ASUS Unveils ROG Phone 9: New Features, Same Experience?
Published On: October 22, 2024
ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) has officially announced the global launch date for their ROG Phone 9 series, set for November 19, 2024. The reveal, which coincides with the Snapdragon Summit 2024, promises significant advancements for mobile gaming enthusiasts. But is the ROG Phone 9 truly a game-changer, or just an incremental improvement over previous models? Let’s dive into the specs and see if it’s worth the investment.
Early reports suggest that the ROG Phone 9 will come equipped with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, expected to offer higher clock speeds and improved energy efficiency. The phone will reportedly feature a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support, making it ideal for gaming and media consumption. These specs alone make it a strong contender for gamers looking for the best visuals and smooth gameplay.
A key area of improvement is said to be the cooling system. The ROG Phone 9 will likely feature ASUS’s advanced AeroActive cooling technology, providing even better thermal management during extended gaming sessions. Additionally, the battery capacity is expected to remain a sizable 6000mAh, with faster charging speeds of up to 65W.
While the ROG Phone 9 has impressive specs, it’s worth asking: how different is it from the ROG Phone 8? For most users, the performance difference is marginal unless you're a dedicated gamer pushing the device to its limits with high-end games and multitasking. The refresh rate and battery life are largely unchanged from the ROG Phone 8.
The camera setup is rumored to be largely similar to its predecessor, with a 50MP primary camera and a 12MP ultra-wide sensor, meaning photography improvements might not be the phone’s selling point. However, ASUS has always been focused on the gaming aspects rather than attempting to compete with flagship photography phones like the iPhone or Galaxy S series.
Is it worth the upgrade?
For gamers, the ROG Phone 9 will likely be worth it, especially if you're coming from an older model like the ROG Phone 6 or earlier. However, if you already own the ROG Phone 8, the upgrade may not feel as significant. Unless the specific improvements, such as the cooling system or processing power, are critical to your gaming needs, you may find the changes incremental rather than groundbreaking.