This is a review focusing on the appearance of the ROG Phone 9 Pro, the latest gaming smartphone from ASUS's gaming brand Republic of Gamers (ROG). Typically, it is expected to be released in Japan slightly later than the global version, but there was no announcement at the time of writing.
Latest Gaming Smartphone "ROG Phone 9 Pro" Quick Review
This model, announced in November 2024 simultaneously with the "ROG Phone 9", features Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. Its display supports a smartphone-first: a 185Hz refresh rate, making it a model designed for comfortable mobile gaming.
The back has a matte finish, and while it appears sandblasted, the surface is smooth. The diagonal line in the center is noticeable, and in fact, on its left side (which is the bottom when held vertically), LEDs are built in and function as a simple display (more details later in the article).
It is equipped with three cameras: a 50-megapixel wide-angle, a 32-megapixel 3x telephoto, and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide-angle. The wide-angle camera has a built-in gimbal, which physically reduces camera shake during video recording. Note that the camera performance is on par with ASUS's "Zenfone 12 Ultra" smartphone.
Other main specs include a 5,800mAh battery that supports 65W fast charging. It can be fully charged from zero in 46 minutes.
The body size is 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9mm and weighs 227g. AirTriggers, which function as control buttons when the phone is held horizontally, are located on the left and right sides of the right edge, allowing for precise touch control. Microphone holes are also present on the sides to pick up audio more clearly for game streaming.
There is a USB Type-C port on the left side. This is designed so the charging cable doesn't interfere when holding the phone horizontally during gameplay, and it also allows power supply when using the gamepad mentioned later.
Bypass charging is also possible in the settings, allowing you to power the device while the USB cable is connected without charging the battery. This means you can prevent battery degradation.
It is equipped with a headphone jack on the bottom, which is rare for a high-end model. This is because there can be audio delay with Bluetooth headphones, and it allows the use of many standard headphones. Furthermore, the USB Type-C port is offset so the cable won't interfere with gameplay when plugged in and holding the phone horizontally. Since USB cable charging is essential for long mobile gaming sessions, they've ensured the cable stays out of the way.
The display is 6.78 inches with a resolution of 2,400×1,080 pixels and a maximum brightness of 2500nits. The maximum refresh rate is 185Hz, but this can only be used with compatible games; 165Hz is the maximum system setting.
What makes the "ROG Phone 9 Pro" a powerful gaming machine is its "Armoury Crate" software. When launched, you can finely adjust various settings for the "ROG Phone 9 Pro" and access a home screen displaying icons of installed games. Features such as turning off notifications or forcing performance acceleration allow you to optimize the smartphone even under heavy load.
Games can also be downloaded directly from the game library. A key feature is that games are categorized by their maximum refresh rate support, allowing you to find games that support 185Hz for the best gaming experience. Many games that support 185Hz have already been released.
The "AniMe Vision" LED lighting on the back has an increased number of dots compared to the previous model, with 648 LEDs embedded in a 19x27 grid. Icons and text can be displayed here, and with the increased precision, Kanji characters can now also be displayed. While using the camera, it displays camera or video icons. Animations, such as displaying the battery icon while charging, have also become easier to see.
Note that the lower-end model, the ROG Phone 9, has equivalent basic smartphone performance, but the number of LEDs in "AniMe Vision" is fewer at 85, supporting only a simple single-line display.
As a fun feature, "AniMe Vision" can also run games. The photo here shows a brick-breaking game that targets the ROG logo. You play by touching the AirTrigger to move the cursor left and right and clear the bricks, and even though it's a simple game, I found myself surprisingly engrossed. After getting tired from high-end games displayed at 185Hz, playing a simple retro-style game for a break would be a good change of pace.
Multiple types of cases are also available. Those with large openings can protect the phone while the external cooler "AeroActive Cooler X Pro" is attached.
"AeroActive Cooler X Pro" is a cooling unit with a large fan built into the body. Since it connects using the USB Type-C port on the side of the "ROG Phone 9 Pro", no extra cables are needed. It is also equipped with trigger buttons on the left and right sides, which can be used for gameplay. Button settings can be finely adjusted within "Armoury Crate".
"AeroActive Cooler X Pro" isn't just for cooling; it also has a built-in subwoofer speaker. This means you can play with more powerful game sound.
Since there is a headphone jack on the bottom, listening during gameplay is easy. Furthermore, because it has a built-in stand that allows the phone to stand upright, it can also be used conveniently when watching videos.
By attaching the ROG Tessen Mobile Controller, the controls become closer to those of a dedicated gaming machine. The abundance of attachable accessories is likely due to it being an ASUS product, a company that also produces gaming PCs. Providing the ultimate mobile gaming experience with the phone and its accessories is what the "ROG Phone 9 Pro" is all about.
▼Photo & Written by Yasuhiro Yamane
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