So, it's time to test the all-new ASUS ROG Phone 9. Or more precisely, the Pro Edition version. In reality, there aren't any major differences in terms of performance: the ROG Phone 9 Pro offers the same power as the standard model. The real distinction lies elsewhere. On the one hand, the design changes slightly. On the other, the Pro version comes with the AeroActive Cooler X Pro directly in the box. An accessory designed to further improve cooling, which we'll come back to later. And above all, this version has more storage and more RAM. This is what justifies the "Pro" label.
A more understated design
With the ROG Phone 9 Pro, ASUS is taking a more streamlined approach while retaining its resolutely gaming-oriented DNA. The design doesn't change radically from the previous generation, but a few subtle adjustments refine the overall look. The back of the smartphone, now made of matte glass, offers a more elegant visual effect and prevents fingerprints. It remains pleasant in the hand, with a soft-touch surface and a very solid feeling.
The matte aluminum chassis perfectly surrounds the device, reinforcing its robustness while adding a premium touch. ASUS plays the card of controlled discretion here, far from the sometimes too conspicuous excesses of the first gaming smartphones. Yes, there are still some visual signatures specific to the ROG range, like the LED screen on the back, but the whole thing remains more refined, more modern, and more in line with everyday use.
Details that make the difference
A little nod to fans of customization: the ROG Phone 9 Pro Edition includes a more advanced rear LED screen, made up of 648 mini LEDs that are invisible when switched off, which can display personalized animations, notifications or illuminated logos. It's discreet, but effective, and it gives the phone that little extra soul typical of ROG products.
Finally, we appreciate the impeccable assembly quality: no play between the parts, no structural weakness, even when you twist the device slightly. The smartphone is also IP68 certified, which means it is resistant to dust and water, a point rarely achieved in this product category.
A top-notch screen
It's impossible to talk about the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro without mentioning its spectacular screen, the true centerpiece of the device. ASUS offers here a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel, in a 20:9 format, perfectly balanced for both gaming and more traditional uses. The display is fluid, precise and ultra immersive, whether you're in the middle of a gaming session, watching a series or simply browsing daily.
The Full HD+ resolution (2400 x 1080 pixels) offers beautiful sharpness, with a density of 388 pixels per inch, more than enough for a clear and pleasant visual rendering. The colors are rich, the contrasts deep, and the whole thing benefits from excellent factory calibration. Added to this is HDR compatibility, for an even more dynamic experience with compatible content. Including a nice catalog of films.
Impressive fluidity for this ASUS
But where the screen really impresses is in the refresh rate. ASUS offers a rate of up to 185 Hz, a rare performance, even in the high-end. By default, LTPO technology automatically adapts the refresh rate between 1 and 120 Hz depending on usage, in order to save energy. For gamers, it is also possible to manually activate 165 Hz, or even 185 Hz in certain games via the integrated Game Genie tool. Another strong point: the touch sampling rate goes up to 720 Hz. In short, the screen captures your every gesture with exceptional responsiveness, which offers a definite advantage in games, especially in competitive or fast-paced titles.
Perfect readability in all circumstances, even in the sun?
In terms of brightness, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro's screen ranks among the best on the market. In automatic mode, it can reach up to 1680 nits, and even more than 2500 nits in HDR depending on the content. The result: no readability issues, even in direct sunlight. The only slight downside comes from the minimum brightness, which is a bit high in total darkness, but nothing prohibitive. Finally, the display remains stable regardless of the viewing angle, with excellent glare management. Whether you're playing, reading, or watching a video, the experience remains comfortable and immersive in any situation.
A big firepower
Unsurprisingly, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro ranks at the top of the range in terms of performance. ASUS is banking on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, a chip designed for demanding users... and especially for gamers. This supercharged version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 pushes the limits even further, with a peak frequency that can climb up to 4.3 GHz. Suffice to say that everything is exemplary fluidity.
Added to this is an impressive amount of RAM, up to 24 GB of LPDDR5X RAM depending on the version chosen. Multitasking becomes completely seamless: you switch from one app to another without ever feeling the slightest slowdown. Even the most demanding games run smoothly, even with settings pushed to the maximum. Enough to quickly juggle between a game, YouTube, and even Tinder if you feel like it.
A war machine for mobile games
In games, the ROG Phone 9 Pro deploys all its know-how. Thanks to its Adreno 830 GPU, the graphics are fluid, sharp, and perfectly stable, even on the most demanding titles like Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile. The smartphone outperforms most of its direct competitors, even during long sessions where others end up heating up or slowing down.
Moreover, ASUS has reinforced the passive cooling system, allowing it to maintain a high level of performance over time. And for the most demanding, the AeroActive Cooler X Pro (included with the Pro Edition) completes the device, providing active cooling and even additional buttons.
An accessory that changes everything
While the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro is already a powerful beast on its own, the AeroActive Cooler X Pro clearly enhances the experience, especially for the most demanding gamers. This iconic ASUS accessory returns in a revised and improved version, and it is included directly in the box with the Pro Edition of the smartphone. A real plus.
Its main objective is clear: to maintain maximum performance during long gaming sessions. Thanks to a thermoelectric cooling system, this external fan quickly dissipates the heat generated by the processor, even under full load. And the result is immediately felt: the phone heats up significantly less, the FPS remains stable, and the gaming experience becomes more comfortable, especially on the most demanding titles.
More buttons and enhanced immersion
But that's not all. The AeroActive Cooler X Pro isn't just a fan. It also features additional physical buttons (rear triggers), which can be customized to offer new control possibilities in games. This is a real asset for those who enjoy competitive games or first-person shooters, where every millisecond counts. The accessory also offers customizable RGB lighting, faithful to the gaming DNA of the ROG range. It's aesthetic, but also functional: it can serve as a visual indicator for certain notifications or in-game actions.
The AeroActive Cooler X Pro installs very easily on the ASUS smartphone via the side port. It's neither bulky nor too heavy, and ASUS even provides a dedicated carrying case to take it anywhere without risk. A small detail that shows the attention paid to the entire ecosystem. The only small downside: the fan can become noisy when running at full power. But if you play with headphones or at high volume, this will not be a problem.
A battery life that lives up to the ambitions of the ASUS phone
When we talk about gaming smartphones, battery life is a key criterion. ASUS has understood this well and equips its ROG Phone 9 Pro with a large 5,800 mAh battery, a figure that exceeds the majority of conventional smartphones.
The result? The phone easily lasts all day, even with intensive use. When browsing the web or streaming video, it can exceed 20 hours of battery life, which is remarkable for such a powerful device. And even when playing very demanding titles, the endurance remains very decent, without having to run for the charger every few hours.
Fast (and wireless) charging
Good news too, charging is fast and efficient. ASUS includes a 65W charger in the box, capable of fully recharging the battery in just 50 minutes. In 17 minutes, you'll already have 50% of your battery back. This is super convenient if you're in a hurry or play a lot in short sessions. And for those who like to ditch the cables, wireless charging is also available, with a maximum output of 15W. It's not the fastest on the market, but it's a welcome extra convenience for everyday use.
A battery life designed for gamers at ASUS
Even with the AeroActive Cooler X Pro plugged in, which consumes a little more power, battery life remains stable and intelligently managed. ASUS seems to have optimized its energy management well, which allows for high performance without sacrificing usage time. In short, whether you're an intensive gamer or an average user who wants an ultra-durable smartphone, the ROG Phone 9 Pro ticks all the boxes when it comes to battery life. And this despite everything the phone offers, such as the numerous artificial intelligence options.
A smartphone that uses AI to help you
The ROG Phone 9 Pro doesn't just rely on raw power. ASUS has also decided to focus on artificial intelligence, integrating several tools designed to facilitate everyday use, even outside of gaming. Among the most interesting new features, for example, we find real-time translation during phone calls, an impressive feature, although still in beta. In simple conversations, the result is already very convincing.
AI is also present in the photo gallery, with an image search by keywords, or in personalization with wallpapers automatically generated according to your preferences. ASUS also offers an automatic transcription function, very useful for taking notes or recording an important conversation. Even games benefit from this layer of artificial intelligence: certain actions can be automated or optimized according to your playing style, via the Armoury Crate application. In short, AI becomes a real ally, and not just a gimmick. It subtly supports the user, improves comfort, and adds a welcome touch of modernity to the ROG experience.
What about photography on this ASUS phone?
On such a high-end smartphone, you might expect a very powerful camera module. But here, ASUS has chosen to prioritize gaming, and this is reflected in the photography. The ROG Phone 9 Pro does indeed feature a triple camera, with a Sony Lytia 700 main camera, an ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 3x optical zoom.
Photos generally turn out well, especially in bright light. Colors are natural, sharpness is decent, and the software processing is fairly discreet. But as soon as the light drops, the limitations become apparent: loss of detail, digital noise, and more pronounced blurring at the edges. The main camera, while stabilized, shows its weaknesses in low light. The front camera performs quite well for selfies, even without autofocus. On the other hand, on the video side, the lack of 4K at 60 fps at the front can frustrate the most demanding.
Quality audio
Fortunately, the ROG Phone 9 Pro scores some valuable points on the audio front. ASUS has clearly paid attention to this area, which is excellent news for gamers and multimedia enthusiasts alike.
The smartphone features two powerful stereo speakers. The sound is very clean, with good spatialization, balanced treble, and a volume high enough to play games or watch a movie without headphones. While the bass could be a little deeper, the overall sound is still very pleasant to the ear.
Another good point: the presence of a 3.5 mm jack port, which has become rare on high-end phones. It offers excellent audio quality with wired headphones, without distortion. And for those who prefer wireless, support for advanced audio codecs like aptX Lossless is there. Audio is a real asset on this smartphone, and it's rare enough to be highlighted.
Technical sheet – ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro
Design & Dimensions
- Color: Phantom Black
- Dimensions: 163.8 x 77 x 8.9 mm
- Weight: 227 g
- Resistance: IP68 certification (waterproof and dustproof)
Operating System
- Android 15
Processor & Graphics
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform – Octa-core, 64-bit, up to 4.3 GHz
- GPU: Qualcomm Adreno 830
Memory and Storage
- RAM: 16 GB LPDDR5X (Pro) / 24 GB LPDDR5X (Pro Edition)
- Internal Storage: 512 GB UFS 4.0 / 1 TB UFS 4.0
Display
- Size: 6.78 inches – Flexible AMOLED (Samsung)
- Resolution: Full HD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels)
- Refresh Rate: Adaptive LTPO from 1 Hz to 120 Hz (up to 165 Hz in system settings, 185 Hz via Game Genie)
- Brightness: 2500 nits (peak), 1600 nits (HBM)
- Color Coverage: 107% DCI-P3 / 145% sRGB / 103% NTSC
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
- Other: Always-On Display, multi-touch (10 points), glove-friendly
Cameras
- Main Camera: Sony Lytia 700 – 50 MP, 1/1.56" sensor, f/1.9 aperture, Gimbal OIS stabilization
- Ultra Wide: 13 MP, 120° field of view
- Telephoto: 32 MP, f/2.4 aperture, 3x optical zoom, OIS
- Front camera: 32 MP RGBW, 1.4μm pixel binning
Video Recording
- Rear video: 8K at 30 fps, 4K at 30/60 fps, 1080p/720p at 30/60 fps
- Slow motion: 4K at 120 fps, 1080p at 240/120 fps, 720p at 480 fps
- 3-axis electronic stabilization
- HDR10+ recording
- Time-lapse, photo while recording
Audio
- Multi-magnet stereo speakers
- 3.5 mm headphone jack with Hi-Res Audio support up to 384 kHz / 32-bit
- Spatial Sound: Dirac Virtuo
- Microphones: triple mic with ASUS noise reduction
- Customizable audio profiles via AudioWizard
Wireless connectivity
- Wi-Fi: 802.11 be/ax/ac/a/b/g/n (2.4/5/6 GHz – Wi-Fi 7 acc. availability)
- Bluetooth: 5.4, with aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless
- NFC, Wi-Fi Direct
Navigation
- GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BeiDou, NavIC
SIM cards
- Dual SIM nano – 5G/4G/3G/2G (compatibility 5G depending on the country and operator)
Mobile networks
- Compatible with 5G SA/NSA, 4G LTE FDD/TDD, WCDMA, GSM (frequencies vary depending on the regional version)
Supplied accessories
- 65W charger
- USB-C to USB-C cable
- SIM eject pin
- Transparent protective case or Aero Case (depending on the version)
- AeroActive Cooler X Pro (Pro Edition version)
- Documentation
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