In the booming gaming smartphone segment, Asus has built a solid reputation with its ROG Phone range. The arrival of the ROG Phone 9 Pro marks a major turning point with the first integration of the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the most high-end processor of the moment. This new version offers some funny innovations that are also worth looking into.
Asus ROG Phone 9 price and availability
The Asus ROG Phone 9 is available at a price of 1299 euros in its 16 GB RAM and 512 GB storage version here. The version we tested has 24 GB of RAM for 1 TB of storage.
ROG Phone 9 Pro at the best price Base price: €1,299
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A premium experience right out of the box
Asus takes care of the first impression with packaging that exudes high-end. The box reveals a complete set of accessories: a 65W charger, a quality braided cable, and a rather practical carrying pouch. The AeroActive Cooler X Pro ventilation system, included in the special edition, adds an extra dimension with its physical triggers. The quality of the materials and the attention to detail immediately demonstrate the premium positioning of the product.
A design that combines sobriety and functionality
The ROG Phone 9 Pro surprises with its discretion. No more flashy designs, Asus opts for an elegant matte finish on the rear glass. The sober lines and the aluminum chassis give the smartphone a premium look that does not betray its gaming vocation. Only the backlit ROG logo and the AniMe Vision system recall its nature. It will obviously be possible to personalize it and turn it off during a sudden desire for sobriety.
The ergonomic design deserves a special mention. The off-center USB-C port and the second side port make charging easier during gaming sessions. The presence of a 3.5mm jack will delight audio purists. Be careful, however: without a case, the smartphone is particularly slippery.
Performance that redefines standards
The Snapdragon 8 Elite debuts in the ROG Phone 9 Pro, and the results are spectacular. The benchmarks place this smartphone ahead of the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The maximum configuration with 24 GB of RAM provides absolute fluidity even in the most demanding games. This power is particularly felt in titles like Genshin Impact or Diablo Immortal, which run with all settings at maximum without the slightest slowdown.
The redesigned cooling system now places the processor in the center, surrounded by two batteries. This innovation, coupled with a 57% larger graphite sheet, maintains optimal performance even under intensive use. Real-world testing shows excellent thermal management, even after several hours of consecutive gaming.
The AeroActive Cooler X Pro, with its enlarged fan blades, provides welcome additional cooling. It allows you to activate X Mode Plus, a real overclock that further pushes the limits of performance. The two additional physical buttons it adds enrich the gaming experience, while its integrated subwoofer improves sound immersion.
Autonomy that beats high scores
Battery life is perhaps the biggest achievement of the ROG Phone 9 Pro. With a 5800 mAh battery, it sets a new record for daily autonomy. We were able to last 2 days of intensive use, where the most durable smartphones usually require a recharge per day. In intensive gaming use, the smartphone easily lasts 8 to 10 hours, a remarkable performance.
65W fast charging brilliantly completes this picture: 37% battery in 15 minutes, 74% in 30 minutes. 15W wireless charging, while more modest, offers a practical alternative. Bypass charging mode, which directly powers the phone without going through the battery during gaming sessions, preserves its health. This feature, unique on the market, demonstrates Asus’ attention to detail.
A screen designed for performance
The 6.78-inch AMOLED screen pushes the limits with its 185 Hz refresh rate. Although few games currently exploit this capacity, it prepares for the future. The exceptional brightness and extensive color coverage make it one of the best screens on the market, just behind the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The color calibration can be finely adjusted according to individual preferences, with several pre-established profiles.
720Hz touch responsiveness ensures absolute precision in competitive gaming. The adaptive refresh rate optimizes energy consumption while maintaining optimal fluidity depending on the content displayed.
High-end all the way to WiFi
WiFi 7 support guarantees impressive theoretical speeds and minimal latency, crucial for online gaming. Tests in real conditions confirm excellent network performance, with remarkable stability even in intensive multiplayer, particularly during our tests on Fall Guys.
An experience enriched by AI
Asus innovates with AI features dedicated to gaming. X Sense AI automates repetitive tasks in games like League of Legends: Wild Rift or Genshin Impact. X Capture automatically identifies and records highlights. Air Triggers provide remarkable tactile feedback, transforming the gaming experience when using a controller is impossible.
However, the ROG Tessen controller, sold separately, deserves special attention. Equipped with rear paddles rare in this segment, it considerably enriches the experience. Its extended compatibility with other smartphones and its careful ergonomics make it an excellent addition, even if its use excludes that of the AeroActive fan.
A camera that plays it safe
The 50MP main photo module, associated with a 13MP ultra-wide-angle and a 3x 32MP telephoto lens, delivers shots that lack as much sharpness as they lack punch. The colors lack vibrancy and between the game or the photo, you will have to make a choice here. The improved stabilization nevertheless provides real added value in video. Night mode improves compared to the previous generation, but remains behind the best photophones on the market. The photo application nevertheless offers a complete range of creative modes and an intuitive interface that will satisfy the majority of users.
A promising future, but limitations to consider
The version of Android 15 customized by Asus offers a fluid and customizable interface. The Armory Crate effectively centralizes the management of games and gaming settings. New features in this version include embedded AI features such as real-time call translation and semantic search in photos.
However, the promise of only two years of Android updates disappoints, especially compared to the seven years offered by Samsung. The five years of security updates reassure, but limit the software durability of the smartphone. This restrictive update policy is probably the ROG Phone 9 Pro’s biggest weakness.
Our opinion on the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro
The ROG Phone 9 Pro sets new standards in the world of gaming smartphones. Its record autonomy, exceptional performance and innovative features justify its premium positioning. The sobriety of its design and its versatile capabilities even make it a credible competitor to traditional flagships.
Despite some photo limitations and restrictive software support, it has established itself as an essential reference for demanding gamers. At €1099 in standard version and €1299 for the Pro edition, it offers the best in terms of mobile gaming experience.
Future smartphones equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite will have to redouble their efforts to dethrone this new king of mobile gaming. In the meantime, the ROG Phone 9 Pro reigns supreme in its segment, offering an uncompromising mobile gaming experience that fully justifies its benchmark status.
Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro
€1299
We love
- Exceptional performance
- Record autonomy
- Bypass charging mode
- The AI is pretty useful here
We like less
- The photo appearance is not up to par
