 1440 x 3200 pixels, the display offers an immersive visual experience that's perfect for gaming, video streaming, or simply browsing through your favorite content. The colors are rich and accurate, with deep blacks and bright whites that make images pop. One notable feature of the Rog Phone 6's display is its support for a 165Hz refresh rate, making it one of the fastest displays on the market. This means that users can enjoy seamless visuals with minimal lag or blur, even during the most intense gaming sessions. The display also features HDR10+ certification, which ensures that content looks its best in terms of color and contrast. Additionally, the screen is protected by Corning's Gorilla Glass Victus, providing an extra layer of durability against scratches and drops. Overall, the Asus Rog Phone 6's display is a significant improvement over its predecessor, offering improved brightness, color accuracy, and refresh rate. While it may not be perfect in every aspect, it's undoubtedly one of the best displays on any smartphone currently available. In terms of practical use, the display is excellent for gaming, video streaming, and general use. However, some users may find that the screen could benefit from a higher brightness setting in very bright environments, although this is not a major issue given the overall quality of the display. Overall, the Asus Rog Phone 6's display is an impressive achievement in mobile technology, offering a level of visual fidelity that's unmatched by many other smartphones. If you're looking for a device with a top-notch display, the Rog Phone 6 is definitely worth considering.
Camera
The camera on the Asus Rog Phone 6 is a notable feature that deserves attention. The device boasts a 50-megapixel main camera, a 13-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and a 5-megapixel macro camera. In daylight conditions, photos from the main camera come out in 12.5 megapixels, showcasing excellent brightness, cleanliness, and detail. The colors are well-balanced, with no notable issues or over-processing. However, some sharpening artifacts can be observed at times. Portraits taken with the main camera exhibit superb subject separation and a convincing bokeh effect in the background. The ultra-wide camera delivers decent results, with 13-megapixel photos showing good detail and color accuracy. Although they appear slightly soft, especially near the edges of the frame, they are still usable. In low light conditions, the macro camera takes surprisingly clean and detailed close-ups, with vibrant colors that don't suffer from excessive noise. Night mode performance is satisfactory on both the main and ultra-wide cameras. The exposure is improved, and details are enhanced in dark areas and highlights. However, the results can be hit-or-miss, depending on the scene's complexity. The camera app allows for manual settings adjustments, but it's not overly complex. Users can access features like electronic image stabilization (EIS), which smooths out footage up to 8K resolution on the main camera. Video recording capabilities are also impressive, with support for up to 8K resolution at 24 FPS and 4K at higher frame rates. The quality is excellent, with a lot of detail and vibrant colors in both resolutions. Electronic stabilization works effectively in all modes, ensuring smooth footage even during shaky movements. Overall, the camera on the Asus Rog Phone 6 is solid, if not spectacular. It delivers good results in various lighting conditions, but might struggle to stand out against top-tier smartphone cameras. Despite this, it's still a welcome addition to the device, particularly for those who value photography and videography capabilities.
Price and Value
The Asus ROG Phone 6 is undoubtedly one of the best gaming phones available in the market, boasting an impressive array of features and options to enhance the gaming experience. However, when it comes to value for money, this device falls short. Priced at a premium level, the ROG Phone 6 is not a huge upgrade over its predecessor, with only a few tweaks and a new chipset. While the phone's performance is top-notch, the price tag of around $1,700 seems steep considering the lack of significant upgrades. Moreover, the cooling fan accessory, which is necessary to unlock the device's full potential, is sold separately, adding an extra cost to the already pricey package. In today's market, where there are plenty of options available for gamers, the ROG Phone 6's premium price may be a hard pill to swallow. While it excels in performance and features, its value proposition is not as compelling as other gaming phones that offer similar specs at lower prices. Ultimately, if you're after the latest and greatest in mobile gaming technology and are willing to pay top dollar for it, then the ROG Phone 6 is still a great choice. However, for those on a budget or looking for more value for their money, there may be better options available.
Performance
The performance of the Asus Rog Phone 6 is a significant aspect that justifies its position as a top-notch gaming phone. The device is powered by a new chipset, which provides a noticeable improvement in processing power and efficiency. In our tests, the phone was able to handle demanding games with ease, thanks to its powerful CPU and GPU. One of the standout features of the Rog Phone 6 is its cooling system, which is designed to keep the phone's temperature under control even during prolonged gaming sessions. While it's possible to use the device without the cooling fan, we highly recommend investing in one if you plan on using the phone for extended periods of time. The phone's performance modes are also noteworthy, offering a range of settings that cater to different types of gamers. From casual players who want to conserve battery life to hardcore enthusiasts who demand maximum performance, there's an option available. The advanced gaming tuning feature takes things to the next level, providing granular control over various aspects of the phone's internals. In our benchmarks, the Rog Phone 6 delivered impressive results, outperforming many of its competitors in terms of raw processing power and graphics capabilities. However, it's worth noting that the device can get hot during intense gaming sessions, even with the cooling fan in use. Overall, the Asus Rog Phone 6 offers exceptional performance that makes it an ideal choice for gamers who demand the best. While it may not be a massive upgrade over its predecessor, the new chipset and improved cooling system make it a worthy successor to the throne. If you're in the market for a top-notch gaming phone, the Rog Phone 6 is certainly worth considering. Rating: 4.5/5 Recommendation: For gamers who demand maximum performance and are willing to invest in a high-end device.