Asus ROG Telephone 8 Professional overview: the PlayStation of smartphones Leave a comment

Is the Asus ROG Telephone 8 Professional nonetheless a gaming cellphone? In any case, it’s a really completely different beast visually from the fashions we’ve seen earlier than. Don’t fear — the ROG Telephone 8 Professional is nonetheless all about video games, however whereas the earlier fashions had been the cellphone equivalents of a gaming PC, the ROG Telephone 8 Professional is extra like a PlayStation.

It nonetheless has all the precise gaming credentials, however with out all the effort. Has this change destroyed every little thing that made the ROG Telephone sequence so distinctive? I’ve been discovering out.

Asus ROG Telephone 8 Professional: design

Asus has taken the ROG Telephone sequence mainstream, or as mainstream because it’s ever more likely to get. It claims the cellphone is “not only a gaming cellphone, but additionally an all-round premium cellphone for on a regular basis use,” making it fairly completely different from the ROG Telephones which have gone earlier than it. Over the previous few weeks, I’ve been in a position to check if it truly is a extra succesful on a regular basis gadget, because it has been my companion via an exceptionally busy interval when taking part in video games merely wasn’t going to occur, and calls, messages, and emails had been the precedence.

I’d come to the cellphone from utilizing the Nothing Telephone 2, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely, and the OnePlus 11 in fast succession, so it had quite a bit to dwell as much as. The excellent news is it has been as succesful, handy, and dependable as any of them when used as a traditional smartphone. If I had been utilizing the ROG Telephone 7 Final throughout this time, I’m fairly certain I wouldn’t have felt the identical approach. The explanation for that is Asus’s determination to alter the general design of the ROG Telephone.

It has smaller bezels across the display screen, a extra standard form, a thinner 8.9mm profile, and a lighter 225-gram weight. The AirTriggers are nonetheless on every shoulder, however there aren’t any extra motorized vents, so it has gained an IP68 water and dirt resistance ranking. The three.5mm headphone jack stays, as does a side-mounted USB-C charging port. It’s definitely nonetheless extra suited to gaming than most flagship smartphones, however it’s far much less compromised. It represents a large change for the ROG Telephone sequence, and a principally optimistic one, too.

Solely principally? The issue is that the ROG Telephone 8 Professional isn’t as mad, or as absolutely gaming-centric, as earlier fashions. Neither is it as eye-catching. The rear panel on the Professional is all black, and the crisp and clear LED array that brightly exhibits completely different animations is totally hidden when it’s turned off. When it’s, the again of the ROG Telephone 8 Professional is shockingly atypical, though the delicate sparkle and matte flashes do give it a visible increase. Even the digicam module is an easy, sq. black part within the high nook that’s barely raised.

It’s clearly designed to provide the cellphone extra mass attraction, along with making it extra usable, however there’s a danger of turning the hardcore repeat ROG Telephone consumers off because it’s lacking a lot of what made the older fashions so completely different. The ROG Telephone 8 Professional is a snug and handy on a regular basis companion once I’m not taking part in video games, which might’t be stated about every other ROG Telephones, however there’ll inevitably be some who’re totally turned off by that assertion.

Asus ROG Telephone 8 Professional: gaming

Asus nonetheless insists the ROG Telephone 8 Professional is a gaming smartphone, regardless of it edging nearer to the mainstream than earlier than, so what’s it like while you do play video games? As talked about, the AirTriggers are nonetheless current on every shoulder and could be programmed to function in any cellular sport. Additionally, Asus’ X Mode is obtainable to supercharge efficiency everytime you need whereas holding it manageable to increase battery life while you don’t. I like that every of those options is well accessible by long-pressing the Fast Settings button, and they’re totally customizable too.

Working the 3DMark benchmarking app’s Wild Life Excessive Stress Take a look at revealed the cellphone will get very popular with such therapy, notably on the edges of the chassis. It’s in these arduous conditions the place you’ll want to use the AeroCooler X fan accent that clips on the again to help cooling with its bodily fan. It provides a pair of customizable buttons as properly. It additionally prompts X Mode Plus on the cellphone to squeeze much more efficiency out of the gadget. Beneath regular circumstances, complete cooling strategies, starting from copper and graphite sheets to boron nitrate injected into cavities, hold it working at a wise temperature.

You have a look at a 6.78-inch versatile AMOLED display screen with a 1-120Hz refresh fee, which robotically boosts to 165Hz when taking part in appropriate video games. Disappointingly, the decision is 2400 x 1080 pixels, that means it’s not fairly as excessive as some players might want, however it matches earlier variations of the cellphone. It has a peak brightness of two,500 nits, and though it hasn’t been sunny or vibrant whereas I’ve been testing the cellphone, it has by no means been an issue to see the display screen outdoors. I’ve additionally discovered the automated brightness adjustment to be correct and dependable.

You’ll discover the bezels on the high and backside of the display screen have been shrunk in comparison with these on the ROG Telephone 7 (down from 5.65mm to 1.65mm), so you’re gripping the display screen extra when taking part in video games in panorama. For the video games I play, this isn’t a problem, however it could concern some individuals. It’s additionally one other of the extra hardcore gaming issues which have been faraway from the bundle to make it extra appropriate for on a regular basis use by extra individuals.

What’s it like taking part in video games on the ROG Telephone 8 Professional? It’s like taking part in them on each different massive flagship when it comes to the way you maintain it and the way it feels, however the AirTriggers are implausible — correct and straightforward to arrange — and do separate this cellphone from its rivals. Nonetheless, you’ll have to play video games that actually profit from them to note they’re there in any respect. X Mode and the plenty of customization make video games play and function the precise approach you need. this cellphone is made by individuals who actually perceive cellular gaming, which helps make sure the ROG Telephone 8 Professional needs to be the cellphone of alternative for the devoted cellular gamer.

The ROG Telephone 8 Professional is certainly a step up from taking part in video games on a Galaxy S23 Extremely or Google Pixel 8 Professional because of the digital buttons, X Mode, limitless customization choices, and the AeroCooler X accent. The distinction is that you just’re reminded much less usually that this can be a gaming smartphone than you had been when taking part in on the ROG Telephone 7 Final.

Asus ROG Telephone 8 Professional: battery life and cellphone efficiency

Asus desires you to make use of the ROG Telephone 8 Professional day-after-day, so is that possible? The cellphone itself is not any greater or heavier than the Xiaomi 13 Professional or a Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely, so offered you’re positive with one thing of this measurement and weight, you received’t discover it any completely different. I’ve additionally discovered calls sound excellent, and the AI Noise Discount has successfully eliminated background sound in busy environments for the opposite occasion. The cellphone has pulled in 5G alerts with out problem, however there have been a couple of complaints that my voice was typically garbled throughout cellphone calls — even in areas with a good sign.

As a consequence of my utilization necessities over the previous few weeks, I’ve usually solely used the cellphone for about an hour a day, and only for the fundamentals like calls, messages, and emails. It’s principally been linked to a mobile sign relatively than Wi-Fi. It has additionally been linked to a Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Professional throughout this time. When used like this, the 5,500mAh battery’s life is excellent, and it has not dropped under 75% after a full day from round 7 a.m. to midnight. I couldn’t cost it in a single day, and it will nonetheless simply final three and even 4 days. The low energy effectivity of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 seems to be excellent.

I admire this isn’t regular use, particularly for a gaming cellphone, so what about when pushed more durable? Ranging from 100% within the morning for a complete display screen time of four-and-a-half to 5 hours in the course of the day, the battery depletes to about 30% by 11 p.m. That is with a mixture of GPS navigation, 90 minutes of YouTube streaming at 1440p (which takes round 8% by itself), 3DMark benchmarking to signify very high-level gaming, blended gameplay together with Asphalt 9: Legends and Pocket Metropolis, and a few social networking and common app use.

Recharging choices are extra complete than earlier ROG Telephones, because it now contains wi-fi Qi 1.3 charging together with Asus’ 65-watt wired HyperCharge system, which takes the battery to 100% in 40 minutes. This brings the ROG Telephone 8 Professional in step with most different flagship telephones, and the respectable wired quick charging means it’s as versatile and handy because the OnePlus 11 and Galaxy S23.

Asus ROG Telephone 8 Professional: software program, velocity, and safety

Android 14 is put in with Asus’ personal interface, and there are two choices for it. One contains all the same old gaming cellphone visible results and customized icons, whereas the opposite is an easy, clear choice. Personally, I discover the Asus model too busy, however it doesn’t function any in another way from the clear model, so that you’ll be free to decide on the visible type you favor. I’ve no drawback with the software program in any respect, and discover the ROG Telephone 8 Professional a really nice cellphone to make use of on a regular basis.

A number of that is all the way down to the sheer velocity of the system normally, as there’s no lag, no hesitation, and no irritating pauses. If you would like the quickest smartphone on the market, the ROG Telephone 8 Professional will greater than fulfill you. That is additionally evident when taking part in video games — proper from the second you open the app. All of it occurs immediately, and video games completely fly, making them extra pleasing and the expertise extra fluid.

The ROG Telephone 8 Professional I’ve been testing has a frankly insane 24GB of RAM, which undoubtedly helps give it this astonishing flip of velocity — however I might think about the 16GB model is hardly missing. All this provides as much as being an enormous a part of the ROG Telephone 8 Professional’s attraction as a video games machine, because it’s about as excessive efficiency as smartphones get.

I’m utilizing the ROG Telephone 8 Professional forward of launch with out the ultimate software program put in, however it has not proved to be unreliable, and no main bugs have proven up. There are some things to level out, although. I’ve discovered the display screen may be very delicate, and it repeatedly registers a couple of faucet, leading to double letters or numbers showing. That is irritating when inputting passwords or cellphone numbers.

I additionally discover the notification shade isn’t very responsive and wishes a really apparent digital tug to get it to drag down. These points might be mounted within the closing software program replace, which is due earlier than launch. The in-display fingerprint sensor is quick, however not as quick because the face unlock system, so you might not even get to make use of it if each choices are energetic.

Outdoors of Asus’ gaming modes, there are some AI options which are new for the ROG Telephone 8 Professional. The AI Noise Cancellation labored properly on calls, and likewise operates throughout in-game chats and video calls. There’s an AI-powered search function and numerous in-game AI instruments as properly. These embody auto-pickup, auto-run, and auto-skip for cutscenes. All these do improve the ROG Telephone 8 Professional’s gaming credentials, however are solely out there in Genshin Influence and Honkai Star Rail for now, limiting the quantity of people that will discover it helpful.

Asus ROG Telephone 8 Professional: digicam

The ROG Telephone 8 Professional has a 50-megapixel foremost digicam with the 6-axis gimbal stabilization system seen on the Zenfone 10, plus a 13MP f/2.2 wide-angle digicam and a 32MP telephoto digicam with a 3x optical zoom. A 32MP selfie digicam completes the lineup, making it essentially the most comprehensively specced-out digicam on an ROG Telephone but.

Whereas the digicam continues to be not the explanation you’ll wish to purchase the ROG Telephone 8 Professional, it’s now not a cause not to purchase it. It takes vibrant, vibrant, and enjoyable images, and there’s sufficient versatility to maintain you and concerned. There’s a good stage of consistency between the principle and wide-angle cameras, however the 2x hybrid and 3x optical zoom produce fairly different-looking photos. The standard is first rate, however if you happen to look very critically, there’s some edge enhancement, plus some textures do look a little bit pixelated.

Portrait mode works in a wide range of conditions and gives a noticeable impact, and while you get in shut, there’s a satisfying pure bokeh to completely different photographs. It doesn’t return essentially the most pure colours, however they definitely pop and are perfect for sharing on-line with out a lot modifying. The gimbal stabilization isn’t one thing you’ll use on a regular basis, and efficiency seems to be just like the Zenfone 10. Contemplating that is primarily a gaming smartphone and that earlier ROG Telephone cameras have been common at finest, the ROG Telephone 8 Professional’s digicam is an enormous step ahead for the vary.

Asus ROG Telephone 8 Professional: worth and availability

The ROG Telephone 8 Professional will value $1,199 for the 16GB/512GB mannequin, whereas a Professional Version mannequin with a large 24GB of RAM and 1TB of space for storing — plus the $100 AeroCooler X included within the field — could be yours for $1,499. The discharge date has not been confirmed on the time of writing, however will probably be bought within the U.S. quickly.

At this worth and with its extra mainstream intentions, the ROG Telephone 8 Professional goes up in opposition to the Galaxy S23 Extremely, the Pixel 8 Professional, and the iPhone 15 Professional. It’ll even be an ideal different to the Galaxy S24 Extremely. It arguably at all times has been, however there was a selected cause to decide on the ROG Telephone over them, which has been barely eroded with the 8 Professional.

You’ll nonetheless should be an enormous cellular gaming fan to actually need it, however not fairly as a lot as earlier than. Whether or not meaning you’ll be higher off with one in every of its opponents might come all the way down to how usually you are taking images.

Asus ROG Telephone 8 Professional: verdict

I’ve used each ROG Telephone because the very first, and the ROG Telephone 8 Professional is the primary one the place I haven’t felt the necessity to embody a caveat in my overview by stating at the least as soon as that it’s important to be a hardcore gamer to essentially get pleasure from it. The design, IP ranking, efficiency, charging, and digicam are all tailor-made to regular, on a regular basis use, and it’s a a lot simpler cellphone to dwell with than you might count on given its pedigree.

It’s much less trouble and there are fewer compromises, so extra individuals can benefit from the monster efficiency on supply, however there’s nonetheless sufficient of Asus’s gaming experience inside to make it higher than different flagships for gaming — simply. Make no mistake, it could look a bit extra atypical this time, however at its coronary heart, the ROG Telephone 8 Professional is an absolute powerhouse and can obliterate any process — not simply video games — in report time whereas seemingly not breaking a sweat. When all the world of gaming telephones is going via a serious change, it’s the wise route for Asus to take.

The Asus ROG Telephone 8 Professional is a gaming smartphone wrapped up in a friendlier bundle that has the potential to attraction to extra individuals, whether or not they’re informal players or budding professionals. It’s a PlayStation 5 and never a gaming PC, and that’s positive by me, however the actual hardcore ROG Telephone followers who spend hours taking part in cellular video games day-after-day might discover it has been watered down just a bit an excessive amount of.

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