In its latest iteration, the Asus ROG Phone 8 has not only enhanced its daily usability with features like an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and the addition of a telephoto camera, but it also continues to push the boundaries in gaming performance. This model elevates its capabilities across the board, ensuring it remains a top choice for gamers while becoming increasingly practical for everyday tasks.

ASUS ROG Phone 9 Series:

The new ASUS ROG Phone 9 & 9 Pro will sport a 6.78 inches 185Hz refresh rate Samsung E6 10-bit AMOLED FHD+ display. The device features HDR10+, Always On HDR support, and comes with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on top. On the back of the ROG Phone 9 Pro there is a small OLED display.

The new ASUS ROG Phone 9 series comes with Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC coupled with 12GB/16GB/24GB RAM and 256GB/512GB/1TB storage. The latest phones in the Asus ROG lineup boast an enhanced cooling system with a graphite sheet that’s 57% larger than before, significantly lowering the operating temperature compared to the 8-series. Additionally, an advanced active cooler has been integrated, enhancing the overall cooling efficiency. True to form, Asus ROG continues to shine with its top-notch proprietary accessories.

The ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro will ship with triple rear cameras whereas ROG Phone 9 with dual with LED flash aligned horizontally. This time the ASUS ROG Phone 9 series features a 50MP Sony LYT700 main sensor with f/1.9 aperture and a 13MP ultra-wide sensor with f/2.4 aperture. The ROG Phone 9 Pro comes with an additional  32MP telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom & LED flash. The new ASUS ROG Phone 9 series features a 32MP selfie shooter. It comes with 4K slo-mo and 8K video recording.

The connectivity option includes Dual SIM with 4G LTE, VoLTE and 5G support, A-GPS, GLONASS, Dual Frequency GPS, NFC, USB Type-C port, 3.5mm audio port, Wifi-7, Bluetooth 5.4, an in-display fingerprint scanner. The device also features a 5-magnet stereo speaker, Dirac Virtuo for Headphone Spatial Sound, and Tri-microphones with ASUS Noise Reduction Technology.

The new ASUS ROG Phone 9 series will pack a 5800 mAh battery with 65W fast wired & 15W wireless charging support. It will also have support for 5G networks and runs on Android 15 out of the box. It comes with an IP68 rating making it dust and water-resistant.

AniMe Vision:

The Asus ROG Phone 9 series introduces an innovative feature with the AniMe Vision display, which isn’t your typical second screen. Both the standard and Pro models now come equipped with this feature, utilizing mini-LEDs for customization. The ROG Phone 9 boasts an array of 85 LEDs, a significant upgrade from its predecessor’s basic setup with just four RGB LEDs, whereas the ROG Phone 9 Pro elevates this with 648 LEDs, nearly doubling the 341 found on the previous Pro model.

This upgrade in LED count serves a clear purpose. The Pro model’s AniMe Vision now has the resolution to display text in complex scripts like Chinese and Japanese. Additionally, users can personalize their device further by uploading GIFs, turning the back of the phone into a dynamic canvas.

But the real surprise is the entertainment aspect: the AniMe Vision isn’t just for show. It enables gameplay for four classic retro games reminiscent of titles like Breakout, Snake, and Space Invaders, controlled via the phone’s side-mounted AirTriggers. This feature transforms the phone’s back into an interactive display, offering a unique gaming experience.

Additional Accessory:

The AeroCase and the optional Chill Case both incorporate an “Audio Redirection” feature. Their design directs sound from the bottom speaker forward, enhancing the stereo experience by working in concert with the top-front speaker.

But there’s even more to offer – the AeroActive Cooler X Pro includes a subwoofer for a true 2.1 audio setup. Additionally, this cooler comes equipped with two physical shoulder buttons to complement the phone’s AirTriggers. The cooling efficiency has also been upgraded with larger fan blades. It is now 12.5% bigger, and increased thermal compound. So together provides a 29% improvement in cooling performance.

AI Features:

The X Sense X Capture AI Grabber (that extracts text from games), the AI Camera, the AI Object Sense, the AI HyperClarity, the 6-axis hybrid gimbal stabilizer, the AI Call Translator, the AI Transcript, the AI Wallpaper, etc.

Pricing:

The ASUS ROG Phone 9 series has been unveiled with the following pricing and availability details:
  • ASUS ROG Phone 9:
    • Colors: Available in Storm White and Phantom Black.
    • 12GB RAM + 256GB Storage:
      • USD 999.99 (approximately Rs. 84,432)
      • 1,099 EUR (approximately Rs. 97,925)
    • 12GB RAM + 512GB Storage:
      • 1,149 EUR (approximately Rs. 1,02,800)
  • ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro:
    • Color: Exclusively in Phantom Black.
    • 16GB RAM + 512GB Storage:
      • USD 1,199.99 (approximately Rs. 1,01,320)
      • 1,300 EUR (approximately Rs. 1,15,865)
  • ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro Edition:
    • Configuration: 24GB RAM + 1TB Storage, bundled with the AeroActive Cooler X Pro.
    • Pricing:
      • USD 1,499.99 (approximately Rs. 1,26,650)
      • 1,500 EUR (approximately Rs. 1,33,690)
These models are now open for orders in the US and Europe, although specific information regarding the launch in India is not yet available.