At CES 2024, Asus takes the gaming world by storm with the unveiling of the Asus ROG Phone 8 and Phone 8 Pro, redefining the boundaries between gaming devices and smartphones. Focused on delivering an unparalleled gaming experience without compromising general phone functionality, these devices are fueled by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. Featuring a striking 6.78-inch display with an impressive 165Hz refresh rate, the Pro edition stands out with specifications like 24GB of memory and a staggering 1TB of storage.
In a groundbreaking move, Asus introduces wireless charging and IP68 resistance to water and dust to the ROG Phone series, marking a pivotal shift in design philosophy. Adopting a punch-hole front-facing camera style eliminates the top bezel, providing users with an immersive display. While this introduces a minor interruption, Asus offers the flexibility to shrink the display area, ensuring an uninterrupted gaming experience.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip takes center stage, unleashing AI-focused features that elevate the phone’s overall performance. The Semantic Search feature processes inputs across the device, delivering search results from the launcher, device settings, and photo gallery. An innovative AI noise-canceling feature enhances voice and video calls, catering to standard communication and in-game chat. The phone’s AI capabilities extend to generating personalized wallpapers based on selected objects, tones, and backgrounds.
The camera system undergoes a significant transformation, featuring a 50-megapixel main camera with a 6-Axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer 3.0 for cinematic videos and photos. Complemented by a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 32-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, the ROG Phone 8 series ensures a versatile photography experience. The Pro model introduces a mini-LED display named AniMe Vision, offering contextual animations, while the standard models showcase an RGB-lit logo.
Despite a slight reduction in battery capacity to 5,500 mAh, the ROG Phone 8 series retains its predecessor’s 65-watt wired charging and introduces 15-watt wireless charging. Wi-Fi 7 support, dual USB-C ports, and the iconic headphone jack continue to cater to the gaming community. The Asus ROG Phone 8 starts at $1,100, with the Pro model beginning at $1,200. The highest-end Pro model, featuring 24GB of memory and 1TB of storage, is priced at $1,500 and includes the AeroActive Cooler X. The phones are set to release in the first quarter of 2024, with an early bird period offering a $100 discount.