If I needed to get an Android cellphone and had no qualms in regards to the cash I’d spend, I’d look first on the $1,000 Asus ROG Phone 9, set to launch in January. It’s not simply the efficiency or the multi-textured glass again with embedded LEDs and the touch-sensitive “Air Triggers.” It’s all that mixed. It’s extreme however in all the fitting methods.
The machine packs so many further gaming options that it looks as if the cellphone that might make any would-be cellular gamer giddy. However having it in hand, I can’t suggest it to anybody, not when its poor audio high quality appears like a cellphone that prices lower than half the ROG Cellphone 9’s asking worth, however hey, no less than this cellphone nonetheless has a headphone jack for when you possibly can’t stand its poor audio system anymore.
Asus ROG Cellphone 9
The ROG Cellphone 9 has glorious efficiency and a standout battery life, but it surely would not have the sound high quality or show decision to match different $1,000 telephones.
Execs
- Wonderful efficiency with overclocking X Mode on new chip
- Battery life that may survive hours of gaming and nonetheless have some juice left over
- AeroActive Cooler X slots in properly and would not drain an excessive amount of battery
Cons
- Terrible sound high quality
- Show seems to be alright, however too low decision for its worth
- Many AI options are game-specific
I even have to say that the ROG Cellphone 9 doesn’t include the expanded “Anime” LED lights that you just get with the $1,200 ROG Cellphone 9 Professional. This lets you play a number of arcade video games or run GIFs from the again of the cellphone. Whereas that sounds enjoyable and pointless in equal measures, the bottom ROG Cellphone 9 is actually the identical machine.
I additionally must say upfront that I didn’t get to make use of final 12 months’s ROG Phone 8, however Asus itself famous among the complaints customers had about the earlier 12 months’s gamer cellphone. Gamers complained in regards to the placement and specs of its audio system and the shortage of devoted amps. Followers felt miffed in regards to the meager promised two years of software program updates.
On that entrance, completely nothing has modified. The cellphone solely affords two years of software program and 5 of safety updates. The Google Pixel 9 affords seven years of OS and safety updates. The sound on the ROG cellphone can’t maintain a candle to different $1,000+ telephones just like the iPhone 16 Pro or the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. The sound is tinny and skinny. Even worse, it’s straightforward to dam the audio system along with your palm. That is the type of cellphone that wants headphones. There’s no method you may get across the truth your cellphone might be locked out of latest software program updates after simply two years.
The cellphone’s efficiency has been boosted with the brand new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, which Asus places into nitro-fueled overdrive with on-board overclocking. Sure, this cellphone can get scorching even with its strong thermal programs. You haven’t lived the gamer cellphone life-style till you’ve strapped a large exterior cooler unit to the again of your machine, feeling like a physician desperately attempting to assist a fever-sick affected person obtain homeostasis.
Now that right this moment’s telephones function chips that may rival some low-end PCs, the necessity for PC-level cooling feels all of the extra vital. The ROG Cellphone 9 doesn’t draw as a lot energy as anticipated. The battery life on the ROG Cellphone 9 remains to be up there, and it has the most effective telephones accessible. I might use it for a full day, even after a morning spent gaming.
Asus ROG Cellphone 9 Assessment: Construct High quality and Audio
Asus’ newest gamer cellphone isn’t an enormous revolution from the ROG Cellphone 8 Professional. The Non-pro Cellphone 9 has a shrunken show on the cellphone’s backside rear. You possibly can set this part to point out the time and battery or present an alert if any individual’s calling you. I don’t understand how many individuals set their cellphone screen-side down on their desks, but it surely might sometimes be helpful. It’s as a lot of a novelty as Nothing’s gadgets with rear LED lights, however these gadgets promote effectively sufficient for the corporate to maintain making them.
On the very least, it is a good cellphone to carry. The sloped sides give the ROG Cellphone 9 a extra old-school Android high quality than the most recent Google Pixel 9 telephones. In comparison with your usual iPhone, Asus’ glass again and its vary of textures all assist remind you of the cellphone you maintain in your hand, although inevitably, you’ll must discover a very particular case that gained’t cowl up all the underside LEDs.
The redesigned AeroActive Cooler X Pro is a standout accent, although it might value you $120 further. It slots immediately into the center of the cellphone with out overlaying up any audio system and nonetheless affords entry to the ability button. You’ll undoubtedly hear it going off, but it surely’s not so loud it’s going to distract you from the in-game audio. The cooler provides two further triggers that, mixed with the AirTriggers (which you manually activate in Asus Armoury Crate), act as pseudo-R2 and L2 buttons.
You need to use the built-in Armoury Crate software program to obtain game-specific management profiles. You need to use the triggers for a recreation like Diablo Immortal to choose up objects or convey up the map. This works comparatively effectively; you get drive suggestions and on-screen indicators when utilizing both AirTrigger.
Sadly, that audio is nowhere close to the place you might have considered trying it for such an costly cellphone. It’s someplace between tinny and shallow, even when it could get loud. I in contrast it side-by-side with an iPhone 16 Pro and a Pixel 9 Pro, and Asus’ machine was not something I’d hearken to by itself.
And it appears a pair of headphones is strictly the place Asus desires you to go. The corporate promoted the usage of Dirac Virtuo for spatial sound in headphones. The corporate claims its AeroCase and ChillCase redirect sound from the underside speaker to the entrance, however I don’t have both. The AeroActive Cooler X Professional is meant to combine a loudspeaker, which Asus says is equal to a subwoofer, to reinforce bass efficiency. I didn’t sense the audio was higher with the cooler hooked up.
Asus ROG Cellphone 9 Assessment: Show

In the event you’re paying this a lot for a cellphone, you’d desire a show that may hit the excessive framerates promised by its new CPU. The ROG Cellphone 9 contains the identical 6.78-inch AMOLED show because the Cellphone 8 Professional with a dynamic refresh charge between 1 and 120 Hz. The one solution to get the fabled 185 Hz is by enabling it whereas in a recreation via the Recreation Genie UI. If the sport even helps such excessive body charges, that issues.
The ROG Cellphone helps a really shiny display, a lot so that I might play Genshin Affect underneath direct daylight with virtually no subject. I used to be general happy with the colours on the display, although I additionally need to level out that this isn’t packing the very best decision display. It’s an FHD, 2400 by 1080 decision show. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely is packing a 1440 by 3120 show. A Pixel 9 Professional XL is 1344 by 2992.
Asus ROG Cellphone 9 Assessment: Efficiency

If the ROG Cellphone 9 is doing something, it’s spelling out good tidings for 2025’s premiere Android gadgets from the likes of Samsung and extra. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite ends in among the finest cellular efficiency we’ve seen. It’s been nice in benchmarking, and in-game efficiency is equally spectacular, managing to beat Apple’s newest. It’s ok that we might lastly perceive why Qualcomm deserted its cellular chips’ “Gen 3” monikers and known as it “Elite.”
Together with the brand new chip, my model of the Cellphone 9 included 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage, however in case you go for the “Professional Version” model, you’ll get 32 GB of LPDDR5x reminiscence. They each help an overclocked “X Mode” that reinforces CPU and GPU efficiency (one of many causes Asus suggests you employ the exterior cooler).’
Benchmarks had been essentially the most spectacular a part of the ROG Cellphone 9, particularly operating on the overclocking X Mode. In Geekbench 6, I noticed CPU scores of greater than 200 factors extra in single-core settings and 1,200 factors extra in multi-core settings than the iPhone 16 Professional. If you would like one thing extra apples to apples, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip scored 800 factors worse in single-core and a couple of,700 factors higher in multi-core underneath the overclocked mode.
In 3D Mark assessments like Metal Nomade Lite, the ROG Cellphone 9 outperformed an iPhone 16 Professional by 488 factors. It’s 661 factors higher underneath the identical take a look at. That is all with out thermal throttling, due to the exterior cooling unit. If I flip off X Mode and run it underneath “Dynamic” CPU settings with a acknowledged 1.02 GHz clock velocity, the cellphone hits beneath Apple’s A18 Professional chip. You’ll wish to put it into X-Mode everytime you get right into a recreation and be rewarded with some sturdy efficiency.
The cellphone can simply hit the 60 FPS cap in a recreation like Diablo Immortal. Enjoying Name of Responsibility Warzone: Cellular with all settings set to excessive, I received just below 60 FPS frequently with out hitting any thermal throttling and beneath 40 levels Celsius with out utilizing the exterior cooler.
The brand new 185 Hz refresh charges gained’t come into play until you discover a recreation with none framerate caps and graphics that may let the ROG Cellphone 9 hit these peaks. Video games like Lifeless Cells can stand up to the fabled 160 FPS and really feel a lot smoother than you may really feel on telephones usually, but it surely doesn’t actually change the expertise than in case you had been utilizing it at 60 FPS. The true cause you need excessive refresh charges is for aggressive video games.
Even after I decrease graphical settings in a recreation like Warzone to maximise FPS, I can get anyplace close to excessive sufficient for above 120 Hz refresh charges to matter. That being mentioned, it’s nonetheless a singular function for the cellphone that might make a distinction to these delicate to buttery clean gameplay.
Asus ROG Cellphone 9 Assessment: Software program

I must take a second to debate all of the little further software program touches particular to the ROG Cellphone, a few of which work effectively, whereas others don’t. Armoury Crate is surprisingly helpful, not only for setting your efficiency settings but additionally for modifying the AirTriggers presets. It’s straightforward to make use of and reminds you of the remaining battery life.
I additionally discovered Recreation Genie, which you entry by swiping off the highest left nook of the display, to be quick and responsive. It’s the one solution to activate the AirTriggers in-game or present real-time FPS or temperature information, so it’s good that it really works so effectively proper out of the field.
There’s a lot further packed into the cellphone that you just’ll ultimately discover one thing lower than helpful. The ROG Cellphone 9 doesn’t fall asleep by default. It enters a “Lock contact” mode to darken the display and hold the sport operating within the background. You exit the mode by swiping two fingers, however the cellphone by no means appears to acknowledge the gesture.
Whereas each different machine maker is selling AI as the long run, even when it’s one we don’t need, Asus has as an alternative used AI to automate tedious in-game duties. Sadly, because it presently stands, most of those options solely work with Genshin Affect or Honkai: Star Rail. A few of these options allow you to mechanically choose up objects on the bottom or “velocity up conversations.” To say that they’re ineffective could be lacking the mark. Asus is aware of what number of players have an edge towards the ROG Cellphone, but it surely’s nonetheless lacking out on folks like me, who’ve completely no real interest in a recreation the place a standout function is blowing previous half the content material.
Asus ROG Cellphone 9 Assessment: Battery Life

ROG telephones often boast among the largest batteries on any cellular machine. The newest from Asus incorporates a 5800mAh battery capability (greater than the 5500mAh from the ROG Cellphone 8 Professional), however plenty of software program works on the again finish to maintain issues going even in-game.
Even with the cooler unit put in and operating constantly for hours, then dipping out and in of a number of video games over a full workday, I solely reached 50% battery after 4 hours. That’s fairly spectacular, although, whereas operating on the Dynamic settings to maintain up battery life in off intervals.
Working the cellphone on X Mode saps the battery a lot sooner, much more so in case you’re utilizing the exterior cooler. Nonetheless, after almost an hour of fixed gaming one morning, I used to be solely all the way down to 70%. The battery is already huge, however the background software program is doing the work to take you out of X Mode when not in-game. If there’s every other cause to get the ROG Cellphone 9 past different gadgets available on the market, it’s battery, possibly it’s it.
Asus ROG Cellphone 9 Assessment: Digicam

Asus opted for Sony’s Lytia 700 major digicam in comparison with final 12 months’s IMX890. The ROG Cellphone 9 packs a 50 MP, 1/1.56-inch major lens alongside a .7x 13 MP ultra-wide and a 5 MP Macro lens. Solely the Professional model will get the 32 MP 3x telephoto, however the huge innovation this 12 months is the 6-axis gimbal system that’s speculated to make pictures and movies on the go look that a lot better.


Left: ROG Cellphone 9; Proper: iPhone 16 Professional
I wasn’t in a position to take a look at that stabilization exterior, simply strolling round with video, so I didn’t see something really distinctive in comparison with different high-end telephones available on the market. The 2 different standout digicam options are the “Portrait Video”, which retains a topic framed for a cinematic look, and “AI Panning” which might create a velocity impact whereas conserving a transferring topic in body.


Left: iPhone 16 Professional; Proper: ROG Cellphone 9
These are good distractions, however the precise pictures it could take are good however not distinctive. I in contrast it immediately with an iPhone 16 Professional (which tends to shoot heat), and whereas they had been good and detailed sufficient for informal capturing, I discovered the ROG Cellphone 9’s digicam can lead to some haloing in direct mild and nighttime photographs can look particularly dangerous.
Asus ROG Cellphone 9 Assessment: Verdict

Asus remains to be complicated prospects with the ROG Cellphone 9 Professional and ROG Cellphone 9 Professional Version, the latter having higher RAM and comes with the cooling unit within the field. Nonetheless, because it stands, the Professional version really takes gamer telephones excessive. It features a new “Anime” lighting setup with 648 LEDs in comparison with the ROG 8 Professional’s 341 and ROG Cellphone 9’s 85. This could permit you to add customized GIFs and even play 4 arcade-style video games. Sure, the Professional is a gamer cellphone with video games you possibly can play on the back and front of it.
In comparison with that, the common ROG Cellphone 9 might initially seem to be a forgotten stepchild. Nonetheless, in case you actually don’t look after fancy LEDs, that is the higher cellphone to purchase for its worth. It’s lacking out on 1 TB of storage, however 512 GB is sweet sufficient for many cellular video games until you wish to flip yours into an emulation station (through which case, chances are you’ll be higher off with a mini PC or a strong gaming handheld).
The efficiency is so strong that I wish to give it a greater rating, however the lingering points maintain it again. This cellphone has no proper to sound as dangerous because it does at this worth. The digicam is simply so-so, and the shortage of long-term promised software program updates makes it a tough promote for anyone who cares about conserving gadgets out of the junk heap.
It’s a strong performer, and I’m excited to see the way forward for Android with Qualcomm chips. In the event you merely need the best-performing Android cellphone, that is the most effective available on the market. Simply know you’ll want to make use of headphones to get the most effective audio and likewise lower out the whirring fan jutting out of your machine’s again finish.
Trending Merchandise

Samsung 24â FT45 Series FHD 1080p Computer Monitor, 75Hz, IPS Panel, HDMI, DisplayPort, USB Hub, Ultra Thin Bezels, Ergonomic Design, Height Adjustable Stand, 3 Year Warranty, LF24T454FQNXGO, Black

KEDIERS ATX PC Case,6 PWM ARGB Fans Pre-Installed,360MM RAD Support,Gaming 270° Full View Tempered Glass Mid Tower Pure White ATX Computer Case,C690

ASUS RT-AX88U PRO AX6000 Dual Band WiFi 6 Router, WPA3, Parental Control, Adaptive QoS, Port Forwarding, WAN aggregation, lifetime internet security and AiMesh support, Dual 2.5G Port

Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo, MARVO 2.4G Ergonomic Wireless Computer Keyboard with Phone Tablet Holder, Silent Mouse with 6 Button, Compatible with MacBook, Windows (Black)

Acer KB272 EBI 27″ IPS Full HD (1920 x 1080) Zero-Frame Gaming Office Monitor | AMD FreeSync Technology | Up to 100Hz Refresh | 1ms (VRB) | Low Blue Light | Tilt | HDMI & VGA Ports,Black

Lenovo Ideapad Laptop Touchscreen 15.6″ FHD, Intel Core i3-1215U 6-Core, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Webcam, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi6, SD Card Reader, Windows 11, Grey, GM Accessories

Acer SH242Y Ebmihx 23.8″ FHD 1920×1080 Home Office Ultra-Thin IPS Computer Monitor AMD FreeSync 100Hz Zero Frame Height/Swivel/Tilt Adjustable Stand Built-in Speakers HDMI 1.4 & VGA Port

Acer SB242Y EBI 23.8″ Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS Zero-Frame Gaming Office Monitor | AMD FreeSync Technology Ultra-Thin Stylish Design 100Hz 1ms (VRB) Low Blue Light Tilt HDMI & VGA Ports
