Asus has taken a bold step in reshaping its renowned ROG gaming phone series, introducing the Asus ROG Phone 8 and Phone 8 Pro at CES 2024. Unveiling a sleek redesign that seamlessly balances gaming prowess with everyday functionality, these devices are powered by the cutting-edge Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. Boasting a remarkable 6.78-inch display with an impressive refresh rate of up to 165Hz, the Pro edition pushes boundaries with specifications like 24GB of memory and a whopping 1TB of storage.
A notable enhancement in this iteration is the incorporation of wireless charging and IP68 resistance to water and dust, marking a significant departure from previous ROG phone designs. Embracing a punch-hole front-facing camera style, the phones bid farewell to the large top bezel, providing a more immersive display. While this introduces a small interruption around the punch-hole, users have the option to slightly shrink the display area, allowing for an uninterrupted gaming experience.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip takes center stage, introducing AI-focused features that elevate the phone’s performance. The Semantic Search feature processes inputs across the device, delivering results from the launcher, device settings, and photo gallery search boxes. An innovative AI noise-canceling feature enhances voice and video calls, catering to both standard communication and in-game chat. The phone’s AI capabilities extend to generating personalized wallpapers based on selected objects, tones, and backgrounds.
The camera system undergoes a significant overhaul, featuring a 50-megapixel main camera with a 6-Axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer 3.0 for smooth videos and photos. Complemented by a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 32-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, the ROG Phone 8 series ensures a versatile photography experience. The Pro model introduces a mini-LED display named AniMe Vision, offering contextual animations, while the standard models showcase an RGB-lit logo.
Despite a slight reduction in battery capacity to 5,500 mAh, the ROG Phone 8 series retains its predecessor’s 65-watt wired charging and introduces 15-watt wireless charging. Wi-Fi 7 support, dual USB-C ports, and the iconic headphone jack continue to cater to the gaming community. The Asus ROG Phone 8 starts at $1,100, with the Pro model beginning at $1,200. The highest-end Pro model, featuring 24GB of memory and 1TB of storage, is priced at $1,500 and includes the AeroActive Cooler X. The phones are set to release in the first quarter of 2024, with an early bird period offering a $100 discount.
