ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro: A gaming beast with a unique design

ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro has impressive features that will attract gamers and enthusiasts alike
An undated image illustrating first look of ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro. — ASUS
An undated image illustrating first look of ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro. — ASUS

ASUS is reportedly gearing up to launch its next flagship gaming smartphone, the ROG Phone 8 Pro, on January 9, 2024. The device is expected to feature a stunning design, powerful performance, and impressive features that will appeal to gamers and enthusiasts alike. Here is what we know so far about the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro.

ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro

Design and display

The ROG Phone 8 Pro will have a distinctive design that sets it apart from other smartphones. According to leaked renders, the device will have a secondary display on the back, which can show customisable graphics, notifications, and gaming information. The back panel will also have a glowing ROG logo and a triple camera setup.

The front of the device will have a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2448 pixels and a refresh rate of 165 Hz. The display will also support HDR10+ and have an in-display fingerprint scanner. 

The device will have thin bezels on the top and bottom, but no notch or hole-punch cutout for the selfie camera. Instead, the device will have a pop-up mechanism for the front-facing camera, which will also house an LED flash and a speaker.

Performance and battery

The ROG Phone 8 Pro will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, which is the latest and most advanced processor for Android devices. The chipset will have an octa-core CPU, an Adreno 730 GPU, and a Snapdragon X65 5G modem. 

The device will also have 18 GB of RAM and 512 GB of internal storage, making it one of the most powerful smartphones on the market. The device will have a massive 6,000 mAh battery that will support 88W fast charging, as well as reverse wireless charging. 

The device will also have a cooling system that will prevent overheating and throttling during intensive gaming sessions. The device will run on Android 14 with ROG UI, which will offer various customisation options and gaming features.

Camera and audio

The ROG Phone 8 Pro will have a triple camera system on the back, consisting of a 64 MP main sensor, a 32 MP ultra-wide-angle sensor, and a 5 MP macro sensor. The device will also have a 32 MP pop-up selfie camera on the front. The device will support 8K video recording, as well as various modes and features for photography and videography.

The device will have a dual-speaker system on the front, as well as a 3.5 mm headphone jack on the bottom. The device will also support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound technologies, as well as Hi-Res Audio certification. The device will have four microphones with noise cancellation and OZO Audio recording.

Gaming features and accessories

The ROG Phone 8 Pro will have several gaming features and accessories that will enhance the gaming experience. The device will have two touch-sensitive buttons on the right edge, which can be used as triggers for gaming. 

The device will also have a dedicated gaming mode, which can be activated by squeezing the sides of the device. The gaming mode will optimise the performance, display, sound, and network settings for gaming, as well as block notifications and calls.

The device will also have a range of accessories that will be compatible with the device. These include the ROG Kunai 4 gamepad, which can be attached to the device or used wirelessly; the ROG Clip, which can connect the device to a PlayStation, Xbox, or Stadia controller; the ROG TwinView Dock 4.

ROG TwinView Dock 4 can add a second display and a cooling fan to the device; the ROG Mobile Desktop Dock 4, can connect the device to a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and other peripherals; and the ROG WiGig Display Dock 4, which can wirelessly stream the device’s screen to a TV or monitor.

Price and availability

The ROG Phone 8 Pro is expected to launch on January 9, 2024, at an online event. The device is expected to cost around $1,300, which is similar to the price of the previous ROG Phone 7 Pro. 

The device will likely be available in select markets, such as China, India, Europe, and the US. The device will compete with other gaming smartphones, such as the Black Shark 5 Pro, the Nubia Red Magic 7 Pro, and the Lenovo Legion Phone 3 Pro.