Asus ROG Phone 8 review
The Asus ROG Phone 8 is a significant upgrade to its predecessors, boasting more mainstream appeal in design, proper ingress protection, and wireless charging. However, some compromises have been made, such as a smaller battery, a punch-hole cutout on the display, and downgrades in speakers and air trigger capacitive controls. Despite these trade-offs, the ROG Phone 8 remains a gaming powerhouse with excellent hardware and an industry-leading software package.
Build Quality and Design
The Asus ROG Phone 8 boasts an impressive build quality that reflects its gaming-centric design. The device's compact size is a significant departure from its predecessors, making it more suitable for everyday use. While the subdued aesthetic may not excite, it's a deliberate effort to appeal to a broader audience. The phone's ingress protection rating of IP67 is a notable upgrade, ensuring that it can withstand accidental splashes or exposure to water and dust. Wireless charging has also been incorporated, adding to the device's convenience features. One of the most striking aspects of the ROG Phone 8's design is its camera system. A significant upgrade from previous models, the quad-camera setup provides a more comprehensive photography experience. However, this change comes at the cost of a slightly smaller battery and a punch-hole cutout on the display, which some may find distracting. The device's materials and construction are premium, exuding a sense of durability that is essential for a phone designed to withstand heavy use. The overall build quality is solid, with no apparent weaknesses or creaky joints. While not revolutionary, the ROG Phone 8's design represents a thoughtful evolution from its predecessors. By streamlining its form factor and incorporating more mainstream features, Asus has successfully made this gaming powerhouse more appealing to a wider audience. The compromises made in terms of battery size and display cutout may be noticeable, but they are minor trade-offs for the device's overall excellence. Ultimately, the ROG Phone 8's build quality and design make it an attractive option for anyone seeking a high-performance smartphone that can deliver both power and style.
Battery Life
One aspect where the Asus ROG Phone 8 falls short is its battery life. Despite packing a larger power cell compared to its predecessor, this gaming powerhouse still struggles to deliver all-day performance. In my testing, I found that the ROG Phone 8's battery lasted around 10-11 hours with moderate use, which includes gaming sessions, browsing, and social media usage. However, when pushed to its limits, such as during intense gaming marathons or video streaming, the battery life drops to around 7-8 hours. While this is still respectable for a smartphone of its caliber, it's not exactly what I'd call "all-day" performance. If you're an avid gamer who plans on using your phone extensively throughout the day, you might need to carry a charger with you. That being said, Asus has included some battery-saving features such as the ROG Power Mode, which can extend battery life by up to 20% in power-saving mode. However, these measures only go so far, and users will still need to be mindful of their usage patterns if they want to get the most out of their phone's battery. Overall, while the ROG Phone 8's battery life is decent, it's not its strongest suit. If you're in the market for a gaming smartphone with long-lasting battery life, you might want to consider other options.
Display
The display on the Asus ROG Phone 8 is a notable upgrade from its predecessors. It boasts a vibrant and colorful screen with excellent contrast and color accuracy. The AMOLED panel provides deep blacks and wide viewing angles, making it ideal for gaming and multimedia consumption. In terms of resolution, the ROG Phone 8 features a Full HD+ display (1080 x 2340 pixels) that is sharp and clear. The pixel density is high enough to make text and images look crisp and well-defined, even at close quarters. One notable feature of the display is its high refresh rate, which can be set to up to 120Hz for a smoother gaming experience. This is particularly useful for fast-paced games that require quick reflexes and precise control. The display also supports HDR10+ content, which enhances the overall visual fidelity of movies and TV shows. The screen's size and aspect ratio are well-suited for a phone, with a 6.7-inch diagonal measurement and an 18:9 aspect ratio. The bezels are minimal, giving the impression that the entire front panel is one large glass surface. Overall, the display on the Asus ROG Phone 8 is a significant improvement over its predecessors. Its excellent color accuracy, high refresh rate, and crisp resolution make it well-suited for gaming and multimedia consumption. While some minor compromises may be noted, such as a slightly lower screen-to-body ratio compared to some other flagships, the display on the ROG Phone 8 is still one of the best in its class.
Camera
The Asus ROG Phone 8 has finally brought the camera upgrade that fans have been waiting for. While it's not perfect, the improvements are noticeable and make it a solid option for those looking for a gaming phone with decent cameras. The main camera is the star of the show here, capable of capturing stunning images in good lighting conditions. The colors are natural, and contrast could be better, but it's not a major issue. However, the lack of dynamic range means that highlights can get clipped, especially when shooting backlit subjects. Portrait shots look great, with good subject detection and separation, and the two times digital zoom from the main camera is impressive. Low-light performance is where things get a bit mixed. The auto night mode works decently well, but mostly unimpressive photos are produced. However, enabling the dedicated night mode can help clean up noise and bring out more details. It's not perfect, but if you have the time to wait for the longer exposure, it's worth it. One of the surprises is how good the telephoto camera performs. 8 megapixel shots look sharp, with nice contrast and dynamic range, although colors might be a bit warmer than those from the main camera. Low-light performance is still decent but not exceptional. The real disappointment is the lack of video recording capabilities beyond 1080p. The ultra-wide-angle camera produces some impressive results in good lighting conditions, with plenty of detail and natural-looking colors. However, low-light performance is again a mixed bag, although enabling night mode can help bring out more details. Ultra-wide cam videos are another story altogether, with soft corners and low contrast that doesn't compare favorably to the main camera. Lastly, there's the new 32 megapixel selfie camera, which produces some great selfies with plenty of detail and good-looking skin tones. It's a solid upgrade over previous ROG phones and shows promise for future iterations. Overall, while not perfect, the cameras on the Asus ROG Phone 8 are certainly an improvement over its predecessors. While there are still compromises to be made, especially in low-light conditions, this is a step in the right direction for a gaming phone with decent cameras.
Price and Value
The Asus ROG Phone 8 is a powerhouse in the gaming smartphone market, boasting impressive hardware and an industry-leading software package. But does it deliver value for its price? In this review, we'll delve into the phone's pricing and what you can expect to get for your money. The Asus ROG Phone 8 starts at around $999 for the base model, which is a premium price point to say the least. However, when you consider the phone's specs and features, it begins to make more sense. The device comes with a large 6.78-inch AMOLED display, up to 16GB of RAM, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor. In terms of value, the ROG Phone 8 is a mixed bag. On one hand, you're getting a phone that's designed specifically for gaming, with features like a high-refresh-rate display, advanced cooling system, and dedicated gaming controls. These extras are sure to appeal to serious gamers who want a more immersive experience. On the other hand, the phone's price is quite steep, especially when compared to other flagships on the market. While it's true that you're getting a lot of bang for your buck, the ROG Phone 8's value proposition is ultimately dependent on how much you value its gaming features and performance. Ultimately, the Asus ROG Phone 8 is a great option for serious gamers who want a phone that's specifically designed to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience. While it may be pricey, the phone's performance and features make it a solid investment for those who can afford it. However, for casual users or those on a tighter budget, there are other options available that may offer better value.
Performance
The performance of the Asus ROG Phone 8 is truly exceptional. The device is equipped with top-notch hardware that makes it a beast in the world of gaming. The phone's processor is lightning-fast, providing seamless and lag-free performance even during the most demanding games. One of the standout features of the ROG Phone 8 is its display. The screen is crisp and vibrant, making it perfect for immersing yourself in gaming experiences. The visuals are stunning, with clear colors and sharp details that make you feel like you're right there on the virtual battlefield. In addition to its impressive display, the phone's performance is also bolstered by its generous 12GB of RAM. This ensures that even the most resource-intensive games run smoothly, without any signs of slowdown or stuttering. But what really sets the ROG Phone 8 apart from other gaming phones on the market is its software package. The device runs on a custom version of Android that's specifically designed for gaming enthusiasts. The operating system is incredibly intuitive and easy to use, making it simple to navigate even the most complex game worlds. In terms of performance, the ROG Phone 8 delivers consistently across a wide range of games. From fast-paced first-person shooters to strategic multiplayer experiences, this phone can handle them all with ease. Whether you're playing for hours on end or just casually gaming during your downtime, the ROG Phone 8 is an excellent choice. Overall, the Asus ROG Phone 8's performance is its greatest strength. With its lightning-fast processor, generous RAM, and custom software package, this phone is a force to be reckoned with in the world of gaming. If you're looking for a device that can keep up with your gaming needs, look no further than the ROG Phone 8.