NJHL Review For You: Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro, the Gaming King
- NJHL
- Jul 6
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 8
Today, we’re diving into the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro (Snapdragon 8 Elite), a gaming beast now available for just under S$1,200 on Shopee (link). Is this Budget Gadgets SG gem (at this price!) the ultimate pick for Singaporean, or do Samsung and Apple steal the crown?
We’ll compare it to the Samsung Galaxy S24 and iPhone 15 Pro to find out.
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Why the ROG Phone 9 Pro Stands Out
The Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro is a gaming powerhouse with a 6.78” AMOLED display (185Hz refresh rate, Game Genie-enabled) and Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, offering 45% faster CPU and 40% better GPU than its predecessor. With 16GB RAM, 512GB storage, and a 5,800mAh battery, it’s built for both heavy gaming marathons or multitasking. The AniMe Vision back panel (648 mini-LEDs) delivers customizable flair, and its iF Design Award 2025 win adds style cred. At this price point, it’s a steal for flagship performance.
Key Specs
Display: 6.78” AMOLED, 2448x1080, 185Hz refresh rate, 2500 nits, HDR10, Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite (4.3GHz, 3nm, Adreno 830 GPU).
Memory/Storage: 16GB LPDDR5X RAM, 512GB UFS 4.0.
Battery: 5,800mAh, 65W HyperCharge, 15W wireless charging.
Cameras: 50MP Sony Lytia 700 (main, gimbal OIS), 13MP ultrawide, 32MP telephoto (3x zoom, 8MP output), 32MP front.
Audio: Dual stereo speakers, 3.5mm jack, Dirac Virtuo Spatial Sound.
Gaming Features: AirTrigger ultrasonic controls, GameCool 9 cooling, AeroActive Cooler X Pro (included), X Sense/AI Grabber.
OS: Android 15, ROG UI.
Build: 163.8x77x8.9mm, 227g, IP68.
Price: ~S$1,199 (Shopee: link).Source: Asus ROG official specs.
Performance: Built for Gaming
The Snapdragon 8 Elite crushes COD and Genshin Impact at max settings, delivering a steady 60 fps on long sessions. The GameCool 9 system (graphite sheet, vapor chamber) and AeroActive Cooler X Pro keep thermals 29% lower, though slight warmth appears after 2 hours without the cooler. 16GB RAM handles multitasking—think Zoom, Excel sheet, YouTube, and TikTok—for students. Drivers can map AirTrigger buttons for hands-free navigation, a boon on Singapore’s roads.
NJHL Tip: Use AirTrigger for quick Grab app toggles—swipe gestures make life easier.
Display: Smooth and Bright
The 6.78” AMOLED (185Hz, 2500 nits) offers fluid visuals, from fast pace fps to Netflix & chill. The adaptive refresh rate (1–185Hz) saves battery, dropping to 60Hz for casual use. Gorilla Glass Victus 2 ensures durability, but outdoor visibility in Singapore’s overwhelming sun slightly trails Samsung’s S24 (2600 nits). X users call it “buttery smooth for gaming.”
Camera: Decent but Not King
The 50MP Sony Lytia 700 with gimbal OIS captures stable 8K video, great for TikTok and live streaming. AI Night Vision boosts low-light performance, and Photo Vibe adds Instagram-ready filters. The 13MP ultrawide and 32MP telephoto (3x zoom) are solid but lag behind Samsung/Apple flagships. The 32MP front camera shines for streaming.
Battery: Long-Lasting Power
The 5,800mAh battery lasts 1.5–2 days (gaming, WhatsApp, browsing). 65W HyperCharge reaches 100% in ~45 minutes, ideal for students and grab riders/drivers. 15W wireless charging is slower but handy.
Gaming Features: Unrivaled
AirTrigger: Ultrasonic buttons mimic console controls, mappable for multiple first person shooting mobile games.
X Sense/AI Grabber: Auto-upgrades skills, records highlights and moments automatically.
AeroActive Cooler X Pro: Adds buttons, a 3.5mm jack, subwoofer, and kickstand (not included in the box)
AniMe Vision: 648 mini-LEDs for custom animations.
Comparison: Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 vs. iPhone 15 Pro
Feature | Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S24 | iPhone 15 Pro |
Price (Shopee) | ~S$1,199 | ~S$1,288 | ~S$1,499 |
Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite (4.3GHz, 3nm) | Exynos 2400 (3.2GHz, 4nm) | A16 Bionic (3.46GHz, 4nm) |
Display | 6.78” AMOLED, 185Hz, 2500 nits | 6.2” AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 2600 nits | 6.1” Super Retina XDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits |
RAM/Storage | 16GB/512GB | 8GB/256GB | 8GB/256GB |
Battery | 5,800mAh, 65W wired, 15W wireless | 4,000mAh, 25W wired, 15W wireless | 3,274mAh, 20W wired, 15W wireless |
Cameras | 50MP main, 13MP ultrawide, 32MP telephoto, 32MP front | 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto, 12MP front | 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto, 12MP front |
Gaming Features | AirTrigger, AeroActive Cooler, AniMe Vision | None | None |
OS | Android 15, ROG UI | Android 14, One UI 6.1 | iOS 17 |
Build | 227g, IP68 | 167g, IP68 | 187g, IP68 |
Audio | Dual stereo, 3.5mm jack, Dirac Virtuo | Dual stereo, no 3.5mm jack | Dual stereo, no 3.5mm jack |
Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro: Excels for gamers with 185Hz refresh, AirTrigger, and AeroActive Cooler. The 5,800mAh battery and 65W charging outshine competitors. Cameras are weaker, but not a deal breaker considering the price.
Samsung Galaxy S24: Better cameras (10MP telephoto shines) and brighter display (2600 nits), but smaller battery (4,000mAh) and no gaming-specific features.
iPhone 15 Pro: Superior A16 Bionic efficiency and cameras, but a smaller 6.1” display, 3,274mAh battery, and no gaming controls limit its appeal for players.
NJHL Take: The ROG Phone 9 Pro wins for gamers and value-seekers, while Samsung and Apple suit camera buffs and iOS fans.
NJHL Verdict: 你就好咯?
At ~S$1,199, the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro is a Budget Gadgets SG steal, outpacing Samsung and Apple for gamers with its Snapdragon 8 Elite and gaming features.
Score: 9.3/10 – King for gamers, but casual users may prefer Samsung/Apple.
Where to Buy: Shopee, ~S$1,199 (link). More Tech Deals Singapore on njhl.sg!
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