Asus ROG Phone Review: The Latest Gaming Beast Tested

The Asus ROG Phone series has long been a benchmark for mobile gaming, combining cutting-edge hardware with gamer-centric features. The latest iteration, the Asus ROG Phone, pushes the envelope further with enhanced performance, a refined design, and features tailored for both casual and competitive gamers. In this review, we dive deep into what makes this device a gaming beast, testing its performance, display, battery life, and unique gaming features to see if it lives up to the hype.

Design and Build Quality

The Asus ROG Phone retains the bold, futuristic aesthetic that the series is known for. With angular lines, customizable RGB lighting, and a sleek glass-metal construction, it screams gaming DNA. The device feels premium in hand, with a solid build that balances weight and ergonomics. At 239g, it’s not the lightest phone, but the weight distribution ensures comfort during extended gaming sessions.

The side-mounted USB-C port, a staple of the ROG series, makes charging convenient while gaming in landscape mode. The AirTrigger ultrasonic buttons are back, offering customizable, tactile controls that mimic console triggers. The phone also boasts IP54 water and dust resistance, a welcome addition for durability.

Display: A Visual Feast for Gamers

The 6.78-inch AMOLED display is a standout feature. With a 165Hz refresh rate and a 720Hz touch sampling rate, the screen is buttery smooth and ultra-responsive, ideal for fast-paced games like Call of Duty Mobile or Genshin Impact. The Full HD+ resolution (2448 x 1080) delivers sharp visuals, while HDR10+ support and a peak brightness of 1500 nits ensure vibrant colors and excellent visibility, even outdoors.

Testing the display with games like Asphalt 9 and PUBG Mobile, we noticed minimal motion blur and precise touch response. The 1ms response time and 10-bit color depth further enhance the experience, making it a dream for gamers who prioritize visuals.

Performance: Powerhouse Under the Hood

Powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and up to 18GB of LPDDR5X RAM, the ROG Phone is a performance beast. Paired with the Adreno 750 GPU, it handles demanding titles with ease. We tested the phone with Genshin Impact at max settings, and it maintained a consistent 60 FPS with no thermal throttling, thanks to the advanced GameCool 8 cooling system.

The device comes with up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage, ensuring fast load times and ample space for games and media. Multitasking is seamless, with apps launching instantly and no noticeable lag when switching between games and other tasks. The Armoury Crate software allows fine-tuning performance modes, letting users prioritize battery life or raw power.

Benchmark Scores

• Geekbench 6: Single-core: 2150, Multi-core: 6700
• 3DMark Wild Life Extreme: 4800+
• AnTuTu: 1,900,000+

These scores place the ROG Phone among the top-performing smartphones of 2025, rivaling even high-end gaming handhelds.

Gaming Features: Tailored for Victory

The Asus ROG Phone is packed with gaming-specific features that set it apart. The AirTrigger buttons are highly customizable, allowing players to map controls for precise inputs. The Game Genie overlay provides real-time performance stats, macro recording, and screen recording, making it a favorite for streamers.

The AeroActive Cooler, an optional accessory, enhances cooling and adds physical buttons for a console-like experience. We tested it during marathon sessions of Fortnite, and it kept temperatures in check while improving grip. The X-Mode optimizes system resources for gaming, boosting performance and minimizing distractions by silencing notifications.

Battery Life and Charging

The 6000mAh battery is a powerhouse, easily lasting a full day of heavy gaming, streaming, and browsing. In our tests, an hour of Genshin Impact at 120Hz consumed about 12% of the battery, impressive for such a high-performance device. The 65W HyperCharge technology juices up the phone from 0 to 70% in roughly 30 minutes, though wireless charging is notably absent.

Camera: Good Enough for Casual Snaps

While not the focus, the ROG Phone’s camera system is decent for a gaming phone. The triple-camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor, a 13MP ultra-wide, and a 5MP macro lens. Photos are sharp in daylight with good dynamic range, but low-light performance is average, with some noise in darker conditions. The 32MP front camera handles selfies well, though it’s not class-leading.

For gamers who occasionally need a camera, it gets the job done, but don’t expect flagship-level photography.

Software: ROG UI and Android 15

Running on Android 15 with Asus’ ROG UI, the software is clean and customizable. It’s relatively bloatware-free, with gaming-focused tweaks like Armoury Crate and Game Genie. Updates are promised for at least two years, though Asus’ track record for timely updates could improve.

Audio: Immersive Soundstage

The dual front-facing stereo speakers deliver rich, immersive sound, perfect for gaming without headphones. The Dirac-tuned audio ensures clarity, and the 3.5mm headphone jack is a welcome inclusion for audiophiles. Testing with Cyberpunk 2077 (via cloud gaming), the soundstage was wide, with crisp dialogue and punchy effects.

Connectivity and Extras

The ROG Phone supports Wi-Fi 7, 5G, and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring lag-free online gaming. The in-display fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable, and the phone supports dual SIMs. NFC is included for contactless payments, and the customizable RGB logo adds flair for gaming enthusiasts.

Verdict

The Asus ROG Phone is a gaming juggernaut, blending top-tier performance, a stellar display, and thoughtful gaming features. It’s not perfect—cameras are average, and wireless charging is missing—but for mobile gamers, it’s hard to beat. Whether you’re a casual player or an esports enthusiast, this phone delivers an unmatched experience.

Pros

• Blazing-fast performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
• Stunning 165Hz AMOLED display
• Long-lasting 6000mAh battery
• Unique gaming features like AirTriggers and AeroActive Cooler
• Immersive audio with stereo speakers

Cons

• Average camera performance in low light
• No wireless charging
• Software updates could be faster

Who Should Buy It?

The Asus ROG Phone is ideal for mobile gamers who demand the best performance and features tailored to gaming. If you prioritize gaming over photography and want a device that doubles as a powerful daily driver, this is the phone to beat in 2025.