Asus ROG Phone 7 review
The Asus ROG Phone 7 is a powerhouse of a smartphone, designed specifically for hardcore mobile gamers. With a focus on performance, customization, and thermal efficiency, this device checks all the right boxes. The latest Qualcomm chipset ensures seamless gaming experiences, while the improved passive cooling system keeps the phone running smoothly even during prolonged use. The display boasts enhanced brightness, making visuals more vibrant than ever. But is it enough to keep up with the competition? Let's dive in and find out.
Build Quality and Design
The Asus ROG Phone 7 is an unapologetic powerhouse, designed to withstand the rigors of intense gaming sessions. Upon closer inspection, it's clear that the build quality is nothing short of exceptional. The device boasts a sturdy aluminum frame, precision-machined to provide a satisfying weight and feel in hand. The design, while bold and attention-grabbing, also exudes an air of sophistication. The ROG Phone 7's angular lines and chamfered edges give it a distinctly industrial look, redolent of high-performance machinery. This theme is reinforced by the device's distinctive "airtriggers" – raised strips on either side that house sensitive capacitive sensors for gesture control. While some may find the design too flashy or ostentatious, I believe it's a deliberate statement from Asus that this phone is meant to be a premium gaming experience. The build quality backs up this claim, with every aspect of the device feeling solidly put together and built to last. One of the most striking aspects of the ROG Phone 7's design is its sheer size. Measuring in at over 6 inches across, it's clear that Asus has prioritized screen real estate above all else. While some may find this unwieldy, I appreciate the extra room for gaming and multimedia consumption. Ultimately, the ROG Phone 7's build quality and design are a testament to Asus' commitment to delivering an uncompromising gaming experience. Whether you're a hardcore gamer or simply someone who appreciates exceptional craftsmanship, this phone is sure to impress.
Battery Life
Battery life is an area where the Asus ROG Phone 7 excels. The device boasts a massive 6000mAh battery, split into two symmetrical cells using MMT tech. This results in an impressive endurance rating of 131 hours in our tests. With such a large capacity, it's no surprise that the phone easily lasts for over a day with moderate to heavy use. In fact, during our testing, we found that the ROG Phone 7 consistently lasted from morning till night without needing a recharge. The bundled 65W fast charger is also incredibly efficient, allowing us to charge the battery from 0-68% in just half an hour. This level of charging speed ensures that even on days when you do need to top up, it's done quickly and easily. What's more impressive is how well the phone's power management handles demanding tasks like gaming. We were able to play intense games for hours on end without noticing any significant drop in battery life. Overall, we're thoroughly impressed with the Asus ROG Phone 7's battery life. It's a testament to the device's design and engineering, and makes it an even more compelling option for those who value long-lasting power in their smartphones.
Display
The Asus ROG Phone 7 boasts an impressive display that's sure to please even the most discerning gamers and users alike. With its vibrant colors, crisp text, and snappy responsiveness, this screen is a true highlight of the device. The first thing you'll notice about the display on the ROG Phone 7 is its stunning color accuracy. Whether you're watching a movie or playing a game, the colors are rich and vivid, with deep blacks that really pop against the bright whites. The display's brightness is also impressive, making it easy to use outdoors or in well-lit environments. One of the standout features of the ROG Phone 7's display is its incredibly fast response time. Whether you're scrolling through a webpage or switching between apps, the screen responds with lightning speed, making for a seamless and smooth user experience. In terms of resolution, the ROG Phone 7 packs a punch with its Quad HD+ (1440 x 3040) display. This means that every detail on the screen is sharp and crisp, from text to images to videos. Whether you're gaming or watching movies, this level of resolution ensures that you get an immersive experience that's hard to match on other devices. Overall, the display on Asus ROG Phone 7 is a true masterpiece. With its stunning color accuracy, snappy responsiveness, and high-resolution goodness, it's one of the best displays you'll find on any smartphone. Whether you're a gamer or just someone who wants a great user experience, this screen is sure to impress.
Camera
The camera department on the Asus ROG Phone 7 remains largely unchanged from its predecessor. You get a 50-megapixel main camera, a 13-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 5-megapixel macro camera. While the main camera still takes good photos with plenty of detail and true-to-life colors, there are some minor drawbacks. The dynamic range is decently wide, but the contrast can be a bit high at times. Additionally, fine details like foliage may appear slightly artificial from up close. The 2x digital zoom on the viewfinder produces okay-quality images that are quite close to those taken without zoom. However, portraits taken with the main camera are decent with good subject detection and separation. One of the strongest aspects of the camera system is the ultra-wide-angle lens. Its photos are very detailed and have a wide dynamic range, making them ideal for capturing broad scenes. In low-light conditions, the macro camera takes clean and usable close-ups with nice-looking colors. The ROG Phone 7 also has an auto-night mode processing feature that helps minimize noise and improve image quality in dimly lit environments. The dedicated night mode on the main camera is another highlight. It effectively reduces noise and applies additional sharpening to produce images with improved texture detail. However, each shot does take a while to process. One new addition to the ROG Phone 7's camera system is a 32-megapixel selfie camera that bins pixels to produce 8-megapixel selfies. These look great, with plenty of detail and natural colors. When it comes to video recording, the main camera can capture footage in up to 8K at 24 frames per second. The quality is excellent, with plenty of detail and vibrant colors that aren't overdone. 4K video is also impressive, with similar quality to 8K footage but without the cropped frame. The ultra-wide-angle lens's 4K video captures a lot of detail and has good-looking colors. Electronic image stabilization is available across all camera modes, and it does a great job in smoothing out footage. In terms of low-light performance, the main camera takes very clean videos with plenty of detail and well-handled light sources. However, the colors can be a bit bland, and the overall exposure could benefit from being slightly brighter. Overall, while not revolutionary, the ROG Phone 7's camera system is capable and provides some great features for its users.
Price and Value
The Asus ROG Phone 7 is a behemoth of a smartphone that's designed specifically for hardcore gamers. With its impressive specs, sleek design, and robust cooling system, it's no surprise that this phone comes with a premium price tag. Priced at around $1,500, the ROG Phone 7 is certainly not an affordable option for most consumers. However, if you're a serious gamer who values performance above all else, then this phone might be worth considering. One of the key strengths of the ROG Phone 7 is its powerful hardware, which includes a massive 6,000mAh battery and a state-of-the-art cooling system that keeps temperatures in check even during prolonged gaming sessions. Add to that a snappy display, responsive controls, and impressive camera capabilities, and you have a phone that's tailor-made for gamers. While the price of $1,500 might seem steep at first glance, it's worth considering the value proposition that this phone offers. If you're someone who spends hours on end playing demanding games like Fortnite or Call of Duty, then the ROG Phone 7 is more than likely to last longer and perform better than cheaper alternatives. Ultimately, whether or not the ROG Phone 7 is a good value depends on individual priorities and budget constraints. However, for serious gamers who demand top-notch performance from their phone, this device is definitely worth considering – even at its premium price point.
Performance
The Asus ROG Phone 7 is a beast when it comes to performance. Equipped with the latest chipset, this phone delivers top-notch gaming capabilities. The device's power management has been improved, allowing for smoother and more stable performance even during extended periods of gaming. In our tests, the ROG Phone 7 showed excellent thermal efficiency, thanks to its new Rapid cycle Vapor chamber and redesigned graphite sheets. This means that you can enjoy intense gaming sessions without worrying about overheating. The phone's Dynamic Performance Mode is particularly impressive, offering a great balance between performance and power consumption. However, when pushed to its limits in stress tests, the ROG Phone 7 did become rather hot to the touch. To mitigate this, Asus has introduced an X-Mode that enables the cooling fan, providing even more stable performance at the cost of some battery life. In terms of raw performance, the ROG Phone 7 is one of the most powerful Android phones available today. Our tests showed that it can handle demanding tasks with ease, and its 6,000mAh battery provides excellent endurance, scoring an impressive 131 hours in our proprietary tests. The phone also supports fast charging at up to 65 watts, allowing you to quickly top up your battery when needed. Overall, the ROG Phone 7's performance is one of its standout features, making it a great choice for gamers and anyone who needs a powerful Android device. In terms of real-world usage, the ROG Phone 7 performed admirably in our tests, delivering smooth performance even during extended gaming sessions. The phone's X-Mode and cooling system work together to provide stable temperatures, ensuring that you can enjoy your favorite games without interruptions.
Pros
1. Excellent battery life
2. Fast charging
3. Great display
4. Impressive camera performance
5. Nice video recording capabilities
6. Improved thermals
7. Customization options galore
8. Powerful performance
Cons
1. Rear cameras haven't changed much
2. Night mode processing can be slow
3. Macro cam can be hit-or-miss
4. Thermal throttling still exists
5. Pricey
6. No significant design changes
7. Only two times digital zoom on main cam
8. Limited dynamic range in low light conditions