ROG Phone itself also comes with all the gaming features that are very complete. One full suitcase, this smartphone device comes with a myriad of accessories in a package whose total price is around US $2067.49. The complete package of ROG Phone gaming mobile is truly intended for gamers at the competition level.
Comes with top-class designs and specifications, ROG Phone promises a full mobile gaming experience for its users. Long enough for us to test this device, while waiting for improvements through some OTA updates. And this is our test result for the ASUS ROG Phone.
The Review of ROG Phone For Gaming
Design
Unlike most smartphones, ROG Phone has indeed brought the impression of mobile gaming since the first time I saw it. This device has the impression of a solid and sturdy base stamp that binds this device is glass, with Gorilla Glass 6 in the front section and Gorilla Glass 5 on the back. The contours of the lines in all cross sections of the body of the device look very firm and impress this device as 'the ultimate weapon' for gamers.
The two colors that are the main display of the ROG Phone are the dominant black and copper-colored accents, which are in the upper and lower bezel, also in the rear air hole. To add an eye catching impression, ASUS adds RGB lights to the ROG logo on the back. The color of the lights on the ROG Logo can be customized by users through the settings available in the Game Center application.
Besides that, on the back of the Fingerprint in the middle, and dual cameras arranged in a horizontal position with polygonal shapes and flash lights. Looking a little inside, in the body that has a thickness of about 8.3 mm there is a Vapor Chamber Cooler, a cooling system in the form of a three-layer vapor room that can spread heat and ensure the smartphone is not overheated when playing games or other high activity.
ROG Phone uses a screen with the FullView design concept with a ratio of 18: 9. There is no notch at the top, even this device "confident" appears with a bezel that is quite thick compared to today's smartphones. Because this device itself is present for gamers, thick bezels don't seem to be a problem. Even with a thick bezel, especially for the top and bottom, ASUS can bring stereo speakers mounted on the top and bottom of the screen.
Turning to the physical button placement, the power button and volume are placed on the right side. Not only that, to support the user's gaming experience, ASUS adds a button - Air trigger, it functions as an additional touch control when playing games. To set up Air Trigger, you can use the Game Genie feature, when you start playing the game. Users can map buttons on the screen to synchronize to the Air Trigger button.
On the left side there is a Side Mount Connector slot, which is a combination of a USB Type C Slot and a special ROG Phone slot. The Side mount Connector functions as a smartphone connector to the ROG Phone accessories devices, such as the left, functions as a connector to various accessories such as TwinDock View, Mobile Desktop Dock, ASUS Professional Dock. In addition, on the left side there is also a SIMCard Tray, with 2 Nano SIMCard slots available. There is no MicroSD slot because ASUS has also provided all ROG Phone models with large internal storage media.
On the bottom side, there is a USB Type C and also a 3.5mm jack. For the placement of the microphone there are three sides, top, bottom and right side. While the navigation button can be found on the screen, with the recent arrangement of the app, home, and back.
Specification
ASUS ROG Phone is equipped with a 6.0-inch AMOLED screen with FullHD resolution + 1080 × 2160 pixels. The screen looks clear and bright with excellent color quality. The ASUS ROG screen has a maximum refresh capability of up to 90Hz which is also supported by HDR visual capabilities, and a ratio of 100,000: 1 (one of the highest current). In addition to the color tone, the ROG Phone screen also has Wide Color Gamut support, with DCI-P3 108.6% and SRGB 145% coverage.
Turning to the kitchen runway, this smartphone is certainly powered by Qualcomm SoC, Snapdragon 845 (10 nm) Octa-core CPU (4×2.96 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4×1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) & GPU Adreno 630. For variants we the test is with 8GB RAM memory and 512 GB internal storage.
As for the camera features, the ROG Phone is equipped with a 12 MP main camera (f / 1.8, 24mm (wide), 1 / 2.55 ″, 1.4µm, 4-axis OIS, PDAF dual pixel) and 8 MP wide angle sensor (F / 2.0 12mm, no AF). The ROG camera has video recording quality with a maximum of 4K 60FPS, and is supported with a 3 axis-gyro + EIS stabilization system.
For its battery capacity, ROG Phone is equipped with a 4000mAh capacity battery, and is equipped with Quick Charge 4+ charging with an output of 10V/3A or equivalent to 30W. Sensors in this device are fairly complete, where sensors such as acceleration, ambience, proximity, compass, gyroscope to fingerprint are available.
For an increasingly immersive gaming experience, ROG Phone is also equipped with Hi-Fi DAC with Hi-Res output 192kHz/24-bit, and DTS support (Digital Theater System. Playing games and playing videos using ROG Phone feels satisfying because this device is also supported by stereo speaker.
As for connection, of course, ROG Phone has been equipped with 4GLTE cellular network, Wi-Fi network 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ ad dual-band, which also supports Wi-Gig networks, Bluetooth 5.0 networks, A2DP, LE , aptX HD, location mapping with A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, and USB 3.1Type-C 1 cable connections.
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Software
For this premium gaming smartphone ASUS presents its own UI, the ROG UI, based on the Android Oreo 8.1.0 operating system. Basically, ROG UI is a further development of ZenUI, which added a variety of exclusive gaming features. The default theme from ROG UI has the impression of being dark but powerful.
The gaming features installed in it, such as Game Center & Game Genie. Game Center has various settings and information such as CPU monitors, GPU monitors, device temperature conditions. Through Game Center, users can also set Fan Speed when using the AeroActive Cooler and set the Aura Lighting lights on the RGB logo. In addition, users can also activate the Air Trigger feature through Game Center.
On the ROG Phone there are also several Artificial Intelegent features available. Armed with high computing, available AI features such as OptiFlex, AI Charging, AI Ringtone, SmartScreen. Optiflex is useful for optimizing device performance according to user needs when running light or heavy applications.
AI Charging serves to keep charging in a safe state. Charging will be done quickly or slowly, following the user's habits. For example, during the daytime charging will be done quickly, because the smartphone is always active. Whereas at night or when sleeping, filling is done slowly. This feature is claimed to be able to maintain the life of the battery so that it can last longer.
Another SmartScreen feature that has a function to set the screen remains active when the user stares at the screen. Besides that there is also AI Ringtone that will adjust the sound profile according to the surrounding environment.
Sales Package
For sales packages, divided into two different sales packages. That is for Box sales packages and full set sales packages that come along with a suitcase.
Box Only: Smartphones, Guidebooks & Warranty cards, Adapters, Chargers, Type C-to-Type C USB cables, and AeroActive Coolers.
Suitcase: Aero Active Cooler, GameVice, Case Smartphone, TwinDock View, Mobile Desktop Dock, ASUS Professional Dock, & WiGig Display Dock
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Performance Test
AnTuTu 7
This benchmark application is one of the most used to measure the performance of an Android device. AnTuTu runs a set of tests to assess the performance of the device divided into four groups, namely Graphics, CPU, UX (User Experience), and RAM. In this test, we use AnTuTu 7.
Geekbench 4
GeekBench is a cross platform benchmark that measures the processor performance of a smartphone, tablet and PC device. This application uses a variety of computational algorithms that are widely used in real world scenarios so that they can analyze the performance of a processor when using a single core or multi core.
3DMark
This benchmark is intended to test the performance of the system on an Android smartphone in handling graphics processing. The higher the result, the better the smartphone runs the graphics process. The test that is run is Ice Storm Unlimited.
GFXBenchmark
This benchmark is also used to see an overview of the capabilities of a smartphone in handling graphics processing. There are several scenes available, each of which offers a different load, and also some with different APIs, so we consider this benchmark to represent a picture of smartphone performance in terms of gaming. The test that we run this time is T-Rex Offscreen
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Supporting Accessories and Devices
AeroActive Cooler
AeroActive Cooler is an accessory available in the ROG Phone sales box. As the name implies, this accessory functions as a cooling fan to ensure the ROG Phone is not too hot while playing. This device has a design similar to a tripod mount for smartphones with a similar installation method, namely by pinning up and down when the smartphone is in a horizontal position. At the top of the AeroActive Cooler there is also a USB Type-C slot and also a 3.5mm jack, ensuring users can easily still charge and listen to audio while playing games.
The AeroActive Cooler is connected to the ROG Phone device via the Side Mount connector, and automatically the fan will drain hot air in the back body of the smartphone. At the back there is also a ROG logo that is supported by AURA RGB.
GameVice
GameVice is a joystick accessory available in the ASUS ROG Phone luggage sales package. GameVice itself is a brand of mobile gaming peripherals, and this time it is present exclusively for ASUS ROG Phone devices.
GameVice is connected using the USB Type C slot at the bottom, and can be installed by clamping the smartphone right-left horizontally. After connecting the user can set buttons / key mapping through Game Genie. Gamevice also provides keymaps presets for some popular games, which can be downloaded online. So users don't have to bother synchronizing buttons using keymapping.
TwinDock View
This one accessory is arguably the most sophisticated, because this feature allows the smartphone to appear in two screens. The ROG Phone will be put on an additional modular screen, and users can display more content of course compared to one screen. This second screen has the same spec as the screen on the ROG Phone, with an AMOLED panel measuring 6 inches FullHD +.
This accessory is equipped with a 6000mAh capacity battery, which of course also besides being an additional screen, but provides additional power. Not only that, there are also two stereo speakers that will add to the sound of the ROG Phone to be more magnificent. Uniquely, this device is equipped with buttons that are connected to Air-Trigger also on ROG Phone devices. Users can divide the screen for multi tasking. For example playing games, while looking at maps, or information on Game Genie.
Mobile Desktop Dock
Not satisfied playing the game only on the ROG Phone screen, we can also display it on the monitor screen. ROG Phone is equipped with Mobile Desktop View accessories, which allow users to display content on the monitor screen. Not only that, we can also connect the Keyboard and Mouse, to use like a real Desktop PC. Available input slots are 1x HDMI 2.0, 4x USB 3.0, 1x USB Type C, 1x Display Port, 3.5mm Mic jack, 3.5mm Headphone jack, SDCard, and LAN port.
ASUS Professional Dock
Asus professional Dock is almost similar to Mobile Desktop View, but this device has a portable concept and is simpler. The system is plug and play, where the device is simply connected directly to the ROG smartphone device without having to use power from the adapter.
As the name implies, this device is suitable for productive activities for professional users. With various slots it has, including 2 3.1 Type A USB Ports, 1 USB Type 3.1 C, HDMI Port (up to 4K) and Gigabit Ethernet ports, users can connect smartphone devices with keyboards, mice, monitors, and also LAN cables to their productive activities, wherever they want.
For example when traveling out of town and staying at a hotel, users can simply connect their ROG device with Asus Professional Dock, and can directly be a replacement for PC / Laptop.
WiGig Display Dock
For the Wi-Gig Display Dock, again this is an accessory device that functions as a screen connecting dock from the smartphone to the monitor / projector output. But for this device as the name implies, it works wirelessly. Its use is by cast screen, which is a smartphone connected to a WiGig Display Dock device using a wifi network, then forwarded using HDMI to a monitor screen device.
WiGig Display has low latency so it can display images on the screen with minimal lag. So that users can enjoy the content on the screen comfortably, and also unlimited like using a cable. The connectivity is 60GHz Wi-Fi, with a maximum distance of around 5 meters and a 120 degree transmission angle. With this optimal range, the WiGig display is capable of displaying the contents on the screen with enough speed without lagging, even when playing games.
This device also has a Type A 3.0 USB port, but unfortunately only one port is available. In general, WiGig devices have several USB ports, so users can also connect keyboard and mouse accessories to make it a PC function.
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Camera
Specifically, the camera from ROG Phone is quite promising, where the smartphone carries a dual IMX363 12MP F / 1.8 + 8MP (UltraWide) camera sensor on the back. With two different angles, of course, users can capture images with different perspectives. For the quality is quite good, and almost similar to Zenfone 5Z, which of course the class is also classified as a flagship smartphone.
Both in detail, the color tone and its lighting feel quite balanced. In low light conditions there is also minimal noise. But compared to some of the latest flagship smartphones, the camera features on the ROG Phone are still minimal. For example, such as the Scene Recognition or Night Mode feature, not yet available on the ROG Phone camera menu. Not a deficiency that must be underlined, because ASUS does prioritize this smartphone appears as a gaming smartphone, not smartphone photography.
Besides that, the HDR feature also looks less than optimal. Both when the HDR is off or active, there are no significant changes to the dyanmic range in the results of the photos. Portrait mode looks quite satisfying, where we can capture photos with excellent focus and blur.
For the front camera, this smartphone uses a camera with an 8MP sensor and openings F / 1.8. The quality is also quite satisfactory, both shooting well in bright and dark conditions look very good. It's just that for the front camera the shutter feels a little slow, so often the photo becomes blurry. The user needs to hold the camera a bit until it finishes processing the photo to get maximum results. There is a portrait mode feature that can also be used for the front camera.
For video recording, this smartphone is capable of recording up to 4K quality (60FPS), and has also been equipped with video stabilization. Stabilization is quite capable of withstanding shocks, but the EIS process that works through software makes the results displayed look bumpy. It seems that ASUS needs to provide improvements for video recording, as much as it has ever been presented in the Zenfone 3 series. Here's an example of video recording using the ROG Phone.
Battery
In terms of battery, ROG Phone is equipped with a 4000mAh capacity battery. For the smartphone gaming category, maybe this is still fairly standard. Considering that the middle and lower class mobile gaming smartphone series, the Zenfone Max Pro series has been equipped with 5000mAh. But of course there are other considerations from ASUS for this one product, both in terms of design and supporting features that support it.
We tested the battery capability of the ROG Phone by performing video playback tests with HD 720p quality video and this smartphone can last for 14 hours 10 minutes. Although not as good as the power management on some of the latest smartphones, but with high performance offered even this smartphone is enough to accommodate usage all day.
As for charging the battery runs pretty fast. To charge a smartphone from empty to full only takes 1 hour 33 minutes. For a large battery capacity of 4000mAh, this charging is very fast. The output of the ROG Phone charger adapter is a maximum of 9V / 3A.
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Conclusion
But it needs to be acknowledged that these features still need improvement in terms of software, while for accessories that ASUS presents seems to exceed the expectations of mobile gaming today.
Twin Dock Display, Mobile Desktop Dock, ASUS Professional Dock, is it needed to accommodate mobile games now?
For its function, smartphone flagship gaming, especially for the country, of course this smartphone has no match. Equipped with a very capable runway kitchen, there were no complaints when playing favorite games using the ROG Phone. Moreover, full features, playing mobile games feels more exclusive. It even makes us forget that in terms of image quality, the ROG Phone camera is also very capable, both for photo and video needs. Besides that, charging the battery with accessories for fast charging and large battery capacity adds a plus from the ROG Phone.
Although at the beginning of its appearance, the ROG Phone was confusing to be officially available in the world!, but now the official ROG Phone is easily found in the market. ROG Phone is available at a range of market prices at a price of US $700.49 for 8GB RAM / 128GB internal storage variants, and US $2067.49 of 8GB / 512GB internal storage. As for the full package, the ROG Phone suitcase is priced at around US $2067.49
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