ASUS ROG Phone 8 & ROG Phone 8 Pro Comprehensive Review

Introduction

The ASUS ROG Phone 8 series is built specifically for mobile gamers who demand top-tier performance. ASUS, a well-known Taiwanese brand, has expanded its Republic of Gamers (ROG) lineup from PCs and laptops to high-performance gaming smartphones.

Launched on January 8, 2024, the ROG Phone 8 and ROG Phone 8 Pro aim to balance extreme gaming power with everyday usability. Unlike previous bulky gaming phones, the ROG 8 series features a more refined and premium design while still delivering flagship-level performance.

Design & Build Quality

The ROG Phone 8 is designed with gamers in mind, but now features a slimmer and more modern look. It measures 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm and weighs approximately 225g, offering a solid yet comfortable grip for long gaming sessions.

• Front Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
• Back: Gorilla Glass
• Frame: Aluminum
• IP68 dust and water resistance (1.5m for 30 minutes)

The phone includes pressure-sensitive Air Triggers, which act as customizable gaming buttons, providing console-like control for competitive gamers.

Display

The device features a stunning 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display with:

• Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels (388 PPI)
• Up to 165Hz refresh rate
• 1 billion colours
• Brightness: 1600 nits (HBM), 2500 nits peak
• HDR10+ support
• Always-On Display

The 165Hz refresh rate ensures ultra-smooth gameplay, making it one of the best displays available in the gaming smartphone segment.

ROG 8 Performance

Under the hood, the ROG Phone 8 is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) processor, delivering flagship-level performance.

• CPU: Octa-core (1×3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 + 3×3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 + 2×3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 + 2×2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
• RAM & Storage: 12GB/256GB, 16GB/256GB
• AnTuTu Score: 2,167,612 (v10)

Real-world gaming performance is exceptional, handling heavy titles like BGMI, Genshin Impact, and Call of Duty Mobile at maximum settings without noticeable frame drops.

Camera

Rear Camera Setup

• 50MP (f/1.9, wide) with 6-Axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabiliser
• 32MP (f/2.4) with 3x optical zoom*
• 13MP (f/2.2) 120° ultrawide

*Note: The Indian variant may miss the telephoto lens.

Video Recording Features

• 8K@24fps
• 4K@30/60fps
• 1080p@30/60/120/240fps
• 720p@480fps
• Gyro-EIS & HDR10+

Front Camera

• 32MP wide camera
• 1080p@30fps video
• HDR & Panorama

While gaming is its main focus, the ROG Phone 8 offers a capable and stable camera system, especially with its advanced gimbal stabilisation.

Asus ROG 8 Battery Life & Charging

The device packs a large 5500mAh battery, ensuring extended gaming sessions without frequent charging.

• 65W wired fast charging (0–100% in ~39 minutes)
• 30W wireless charging
• 15W wireless charging support

Battery backup is reliable for both heavy gaming and daily usage.

Software & User Interface

The ROG Phone 8 runs on ROG UI (based on Android), optimised for gamers. It includes:

• Customizable Air Triggers
• Game Genie overlay controls
• Performance tuning options
• Advanced thermal management settings

The UI is smooth, customizable, and designed for competitive gaming enthusiasts.

Connectivity

• 5G SA/NSA
• Dual 4G VoLTE
• Wi-Fi 7
• Bluetooth 5.4
• NFC
• USB Type-C
• 3.5mm headphone jack

Security & Updates

• In-display optical fingerprint sensor
• 2 Major Android OS updates
• 4 years of security updates (until 2028)

Additional Gaming Features

• 6-Axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabiliser
• Air Trigger controls
• AeroActive Cooler support
• X Sense 2.0
• Aura RGB Lighting (Pro variant)
• ROG Tessen Mobile Controller support

Asus ROG 8 Price in India

• ROG Phone 8 Pro:  ₹ 70,999.00
• ROG Phone 8:  ₹ 63,999.00

Asus ROG 8 Pros and Cons

Pros

• Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance
• Smooth 165Hz AMOLED display
• Strong battery life with fast charging
• Wireless charging support
• Advanced gaming features

Cons

• Only 2 major Android updates
• No mmWave 5G support
• Premium pricing

Final Verdict

The ASUS ROG Phone 8 series is one of the best gaming smartphones of 2024 and is still worth it in 2026. It combines flagship performance, a 165Hz AMOLED display, advanced cooling, and gaming-focused features in a more refined design.

Although it lacks long-term software support and mmWave 5G, it remains an excellent choice for serious mobile gamers who prioritise performance above all else.