Is mobile gaming such a big deal that warrants a gaming-focus smartphone? Apparently, other than Razer, ASUS seems to think so. At Computex in Taipei, Taiwan, last month, the computer and smartphone maker previewed an interesting phone under its ROG namesake. Called ASUS ROG Phone, it is a 6-inch device designed with mobile gaming in mind.
Driving force behind this intriguing smartphone is the “world’s fastest speed-binned” 2.96 GHz octacore Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Mobile Platform, bolstered by a “gaming-optimized” Qualcomm Adreno 630 GPU. Another interesting bit includes a thing called GameCool vapor-chamber cooling system with detachable AeroActive Cooler for what ASUS described as “extra cooling boost” which will afford sustained blur-free high frame rates while gaming.
The display is an AMOLED item that offers 90Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time with HDR support. And oh, the display has a 18:9 aspect ratio and boasts 2,160 x 1,080 resolution. But those are not really the selling points; real selling points here are the side-mounted ports, two programmable ultrasonic AirTriggers and advanced force-feedback haptics.
It has two charging ports (yes! two!): one at the regular location and another at the side, so you could charge and game without the cable getting in the way. As for the AirTriggers, they are essentially shoulder buttons you find on regular game controllers and they are programmable to function as, say, braking and reverse in the case of a racing game, for example.
However, in place of physical buttons, it uses sensors to register your touch. Very cool idea. A few other features include USB-C ports, 12+8 MP dual cameras, ARCore and Gaming HDR support, ASUS Aura RGB lighting, Aura Sync support, and ASUS HyperCharge direct charge technology that will delivery faster, safer and cooler charging of its 4,000 mAh battery.
In addition, ASUS ROG comes with several optional accessories that will further reinforce its claim as a mobile gaming-focus smartphone. The accessories include a TwinView Dock that will give the phone a second screen, turning it into Nintendo DS-like handheld gaming device, a Mobile Desktop Dock that lets you play games on desktop, and finally a Gamevice controller with WiGig Dock using 60 GHz WiFi for big-screen gaming, wirelessly.
Before you are get all too excited, you have to know there are no words when it will be hitting the market, neither is there an indicative price point. Continue reading for a rundown of ASUS ROG Gaming Smartphone’s specifications.
| OS | Android Oreo 8.1 with ROG Gaming X mode UI |
| Chipset | 2.96GHz specially-binned Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Mobile Platform with 10nm, 64-bit Octacore Processor |
| GPU | Adreno 630 |
| Display | 6-inch 18:9 (2160 by 1080) 90Hz, 1ms response time AMOLED display 550nits brightness Gaming HDR and Mobile HDR supported by dedicate hardware display chip 108.6% DCIP3 and 10,000:1 contrast ratio AMOLED display with Corning Gorilla Glass Bluelight filter for eye care Support Always On Capacitive touch panel with 10 points multi-touch (supports glove touch) |
| Memory | RAM: up to 8 GB ROM: 128 GB/512 GB UFS2.1; Google Drive: 100GB free space (1 year) |
| Network | A version: GSM/GPRS/EDGE; WCDMA/HSPA+/DC-HSPA+; FDD-LTE; TD-LTE B version: GSM/GPRS/EDGE; WCDMA/HSPA+/DC-HSPA+; TD-SCDMA; CDMA 2000; FDD-LTE; TD-LTE Data rate LTE Cat13 UL up to 150Mbps / Cat16 DL up to 1Gbps DC-HSPA+: UL 5.76 / DL 42Mbps DL 4CA and UL 2CA supported 4x4 MIMO and CA w/4x4 MIMO supported 5CA 4x4 MIMO up to 1.2Gbps supported A version FDD-LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 28, 29, 32) TD-LTE (Bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41,46) WCDMA (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 19) EDGE/GPRS/GSM (850, 900, 1800, 1900MHz) B version FDD-LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 28, 29, 32) TD-LTE (Bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41,46) WCDMA (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 19) TD-SCDMA (Bands 34,39) CDMA (Band BC0) EDGE/GPRS/GSM (850, 900, 1800, 1900MHz) ASUS phone 4G/LTE band compatibility varies by region, please check compatibility with local carriers. |
| Camera | Rear: Main - Sony IMX363 12MP dual pixel image sensor, /2.55" large sensor size, 1.4µm large pixel size, ƒ/1.8 aperture, 24mm equivalent focal length in 35mm film camera, 6p lens, 83° field of view, Instant cameras switching, 0.03s phase-detection autofocus, 4-axis 4 stops optical image stabilization, 5x light sensitivity low light photos, LED flash, AI photography, RAW file support. Secondary - 8 MP, 120° wide-angle camera - 200% wider view for more friends and scenery in the frame, 12mm equivalent focal length in 35mm film camera Front: 8MP ƒ/2.0 aperture, 84° field of view, 24mm equivalent focal length in 35mm film camera |
| Battery | 4,000 mAh AI & scheduled charging for battery protection |
| Connectivity | Dual band wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, wireless 802.11ad 60GHz, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi direct, NFC |
| Sensors | Rear fingerprint sensor (0.3 seconds unlock, supports 5 fingerprints), Face recognition, Accelerator, E-Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensor, Ultrasonic sensor for AirTriggers and grip press |
| Positioning | BDS/AGPS/GPS/GLONASS |
| Audio/Video | 3.5mm audio jack, dual front-facing speakers, FM radio 5-magnet speaker with dual NXP 9874 smart amplifier for louder, deeper and less distorted sound effect Audio Output: Hi-Res audio 192kHz/24-bit standard that is 4 times better than CD quality DTS (Digital Theater System) Headphone:X™ 7.1 virtual surround sound for headphone support AudioWizard with listening profile Microphone: Triple internal microphones with ASUS Noise Reduction Technology Video Recording: 4K UHD (3840 by 2160) video at 30 / 60 fps for main rear camera 1080p FHD video recording at 30 / 60 fps, slow motion support at 240 fps 720p HD video recording at 30 fps, slow motion support at 240 fps 3-axis electronic image stabilization for rear cameras Take still photo while recording video Slow Motion video (1080p at 120 fps / 720p at 240 fps) ZeniMoji: Live Emoji |
| Dimension | 158.83 x 76.16 x 8.65mm, 200g |
| Others | Water resistance, dual SIM dual standby |
Images: ASUS ROG.
