The Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro has solidified its position as a titan in the gaming smartphone arena, blending cutting-edge technology with a sleek, premium design. Launched in November 2024, this device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, boasting up to 24GB of RAM and 512GB or 1TB storage options. With its 6.78-inch AMOLED display, advanced cooling system, and gamer-centric features, the ROG Phone 9 Pro is designed to deliver an unparalleled mobile gaming experience while appealing to a broader audience seeking a high-performance flagship. This article delves into the design, performance, gaming features, and more, exploring why the ROG Phone 9 Pro stands out as a premium gaming smartphone in 2025.
Premium Design and Build Quality
The Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro marks a significant evolution in design, moving away from the overtly aggressive gamer aesthetic of its predecessors to a more refined and versatile look. Measuring 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9mm and weighing 227g, the phone feels substantial yet comfortable in hand. Its Phantom Black colorway combines glossy and matte finishes, with a crystallized nano-texture on the matte surfaces that ensures a silky touch and resists fingerprints. The aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back provide durability, while the IP68/IP69K rating ensures resistance to dust and water, a rarity among gaming phones.
A standout feature is the AniMe Vision mini-LED display on the back, featuring 648 programmable LEDs (compared to 85 on the standard ROG Phone 9). This secondary display allows for customizable animations, notifications, and even retro-style games like Snake and Space Invaders, controlled via the phone’s AirTriggers. When turned off, the AniMe Vision blends seamlessly into the back panel, maintaining a sleek, understated aesthetic that appeals to non-gamers as well. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack and a side-mounted USB-C port for charging during gaming further enhances its practicality.
However, the large camera bump has drawn criticism for protruding significantly, which may affect comfort when used without a case. The official cases, including a transparent bumper and one compatible with the AeroActive Cooler X Pro, address this while adding functionality like sound redirection for the bottom speaker. Overall, the ROG Phone 9 Pro’s design strikes a balance between gaming flair and everyday elegance, making it a versatile flagship.
Display: A Visual Powerhouse
The ROG Phone 9 Pro features a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080×2400 pixels and a 20:9 aspect ratio. Its 185Hz refresh rate, adjustable via the Game Genie software, ensures ultra-smooth visuals, particularly for fast-paced games like Dead Cells, which can hit up to 167fps. The 720Hz touch sampling rate delivers near-instantaneous response times, critical for competitive gaming. With a peak brightness of 2500 nits and HDR10 support, the display remains vivid and clear even in direct sunlight, while its Delta-E < 1 color accuracy ensures stunningly accurate visuals.
A minor drawback is the hole-punch selfie camera, which slightly intrudes on the display. Asus mitigates this with software options to hide the notch by blacking out the top strip, ensuring games and videos remain uninterrupted. While some hardcore gamers prefer the uninterrupted displays of competitors like the Red Magic 9S Pro, the ROG Phone 9 Pro’s display quality and responsiveness make it a top contender for gaming and media consumption.
Performance: Unmatched Power with Snapdragon 8 Elite
At the heart of the ROG Phone 9 Pro is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, a 3-nanometer chipset with a 4.32GHz clock speed, delivering up to 45% better CPU performance, 40% faster GPU, and 40% improved NPU compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Paired with 16GB or 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB or 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage, the phone is a performance beast, scoring 10,106 on Geekbench 6 multi-core tests, surpassing many competitors. This raw power ensures flawless performance in demanding games like Genshin Impact and Zenless Zone Zero at maximum settings.
The GameCool 9 cooling system, featuring a 360° SoC Cooling System Gen 3 with a 57% larger graphite sheet, boron nitride, and a vapor chamber, keeps temperatures in check during extended gaming sessions. The optional AeroActive Cooler X Pro, included with the Pro Edition, enhances cooling by up to 29%, adding two physical shoulder buttons, a subwoofer, and a kickstand. While some users report slight heat buildup without the cooler, the system ensures stable performance, with CPU throttling tests showing only an 84-89% performance drop under heavy loads.
Gaming Features: Tailored for Victory
The ROG Phone 9 Pro is packed with gaming-specific features that set it apart. The ultrasonic AirTriggers, located on the right edge, act as customizable shoulder buttons, mimicking console controls. These can be mapped to in-game actions or used as a camera shutter, enhancing versatility. The Armoury Crate software allows fine-tuning of performance settings, including X Mode for overclocking the CPU and GPU, and Game Genie for adjusting refresh rates and capturing gameplay.
AI-powered features elevate the experience further. AI Grabber translates on-screen text in real-time, X Capture automatically records key in-game moments, and AI Noise Cancellation ensures clear voice chat. The AniMe Vision display adds a playful element, allowing users to play retro games using the AirTriggers. While these games are more gimmicky than essential, they showcase Asus’s innovative approach to engaging gamers.
The phone’s audio, tuned by Dirac, delivers rich, immersive sound through stereo speakers, though some reviews note the lack of dual front-firing speakers as a compromise. Support for Hi-Res Audio, Snapdragon Sound, and multiple AptX codecs ensures high-quality audio via the 3.5mm jack or Bluetooth.
Battery Life and Charging
With a 5800mAh battery, the ROG Phone 9 Pro offers exceptional longevity, lasting over a day and a half under normal use and supporting extended gaming sessions. The dual-battery design, positioned around the centrally placed chipset, enhances cooling efficiency. The included 65W charger refuels the battery in under an hour, and wireless charging support adds convenience. The battery retains over 80% capacity after 1000 charge-discharge cycles, ensuring long-term reliability.
Camera System: Surprisingly Capable
While gaming phones often prioritize performance over photography, the ROG Phone 9 Pro’s camera system holds its own. The triple-camera array includes a 50MP Sony Lytia 700 main sensor with a six-axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer 4.0, a 13MP ultrawide, and a 32MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom (replacing the 5MP macro lens found on the standard ROG Phone 9). The gimbal system delivers exceptionally stable images and videos, particularly in low-light conditions. The 32MP selfie camera performs well for casual use. While not on par with flagship camera phones like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, the ROG Phone 9 Pro’s cameras are more than adequate for everyday photography.
Software and AI Features
Running Android 15, the ROG Phone 9 Pro offers a clean, fluid interface with minimal bloatware. Asus promises two major Android upgrades and five years of security updates, though this is shorter than competitors like the Google Pixel 9. AI features, such as the AI Call Translator supporting 10 languages and the AI Transcript in the Recorder app, add practical value. The Armoury Crate and Game Genie software enhance gaming customization, making the phone a versatile daily driver.
Pricing and Variants
The ROG Phone 9 Pro is available in two configurations: 16GB RAM/512GB storage for $1,199/£1,099 and the Pro Edition with 24GB RAM/1TB storage and the AeroActive Cooler X Pro for $1,499/£1,299. The standard ROG Phone 9, starting at $999/£949 with 12GB RAM/256GB storage, offers a more affordable option but lacks the telephoto camera and full AniMe Vision capabilities. While expensive, the ROG Phone 9 Pro’s premium features justify its cost for gaming enthusiasts, though competitors like the Nubia Red Magic 9S Pro offer similar performance at a lower price.
Drawbacks and Considerations
Despite its strengths, the ROG Phone 9 Pro has some limitations. The lack of millimeter-wave 5G support in the US may affect connectivity for some users, and the limited software update window is a drawback compared to other flagships. The camera bump and single bottom-firing speaker have also been criticized, and the AniMe Vision games, while fun, are not a primary selling point. For non-gamers, other flagships may offer better value.
In Summary
The Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro is a triumph of engineering, combining a premium design, unmatched performance, and a suite of gaming-focused features that make it the ultimate gaming smartphone of 2025. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, advanced cooling, and 185Hz AMOLED display deliver a seamless gaming experience, while its refined aesthetic and robust feature set make it a compelling flagship for all users. Though its price and minor compromises may deter some, the ROG Phone 9 Pro remains a top choice for mobile gamers and power users seeking a device that pushes boundaries.
