With the ROG Phone 9, ASUS is constant that momentum whereas delivering well timed upgrades. The telephone makes use of the same basis as its predecessor — the design is sort of equivalent — however you get Qualcomm’s newest silicon, a brand new 50MP digital camera on the again that takes significantly better images, and an even bigger 5800mAh battery.
The remainder of the options are the identical, and that is a superb factor; there wasn’t a complete lot fallacious with the ROG Phone 8 Pro to start with. The result’s that the ROG Phone 9 Pro is the perfect gaming telephone you should purchase at this time, nevertheless it goes past that — it is a nice all-rounder in order for you clear software program and the perfect efficiency obtainable at this time.
ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro: Pricing and availability
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ASUS unveiled the ROG Phone 9 sequence on November 19, and the telephones at the moment are up for pre-order. There are two fashions within the sequence — the ROG Phone 9 Pro and the common ROG Phone 9 — and the primary distinction is that the Pro mannequin has a a 32MP 3x telephoto lens this time, and also you get an Anime Vision panel on the again with increased LED density.
Both telephones can be found in varied storage configurations, and the 16GB/512GB variant of the ROG Phone 9 Pro prices $1,199 within the U.S. and €1,299 in most European nations. There’s a higher-end mannequin dubbed the ROG Phone 9 Pro Edition, and this comes with 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, and also you get extra equipment bundled, together with two telephone instances and the AeroActive X Cooler Pro attachment. This variant prices $1,499/€1,499.
ASUS is rolling out a 12GB/512GB mannequin in Europe, and it’ll value €1,149. This configuration is not launching within the U.S., and though ASUS did not share any further info, it ought to make its option to different world markets. The common ROG Phone 9 is on the market with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and it prices $999 within the U.S. and €1,099 in most western markets.
As for availability, the ROG Phone 9 sequence is occurring sale in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China beginning November 20. The units are up for pre-order within the U.Okay. and different European markets, with deliveries beginning in December. Both telephones will probably be obtainable within the U.S. in January 2025, and can make their option to different world markets someday in Q1 2025.
ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro: Design
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ASUS did not change the design to a noticeable diploma with the ROG Phone 9, with the system persevering with with the identical total aesthetic because the Phone 8 Pro. That means you get an enormous slab of a telephone with a glass again and a silky crystalized nano-texture, and some etched traces that spotlight the system’s gaming roots.
(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
The digital camera island is equivalent as properly, however there’s now a particular pink line that runs simply beneath it, giving the system somewhat visible aptitude. The ROG Phone 9 Pro has flat sides with beveled edges that make it comfy to carry and use, and as all the time, ASUS nailed the burden distribution. While the ROG Phone 9 Pro is huge and ponderous — it weighs 227g — you do not really feel the heft that a lot. The common ROG Phone 9 is available in Storm White and Phantom Black variants, however the Pro mannequin is proscribed to the black model.
(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
While ASUS toned down the design aptitude, there are some things that differentiate the ROG Phone 9 Pro from common telephones. The apparent characteristic is Anime Vision, a secondary panel on the again that is made up of LEDs. This time, ASUS added a second panel behind the common mannequin as properly, albeit with 85 LEDs versus 648 LEDs on the Pro mannequin. The panel is definitely cool, and it comes with white and pink LEDs on the Pro variant.
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What I like the perfect is that you could really play video games on the again panel, with ASUS recreating facsimiles of basic titles. You use the ultrasonic AirTriggers to manage the motion, and should you grew up taking part in these sorts of video games (like I did), it is loads of enjoyable — I’ll admit that I wasted fully an excessive amount of time taking part in the 4 bundled video games. Because of the restricted nature of the LEDs on the usual mannequin, this Anime Play characteristic is proscribed to the ROG Phone 9 Pro.
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Like earlier years, the display screen on the again is extensively customizable, and you’ll add your individual textual content, photographs, and absolutely anything on the again. There’s additionally an ROG Together choice that unlocks further visuals when two ROG Phone 9 items come into contact, and it is fairly cool.
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(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
There are different niceties; the ultrasonic AirTriggers proceed to be nice, and whereas they’re helpful throughout gaming, it is the customizability in day-to-day duties that makes the characteristic stand out in my very own utilization. You can use quick and lengthy squeezes gestures with the AirTriggers to launch Gemini, toggle the flashlight, allow DND, launch the digital camera, and a lot extra.
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The remainder of the design is fairly customary; you get the ability and quantity buttons on the proper, they usually have good tactility. The USB-C port is on the backside, and like earlier years, it sits to the left, with the SIM card tray situated within the center. The 3.5mm jack is fortunately intact, and the onboard sound continues to be glorious. ASUS notes that eSIM is simply obtainable in Taiwan and Japan, and whereas the characteristic will come to different nations, that can solely be with the subsequent mannequin.
(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
Notably, the side-mounted USB-C port is retained, and that is how the model’s AeroActive cooling answer connects to the system. You get IP68 mud and water resistance as properly; you do not often get ingress safety with gaming telephones, so it is good to see ASUS supply this.
ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro: Screen
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ASUS is sticking to the identical 6.78-inch Samsung AMOLED panel that debuted on the ROG Phone 8, and it goes as much as 2500 nits most and 1600 nits in HBM mode. You get Gorilla Glass Victus 2 safety as customary.
Similar to the perfect Android telephones, the panel will get LTPO tech to dynamically alter the refresh in response to on-screen content material, and it makes a noticeable distinction. What provides the system a definite edge is that it has 165Hz refresh fee as a substitute of the same old 120Hz on most units, and the result’s that the ROG Phone 9 Pro feels unmistakably fluid even subsequent to the likes of the Vivo X100 Ultra and Pixel 9 Pro XL.
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(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
When it involves onboard audio, you get what’s arguably probably the greatest packages obtainable at this time. The ROG Phone 9 Pro retains the three.5mm jack, and the interior DAC is first rate sufficient that you do not want a standalone unit if you wish to use IEMs with the telephone. There’s additionally AptX Lossless and all the suite of Qualcomm’s codecs, and the onboard sound is as soon as once more tuned by Dirac, and it’s noticeably higher than most units.
As you’d think about, image high quality is terrific, and the telephone comes alive throughout gaming. Colors are vibrant and saturated, and also you get an honest eye safety mode that shifts to hotter hues at night time. There’s a 185Hz mode as properly, however that is restricted to video games, and could be unlocked inside Game Genie.
(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
I had no points taking part in video games or streaming content material on the ROG Phone 9 Pro; the telephone dealt with HDR content material properly, and there have been no points with brightness ranges even underneath harsh daylight. While the panel itself hasn’t modified, it nonetheless has quite a bit going for it, and it completely delivers at gaming.
ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro: Performance
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I get to make use of quite a lot of telephones over the course of a 12 months, and whereas most telephones share the identical Qualcomm {hardware} today, no producer does pretty much as good a job optimizing the {hardware} as ASUS. Both fashions within the ROG Phone 9 sequence characteristic Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, and it’s a powerhouse that is on a complete new stage.
Clearly, Qualcomm made quite a lot of tweaks with this era, and despite the fact that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a lot quick in its personal proper, you get enormous beneficial properties on the Elite. Obviously, the distinction is extra noticeable when operating artificial workloads, with each the ROG Phone 9 Pro and the usual mannequin posting the best scores out of any telephone I examined.
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Category
ASUS ROG Phone 9
ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro
ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
PCMark Work 3.0 (Overall)
25711
25733
22434
PCMark Work 3.0 (Web Browsing)
24963
25064
29568
PCMark Work 3.0 (Video Editing)
9333
9311
9214
PCMark Work 3.0 (Writing)
33762
34828
26223
PCMark Work 3.0 (Photo Editing)
57850
56377
48464
Geekbench 6 (single-core)
3144
3137
2240
Geekbench 6 (multi-core)
9783
9936
6960
Geekbench AI (Quantized Score)
5371
5479
4304
3DMark Wild Life Extreme (rating)
5942
5935
5207
3DMark Wild Life Extreme (FPS)
35.58
35.54
31.17
3DMark Solar Bay (rating)
10036
10038
8655
3DMark Solar Bay (FPS)
38.16
38.17
32.91
There’s completely no lag or stutter within the two weeks I used both system, and if something, the interface is probably the most fluid — ASUS is aware of what it is doing on this regard. What’s attention-grabbing is that ASUS as soon as once more has a better thermal threshold than different manufacturers, and consequently, the ROG Phone 9 Pro went as much as a scorching 52 levels Celsius throughout 3DMark’s Steel Nomad Light stress check with X Mode enabled. The customary mannequin bought even hotter at 53 levels, and at that time, each units have been so sizzling that it wasn’t doable to the touch the mid-frame, a lot much less use the telephones in-hand.
(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
The facet impact of unrestricted thermals is that the ROG Phone 9 Pro has a nearly-flawless 99.2% rating within the demanding 3DMark stress check, however once more, you are not in a position to maintain the system, so the scores are only for bragging rights. Also, this is not something new — earlier ASUS gaming units additionally bought simply as sizzling.
Thankfully, this is not as huge a problem in day-to-day gaming periods; whereas the system nonetheless will get sizzling — extra so than different high-end telephones — it does not get to a degree the place it is insufferable to carry, and should you change to the Dynamic mode, you get significantly better thermal effectivity.
What all of this implies is that in real-world use, the ROG Phone 9 Pro is the perfect system should you care about cellular gaming. I bought significantly better framerates in demanding titles even with prolonged gaming periods, and there was no lag in any way. ASUS deserves credit score for permitting 120fps gaming throughout a large number of titles — far more so than some other model.
(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
While the ultrasonic AirTriggers aren’t new, they supply a further dimension of immersion in most video games, they usually’re straightforward to arrange and use. You get LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage on each units, with the usual mannequin going as much as 16GB/512GB and the Pro mannequin hitting 24GB/1TB — that is the variant I’m utilizing.
One of the explanations I like utilizing ASUS units is that the producer makes use of the complete suite of options that Qualcomm has to supply — this is not the case with most manufacturers. As such, you get nice connectivity, and all of the AptX codecs. I did not see any points in any way with connectivity or whereas making calls, and the system excels on the fundamentals. The vibration motor is healthier this time round, and it has higher suggestions in common use.
Overall, the ROG Phone 9 Pro is the quickest telephone cash can purchase at this time, and whereas different units powered by the identical {hardware} are set to launch imminently, they will be thermally constrained.
ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro: Accessories
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ASUS all the time rolled out thrilling equipment with its gaming telephones, and that is no totally different with the ROG Phone 9 Pro. The high-end mannequin comes with the brand new AeroActive Cooler X Pro bundled within the bundle, and it makes an enormous distinction whereas gaming. The key distinction between the Cooler X Pro and the usual Cooler X is that it now has a built-in subwoofer, delivering significantly better sound with an in depth low-end.
(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
You get a 3.5mm out and USB-C port on the backside, and there is customizable RGB lighting — clearly. There’s an even bigger fan this time round, and it does an important job guaranteeing the telephone does not get too sizzling. And to spherical out the options, you get a kickstand as properly.
(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
The cooler is relatively cumbersome, nevertheless it makes a distinction throughout prolonged gaming periods, and that is if you’ll really need it. The system does not get wherever as sizzling in common use or quick gaming bursts, and should you allow Dynamic mode, you should not see any points with thermal administration.
ASUS has the Tessen cellular controller as properly, and it’s a common cellular gaming controller that can be utilized with any telephone — identical to GameSir’s Galileo G8 Plus. I have never used the controller as a lot, however it’s first rate sufficient in its personal proper, and I like that it has a foldable design.
ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro: Battery
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ASUS is rising the battery dimension with this era, and the ROG Phone 9 Pro comes with a 5800mAh battery — 300mAh larger than its predecessor. You get the identical 65W charging tech over the USB PD customary, and there’s a charger bundled within the bundle with each telephones.
I bought over a day’s value of use constantly with the system even with heavy use, nevertheless it does not final a day and a half like some units I used this 12 months. That stated, the telephone is probably the most highly effective I’ve used up to now, so the truth that it really lasts a complete day is an enormous deal in and of itself.
ASUS affords scheduled charging, regular charging — the place the telephone prices at a slower wattage — and charging restrict as customary, and these options aren’t new both. With charging restrict, you possibly can set the battery to not cost past 80% or 90%, extending its longevity.
While some manufacturers are going with silicon-carbon tech in 2025, ASUS is utilizing the normal dual-cell system. However, you get further options to increase battery longevity, and that makes a distinction.
ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro: Cameras
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Imaging has all the time been an afterthought on gaming telephones, however ASUS is seeking to change that narrative. The ROG Phone 9 Pro comes with an upgraded 50MP Sony Lytia 700 digital camera module, and it does a significantly better job than the IMX890 that was featured within the ROG Phone 8 Pro.
The telephone will get a 32MP zoom lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS, and a 13MP wide-angle lens with autofocus. ASUS does an important job with its 6-axis gimbal stabilization tech, and when mixed with the brand new digital camera sensor, there’s a noticeable distinction versus earlier generations. A pleasant addition this time is Photo Vibe, which principally lets you choose a tonal stability to your pictures. There are 4 selections obtainable — Gentle Cool, Vivid Cool, Soft & Warm, and Rich & Warm — and the colours change fairly drastically between modes.
Physical shutter controls are cool once more — largely due to the iPhone 16 Pro Max — and whereas I did not get a lot use out of the button, different telephones are getting in on the motion. ASUS is utilizing the right-mounted AirTrigger as a shutter button, and you should utilize it to take images.
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(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)
(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)
(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)
(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)
(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)
(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)
(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)
(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)
(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)
(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)
Shots taken in daylight have a superb quantity of element and white stability, and there aren’t any points normally. The tuning algorithm tends to be a bit aggressive with smoothening particulars like foliage, however exterior of that, you get detailed pictures. Like the ROG Phone 8 Pro, the wide-angle lens is strictly common, and it does not fairly handle to ship the identical coloration stability as the primary lens. The concern is much more evident in low-light situations, and also you get seen noise.
While it is not as easy to shoot as different flagships, you get first rate pictures in difficult conditions out of the ROG Phone 9 Pro. The essential digital camera is sweet sufficient this time that you do not really feel constrained on this space, and there are noticeable beneficial properties over earlier years.
That stated, the telephone remains to be on the identical stage as a mid-ranger on this regard, and it does not fairly measure as much as the camera-focused units obtainable at this time. If you see your self taking quite a lot of images, it is best to simply wait till the Vivo X200 Pro or Find X8 launch globally, however should you simply want usable cameras that ship adequate pictures, the ROG Phone 9 Pro will get the job completed.
ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro: Software
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The ROG Phone 9 Pro runs Android 15 out of the field, and as is the case with each single telephone, you get a set of AI options. There’s AI-assisted name translation, notes transcribing, picture era, and semantic search, and what’s attention-grabbing is that they are all powered on-device — no information is shipped to the cloud. The solely service that depends on a sign is Circle to Search, however that is a given anyway.
(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
ASUS has an AI-assisted utility dubbed X Sense 3.0 that lets you automate mundane duties in video games, together with gathering loot and upgrading abilities. There’s AI-backed noise isolation as properly, and it does an honest sufficient job. While not reliant on machine studying, the quantity splitter choice lets you change the quantity stage of a person recreation, so should you’re multitasking or utilizing picture-in-picture, this characteristic is certainly useful.
(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
I’ve no points with the software program of the ROG Phone 9 Pro in every day use. The interface is as near vanilla Android as you may get on any system, and that alone is worthy of celebration today. ASUS did an impressive job (as all the time) tailoring the software program to reap the benefits of the highly effective {hardware}, and the UI is clean on a stage you simply do not get with different telephones.
(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
There’s intensive customizability as properly, and there is even a again faucet gesture that permits you to pull down the notification shade or toggle the flashlight with out having to work together with the telephone. In quick, there’s quite a bit to love in regards to the interface itself, and it is nice to see ASUS proceed to supply a clear UI with none bloatware.
Software updates proceed to be some extent of competition, and whereas the ROG Phone 9 Pro will get 5 years of safety updates, it can solely choose up two platform updates. As I’ve stated a number of instances in these evaluations, two updates simply aren’t satisfactory any longer, and with finances telephones just like the Nothing Phone 2a getting three updates, it does not make sense {that a} $1,499 system is proscribed to 2 Android OS updates, significantly when Google is beginning to roll out these updates sooner.
ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro: The alternate options
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The ROG Phone 8 Pro remains to be an important selection, and with the introduction of the ROG Phone 9 Pro, the older system ought to get first rate reductions. You do not get the best possible {hardware} or the most important battery, however the telephone is simply as performant in demanding video games, and also you get the identical software program.
If you want higher cameras, the OnePlus 12 is an effective different as properly. The telephone takes higher pictures, and you continue to get highly effective {hardware} that is nice for gaming. The software program is not wherever pretty much as good although, and the interface has overt styling. The upside is that the system is far more reasonably priced.
ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro: Should you purchase it?
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You should purchase this if:
You need the perfect gaming telephone cash can purchase
You want significant software program extras and a clear UI
You need a fluidic interface with 165Hz refresh
You want nice battery life
You need a 3.5mm jack
You should not purchase this if:
You want a telephone that’ll get long-term software program updates
You need nice cameras
ASUS continues to be the perfect at optimizing the software program, and the ROG Phone 9 Pro is fluid like no different system I used lately. Of course, the 165Hz panel additionally makes a distinction on this regard, as does the upgraded Qualcomm {hardware}. The new 50MP digital camera on the again is nice too, and whereas it will not problem the Vivo X100 Ultra or Find X7 Ultra, it’s significantly better than its predecessors, and that is a notable achievement.
I like what ASUS does with the software program as properly; the interface itself is clear and does not have any bloatware, and the model is aware of what it is doing on the optimization entrance, so that you get a fluidic UI. You do not miss out on something both — the telephone has a 3.5mm jack, IP68 ingress safety, dependable 65W charging over USB PD and 15W wi-fi charging, and a terrific 165Hz AMOLED panel.
In quick, this is without doubt one of the finest {hardware} and software program packages you may get at this time, and should you’re enthusiastic about cellular gaming, there actually is not a greater system. Even should you do not play many video games in your telephone, the ROG Phone 9 Pro has quite a bit going for it, and the modifications to the cameras makes it an all-rounder. However, like earlier years, the truth that you simply get two Android OS updates continues to be a deal-breaker, and ASUS actually must do higher.
There are higher telephones available in the market, however should you want the one with the perfect efficiency, the ROG Phone 9 Pro is the one to get — should you do not thoughts the middling replace assure.