Gaming phones have always been a niche, but in recent years, they’ve gained traction even in the Philippines. The ASUS ROG series stands as a titan in this space, and the ASUS ROG Phone 8 (Standard Edition) continues to be a strong contender. I’ve been an ASUS ROG Phone user since the ROG Phone 5, then I upgraded to the Batman Limited Edition ASUS ROG Phone 6 when it came out and skipped the ROG Phone 7 since my Batman phone still works like a charm.
However, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 is set to arrive internationally soon. Considering how long it typically takes for previous ROG phone releases to come in the Philippines, many gamers ask: Is the ASUS ROG Phone 8 still worth it in 2025, or should you hold out until the ASUS ROG Phone 9 releases?
The ASUS ROG Phone 8 sports the iconic, edgy ROG design that fans love. With RGB lighting, an angular aesthetic, and a sturdy aluminum frame, cooling vents, and the secondary USB-C port, it screams “gamer” from every angle. The air triggers and tactile side buttons add immersive functionality for FPS games. The 6.78-inch AMOLED display on the ROG 8 delivers a stunning experience. The 165Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and 720Hz touch sampling rate ensure a smooth, vibrant display for any type of content.
But weighing in at 239 grams, it’s significantly heavier than most flagship phones in the market. While this ensures durability and accommodates features like advanced thermal management, it may feel cumbersome for casual users who prioritize portability or prefer one-handed use. For hardcore gamers, the added weight is a fair trade-off for its gaming optimizations, but those looking for a more general-purpose phone may find the design less practical for day-to-day activities.
If you’re looking for the ASUS ROG Phone 8 spec, take a look at the table below:
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile |
| Display | 165 Hz AMOLED LTPO |
| Memory | LPDDR5X 12GB |
| Storage | UFS4.0 256GB |
| Rear Camera | Sony IMX890 50MP 6 axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer 3.0. Wide: 13MP, f/2.2 Macro: 5MP, f/2.4 |
| Front Camera | 32MP RGBW sensor / Pixel binning 1.4μm |
| Wi-Fi | Supports 2.4GHz/ 5GHz/ 6GHz WiFi |
| Battery | 5,500 mAh high-capacity battery, supports Quick Charge 5.0, PD Charging, and Qi 1.3 wireless charging (Type-C) |
The ROG Phone 8 also has other accessories available that enhances gameplay by adding console-like controls, additional cooling, or expanded connectivity options such as ROG Tessen, and the AeroActive Cooler X. However, it’s worth noting that, as with the ROG Phone 6 and 7, many of these accessories must be purchased separately, continuing a trend that started after the ROG 5, which bundled the cooling fan in the box. The ROG 8 includes only the essentials: the phone, a 65W charger, and a USB-C cable.
Will the ROG Phone 8 Last Long?
The 5,500mAh battery offers decent longevity, providing up to 3.4 hours of heavy gaming with demanding titles. 65W fast charging ensures you can quickly top up and return to the action. However, gaming at 165Hz drains the battery faster than anticipated, so keeping a charger nearby is essential for marathon sessions.
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and up to 12GB of RAM, the ROG Phone 8 handles Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile effortlessly. Even on Ultra graphics settings, frame rates stay consistent at 60 FPS, with no noticeable dips during intense firefights. The GameCool 8 thermal system ensures the device doesn’t overheat, even during prolonged gaming sessions. With its X-Mode+ optimization, the ROG Phone 8 minimizes background processes to focus on gaming performance. Warzone Mobile’s demanding multiplayer and Battle Royale modes run smoothly, making the ROG Phone 8 an ideal choice for competitive players.
These features make the ROG Phone 8 an excellent choice for competitive players looking for an edge, especially in fast-paced FPS titles. However, the upcoming ROG Phone 9 with Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is expected to push performance further, especially in efficiency and AI-based optimizations. If you’re chasing cutting-edge specs, waiting might be worth it.
The ROG Phone 8’s AI Tech
The ASUS ROG 8 leverages advanced AI tech to enhance gaming performance and user experience. The AI Boost feature dynamically adjusts CPU and GPU performance based on real-time game demands, ensuring smooth frame rates and minimal latency even during resource-intensive games like Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile or Genshin Impact. The AI also assists with the GameCool 8 cooling system, predicting thermal patterns to optimize fan speeds and cooling efficiency during prolonged gaming sessions. Additionally, features like AI-based motion smoothing improve visual fidelity by reducing stutter during high-refresh-rate gameplay.
This AI integration extends to Game Genie, which uses AI algorithms to recommend optimal graphics settings for various games based on your hardware, saving users time tweaking configurations. While these AI-driven features may not be as revolutionary as hardware upgrades, they significantly contribute to the seamless gaming experience the ROG Phone 8 delivers, helping it maintain its competitive edge even in 2025.
ASUS ROG Phone 8 impressively delivers its all-new AI features that will boost players’ advantage during gameplay. The all-new X-Sense 2.0 assists players in key elements that make the entire experience convenient. For supported games, the X-Sense 2.0 feature will automatically pick up items that the player might not notice, it can also speed up conversation or dialogue scenes, and it even improves character control.
The AI Grabber captures all the text from a screenshot using a small window. The prompt will easily let you know what words it recognizes then you can simply do a web search based on the text without leaving the game screen. It’s an awesome worry-free feature that won’t let you leave the game screen, avoiding severe consequences that might lead to losing all your progress.
The X-Capture is probably my personal favorite. This feature lets AI analyze your game highlights like kills in Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile, or those quad-kills you get in League of Legends: Wild Rift. You will never miss all your memorable plays when gaming on the ROG Phone 8.
As of January 2025, the ROG 8 Standard Edition is priced as low as ₱47,995 from some official retailers for the 12GB/256GB variant. This price drop from its original launch price of ₱50,995, makes it a great deal for gamers in the Philippines, especially since the ROG 9 likely won’t arrive locally until late March to early June 2025.
How Does It Compare to the ROG 8 Pro?
When stacked against the ROG 8 Pro, the Standard Edition holds its ground but shows why it’s the more affordable sibling. The Pro version features a slightly larger vapor chamber cooling system, potentially offering better thermal performance during extended gaming. It also has two variants, the 16/512GB and 24/1TB, compared to the Standard Edition’s 12/256GB, and a 2-inch ROG Vision color OLED display on the back for customizable animations. While these extras add flair and marginally boost functionality, they don’t drastically change core gaming performance. The Standard Edition retains nearly identical hardware for processing and display, making it a better value for gamers focused on performance without the premium price tag.
The ASUS ROG Phone 8 was provided by ASUS ROG Philippines for review purposes.
In case this slipped through the cracks in your social media feeds, don’t miss the ASUS’s ROG Share 2024 – ROG Phone Series promo! Buying an ASUS ROG Phone 8 will let you have up to Php 6,495 worth of free bundle! Since November 28, 2024, the ASUS ROG Phone 7 and ASUS ROG Phone 6 are massively discounted for this promo. Don’t forget to check their official website for more details. The promo ends on January 31, 2025.
ASUS ROG Phone 8
The ASUS ROG Phone 8 remains a compelling choice for mobile gamers in 2025, but the looming release of the ROG Phone 9 makes the decision more nuanced. For those who want top-notch performance without waiting, the ROG Phone 8 delivers on all fronts.
The Good
- Stellar AMOLED display with 165Hz refresh rate.
- Smooth gameplay with Ultra graphics.
- Price drop makes it great value in 2025.
The Bad
- Battery drains faster with demanding games at high refresh rates.
- Heavy design might not suit casual users.
