We love the ROG Phone series since its inception in 2018, its a smartphone we always look forward to every year from the gaming authority brand. Since the creation of the series the brand pushed the enveloped the possibilities for mobile gaming, such as introduction of portable coolers, controllers, or even docks. But this approach resulted in capturing a very narrow base of consumers who will possibly purchase the device, due to its unique but unorthodox implementation compared to a regular smartphone design.
This 2024 ROG went back to the basics and revamped the 8th series to be closer to reality of smartphones, all without loosing its unique gaming features and characteristics it’s known for. Welcome the ROG Phone 8 Pro, strikingly new but familiar to use cause of its less intimidating looks, ROG went to a more design-centric powerful approach rather than being unique for every part provided.
Here is a refresher of the ROG Phone 8 series phone specifications
| Model | ROG Phone 8 | ROG Phone 8 Pro |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | |
| Screen | 6.78-inch Samsung Flexible AMOLED, 2400 x 1080, 1 – 120Hz, Max 165Hz, 2,500 nits Peak, HDR`10, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR5X | 24GB LPDDR5X |
| OS | Android 14, ROG UI | |
| Rear Camera | 50MP f/1.9 Sony IMX890 OIS Main, 13MP f/2.2 Ultrawide, 32MP f/2.4 3x Optical Zoom OIS Telephoto | |
| Front Camera | 32MP f/2.5 | |
| Storage | 25GB UFS 4.0 | 512GB, 1TB UFS 4.0 |
| Network | Dual-SIM, 5G | |
| Connectivity | WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, USB-C, 3.5mm Audio Jack | |
| Battery | 5,000mAh, Quick Charge 5.0, PD Charging, Qi 1.3 Wireless Charging | |
| Others | In-Display Fingerprint Scanner, Multi-Magnet Dual Stereo Speakers | |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9mm | |
| Weight | 225g | |
| Colors | Phantom Black / White | |
Redesigned For Everyone
The ROG Phone 8 series in one look looks familiar like its predecessor but completely new thanks to its less curved edges, and more utilization of a metal frame with a rectangular shape.
Before the ROG Phone was centered to all aspects of having aesthetics favoring when gaming, but we all know that gaming is just one major activity we use our smartphone in other times we socialize, take photos and importantly communicate. Thus the advantages ASUS opted before became disadvantages in those scenarios mentioned latter.
Back to the drawing board the back is now less flaunting of colors and LED lights as the ROG Phone 8 Pro is now just a simple sandblasted textured back with accents of glossy glass surfaces to indicate special parts of the phone remaining.
Giving the overall feel that a its a worthy flagship smartphone that feels right anytime you need to use it and not only when gaming.
The display is a premium AMOLED display that is at par with the experience with flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, nothing to see dragging at front as its bright, fluid and above all immersive in any kind of content.
Cameras that you will use 
At the back are the triple camera system where we proved that the ROG Phone 8 Pro in our recent writeup that the cameras are worthy even to a trip to the zoo. Aside from our samples beforehand, here are some snaps we also love.
Tight shots like food and scenery both indoor and outdoor is great as well, its able to handle situations with flooding lights or minimal lighting.
The front camera is also above average especially when you consider good lighting, a bit of softness is already seen in tight snaps, but color and vividness is still above average. What’s important as well that it snaps fast.
Portraits are good, just make sure you have a stable subject to capture. In this rare occasion that my niece is keeping still, I was able to take this detailed portrait shot with even her hair having eccentric details.
Oh the AniME vision LED at the back was a great help to take attention of toddlers to keep looking at the phone, great indicator and trick indeed to not only taking photos but also other activities like a call, message, charging status, battery, etc. Definitely adds characteristics of a unique layer on a smartphone and definitely ROG.
Heads up on low brightness noise is expected, but still acceptable nevertheless. You can see in this photo of a Shiba Inu named Yuki the fur details is soft already.
On super bright environments using the ultra-wide we notice as well a slightly above exposure detail making the photo too bright, but we will accept this anytime versus inferior ultra-wide cameras with blurry effect. This can be simply corrected using the built-in app feature.
Performance Above All
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Processor with even ridiculous capabilities to make Genshin Impact run at 165fps at its X performance mode is indeed a delight for me. But thermal throttling is the main opponent. Hit the ROG Phone 8 Pro all you want this can take the beating, everything is smooth, switching apps is slides just like butter and gaming is immersive like no other phone.
When in its X mode the temperature can easily go up to 48 degrees especially in all maxed settings in Genshin Impact. Fortunately the included AeroCool attachment can keep temperatures low around 36-38 degrees constantly when playing, but you can only keep this around 2 hours before getting a low battery indicator before needing to charge. We think that’s enough for your quick daily commission runs and play heavily on the weekend.
I’m also glad to report that there is NO MORE GHOST TOUCH phenomenon in the ROG Phone 8 Series, unlike before that the curved screen in the previous series where its always having corner touches which nulls other inputs and can ultimately break a gamer’s experience.
Battery Tank
5,000mAh battery can last all day without any worries, we love how this smartphone is indeed a tank when traveling or gaming. Just remember to always take advantage of its fast charging brick included or utilize the PD USB-C that can charge to full in less than an hour.
Conclusion – ROG Dared indeed and succeeded again
We really thought that ROG was stuck already in their own world for having their comfort spot in the ROG Phone series, but I was definitely wrong as the ROG Phone 8 Series proved that ASUS / ROG listens to their customers and considers us professionals who also games as well.
Its with my ultimate confidence that I can recommend the ROG Phone 8 now to anyone who is even an average phone user who seeks a premium experience, or in this case to those like me that are a gaming warrior at night and professional in the morning. It feels great like a flagship, take snaps with clarity, and even game with confidence.
Priced starting at Php50,995, the ROG Phone 8 series also made it more desireable to consumers who seeks a smartphone who cuts above the rest. We think the top package of ROG Phone 8 Pro 24GB/1TB with AeroActive Cooler X – PhP 75,995 is worth the price, just heads up on the long term care for the device as it doesn’t have a built-in screen protector unlike other brands.
- ROG Phone 8 12GB/256GB – PhP 50,995
- ROG Phone 8 Pro 16GB/ 512GB – PhP 60,995
- ROG Phone 8 Pro 24GB/1TB with AeroActive Cooler X – PhP 75,995
