Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro: The Next Level of Gaming Power and Performance

Asus has unveiled two fresh gaming smartphones known as the ROG Phone 6 and the ROG Phone 6 Pro. The primary distinction between the two variants is in the back panel design, RAM, and storage options; otherwise, the specifications and features are largely identical. If you believed that last year’s ROG Phone 5s series was the height of performance, Asus has succeeded in introducing even more impressive features with their new line-up. We’ve managed to catch a glimpse of the ROG Phone 6 Pro, so let’s take a closer look.

In India, the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro will be offered in a single variant featuring 18GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage, priced at Rs. 89,999. The prior ROG Phone 5s Pro and ROG Phone 5 Ultimate (Review) had similar specifications, but it’s still incredible to see a smartphone sporting more RAM than many gaming laptops. The standard ROG Phone 6 will have 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, priced at Rs. 71,999. Neither model allows for expandable internal storage. The standard ROG Phone 6 will be available in Phantom Black and Storm White, while the Pro variant is offered exclusively in white.

The Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro is the initial smartphone introduced in India equipped with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC, which not only boasts greater power than the 8 Gen 1 but also promises enhanced energy efficiency, an essential trait for a gaming smartphone. Asus asserts that they have improved the cooling system in this latest model, and when paired with the optional new Aero Active Cooler 6, it should enable extended gaming sessions without overheating or throttling.

The Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro has a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 back panel

Examining the phone itself, Asus has maintained the core design, as the ROG Phone 6 Pro remains a substantial amalgamation of glass and metal with dimensions akin to those of the ROG Phone 5s Pro. With a weight of 239g and a thickness of 10.3mm, it is quite hefty. Notably, it is now IPX4 rated for splash resistance against liquids, marking a first for a high-end gaming smartphone. This water-resistant feature is also applicable to the standard model.

The expansive display on the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro retains nearly identical specifications to its predecessor but includes crucial enhancements such as a maximum touch sampling rate of up to 720Hz for specific games and a higher refresh rate of 165Hz. It continues to feature a large 6.78-inch AMOLED screen with a full-HD+ resolution, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, and peak brightness of 800 nits. During my brief experience with the ROG Phone 6 Pro, the display appeared vibrant with excellent color saturation and responsive touch capabilities. Several games I tested performed excellently and looked impressive, as anticipated.

The Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro is large and begs to be used with two hands

The ROG Vision OLED display located on the back of the ROG Phone 6 Pro can display various preloaded animations for different notifications, such as incoming calls or charging. The back of the device also features numerous gaming-themed designs including inscriptions and graphics, presented in a tasteful manner that avoids the excessive style seen in earlier generations of the ROG phone.

The unique appeal of the Asus ROG Phone compared to other gaming smartphones lies in its software customizations and additional hardware features. The ROG Phone 6 Pro operates on Android 12, allowing users to select between the Zen UI or a more gaming-centric ROG UI skin. Asus guarantees two OS updates and at least two years of security updates for the ROG Phone 6 series. Each phone has an extra USB Type-C port on the left side of the frame, ensuring that the charging cable doesn’t hinder horizontal gameplay. This port can also power the Aero Active Cooler 6. The ROG Phone 6 Pro is equipped with two Super Linear Speakers at either end, producing impressively loud audio.

The Armoury Crate app offers a wealth of information regarding the phone, alongside many customization options

The Asus Armoury Crate application provides an extensive range of adjustments for individual games. It lets users monitor the temperatures of the CPU and GPU, alter the system’s lighting, and customize the functionality of the phone’s AirTriggers or ultrasonic buttons located along the right side. The latter has gained a new ‘Press and lift’ gesture, enabling users to execute two actions within a game with a single motion.

The Game Genie, the phone’s in-game dashboard, has been revamped and can now be activated through a swipe-down gesture. This menu allows toggling a variety of settings, like adjusting the refresh rate, disabling notifications, activating X-Mode, and much more.

The Aero Active Cooler 6 (left) features a thermoelectric cooling system for better results

The Aero Active Cooler 6 is available for purchase separately and now incorporates a thermoelectric cooling system based on a Peltier chip, in addition to the accompanying fan. Through the Armoury Crate app, users can choose their desired cooling mode. Asus claims that the ‘Frozen’ cooling mode can lower the device’s surface temperature by up to 25 degrees Celsius, though this requires the phone to be connected to a power source. This cooler also features four additional buttons (two more than in the previous model) that can be mapped within certain games. It’s important to note that the new cooler is compatible exclusively with the ROG Phone 6 series and not with earlier models.

The camera setup in the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro has seen enhancements. It boasts a 12-megapixel Sony IMX663 front camera along with a 50-megapixel Sony IMX766 primary camera at the back, devoid of OIS, complemented by a 13-megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 5-megapixel macro camera. In addition to standard shooting modes, the ROG Phone 6 Pro supports advanced capabilities like 8K video recording. While camera quality may not be the primary focus for those interested in this device, it’s commendable that Asus has opted to include improved sensors rather than simply reusing the previous generation’s hardware.

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The Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro gets an upgraded set of cameras

The Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro comes equipped with an impressive 6,000mAh battery (comprising two 3,000mAh batteries) that supports up to 65W fast charging. Although Asus provides its own 65W charger, it is not included in the packaging. Instead, Indian retail units will feature a 30W charger. Asus states that any USB PD 3.0 charger with PPS (Programmable Power Supply) and the appropriate wattage should be capable of charging the ROG Phone 6 Pro at its peak speed. Unfortunately, wireless charging remains a feature that is still not available.

In summary, the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro is an outstanding smartphone that enhances the strengths of the ROG Phone 5s series, which Asus indicates will still be offered in India to cater to buyers seeking a more budget-friendly option. However, is the new ROG Phone 6 Pro a worthy upgrade from the previous generation? Stay tuned to Gadgets 360 for the full review, coming soon.