Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate: A Gamers Dream or Just Another High-Price Phone in 2023?

Asus stands out as the sole manufacturer in India still offering substantial, high-performance gaming smartphones. The ROG Phone 7 series has made its debut at an opportune moment, equipped with the newest flagship Qualcomm SoC, demonstrating that the Taiwanese company remains devoted to innovation despite a slowdown from competitors. Nevertheless, is a gaming smartphone truly essential in 2023, or would a more conventional phone that is slightly less powerful yet significantly more affordable and portable bring you more satisfaction?

If you’re acquainted with earlier Asus ROG Phone iterations, you’ll recognize that the company has adhered to its established formula regarding design and functionality. There are no groundbreaking changes or features present. Two models have been introduced – the standard ROG Phone 7 and the ROG 7 Ultimate, which boasts enhanced RAM and storage, a small PMOLED display on the rear, and a vent that can open for improved cooling (details to follow). The Ultimate edition arrives in a more ornate package and includes the AeroActive Cooler 7. This version is exclusively available in a silvery-white matte glass finish, while the standard ROG Phone 7 is offered in Storm White and Phantom Black.

The basic Asus ROG Phone 7 model is priced at Rs. 74,999 in India, while the Ultimate variant commands an impressive Rs. 99,999. The AeroActive Cooler 7 can be purchased separately for Rs. 6,999. Interested buyers can register their interest starting today, but the phones will be officially available for purchase on an unannounced date in May 2023.

Both variants feature the same essential specifications and dimensions. Weighing in at 239g, the ROG Phone 7 is heavy, yet it is marginally lighter than the iPhone 14 Pro Max and only 5g heavier than the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, placing it on par with other flagship devices. A thickness of 10.4mm is reasonable as well. However, you may find either option to be somewhat cumbersome for everyday use. Having experienced various previous ROG Phone models, I can confirm that they aren’t particularly pocket-friendly, and extended reading or typing can become tiresome.

The bezels around the display are quite pronounced by contemporary standards, which eliminates the need for a notch or hole for the front camera, and offers dual front-firing speakers for a balanced stereo experience. Similar to last year’s models, the ROG Phone 7 series includes 6.78-inch displays with a 1080×2448-pixel resolution, a maximum refresh rate of 165Hz, and a maximum touch sampling rate of 720Hz. The newest feature is a peak brightness of 1500 nits and automatic HDR conversion.

The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate (above) showcases a PMOLED display on the back for animations and alerts.

As anticipated, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with its integrated Adreno 740 GPU drives the ROG Phone 7 series, and if you’re investing this much in a gaming phone, you’d expect top-notch specifications. The standard ROG Phone 7 features 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage, while the Ultimate version offers 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Both models have two 3000mAh battery units, which Asus claims enhance charging speed and heat dissipation. It supports 65W USB-PD fast charging, though the included charger is only rated at 30W. There is no support for wireless charging. On the connectivity front, Wi-Fi 7 is available.

Gorilla Glass Victus protects the front, while Gorilla Glass 3 covers the rear. Both ROG Phone 7 variants hold an IP54 rating, although the Ultimate does not maintain this rating when the cooling vent at the back is opened.

This vent is designed to allow the AeroActive Cooler 7, a rather sizable clip-on fan accessory, to physically connect with the phone’s cooling system to dissipate heat. Using it reportedly reduces the temperature of the rear panel by as much as 25 percent, and it does so quickly. Additionally, the attachment features RGB LEDs, a small subwoofer, and four physical trigger buttons.

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The AeroActive Cooler 7 is included with the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate but is not provided with the base model.

What differentiates the ROG Phone 7 from other devices sporting similar high-end components? Primarily, its gamer-centric design, which emphasizes features like front-firing speakers and highly efficient cooling instead of lightweight design. You also have dedicated «AirTrigger» sensors located on the frame for your forefingers, serving as physical controls for gaming. Similar to its predecessors, the phone includes a second USB Type-C port on one side, allowing you to charge while gaming.

Moreover, numerous software enhancements allow users to program AirTriggers, create macros, apply game-specific UI themes, select performance presets, and adjust graphics and other hardware settings. An overlay can display performance metrics alongside estimated battery life. The ROG Phone 7 series introduces vibration mapping and automatic clip recording upon certain input sequences.

On the downside, Asus cannot guarantee that the camera quality of the ROG Phone 7 will rival that of today’s more prevalent premium Android smartphones within this price bracket. The primary camera relies on a 50-megapixel Sony IMX766 sensor, and it is accompanied by basic 13-megapixel ultra-wide and 8-megapixel macro cameras. The front camera is a 32-megapixel unit.

The ROG Phone 7 models aren’t universally appealing. They primarily cater to individuals who prioritize gaming performance above all else. If you are deeply competitive, enjoy prolonged gaming sessions, and intend to utilize the triggers and software enhancements, you are Asus’ intended audience. At this price point, one could acquire a highly capable and stylish modern flagship Android device or even an iPhone. However, for those willing to invest a few lakhs in a solid gaming laptop and upgrade their desktop PCs every few years, the cost of the ROG Phone 7 may not seem exorbitant.