Asus is going big with its latest gaming phones. The ROG Phone 5 series launches around the world this month, costing 799 euros (about $ 950) for the base configuration with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of fast UFS 3.1 storage. Each setup has a 6.78-inch FHD + OLED screen with a refresh rate of 144Hz and a 300Hz touch sample rate. The headphone jack also took a turn after not being absent at the ROG Phone 3, this time with a four-wheeled DAC running for loud sound. (If you’re wondering where the ROG Phone 4 went, Asus has skipped the number four, as OnePlus did, because of the similarities with the word ‘death’ in some Asian languages.)
The most notable changes of the last generation are exclusive to even more expensive configurations, the ROG Phone 5 Pro and Ultimate (of which I published a review) which were released in April for 1,199 euros (about $ 1,420) and in May for 1,299 euros ( about $ 1,583) respectively. Both of these models have dual memory and more memory (from 16 GB in the Pro and Ultimate to 18 GB); comes in limited edition colors; and has two extra ultrasonic touch sensors as the standard model, located near where you can rest your ring fingers while holding the phone in landscape mode. You’ll also get a case and a clip-on AeroActive Cooler 5 fan from the fan with the Pro or Ultimate phone (which adds two more buttons to the fan).
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The new Asus mobile phones are not big differences from their predecessors, although the hardware and software are more refined. I checked the ROG Phone 5 Ultimate, and while it’s checking its promise to be a spec and function smart, it’s going to pay $ 1,580 for it. Even the $ 950 base configuration is not what I would consider affordable.
The Ultimate and Pro feature ‘ROG Vision’, a feature that moves pre-made or custom text or graphics to the rear of its OLED screen. This is a twist on Asus’ ‘Anime Matrix’ effect used in the Zephyrus G14 laptop, so you can personalize your phone as you wish. The standard ROG Phone 5 simply has a ROG logo with background, which some might just find enough.
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I go to all the features in the review. But if you are just passing by and want to know all about the specs, I have attached a handy table for you.
Asus ROG Phone 5 Specifications
| Comparison | ROG Phone 5 Ultimate | ROG Phone 5 Pro | ROG phone 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comparison | ROG Phone 5 Ultimate | ROG Phone 5 Pro | ROG phone 5 |
| Colours | Matwit | Glossy black | Ghost Black or Storm White |
| Price | 1,299 euros (about $ 1,583) | 1,199 euros (about $ 1,420) | From 799 euros (about $ 950) |
| Processor | Snapdragon 888 | * | * |
| OX | Android 11 with ROG UI | * | * |
| Show | 6.78 inch 2448 x 1080 OLED with 144Hz refresh rate | * | * |
| RAM | 18 GB LPDDR5 | 16GB LPDDR5 | 8 GB, 12 GB or 16 GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 512GB UV 3.1 | * | 256 GB UV 3.1 |
| Extra touch sensors | Yes | * | No |
| Rear cameras | 64-megapixel with F / 1.8 aperture, 13-megapixel 125-degree ultra-wide with F / 2.4 aperture, and a 5-megapixel macro lens with F / 2.0 | * | * |
| Front camera | 24 megapixel with F / 2.45 aperture | * | * |
| ROG Vision Support | Yes, monochromatic | Yes, color | No |
| Battery | 6,000 mAh | * | * |
| Embedded charger | 65W | * | * |
| Dimensions | 172.8 x 77.2 x 10.29 mm | * | * |
| Weight | 238 grams | * | * |
| Connections | LTE and sub-6GHz 5G on AT&T and T-Mobile, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 | * | * |
| Included accessories | AeroActive Cooler 5, Aero case | * | No cooler included |
| * represents the same specification as the Ultimate |
Photography by Cameron Faulkner / The Verge