The ROG Phone series has long been a symbol of ASUS' excellence in gaming smartphones. With the ROG Phone 9 Pro, the company has once again proved that mobile gaming technology is not just about power but also about the overall user experience.
After using the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro for a few weeks, we're happy to say this is a smartphone mobile gaming enthusiasts would love to have. Designed specifically for hardcore gamers, it offers a combination of unbeatable performance, ergonomic design and the latest technology to make it one of the most powerful flagships on the market.
Design – AniMe Vision is on!
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro features a futuristic design that is the hallmark of the ROG series. Its body is made of scratch-resistant matte glass and a sturdy aluminium frame, giving it a premium feel in the hand. On the back, you'll see a glowing ROG logo and the AniMe Vision lighting system, which now has more mini LEDs than the previous model.
Everything in the box
Animation on the AniMe Vision
This lighting can be configured to display notifications, animations or specific themes. It's a feature previously seen in other ROG products, giving it a unique look you won't see in other gaming smartphones. Ergonomics is also a key focus for this phone. ASUS designed it to have maximum comfort when playing games in landscape mode, so it has something most phones won't - a second USB-C port. This port is on the left side, allowing users to charge the phone while gaming in landscape mode.
In addition, the ROG Phone 9 Pro's 3.5mm audio jack lets us plug in wired earphones or headphones. This is great for those who want to avoid wireless headphones because of potential audio latency. Wired audio devices are also more affordable, so you can spend the extra funds on other things like a ROG Tessen controller for better input control in games (more on that later).
Besides these small advantages, the ROG Phone 9 Pro has many great design elements. It has an IP68 dust and water resistance rating, making it more rugged for daily use. In addition, the frame and back have a matte finish. The back surface also has a crystalised nano-texture, which feels smooth but won't leave fingerprints easily. While it lacks its predecessors' gamer aesthetics, this phone's look and feel should appeal to mainstream users more.
Right: Volume control buttons, power button, and microphone
Left: Secondary USB-C port
Top: Another mic
Bottom: Audio jack, speaker, SIM card slot, and USB-C port
On the software side, the ROG Phone 9 Pro uses the latest Android 15-based ROG UI. It's a smooth and responsive UI with different customisation options to suit the user. While this phone is specifically designed for gaming, it also works well as an everyday smartphone. Whether browsing the Internet, watching videos or taking photos, the ROG Phone 9 Pro's performance and display handles them smoothly.
However, the phone's full potential can only be seen when gaming. The AirTrigger control system, which consists of touch buttons on the side of the phone, provides additional controls that are very useful for games like Call of Duty: Mobile or PUBG Mobile. Moreover, you can map the buttons to specific functions in games. This can give you an advantage in games that require more responsive button presses.
AirTrigger control button
In addition, the front-facing stereo speakers provide an immersive audio experience that makes games and movies more enjoyable. Overall, the design and system make the once gamer-targeted device more suitable for casual users, without losing the emphasis on gaming too much.
Tech specs and features – Benchmark gaming phone
Full specifications for ROG Phone 9 Pro:
- Display: 6.78-inch AMOLED display, 2400 x 1080 resolution, 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate (up to 165Hz), maximum refresh rate 185Hz and HDR10+
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
- RAM: 24GB LPDDR5X RAM
- Storage: 1TB UFS 4.0 storage
- Rear cameras: 50MP (Sony IMX766), 13MP ultra-wide, 32MP telephoto
- Front camera: 32MP
- Battery: 5800mAh battery with 65W fast charging, 15W wireless charging
- Operating System: Android 15 with ROG UI interface
- Additional Features: IP68 rating, 3.5mm audio jack, dual USB-C ports, AniMe Vision lighting system and AeroActive Cooler X
- Price: RM5999
The ROG Phone 9 Pro's 6.78-inch AMOLED display is one of the best for flagship devices. Its 2400 x 1080 pixel resolution ensures sharp images, while HDR10+ support delivers rich colours and deep contrast. An adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz makes for smoother scrolling, plus it has the option to boost to 165Hz for gaming. You could even push the refresh rate to 185Hz in certain modes for a smoother visual experience. However, that comes at the expense of a higher battery consumption, so keep that in mind.
Front view
Thin bezels
Punch-hole for the 32MP front cam
Rear cameras and AniMe Vision display
The screen's maximum brightness of 1500 nits makes it easy to see even under bright sunlight, while Gorilla Glass Victus technology makes the display scratch-resistant and durable. When gaming, a dedicated gaming mode lets you adjust the colour saturation, brightness, and refresh rate for a better gaming experience.
As mentioned, this phone has a custom-designed interface that enhances the gaming experience. X Mode is a key feature that allows users to boost the phone's performance by optimising CPU and RAM usage. There's also the Armoury Crate gaming management app, which allows players to manage game profiles, set lighting controls, and monitor system performance live.
AeroActive Cooler X Pro
Comes with two physical shoulder buttons, a subwoofer, a 3.5mm audio jack, a kickstand and RGB lighting
ROG Tessen controller with RGB lights
Front and back view of ROG Tessen
On top of that, the ROG Phone 9 Pro has AI technology to manage system resources. This ensures that the phone can run games smoothly without interruption. For example, the system can dynamically adjust power usage and temperature. This prevents overheating during long gaming sessions.
There's also the Game Genie, a small system app that provides quick access to game settings. Game Genie can also record the screen (not just while you're gaming), block notifications, or adjust control sensitivity. If you like recording your gameplay, this is a feature you'll be using very often.
Armoury Crate
Game Genie
Performance – Hardcore gamers will love it
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the ROG Phone 9 Pro offers unmatched performance. With support for up to 24GB of RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, the phone can handle multiple tasks simultaneously without any lag. In benchmark tests, it scores higher than most other smartphones on the market, making it a top choice for performance-conscious gamers.
While playing games like PUBG Mobile and Asphalt 9, the ROG Phone 9 Pro performed very well. Graphics were rendered smoothly at the highest settings and consistent frame rates provided a satisfying gaming experience. The GameCool 6 cooling system ensures that the phone stays cool even after hours of gaming sessions.
Geekbench 6 | 3DMark
PUBG MOBILE
Asphalt 9
This is a big improvement over the previous model, which overheats during intensive use. The 5800mAh battery on the ROG Phone 9 Pro also provides exceptional endurance. It can last over a day in normal usage, or up to 8 hours in intensive gaming tests before it needs to be recharged. As for the charging speed, the ROG Phone 9 Pro supports 65W fast charging, which allows the battery to go from 0% to 70% in 30 minutes. It also supports 15W wireless charging.
Although the main focus of this phone is gaming, its camera system is still impressive. The phone's 50MP Sony IMX766 main camera produces sharp and bright images in different lighting conditions, along with a 13MP ultra-wide camera and 32MP telephoto camera for additional flexibility. It also has a 32MP selfie camera, which delivers solid selfies and is great for video calls. However, the colours produced in photos can't compare to those of smartphones dedicated to photography. But that's a compromise that's common in gaming phones.
Charging speed
ROG Phone 9 Pro rear camera
Auto mode
Pretty good detail under bright conditions
The colours highlighted are not too bright but adequate
Selfie
Night mode
Colours are quite natural
No excessive 'bloom' from light sources and nice soft colours here
Video sample
Conclusion - A phone for mobile gaming enthusiasts
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro is a smartphone that combines incredible gaming performance with solid everyday features. Its premium design, high-quality display, and long-lasting battery make it a top choice for hardcore gamers who also need a versatile smartphone. Although it's a bit pricey, it's a worthwhile investment for those looking for the best device for mobile gaming.
If you want another alternative to the ROG Phone 9 Pro, you can also consider devices like the Red Magic 10 Pro (RM3199), iQOO 13 (RM3499) or nubia Z70 Ultra (RM3899). All three phones use the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and can smoothly run demanding games in high graphical settings.
Overall, the ROG Phone 9 Pro met our expectations and can be seen as a new benchmark for gaming smartphones. If you are a hardcore gamer who wants the best gaming experience, this phone won't disappoint you.
So, what do you think of ASUS' latest gaming phone? Would you be interested in getting one? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned to TechNave for more reviews like this.
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