Hands-on review: mature gamer of the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro

Though Stuff's best smartphone lists frequently feature all-arounders at the top, I always steer serious mobile gamers toward specialized hardware. Larger batteries, expanded accessory compatibility, and unmatched performance are typically worth the extra money, even though gaming phones haven't always offered cameras to match their high costs. The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro might be about to change that.

The very capable ROG Phone 7 Ultimate successor of 2023 puts even greater emphasis on photography gear and sports a more formal look than prior versions. That being said, Asus hasn't forgotten its core following. High frame rates should be guaranteed by Qualcomm's most advanced mobile chip, and it will remain cool under duress thanks to the optional AeroActive Cooler accessory. You can even get one in the package when you purchase the premium ROG Phone 8 Pro Edition straight from the Asus online store.I'm currently restricted to the hardware details only due to a two-stage embargo. You will need to wait for a comprehensive assessment in order to compare camera image quality and conduct performance tests. However, there's a lot to investigate in the meanwhile.

During the testing process, we use every phone that has been reviewed on Stuff as our primary device. In addition to our years of experience, we employ industry-standard benchmarks and tests to evaluate general performance, battery life, display, sound, and camera image quality. Before reviews are posted online, manufacturers are not aware of them, and we never charge for product features.

There are two variants of the latest ROG Phone available: the standard Phone 8 and the Phone 8 Pro. I received the top-tier Edition model, which came with an included AeroActive Cooler add-on. Regardless of your preference, the styling is far less "gamer" than in years past, with more subdued color palettes and branding. A glass rear and aluminum frame give off a proper flagship vibe.

Not that Asus hasn't succumbed to the appeal of RGB, though. Beneath the angular camera module that extends quite a distance from the phone body, the standard Phone 8 has an illuminated ROG logo on the back. The Phone 8 Pro replaces the logo with a mini-LED panel called AniMe Vision. If it is turned on, you may anticipate visually striking personalized animations and informative graphics; while it is off, it is difficult to discern the boundary between the display and the frosted glass.

Compared to the Phone 7 Ultimate from the previous year, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is incredibly slimmer. It is comparable to more affordable flagships at 8.9mm, and the screen bezels are also thinner. It weighs just 225g, which is little more than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which employs titanium to reduce weight. Even better, Asus has made the whole gadget IP68 water resistant for the first time.

This means that the active exhaust flap is gone, but a larger, more powerful AeroActive Cooler attachment and a revised cooling system should ensure that heat won't be an issue. According to Asus, it is 10% lighter and even more power-efficient than last year's model, and it is also 29% quieter.

The reintroduction of dual USB-C ports is welcome since it allows for convenient phone charging while gaming, provides a place to plug in the cooler, and enables charging while using USB-C headphones. Conventional wired earbuds are still supported thanks to a 3.5mm headphone jack. The return of Asus' touch-sensitive air triggers allows for a more seamless gaming experience without the need for an external controller.