Known for producing top-notch Android gaming phones under the ROG line-up, Asus has distinguished itself by creating purpose-built devices. In this wave, the Asus ROG Phone 8 made its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 on January 8. Let’s take a look at the new features and upgrades in the latest ROG phone.
Key Features and Specs of ROG Phone 8
Design
The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro introduces a more conventional design, weighing 225 grams and measuring 163.8mm by 76.8mm by 8.9 mm. With smaller bezels and a thinner 8.9mm profile, it offers a lighter and sleeker form factor.
Retaining AirTriggers on each shoulder, the phone forgoes motorised vents, gaining an IP68 water and dust resistance rating. Practical features like the 3.5mm headphone jack and side-mounted USB-C charging port remain intact.
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While still gaming-centric, the ROG Phone 8 Pro deviates from the bold aesthetics of its predecessors. The rear panel conceals the LED array when turned off, giving it a more ordinary appearance. Even the camera module adopts a simple, slightly raised square section in the top corner.
However, users may find it less striking compared to previous models. The design, seemingly aimed at broader appeal and usability, may risk alienating hardcore ROG Phone enthusiasts who appreciate the uniqueness of older models.
ROG Phone 8 is available in two colour options: Rebel Grey and Phantom Black.
Display
The Asus ROG Phone 8 boasts a 6.78-inch FHD+ (2400 by 1080 pixels) Samsung Flexible AMOLED display. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. With a vivid colour range, it covers 107.37% DCI-P3, 145.65% sRGB, and 103.16% NTSC colour gamuts. This means sharp and vibrant visuals.
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The brightness is impressive, reaching up to 1,600 nits HBM and a peak brightness of 2,500 nits. HDR10 support enhances the viewing experience, providing richer colours and contrast. The display offers a variable refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz, with a maximum of 165Hz for supported games, ensuring smooth visuals.
Noteworthy is the Always-On display feature, displaying essential information with tiny icons, like charging status, due to the absence of a thick top bezel. The 10-point multitouch supports glove touch, adding to user convenience.
While some may miss a QHD resolution, the FHD choice is likely a compromise for better power consumption, especially with the phone's higher refresh rate. Overall, the Asus ROG Phone 8's display promises an immersive and dynamic visual experience.
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Cameras
The Asus ROG Phone 8 comes equipped with a powerful rear camera setup for capturing stunning photos and videos. The main rear camera features a Sony IMX 890 50 MP image sensor with a large 1/1.56” sensor size.
Enhancing stability, the main camera incorporates Gimbal OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) and Quad Bayer technology, resulting in a 12.5 MP image with a 2 µm large effective pixel size. The wide F1.9 aperture and a 23.8mm equivalent focal length in a 35mm film camera ensure impressive low-light performance and sharp images.
Complementing the main camera is a 13 MP second rear camera with a 120° ultrawide-angle lens and a Free-form lens, providing diverse shooting perspectives. The equivalent focal length is 12.7mm in a 35mm film camera.
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Adding versatility, the third rear camera is a 32 MP lens with f/2.4 aperture, OIS, and 3X optical zoom. Utilising pixel binning technology, the actual output photo is 8 MP, and the equivalent focal length in a 35mm film camera is 65.3mm.
For selfie enthusiasts, the front camera boasts a 32 MP RGBW sensor with pixel binning for 1.4μm size (actual output photo: 8 MP). The equivalent focal length in a 35mm film camera is 22mm, ensuring clear and vibrant self-portraits. Overall, the camera setup on the Asus ROG Phone 8 promises a versatile and high-quality photography experience.
