ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) recently announced the availability and pricing of the new ROG Phone 8 and ROG Phone 8 Pro during its Transcendence event on March 7, 2024. With an emphasis on both style and performance, these new phones boast a slimmer design and better cameras. All of that while still keeping the top-tier performance that we come to expect from a ROG Phone.
Standout Features
As someone who has reviewed ROG Phones before, I can relate to how bulky they generally are. ASUS ROG is changing the way we think about gaming phones by bringing a slimmer design and a more premium flagship feel. Both phones are 15% slimmer than the previous generation, while still keeping its big 6.78″ flexible AMOLED display. This display uses LTPO technology to dynamically adjust its refresh rate from 1 to 120 Hz. It also supports up to 165Hz refresh rate and up to 720Hz touch sampling rate for those intense gaming sessions.
Even with this phone’s slimmer design, it manages to have an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. This is good for you’re waiting for the bus and it starts to rain. You still get the Aura RGB Lighting on the regular model and the new AniMe Vision Mini-LED display on the Pro model.
Gaming Phone At Its Core
While the design changes are nice, this phone is still about bringing top-tier performance for mobile gaming. It rocks the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform coupled with a Rapid-Cooling Conductor design for the best possible gaming performance. Supporting that performance is up to 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage. For extended gaming sessions, this phone supports the new AeroActive Cooler X accessory.
The differences between the regular and Pro models boil down to these:
- The ROG Phone 8 comes with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage and has a glossy glass back with Aura RGB Lighting.
- Meanwhile, the ROG Phone 8 Pro comes with either 16 or 24 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB or 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage and has a frosted glass back with an AniMe Vision Mini-LED display.
Beyond Gaming and Into the Cameras
We all know that cameras aren’t a strong suit for gaming phones. I would even lower my standards in this department a bit because of what the brand prioritizes.
Intending to make the ROG Phone a more accessible device beyond the gamers out there, the ROG Phone 8 Series puts a bigger focus on cameras. Both phones rock a triple rear camera system that consists of a 50MP Sony IMX890 main camera, a 13MP ultrawide camera with a 120° field-of-view, and a new 32MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. This system also includes a new 6-Axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer 3.0 for less shaky photos and smoother videos. These phones also have a 32MP ultrawide selfie camera that can capture more people in the frame for better group selfies.
AI-Enhanced Features That Make Sense
While AI isn’t new in phones at all, it’s only now that the technology is more mainstream than ever. These phones have four gaming-friendly AI features that help enhance your mobile gaming experience:
- Background Mode allows gamers to easily switch a game to the background
- X Capture seamlessly lets you capture that winning kill or that WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER
- AI Grabber lets you extract text directly from games
- X Sense 2.0 offers tips and assistance while you’re playing a game
Pricing and Availability
The ROG Phone 8 with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage retails for P50,995 and comes in two colors: Phantom Black or Storm Grey. Meanwhile, the ROG Phone 8 Pro only comes in Phantom Black and will have two variants available in the Philippines. The 16GB RAM + 512GB storage variant retails for P60,995 and the 24GB RAM + 1TB storage variant (that comes with the AeroActive Cooler X) retails for P75,995. All variants will be available in March 2024.
Early Bird Bundle
Those who will purchase any of the ROG Phone 8 Series phones from March 7 to April 10, 2024, can get a freebie! For those getting an ROG Phone 8 or the 16GB RAM + 512GB storage variant of the 8 Pro, you will get a FREE AeroActive Cooler X worth P4,995. Meanwhile, those buying the 24GB RAM + 1TB storage variant of the 8 Pro will get a FREE ROG Cetra True Wireless (worth P4,510). Head over to this website to get the freebie.
Other Offline Offers
Enjoy flexible payment options with Home Credit’s 12-month 0% interest installment plan when you buy the ROG Phone 8 at any supported branch. If you have an old ROG Phone, you can take advantage of ROG’s Trade-in Program! You can get up to P22,000 off your purchase of the new ROG Phone if you trade in your old one.
What do you think of the ROG Phone 8 Series? Do you agree with the brand’s new direction regarding its phones? Sound off in the comments!