Asus ROG Phone review: A big, bold, beefy statement piece

At first glance, Asus'southward ROG Telephone is the kind of device seemingly designed to strike fearfulness into the hearts of one's enemies. The phone itself is all difficult lines and hit angles, made of distinct metal and glass and emblazoned with a logo that looks similar something direct out of a edgy 90s comic book.

Once you actually use the device, however, the ROG Telephone's frills and fits fade away to reveal an incredibly capable Android smartphone that nonetheless fails to justify its existence as a 'gaming telephone.'

After all, the ROG Phone is an expensive, premium-tier, flagship Android smartphone that floats in a sea total of expensive, premium-tier, flagship Android smartphones — all of which offer users with experiences that are either comparable or just obviously better.

Brandish

half dozen.0-inch AMOLED display, 1080 10 2160 pixels, eighteen:9 aspect ratio

Dimensions (in.)

158.viii x 76.2 ten 8.iii mm

Rear Facing Photographic camera

12-megapixel (f/1.8, 24mm, OIS) + 8-megapixel (12mm, no AF)

Front Facing Camera

eight-megapixel (f/2.0, 24mm)

Network Connectivity

GSM/HSPA/LTE

Sensors

Rear fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyrometer, proximity sensor, compass

Misc

Dual front-firing stereo speakers, 2 USB-C ports, 3.5mm headphone jack

Asus ROG Phone

6.0-inch AMOLED display, 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 attribute ratio

Asus ROG Phone

Snapdragon 845

Asus ROG Phone

8GB of RAM

Asus ROG Phone

158.8 x 76.ii x viii.three mm

Asus ROG Phone

12-megapixel (f/1.8, 24mm, OIS) + viii-megapixel (12mm, no AF)

Asus ROG Phone

viii-megapixel (f/2.0, 24mm)

Asus ROG Telephone

Android eight.1 Oreo

Asus ROG Phone

GSM/HSPA/LTE

Asus ROG Phone

Rear fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyrometer, proximity sensor, compass

Asus ROG Phone

Dual forepart-firing stereo speakers, two USB-C ports, 3.5mm headphone jack

Bulky specs and an even beefier pattern aesthetic

The difference betwixt a gaming computer and a regular figurer is normally a notable one, with gaming machines featuring loftier-powered CPUs, GPUs capable of rendering video games at rates reaching 60-frames-per-second and enough RAM to process even the virtually taxing of tasks.

Due to the precedent set up by gaming computers, one would expect the spec differences betwixt a premium-tier, flagship Android smartphone and a branded gaming phone to exist as stark as the difference betwixt a gaming machine and a normal desktop or laptop.

However, every bit proven past Asus and its ROG Telephone, those differences aren't necessarily notable plenty to warrant choosing a branded gaming telephone over a premium-tier device like a Samsung Galaxy S9 or a Google Pixel 3 — even if those ii specific devices do have smaller screens than the Asus ROG Phone.

Nonetheless, the ROG Telephone's internal specs are absolutely beefy, even if they aren't substantially beefier than what one can find on comparably priced premium-tier phones.

To begin with, the phone features a 6-inch, 18:ix, ii,160 x i,080 pixel resolution AMOLED display with a default 60Hz refresh rate that can be increased to 90Hz. Sadly, the brandish is rather unremarkable, non simply because the phone'south larger class factor doesn't adapt the display's disappointing pixel resolution, just considering the AMOLED features the aforementioned pocket-size jelly-scrolling issue that plagues all OLED panels. The scrolling problem can be fixed by bumping up the screen'southward refresh charge per unit to 90Hz, but the improved refresh rate doesn't resolve the screen'south irksome color gamut or its low resolution.

Though the panel is remarkably bright, the ROG Phone's display is unimpressive compared to OLED screens found on other premium-tier Android flagships — like the ones in the Milky way S9/S9+, the Note9 and fifty-fifty the OnePlus 6T — but it'south notwithstanding a serviceable panel that works whether consuming video content or playing video games.

In terms of functioning, the ROG Phone also comes equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, an Adreno 630 GPU, 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 512GB of UFS2.1 storage.

The phone's Snapdragon 845 CPU is outdated in 2019, though the processor continues to be able to render resource-intensive 3D games like PUBG Mobile, Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath, Mod Combat 4: Zero Hour and the titles in Foursquare Enix Montreal'due south GO series.

Coupled with the phone's welcome 8GB of RAM, the ROG Phone never stuttered or slowed downwardly, even while simultaneously streaming audio and playing games. On the subject of estrus management, thanks to the phone's built-in copper heat spreader and its carbon cooling pads, the ROG didn't get hot nether load, staying warm even during intense online gaming sessions.

Despite the phone'southward relatively modernistic processor, the device disappointingly runs Android 8.one.0 Oreo, with no clear sign when the device will receive an Android 9 Pie update — if Asus ever plans on updating the ROG Phone at all. This is a common concern with Android smartphones, and users should exist enlightened that they may never receive an Android 9 Pie update if they determine to purchase this $1,200 device.

It's worth noting that MobileSyrup has contacted Asus to inquire about a potential Android nine Pie update, but we've nonetheless to receive a response.

The phone'due south main rear photographic camera features a 12-megapixel Sony sensor and an f1.8 discontinuity lens with 83-degrees field-of-view. The second rear camera is a 120-degree wide-angle shooter. The phone's front-facing selfie photographic camera has an eight-megapixel sensor with an f2.0 discontinuity lens and 84-degree field-of-view.

In terms of additional hardware, the ROG Phone packs in loud, dual front-firing speakers, a rear-facing fingerprint sensor, two USB-C ports, a "side-mount connector" necessary to connect an external fan peripheral to the phone and, mercifully, a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The device also has two ultrasonic 'AirTriggers' that function as shoulder buttons in certain games. Additionally, users tin squeeze the ROG Phone to launch whatever app that'south been downloaded. The squeeze function enables users to access certain system settings, similar screen rotation, while carrying out tasks like screenshots. Users can even set up the ROG Telephone to launch Google Assistant — like Agile Edge with Google's Pixel 2 and Pixel 3 line of phones.

The telephone's two USB-C ports are located on the lesser-left of the device, as well as the correct in a higher place the ROG Telephone's side-mount connector. That side-mount connector closely resembles a USB-C port, but it's not possible to charge the phone using the connector.

However, the fan peripheral included in the ROG Telephone box does feature a USB-C port for charging and a headphone jack, meaning that the device can be upgraded through a hardware peripheral to include 2 headphone jacks and two USB-C ports.

Suffice it to say, the port option on the ROG Phone is among the best I've ever seen on a premium-tier Android smartphone released subsequently 2016.

Finally, the ROG Telephone features a gargantuan iv,000mAh bombardment that comfortably lasted ii days with moderate-to-heavy use, and a full 7 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. day of podcasts, music streaming, Netflix downloads, YouTube, Slack, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit and, of course, gaming. Quite frankly, if there'southward any ane reason to get the ROG Telephone over a comparable device, similar the Samsung Galaxy S9+ or the costlier Galaxy Note9, it's the Asus device's stellar battery.

That being said, the phone'southward hardware elements don't assistance hide the fact that the ROG Phone is a big, bold smartphone. The device's metal and glass aesthetic are common for today's smartphones, just the sharp lines, angular design and overall gamer aesthetic — likewise equally a logo that lights up in a variety of colour combinations — speaks to Asus' attempts at cornering the gaming phone niche.

Sadly, unlike the Razer Phone's subdued blackness and green aesthetic, Asus went with a gunmetal grey and orange combination that makes the phone look like it stepped out a cyberpunk filmmakers wildest dreams.

That gamer artful extends to the phone's user interface, which actually strikes a welcome balance between gamer and early versions of Android. In the phone'southward standard mode, Asus' ZenUI lights up the device with neon reds, greens, blues and yellows. When users activate 10-Style, however, the phone'due south colour drains away, revealing a cybernetic cherry-red that hurts the eyes but however pumps blood through users' veins.

In brusque, if you like the kitschy-even so-popular gamer aesthetic — or if yous want a phone that isn't still another dull white or blackness rectangle — so you lot'll be comfortable with the ROG Phone's design philosophy. Otherwise, this phone is unapologetically ostentatious.

Gamers beware, there'southward actually no such thing equally a gaming phone

Before I continue, I must admit to loving my time with the Asus ROG Phone. It'due south fast, powerful, loud and other than its less-than-impressive camera (more on that after), the phone proved to be quite useful and constructive.

Despite my affection for the handset, information technology'south difficult to recommend the ROG Telephone for its merits every bit a gaming phone. Once more, while the distinctions betwixt gaming computers and regular computers are stark, the distinctions between this particular gaming phone and regular premium-tier smartphones aren't as notable.

Yes, Asus packed in tiptop-of-the-line hardware — excluding the phone's brandish — but other premium-tier smartphones likewise come with 8GB of RAM and ample amounts of internal storage. As a grade of making upwards for its lack of distinguishing hardware, Asus packed in a suite of gaming-related software tweaks no dubiety as a way of complimenting the phone'southward hardware.

Notwithstanding, that gaming software — dubbed 'Game Centre' and labeled with an angular neon 'G' to distinguish the app from the Google app — doesn't seem designed to appeal to gamers, and so much as it seems like a fashion for Asus to get in easier for ROG Phone users to find all of the telephone's customization features in a single location.

Case in indicate, all of the Game Heart'south features can be constitute in diverse menus and submenus tucked away in the phone'due south default 'Settings' app, ultimately negating the need for a dedicated game center in the showtime place. Additionally, none of the phone'due south supposed gamer-centric features functionally make the telephone better for mobile gamers.

Certainly, users can improve the ROG Phone screen'due south refresh rate and boost the telephone's performance even while at rest with 'X-Mode', but other than providing a snapshot of the CPU's and GPU'south clock speeds — besides every bit the phone'due south temperature — none of the features provided through the Game Center are features that can't be plant elsewhere.

This lack of distinction betwixt the ROG Phone'southward gamer features and the normal software suite that comes with non-Google-branded premium-tier handsets, plagues virtually of the and so-chosen gaming phones available for purchase today.

Simply put, in that location's no need for anyone in 2019 to purchase a gaming phone if the phone itself doesn't feature ameliorate hardware or software than other comparably specced and similarly priced smartphones.

That's to say nothing of the fact that even the most resource-intensive Android apps don't require more than than 4GB of RAM, even if time to come-proofing dictates that users should opt for smartphones with more RAM when the opportunity presents itself.

To show this point, I played the aforementioned games on the ROG Phone and on my personal Google Pixel 3, and while my Pixel definitely got warmer than the ROG Phone, both devices handled well-nigh of the aforementioned apps as well.

The exception to this rule seemed to be PUBG Mobile, which seemed to perform better on the ROG Telephone. However, I stand up by my before critique of the gaming phone label, simply considering PUBG might be the simply app that allows the ROG Phone to shine. I also don't personally guess phone quality based on whether or not a potential buy tin can smoothly withstand multiple games of PUBG.

That being said, I'm not convinced that the ROG Phone'due south primary competitors are devices similar the OnePlus 6T or the Google Pixel iii or the Samsung Galaxy S9+. Instead, the Asus phone'due south main contest is likely a handset like the Samsung Milky way Note 9.

Truth exist told, I haven't spent very much fourth dimension testing Samsung's latest phablet device. Nonetheless, having played with the Note 9 when it floated around the MobileSyrup offices, I tin safely say that the Samsung device radically outperforms the ROG Phone.

Yes, Samsung's phablet is approximately $300 more expensive than Asus's gaming telephone, only the Galaxy Notation ix's superior screen, superior design, superior software suite, superior camera and even its superior gimmicks ways that when compared, the ROG Phone doesn't actually concur a candle to the Note nine.

As a last point, the ROG Phone is compatible with a drove of Asus-branded peripherals including a dual-screen controller case, a dock that allows users to connect the ROG Telephone to a keyboard, mouse and monitor, and even a display dock that effectively turns the ROG Phone into an Android-capable Nintendo Switch.

Nonetheless, Asus didn't provideMobileSyrup with review units and I haven't had the chance to test those peripherals.

Even with these accessories, however, the ROG Telephone still exists equally a solution to a problem no ane really had in the first place. In short, premium-tier Android flagships are already plenty powerful every bit it is, and the ROG Phone doesn't stand to its premium-tier competition in any item category.

A camera that doesn't impress built into a smartphone that often does

Despite my criticism of the ROG Telephone's gaming capacity, the device is notwithstanding a relatively impressive smartphone. Sadly, the device'south camera doesn't truly impress, and when compared to its premium-tier competition, the ROG Telephone's rear shooters neglect to stack upwardly to any of the aforementioned devices.

It'southward non that the phone takes bad photos past any means. Once over again, users will be confident in uploading photos taken on the ROG Phone to social media, nor is the issue that Asus failed to build a phone using impressive hardware. Instead, the central trouble with the ROG Phone's photographic camera is that its post-processing features often produce photos that are too bright, too loud or just plain wearisome.

Whereas my Pixel 3 is capable of turning even the virtually mundane product shot into something visually expressive, the ROG Telephone merely captures whatsoever it sees, with minimal frills.

The phone's video camera doesn't perform much ameliorate. Like many phones bachelor today, Asus claims that the ROG Phone can tape 4K footage at 60-frames-per-2nd, which might be technically truthful fifty-fifty if the footage doesn't mimic reality similar a real 4K camera would.

Sadly, the phone'southward camera woes are exacerbated by the presence of that six-inch, 2,160 x one,080 pixel resolution AMOLED display. If the telephone tin can actually tape 4K footage, users certainly wouldn't know considering the device's disappointing display turns even the all-time images and videos sour.

Source: https://mobilesyrup.com/2019/02/03/asus-rog-phone-review/

Posted by: petreecoulth56.blogspot.com

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