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ASUS launches ROG Phone 8 series at CES 2024

Republic of Gamers (ROG) 2024 phones are finally here, bringing us the at CES 2024. ASUS said that the new ROG Phone 8 series handsets are built as all-rounded powerhouses and don’t cater only to gamers, streamers, or content creators. It does, however, have tons of gaming-friendly features. Essentially, it’s for users who love to play mobile games on their handset, without feeling like they need to compromise by getting a niche smartphone. For a start, there are two models: the , and the . The only difference is the backlighting on the rear plate, since their across the board.  The ROG Phone 8 comes with backlighting, while the ROG Phone 8 Pro uses the mini-LED backlights with 341 LEDs. Both are customisable. ROG Phone 8’s Aura RGB offers a selection of solid colours to cycle through. ROG Phone 8 Pro’s AniMe Vision gets more personal with showcase animations that you can choose. The only other difference is that the Pro version tops out at 24GB RAM (LPDDR5X) with up to 1TB storage (UFS 4.0), while the regular ROG Phone 8 maxes out at 16GB RAM and 256GB storage. Otherwise, the phones have similar performance and features. Across the ROG Phone 8 series comes the (clocked at 3.3GHz),  with 20% more thermal efficiency than previous models.  added that it has , like “AI Grabber”. This feature “grabs” in-game text through recognition, making it easier for players to search for online guides by copy-pasting these in-game keywords (e.g., searching for a quest name). It also has AI Wallpaper that’s powered by Stable Diffusion, and other AI mini-optimisations in its Gallery and Settings app. Both phones use a panel with 165Hz maximum refresh rate at Full HD+ resolution (2,400 x 1,080 pixels). It’s topped off with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, supports HDR10, and also enjoys 1-120Hz refresh rate since it’s an LTPO panel. The cameras are no slouch either, with a (Sony IMX890) that offers Gimbal OIS, Quad Bayer pixel-binning, and a low f/1.9 aperture. The accompanying cameras are a 13MP ultra-wide and a 32MP 3x optical zoom camera with OIS. Features include 2x lossless zoom (on the main camera), which “crops” the center portion of your shot to get 2x zoom coverage without losing detail. Notably, the phones are geared towards gaming conveniences, much like their predecessors. Its GameCool 8 thermals is an (if you include the AeroActive X attachment, which is included in the box) with console-like AirTrigger controls. ASUS also upgraded its resistance rating to IP68, making it more resilient against water and dust than before.  Other perks that aren’t peddled about (but may be of interest) are the phones’ 3.5mm headphone jack with 384kHz/32-bit output, Wi-Fi 7 support, dual-5G SIM with dual-standby, a 5,500mAh battery paired with a 65W charging adapter, and Bluetooth 5.3 with support for AptX and AptX Lossless. The ROG Phone 8 starts at US$1,099 (12GB+256GB), while ROG Phone 8 Pro starts at US$1,199 (16GB+512GB).  The tricked-out ROG Phone 8 Pro with 24GB RAM and 1TB storage retails at US$1,499. We’ll update again after CES 2024 if there’s local pricing and availability.  . Source: , ASUS ( , )