For years, ASUS has carved a niche in the mobile gaming world with its ROG Phone series, a lineup that’s been a go-to for enthusiasts since its inception in 2018. Fast forward to 2025, and the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro Edition arrives with a bold promise: to dominate the gaming smartphone arena once again. Packed with the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, a jaw-dropping 185Hz display, refined cooling solutions, and even a surprisingly decent camera system, this phone blends gamer flair with everyday usability. But does it truly reign supreme? As a seasoned mobile review expert, I’ve put it through its paces to help you decide if this is the device to power your gaming adventures—or your next all-around flagship. Let’s break it down!

Design and Build: Gamer Swagger Meets Practicality

The ROG Phone 9 Pro Edition refines the understated design shift we saw with last year’s ROG Phone 8 series, striking a balance between bold gaming aesthetics and sleek functionality. Weighing in at 227g, it’s one of the heavier flagships of 2025, but don’t let that fool you—the ergonomics are spot-on. The aluminum frame feels sturdy, while the front boasts Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for top-tier scratch resistance, and the etched glass back gets standard Gorilla Glass protection. An IP68 rating seals the deal, making it dust-tight and capable of surviving submersion in 1.5 meters of freshwater for 30 minutes—a rare perk for gaming phones.

What sets it apart is the upgraded AniMe Matrix mini-LED display on the back. With 648 programmable dots (a big leap from last year), it’s more than a gimmick. Picture this: detailed animations for music playback, incoming calls, or notifications light up in red and white, adding a futuristic vibe. It even doubles as a secondary display for mini-games like Snake, Space Invaders, and a Dino-run side-scroller—accessible via the Armoury Crate app. It’s a playful touch that screams ROG personality.

The ports and buttons are thoughtfully placed for gamers. A side-mounted USB-C port (DisplayPort 1.4 certified) ensures ergonomic charging during horizontal play, while the bottom houses another USB-C for standard charging, a dual nano-SIM tray, and—yes, it’s still here—a 3.5mm headphone jack. That’s a unicorn in 2025! Add capacitive Air Triggers on the right (mappable for gaming or even camera use), stereo speakers split between the bottom and a subtle earpiece cutout, and a premium volume rocker and power button, and you’ve got a design that’s both functional and flashy.

ASUS throws in two cases: an open-hole version that works with the AeroActive Cooler X Pro and a translucent one to show off the AniMe Matrix. A third case (more on that later) sacrifices the LEDs for extra cooling. For daily use, this phone holds up beautifully—gamers and non-gamers alike will appreciate its thoughtful build.

Display: A Gamer’s Dream Screen

The 6.78-inch Full HD+ LTPO AMOLED display is where the ROG Phone 9 Pro Edition flexes its muscles. With an industry-leading 185Hz refresh rate—the highest we’ve seen on a smartphone in 2025—and a 720Hz touch sampling rate, it’s built for precision. Whether you’re pulling off headshots in Call of Duty Mobile or navigating tight corners in Asphalt 9, the smoothness and responsiveness are unreal. Competitive gamers, this is your edge.

Brightness peaks at 2500 nits in Extra Brightness mode, making it a champ in sunlight, while HDR10+ support and a wide color gamut bring games and movies to life with vivid colors and deep contrasts. During testing, I stuck to the cinematic display profile, and it didn’t disappoint—every frame popped. The stereo speakers amplify the experience further. With clear highs, full mids, and present bass, they’re loud enough to fill a room. Want more immersion? Plug in headphones via the 3.5mm jack or go wireless to enjoy 32-bit Hi-Res audio certification—a treat for audiophiles.

For biometrics, you get an optical in-display fingerprint scanner and Face Unlock. Both are fast and reliable, though I leaned on the fingerprint reader for its consistency. This display-speaker combo isn’t just for gaming—it’s a multimedia beast that rivals top flagships.

Performance: Powerhouse Unleashed

Under the hood, the ROG Phone 9 Pro Edition is a monster, driven by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, Qualcomm’s cutting-edge 3nm chipset. My review unit—the Pro Edition—packs 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage, though the standard Pro offers 16GB/512GB. This is overkill for most, but for power users, it’s a dream. Running Genshin Impact at max settings with 60fps? Flawless. Multitasking with 69 Chrome tabs, Netflix streaming, and Spotify in the background? No sweat. Even Android Auto integration was seamless.

The Armoury Crate app is your command center, offering three performance modes: X Mode (max power), Dynamic (balanced), and Ultra Durable (efficiency). Pair it with the AeroActive Cooler X Pro, and you unlock X Mode+ for even higher overclocking—perfect for marathon sessions. Benchmark scores in X Mode were off the charts (see the video for details), and real-world use matched the hype. AI gaming features, like auto-selecting skill upgrades in Mobile Legends or copying text from games, add a smart twist.

Thermals stay in check, thanks to refined cooling solutions. During intense gaming, it gets warm but never uncomfortable—a testament to ASUS’s expertise in heat management. As someone who’s tested dozens of flagships, I can say this outperforms rivals like the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 in raw power and efficiency. It’s a gaming beast with flagship polish.

Camera: A Step Up for Gamers

Gaming phones rarely prioritize cameras, but ASUS has upped the ante. The triple setup includes a 50MP main sensor (f/1.9, OIS, PDAF), a 32MP 3x telephoto (OIS, PDAF), and a 13MP ultrawide. Night mode has improved significantly, pulling off clearer low-light shots than its predecessors. The 32MP selfie camera is sharp enough for game streaming or casual selfies. Video recording tops out at 8K 30fps, with 4K at 120fps and 1080p at 480fps slow-mo options. Stabilization shines, though Hyper Steady mode (full HD only) crops heavily.

It won’t dethrone camera champs like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but for a gaming phone, it’s impressive. Sample shots (check the video) reveal vibrant colors and solid detail—perfect for everyday snaps. Bonus: Air Triggers double as shutter buttons, a clever nod to gamers who dabble in photography.

Battery and Charging: Built to Last

The 5800mAh dual-cell battery is a workhorse. In Dynamic mode, it lasted 20 hours in PC Mark Work 3.0 tests—enough for a full day of gaming, streaming, and browsing. X Mode dropped it to 10 hours, which is fair given the performance boost. Charging is zippy with the included 65W wired charger (full in under 50 minutes), and you get 15W wireless and 10W reverse wired options for versatility.

The real star is Bypass Charging 2.0, which pulls power directly from the charger during plugged-in gaming, keeping the battery cool and extending its lifespan. For late-night PUBG marathons, this is a lifesaver. Battery life isn’t a concern here—ASUS delivers.

Accessories: Gaming Elevated

ASUS’s accessory game is unmatched. The AeroActive Cooler X Pro lowers thermals, adds a subwoofer for 2.1-channel audio, and unlocks X Mode+. It doubles as a stand and includes two mappable trigger buttons. The ROG Chill Case uses liquid cooling and a vapor chamber to slash temperatures by 177%, redirecting stereo sound forward for a dual front-facing setup.

For controller fans, the ROG Tessen (sold separately) transforms the phone into a handheld console with joysticks, a D-pad, and macro triggers. It’s even compatible with other Android devices—a win for versatility. These extras cement ASUS’s authority in gaming innovation.

Software: Android 15 with ROG Flair

Out of the box, it runs Android 15, offering a choice between a stock or an ASUS-optimized experience. Customize everything from volume controls to Quick Settings via system preferences. New AI features—like wallpaper generation, real-time transcription, and call translation (beta)—add flair, though language support is limited. Armoury Crate and Game Genie return, delivering game optimization, real-time hardware stats, and a HUD overlay. Two major OS upgrades are promised—solid, if not groundbreaking.

Verdict: Who Should Buy It?

The ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro Edition is a 2025 titan. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite, 185Hz display, and accessory ecosystem make it the go-to gaming phone for enthusiasts. At 227g and with a camera that’s good but not elite, it’s not the most versatile daily driver. If you’re a serious mobile gamer, this is your dream device—unmatched in performance, cooling, and immersion. For casual users, lighter flagships might suit better, but even then, it ranks among the top five options this year.

Pricing and Availability: Local details are in the video description (as of March 14, 2025).

Final Take: This isn’t just a phone—it’s a gaming powerhouse with flagship chops. Whether you’re chasing frames or cinematic vibes, it delivers.

About the Author: With years of hands-on experience reviewing mobiles, I bring you trusted insights to navigate the tech jungle. My goal? Helping you pick the perfect device with confidence.