Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro is a true powerhouse in the world of gaming smartphones. Packed with cutting-edge technology and innovative features, this device is designed to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience. Its stunning 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate ensures smooth and immersive visuals, while the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G chipset and 16GB of RAM provide lightning-fast performance.

The ROG Phone 5 Pro boasts a triple camera setup, including a 64MP main camera, 13MP ultra-wide lens, and a 5MP macro lens, allowing you to capture stunning photos and videos. With a massive 6000mAh battery and 65W fast charging, you'll never have to worry about running out of power during intense gaming sessions.

This gaming beast comes with a sleek and robust design, featuring pressure-sensitive gaming triggers and a captivating ROG Vision color PMOLED display on the back. The device also includes DTS:X stereo speakers for immersive audio and supports 5G connectivity for lag-free online gaming.

While the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro may come at a higher price point, its top-tier specifications and gaming-centric features make it a worthy investment for serious gamers.

Design and Build Quality

The Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro showcases a stunning physical appearance with a sleek and robust design. Crafted with a combination of Gorilla Glass Victus on both the front and back, this smartphone exudes a premium feel while ensuring durability. The aluminum frame further enhances its sturdiness, making it capable of withstanding everyday wear and tear. The device measures 172.8 x 77.3 x 10.3 mm and weighs 238g, providing a substantial yet comfortable feel in the hand.

The aesthetics of the ROG Phone 5 Pro are undeniably eye-catching. The glass back features an illuminated ROG logo with customizable RGB lighting, adding a touch of gamer-centric flair. Additionally, the device incorporates pressure-sensitive zones and gaming triggers, allowing for enhanced control and immersion during gaming sessions. On the back, there is also a ROG Vision color PMOLED display, which can display various notifications, graphics, and animations, further enhancing the device's unique look.

Ergonomics and comfort are prioritized in the design of the ROG Phone 5 Pro. The device features rounded edges and a well-balanced weight distribution, ensuring a comfortable grip during extended usage. The placement of buttons and triggers is well thought out, providing easy access and intuitive control for gamers. Moreover, the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack allows for convenient audio connectivity, catering to the preferences of users who prefer wired headphones.

The construction of the ROG Phone 5 Pro exemplifies durability. The Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection on the front ensures resistance against scratches and accidental bumps. The device is also built to withstand intense gaming sessions, as it incorporates an advanced cooling system to prevent overheating. This attention to detail in construction ensures that the device can withstand the demands of gaming enthusiasts and remain in top-notch condition for an extended period.

In conclusion, the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro boasts an aesthetically pleasing design with attention to detail in the choice of materials used. Its ergonomic and comfortable build, along with its durable construction, make it a reliable companion for gaming enthusiasts.

Display

The Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro features a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2448 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 395 ppi. The screen-to-body ratio is around 82%, ensuring an immersive viewing experience. The display supports a 144Hz refresh rate, providing smooth and fluid visuals, perfect for gaming enthusiasts. With HDR10+ support and a wide color gamut, the display offers vibrant and accurate colors, enhancing the overall visual quality. The AMOLED technology delivers deep blacks and excellent contrast levels, resulting in a visually pleasing experience. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, ensuring durability and scratch resistance. The display also boasts a peak brightness of 1200 nits, making it easy to view content even in bright outdoor conditions. Additionally, the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro offers touch responsiveness and features a pressure-sensitive screen with gaming triggers, enhancing the gaming experience. The device also includes features like an anti-reflective coating, adaptive brightness, and a blue light filter, which reduce eye strain during prolonged use. Overall, the display of the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro offers a high-quality visual experience with its impressive specifications and features.

Performance

The Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro is a high-performance gaming smartphone that excels in providing an immersive gaming experience. Powered by the Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G chipset and Adreno 660 GPU, this device delivers exceptional gaming capabilities and performance.

In terms of CPU benchmarks, the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro showcases impressive results. The octa-core processor, consisting of a powerful Cortex-X1 core, three Cortex-A78 cores, and four Cortex-A55 cores, ensures smooth multitasking performance and efficient app loading speeds. The device's processor efficiency is evident in its ability to handle resource-intensive tasks with ease, providing a lag-free and smooth user experience.

When it comes to GPU benchmarks, the Adreno 660 GPU stands out with its exceptional graphics scores. With its advanced rendering capabilities, the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro delivers stunning visual effects and realistic graphics in games. The device's GPU efficiency ensures that games run smoothly, even in demanding scenarios, offering an immersive gaming experience.

The Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro's system optimization plays a vital role in its outstanding performance. The device is equipped with 16GB of RAM, allowing for seamless multitasking and quick app switching. The combination of the powerful chipset, GPU, and ample RAM ensures that the device can handle even the most demanding games and applications without any lag or slowdown.

Thermal management is another area where the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro excels. The device incorporates an advanced cooling system that effectively dissipates heat during extended gaming sessions. This ensures that the device maintains optimal performance levels without overheating, allowing users to enjoy prolonged gaming sessions without any performance degradation.

In benchmark tests, the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro consistently achieves impressive scores. Synthetic benchmarks highlight the device's exceptional performance metrics, showcasing its prowess in handling demanding tasks and resource-intensive games. Gaming benchmarks further emphasize the device's ability to deliver high frame rates and smooth gameplay, making it a top choice for mobile gamers.

Overall, the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro's performance is exceptional, thanks to its powerful chipset, GPU, efficient processor, and robust thermal management. Whether it's CPU benchmarks, GPU benchmarks, or gaming benchmarks, this device consistently delivers outstanding results. With its smooth user experience, lag-free performance, and impressive system optimization, the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro is undoubtedly a top-tier gaming smartphone that caters to the needs of avid mobile gamers.

Software and User Interface

The software of the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro runs on Android 11 with the ROG UI skin on top. This combination provides users with a familiar and user-friendly interface while also offering a range of customization options. The ROG UI adds a unique touch to the operating system, with custom icons, themes, and wallpapers that enhance the gaming-focused aesthetic of the device.

One notable aspect of the software is the absence of excessive pre-installed apps or bloatware. This ensures that users have a clean and clutter-free experience right out of the box, without unnecessary apps taking up storage space or causing performance issues. The focus on delivering a streamlined experience is particularly important for gamers who prioritize smooth and uninterrupted gameplay.

The software also includes some gaming-specific features that enhance the overall gaming experience. The ROG Phone 5 Pro comes with pressure-sensitive zones and gaming triggers, allowing users to customize their gaming controls for a more immersive gameplay experience. Additionally, the device features a ROG Vision color PMOLED display on the back, which can be customized to display various visual effects, notifications, and animations, further enhancing the gaming aesthetic.

Overall, the software of the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro offers a blend of user-friendliness, customization options, and gaming-specific features. The clean and bloatware-free interface ensures a smooth and efficient user experience, while the ROG UI skin adds a touch of uniqueness and gaming-centric visual appeal. Whether you're a casual mobile gamer or a hardcore gaming enthusiast, the software on the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro is designed to enhance your gaming experience and provide a seamless user interface.

Camera

The Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro boasts an impressive camera setup that caters to the needs of photography enthusiasts. The main camera features a 64-megapixel lens with a wide aperture of f/1.8, ensuring excellent low-light sensitivity and depth of field. The 26mm focal length allows for versatile shooting, whether it's capturing expansive landscapes or up-close details. The large sensor size of 1/1.73" enables enhanced image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions.

When it comes to daylight photography, the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro delivers exceptional results with its ability to capture natural colors and sharpness. The camera's dynamic range ensures that both highlights and shadows are well-balanced, resulting in well-exposed images. Additionally, the phone's image stabilization technology helps reduce any blurring caused by hand movements, ensuring crisp and clear photos.

Indoor photography is also impressive, thanks to the camera's low-light performance. The Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro excels in capturing details and minimizing noise in dimly lit environments. It also features a dedicated night mode that further enhances low-light sensitivity and reduces noise for stunning night photography.

The camera offers various features to enhance creativity, including portrait mode, HDR, and panorama mode. The pro mode allows users to have full control over settings such as ISO, shutter speed, and white balance. AI scene recognition intelligently identifies different scenes and adjusts settings accordingly for optimal results.

For video recording, the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro supports 4K video with excellent video stabilization, ensuring smooth and steady footage. Slow-motion video and time-lapse options are also available, providing additional creative possibilities. The phone supports various video formats, catering to different user preferences.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro offers a wide range of connectivity options to ensure seamless and fast communication. With its 5G network compatibility, users can experience lightning-fast data speeds for downloading, streaming, and gaming. The device also supports dual SIM functionality, allowing users to use two SIM cards simultaneously for added convenience. When it comes to wireless connectivity, the phone supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, ensuring compatibility with the latest Wi-Fi standards. Bluetooth 5.2 is also supported, enabling users to connect to various accessories and devices with ease. Additionally, the phone features NFC technology, enabling quick and secure contactless payments and data transfer. For physical connections, the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro is equipped with USB Type-C ports, including a USB Type-C 3.1 on the side and a USB Type-C 2.0 on the bottom. This allows for fast charging and data transfer. The device also features GPS and GLONASS for accurate navigation and positioning. Overall, the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro offers a comprehensive range of connectivity options, ensuring that users can stay connected and enjoy a seamless mobile experience.

Additional Features

The Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro comes with a range of additional features that enhance its functionality and user experience. While it does not have an official IP rating for water resistance or dustproofing, it does come with a durable build quality that includes Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and back. This provides protection against scratches and accidental drops.

In terms of storage, the phone offers ample internal storage with 512GB and 16GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and storage for large files. However, it lacks a microSD card slot for expandable storage, so users will have to rely solely on the internal storage capacity.

One standout feature of the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro is its wireless charging capability. It supports Qi wireless charging, allowing users to conveniently charge their phone without the need for cables. This can be particularly useful for gaming sessions where cables may get in the way.

The phone also offers dual SIM functionality, allowing users to use two SIM cards simultaneously. This can be beneficial for those who want to separate personal and work contacts or use different network providers for better coverage.

In terms of sensors, the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro comes with essential sensors like an accelerometer and gyroscope for motion sensing. However, it does not have any additional advanced sensors or environmental sensors.

Overall, the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro offers a solid set of additional features including wireless charging, dual SIM functionality, and a durable build. While it lacks an official IP rating for water resistance and dustproofing, its robust construction provides some level of protection against everyday wear and tear.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro is a top-tier gaming smartphone that offers an exceptional gaming experience. When compared to related gadgets in the market, such as the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and the iPhone 12 Pro Max, the ROG Phone 5 Pro stands out with its dedicated gaming features and powerful specifications.

In terms of specifications, the ROG Phone 5 Pro boasts a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, which provides excellent performance for gaming and multitasking. Its 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate ensures smooth visuals and immersive gaming sessions. The device also features pressure-sensitive zones and gaming triggers, allowing for precise and responsive controls during gameplay.

When comparing it to other gaming smartphones, the ROG Phone 5 Pro offers a unique advantage with its ROG UI and gaming-centric software optimizations. This provides users with a highly customizable gaming experience and access to features like Game Genie, which enhances gameplay performance and offers useful gaming tools.

In terms of camera capabilities, the ROG Phone 5 Pro comes with a triple camera setup, including a 64MP main camera, a 13MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. While it may not have the same camera prowess as the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or iPhone 12 Pro Max, it still delivers impressive image quality and versatility.

In the competitive landscape of gaming smartphones, the ROG Phone 5 Pro stands out with its unique design elements, such as the ROG Vision color PMOLED display on the back. This feature allows users to customize the device's appearance with personalized graphics and animations, adding a touch of personalization to their gaming experience.

When it comes to pricing, the ROG Phone 5 Pro is positioned as a premium gaming smartphone, with a price tag of around 680 EUR. While it may be more expensive than some of its competitors, the device's dedicated gaming features and powerful performance make it a worthwhile investment for avid gamers seeking the best gaming experience on a mobile device.

Overall, the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro offers a compelling package for gaming enthusiasts, with its powerful specifications, dedicated gaming features, and unique design elements, setting it apart from other related devices in the market.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro is undeniably a top-tier gaming smartphone that offers an immersive gaming experience. Its 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a high refresh rate and HDR10+ support delivers stunning visuals. The powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G chipset and ample 16GB of RAM ensure smooth performance even during intense gaming sessions. The triple camera setup captures detailed photos and videos, while the 6000mAh battery provides long-lasting power. The inclusion of gaming triggers and the ROG Vision color PMOLED display on the back further enhance the gaming experience. However, for non-gamers, the phone may seem overkill. Overall, if you're a serious mobile gamer, the Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro is a solid choice that delivers exceptional gaming performance.