Asus ROG Phone 7 Review: Setting New Standards For Mobile Gaming

In the fiercely competitive realm of flagship smartphones, ASUS has consistently asserted its position with the Republic of Gamers (ROG) Phone series. The ROG series stands out with its distinctive design and an array of unique features, setting it apart from the homogeneous landscape of mainstream Android devices. The recently launched Asus ROG Phone 7, powered by the formidable Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, showcases a 6.

78-inch AMOLED display with an impressive 165Hz refresh rate, all powered by an imposing 6000mAh battery. In India, the Asus ROG Phone 7 is currently available, starting at ₹74,999 for the 12GB RAM + 256GB internal storage variant. This phone incorporates a distinctive design choice that will resonate with ROG enthusiasts and offers a plethora of features, including an ergonomic side-charging design, AirTrigger technology, an RGB light strip, a tri-microphone noise-cancelling system, and upgraded dual stereo speakers.

The model we received boasts 16GB of RAM and a capacious 512GB of internal storage. Our comprehensive 15-day evaluation covers various aspects, from design refinements to an immersive display, capable cameras, and a gaming performance that sets new industry standards. Asus has meticulously refined the aesthetic of its gaming phone over the years, resulting in a device that seamlessly blends functionality with striking design.

While it retains the recognizable ROG design language, there are subtle enhancements in its specifications. The phone boasts a robust aluminium frame, with Gorilla Glass panels on both the front and back, ensuring it carries an IP54 rating for water resistance. The back panel features a two-tone design, available in Phantom Black and Storm White, adding a touch of sophistication.

We had the opportunity to explore the Phantom Black variant of the device. However, it’s important to note that the glossy upper section tends to attract fingerprints, making a protective case a practical necessity to maintain its pristine appearance. A standout design element worth applauding is the illuminated ROG RGB logo on the rear.

It serves as a visual delight, offering customizable options for displaying a range of colours and lighting effects. Another noteworthy addition is the Aura Glow light strip, which contributes to the phone’s overall gamer aesthetic. Despite its slightly hefty weight of 239 grams, the ROG Phone 7 boasts excellent balance and ergonomic comfort, making it a suitable choice for extended gaming sessions.

The ROG Phone 7 upholds the legacy established by its predecessor, showcasing a 6. 78-inch AMOLED display with an impressive 165Hz refresh rate. Boasting a resolution of 2448 x 1080, this device brings visuals to life with vibrancy and stunning clarity.

The display not only excels in presenting HDR content with exceptional precision and contrast but also elevates gaming to unprecedented levels of smoothness. Even for those not typically categorized as hardcore gamers, everyday tasks such as scrolling through social media platforms become an exceptionally fluid experience. Undoubtedly, one of the most awe-inspiring features of the ROG Phone 7 is its remarkable pair of front-facing speakers, delivering an audio experience that surpasses expectations for a smartphone.

The audio clarity achieved by these speakers is genuinely unparalleled, establishing a new standard in the realm of mobile devices. With the ROG Phone 7’s superior audio output, your gaming and entertainment encounters reach new heights, offering an immersive and gratifying auditory experience. The speakers deliver such exceptional sound quality that you might even contemplate using the device as a portable Bluetooth speaker during lively gatherings or parties, captivating your audience with its robust and crystal-clear audio delivery.

Now, let’s dive into the aspect that truly captures the attention of gamers: the performance of the ROG Phone 7 when pushing graphically intensive games to the limit. As previously mentioned, the ROG Phone 7 conceals remarkable differentiators beneath its surface. At its core, this gaming powerhouse boasts the top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, currently the pinnacle of Android device processors.

Paired with an Octa-core 3. 2GHz processor and an Adreno 740 GPU, the ROG Phone 7 represents a significant leap forward from its predecessor, the ROG Phone 6, in terms of raw power and graphical capabilities. In terms of real-world performance, the ROG Phone 7 lives up to its promising specifications.

Seamless app switching and multitasking are effortless, while graphically intensive games like Honkai: Star Rail, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and Asphalt 9: Legends effortlessly run at a silky-smooth 60fps with maximum settings, all without placing undue strain on the CPU and GPU. App and game loading times are impressively swift, and the gaming experience consistently maintains its buttery smoothness. Although prolonged gaming sessions or high settings may lead to some warming of the phone, the device’s entire design is geared toward effective heat dissipation.

Significantly, unlike a typical smartphone, the ROG Phone 7 maintains optimal performance even after extended gaming sessions. I did not observe any performance drops or throttling, a testament to its exceptional heat management. For avid gamers who enjoy fast-paced titles like PUBG Mobile or immersive RPGs like Genshin Impact, the ROG Phone 7 offers a distinct gaming advantage.

Positioned on the right edge of the phone, two touch-sensitive panels serve as shoulder buttons, enabling quicker response times and enhanced control. These trigger zones can be customized and mapped to on-screen controls, providing a seamless and intuitive gaming experience. While some users may prefer physical buttons, I personally find the haptic feedback when pressing these touch-sensitive panels highly satisfying, adding an extra layer of immersion to the gameplay.

Although the ROG Phone 7 is primarily designed for gamers, it doesn’t compromise on the camera setup. The rear camera configuration comprises a 50MP wide lens, a 13MP ultra-wide lens, and a macro lens. For selfies and video calls, there’s a 32MP front camera.

These cameras excel in everyday photography and video recording, delivering detailed and well-balanced shots in various conditions. The 50MP main camera captures impressive 12. 5MP stills with excellent detail and colours.

It boasts a wide dynamic range, albeit with a slight tendency for oversharpening. While there’s no dedicated telephoto camera, the main camera compensates with its capable zoom capabilities. The ROG Phone 7’s ultrawide camera, utilizing a 13MP sensor with a 120-degree field of view, is decent but not extraordinary.

It lacks autofocus and advanced features but performs well in good lighting conditions. The 32MP selfie camera captures impressive 8MP selfies with natural skin tones and texture, despite lacking autofocus. While maintaining the same 6,000 mAh battery design as its predecessor, the ROG Phone 7 manages to deliver impressive battery life.

Furthermore, the phone incorporates two USB Type-C ports for charging, which not only reduces charging temperatures but also minimizes heat generation during intensive tasks like gaming. In my usage, the device showcased remarkable endurance, delivering a substantial 18 hours of use on a single charge, which included light gaming, media consumption, and idle periods. Even during intensive gaming endeavours with settings pushed to the max, the ROG Phone 7 demonstrated its prowess by providing around 8 hours of uninterrupted gameplay.

The inclusion of dual USB Type-C ports enhances the overall charging experience. The 65W fast charging, while not the absolute fastest, efficiently replenishes the battery, making it a convenient choice for gamers on the move. In summary, the ROG Phone 7 impresses with its gaming-centric features and robust hardware, but it falls short when compared to other flagship smartphones in the camera department.

As such, it’s a specialized choice tailored for gamers and enthusiasts rather than a mainstream smartphone option. Nonetheless, its fundamental purpose remains unchanged: to provide the ultimate mobile gaming experience. Its unparalleled versatility, extensive customization options, and sophisticated control mapping and macro capabilities firmly establish it as a gaming powerhouse.

For gamers in search of a device that can seamlessly tackle the latest games and offer a feature-rich gaming journey, the Asus ROG Phone 7 presents a compelling proposition. .