Last year, the ASUS ROG Phone 8 enhanced its practicality for daily use by incorporating IP68 water and dust resistance, along with a telephoto lens. This time, the focus has shifted to achieving peak performance and cooling capabilities for gaming, while still introducing engaging features. The ROG Phone 9 and 9 Pro are powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite mobile platform, boasting a 45% increase in speed compared to its predecessor.
The upgraded cooling system now features a larger graphite sheet and an enhanced AeroActive Cooler X Pro, which includes bigger fan blades. Accessories have also been improved; the AeroCase now offers a directional audio capability. Its unique design channels sound from the bottom speaker forward, enhancing stereo sound when paired with the top speaker. The AeroActive Cooler X Pro is equipped with a built-in subwoofer that can deliver 2.1-channel audio when activated, along with two physical buttons that correspond to the AirTriggers on the device. The ROG Phone 9 and 9 Pro retain the same AMOLED displays as their predecessors, with the added option of activating a 185Hz refresh rate, although this feature is limited to select games.
A standout feature of the new smartphones is the additional AniMe Vision display located on the back panel, which consists of mini-LEDs. This display allows for customization of the device’s appearance. While a similar feature was available in the previous generation, the current models boast a significantly higher number of LEDs—85 in the base model and 648 in the Pro version—broadening the possibilities for backlight usage. For instance, the ROG Phone 9 Pro can showcase text (in Chinese and Japanese), GIF animations, and even retro games on this distinctive display, including four classic titles like Snake.
The enhanced battery capacity enables a minimum of 4.5 hours of gameplay in intensive mode. According to the manufacturer, after 1000 charging cycles, which equates to approximately three years of daily use, the battery is expected to maintain at least 80% of its initial capacity. A complete charge from 0% to 100% requires 46 minutes. Regarding the camera features, the Pro version includes a telephoto lens, while the standard version is equipped with a macro module. The primary camera utilizes a 50-megapixel Sony Lytia 700 sensor with a size of 1 / 1.56 inches and incorporates 6-axis hybrid stabilization. Additionally, it is important to highlight the presence of a 3.5 mm headphone jack and compatibility with Dirac Virtuo technology. The smartphone has also achieved Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification.
The ROG Phone 9 and 9 Pro are currently available for pre-order, with sales set to commence in China on November 20, followed by Europe, US and UK in December, and the United States in January 2025.