Highlights
- Asus introduces a blind photo test for user feedback on the ROG Phone 8’s camera.
- The ROG Phone 8 expected to feature a pro-level camera system.
- Anticipated to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset.
- Predicted specs include 65W fast charging, Android 14 OS, and a large battery.
Asus is surprisingly setting the stage for a potential revolution in smartphone photography with its upcoming ROG Phone 8.
In fact, Asus is so confident in its ability that it is offering users the chance to participate in a blind photo test.
What exactly is Asus cooking with the ROG Phone, a device traditionally known for its gaming-first approach?
Blind Photo Test – A Unique Approach
The ROG Phone 8 is dropping soon and it goes #BeyondGaming with a brand new camera system!📸
Cast your vote and stand a chance to win a brand new ROG Phone!
👉 https://t.co/OEm4TLMe3k#ROGPhone8 pic.twitter.com/avRoDrUK8F— ROG Global (@ASUS_ROG) December 12, 2023
Asus’s recent post links viewers to a blind test featuring several sets of photographs.
The ambiguity surrounding the origin of these photos – whether they’re all taken by the ROG Phone 8 with varying software enhancements or not – is a different matter.
Asus’s approach is multipronged: it not only engages users but also serves as a strategic move to refine their camera technology based on real user preferences.
The feedback gathered from this blind test is set to play a crucial role in shaping the direction of camera upgrades for future Asus devices.
Whether it concerns hardware or software enhancements, the ROG Phone 8 will benefit.
Asus’s New Camera Focus
Now traditionally, gaming smartphones like the ROG series have prioritized performance over camera quality.
However, Asus seems to be changing gears with the ROG Phone 8.
Hinting at a pro-level camera system is a shift that indicates Asus’s intention to make the ROG Phone 8’s camera competitive with other high-end smartphones, like the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro.
Asus does not have the best history with optics, at least with the ROG lineup.
The ROG Phone 6 and 7 maintained consistency in hardware, with the latter harnessing the power of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset.
With the ROG Phone 8, Asus appears to be targeting a more comprehensive upgrade, focusing on enhancing the camera system to match, if not surpass, its competitors in the gaming phone market.
ROG Phone 8 Contest and Expected Specs
But the blind camera test is not all. Adding to the excitement, Asus is offering participants a chance to win the ROG Phone 8.
The handset is slated for a showcase at an event on January 8 at CES 2024.
The company has teased a glimpse of the phone’s design, which shows the improved design, at least from the outline visible in the teaser image.
As for what else to expect, the device is likely to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, positioning it among the fastest Android phones on the market, not a surprise given Asus’ history.
The ROG Phone 8 is confirmed to support 65W fast charging, which is consistent with its predecessors.
The phone is expected to run on Android 14, likely topped with ASUS’s ROG UI.
In terms of storage and memory, it’s anticipated that the base model could start with at least 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage​​.
The ROG Phone 8 might continue to offer a large battery, possibly around 6000mAh, which has been a standard in previous ROG phones.
The usual gamer-centric design and features, including enhanced cooling mechanisms and possibly a high-refresh-rate display, are all expected features at this point.
We’ll know more as the day of launch approaches.
ASUS ROG Phone 8 Series Key Specs
GENERAL
| Sim Type | Dual Sim, GSM+GSM |
| Dual Sim | Yes |
| Sim Size | Nano SIM |
| Device Type | Smartphone |
| Release Date | April 13, 2024 (Expected) |
DESIGN
| Colors | Phantom Black, Storm White |
DISPLAY
| Type | Color AMOLED Screen (1B Colors) |
| Touch | Yes |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 1080 x 2448 pixels, 165 Hz |
| Aspect Ratio | 20.5:9 |
| PPI | ~ 392 PPI |
| Screen to Body Ratio | ~ 82.2% |
| Glass Type | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Features | 1200 nits (HBM), 2000 nits (peak), HDR10+ |
MEMORY
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Storage | 512 GB |
| Storage Type | UFS 4.0 |
| Card Slot | No |
CONNECTIVITY
| GPRS | Yes |
| EDGE | Yes |
| 3G | Yes |
| 4G | Yes |
| 5G | Yes |
| VoLTE | Yes, Dual Stand-By |
| Wifi | Yes, with wifi-hotspot |
| Wifi Version | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Bluetooth | Yes, v5.3 |
| USB | Yes, USB-C v3.1 |
| USB Features | USB on-the-go, USB Charging |
EXTRA
| GPS | Yes with A-GPS |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Yes, In Display |
| Face Unlock | Yes |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, E-Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity sensor, Ambient-light sensor, Ultrasonic sensors for AirTrigger and grip press |
| 3.5mm Headphone Jack | Yes |
| Extra | NFC |
| Water Resistance | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP55 |
| Extra Features | Symmetrical dual front-facing speakers with Dirac HD Sound, 5-magnet stereo speaker, LPDDR5X RAM |
CAMERA
| Rear Camera | 108 MP 1/1.56″, 1.0µm, PDAF f/1.9 (Wide Angle) 13 MP 120˚ f/2.2 (Ultra Wide) 8 MP f/2 (Macro) with autofocus |
| Features | HDR, panorama |
| Video Recording | 8K @ 24 fps UHD, 4K @ 30 fps UHD, 1080p @ 30 fps FHD, 720p @ 480 fps HD |
| Flash | Yes, LED |
| Front Camera | 32 MP 1/3.2″, 0.7µm f/2.5 (Wide Angle) |
| Front Video Recording | 1080p @ 30 fps FHD |
TECHNICAL
| OS | Android v14 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen3 |
| CPU | Octa Core Processor |
| GPU | Adreno |
| IP Rating | IP55 |
| Java | No |
| Browser | Yes |
MULTIMEDIA
| Yes | |
| Music | Yes |
| Video | Yes |
| FM Radio | No |
| Document Reader | Yes |
BATTERY
| Type | Non-Removable Battery |
| Size | 6000 mAh, Li-Po Battery |
| Fast Charging | Yes, 88W Fast Charging |
| Reverse Charging | Yes, 10W |
FAQs
What is the blind photo test by Asus for the ROG Phone 8, and how does it impact future developments?
Asus has launched a unique marketing and development strategy for the ROG Phone 8 by conducting a blind photo test.
In this test, participants view sets of photographs without knowing if they were taken by the ROG Phone 8 or not.
This approach allows Asus to gather unbiased feedback on the image quality, which is crucial for guiding the future direction of camera enhancements in their devices.
This innovative strategy signifies a shift in focus towards elevating the camera capabilities of the ROG Phone 8, traditionally known for its gaming-first approach.
How does the camera focus in the Asus ROG Phone 8 compare to its predecessors?
Unlike previous models in the ROG series, which primarily focused on gaming performance, the ROG Phone 8 is hinting at significant advancements in its camera technology.
The new model is expected to feature a pro-level camera system, aiming to bring its capabilities on par with other high-end smartphones like the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro.
This marks a considerable shift for Asus, which historically has not prioritized camera quality in its ROG lineup.
What are the expected specifications of the Asus ROG Phone 8?
The Asus ROG Phone 8 is anticipated to include top-tier specifications, maintaining its reputation as a high-performance gaming phone.
Key expected features include the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, offering cutting-edge processing power.
The phone is also rumored to support 65W fast charging and run on Android 14, topped with Asus’s ROG UI.
In terms of memory and storage, the base model might start with at least 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
Additionally, a large battery, possibly around 6000mAh, is expected, along with gamer-centric design elements and possibly a high-refresh-rate display.
What makes the Asus ROG Phone 8 a potential game-changer in the smartphone market?
The ROG Phone 8 from Asus is poised to be a game-changer in the smartphone market due to its dual focus on elite gaming performance and enhanced camera capabilities.
With its likely inclusion of the latest Snapdragon chipset and a substantial battery, the phone is expected to deliver top-notch gaming experiences.
Moreover, the shift towards a more competitive camera system indicates Asus’s intent to appeal to a broader audience, beyond just gamers.
What does the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Ultimate Geekbench listing reveal about the processor?
The Geekbench listing indicates the phone will feature an octa-core processor with a 1+5+2 CPU architecture, speculated to be the upcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC.
What operating system will the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Ultimate run on?
According to the Geekbench listing, the device will run on Android 14 out of the box.
What are the Geekbench scores for the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Ultimate?
The phone scored 2,213 points in the single-core test and 7,408 points in the multi-core test, indicating high-performance capabilities.
What chipset will power the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Series?
The ASUS ROG Phone 8 Series will be powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, offering improved performance and energy efficiency.
How does the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset compare to its predecessor?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 outperforms the previous version by 30% and is also 20% more energy-efficient.
What are the expectations for the ASUS ROG Phone 8 at CES 2024?
ASUS is expected to unveil the ROG Phone 8 at CES 2024, set for January 9-12.
While not explicitly confirmed, the inclusion of the ROG Phone 8 is anticipated alongside a range of ROG laptops and PCs.
The device, having appeared on the Bluetooth SIG listings, suggests an upcoming launch.
Fans speculate it will feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, possibly with up to 24GB RAM, and a refreshed design maintaining the side-mounted USB-C port.
What are the specs of the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate?
The ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform, offering enhanced performance and power efficiency.
It features 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512 GB of UFS 4.0 ROM.
The phone also includes a 165Hz Samsung AMOLED display and a 6000 mAh battery.
For cooling, it utilizes the GameCool 7 thermal system with the AeroActive Cooler 7. Additionally, it boasts a 50MP main camera and a 32MP selfie camera​​.
What are the specs of the Asus ZenFone 9?
The ASUS Zenfone 9 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Mobile Platform and comes with options of 8GB or 16GB LPDDR5 RAM.
It offers storage capacities of 128GB or 256GB UFS3.1.
The phone features a 5.9-inch 120Hz Samsung AMOLED display with a maximum brightness of 1100 nits.
The Zenfone 9 also includes a 50 MP Sony IMX766 main camera and a 12MP ultrawide camera.
For audio, it has dual stereo speakers with Dirac HD Sound.
The device runs on Android 12 and is equipped with a 4300mAh battery supporting up to 30W fast charging.
Also Read: ASUS ROG Phone 8 Ultimate Geekbench Listing Spotted: Hardware and Features Revealed
Also Read: ASUS Gears Up for ROG Phone 8 Series Release with New Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Processor
Also Read:Â ASUS ROG Phone 8 Launch Potentially Set for Exciting Reveal at CES 2024