The $1,499.99 Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro Edition is purpose-built for gaming, with powerful hardware that includes an ultra-fast processor and an enormous amount of memory. The phone packs air triggers and custom software for games, and the Pro Edition comes with a clip-on fan to help with heat management and a 65W charger that refuels the battery in under an hour. Beyond gaming, the ROG Phone 9 excels as a general-purpose Android phone, with solid cameras, excellent battery life, and a toughened build. The only things holding it back are a lack of millimeter-wave 5G support in the US, a limited software support window, and a sky-high price tag. Even so, this is the best Android gaming phone we’ve tested, earning it our Editors’ Choice award.
There are three devices in the Asus ROG Phone 9 series, and they share many features. The basic design and hardware are mostly the same; it’s the memory and storage options that differ the most. The ROG Phone 9 has 12GB of RAM with 256GB of storage and costs $999.99; the ROG 9 Pro has 16GB of RAM with 512GB of storage and costs $1,199.99; and the ROG 9 Pro Edition has 24GB of RAM with 1TB of storage and costs $1,499.99. All three are powered by the brand-new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor.
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In addition to the most memory and storage, the Pro Edition also ships with the Asus AeroActive Cooler X Pro cooling accessory and two thin cases. The first case has a large cutout in the center to allow the phone’s rear panel to come into physical contact with the cooler accessory. The second is the ROG Chill Case, which has a vapor chamber on the rear to help cool the phone.
The ROG Phone 9 Pro Edition measures 6.45 by 3.02 by 0.35 inches (HWD) and weighs 8.01 ounces. It’s the same size as its predecessor, the ROG Phone 8 Pro Edition, but last year’s phone is slightly lighter at 7.94 ounces. For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra measures 6.40 by 3.11 by 0.34 inches and weighs 8.22 ounces.
The volume rocker and power buttons are on the right edge and are satisfyingly clicky. These two buttons are flanked by a pair of capacitive air triggers for gaming. These have ROG branding etched into them, making them easy to find by touch. A USB-C 3.2 port sits on the left edge. It supports DisplayPort/HDMI and also works for charging and powering the external AeroActive Cooler X Pro. A second USB-C port rests on the bottom edge, but it is limited to USB 2.0 and is for data transfer and power only. A SIM card tray, speaker grille, and 3.5mm headphone jack are also tucked into the bottom edge.
The front is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, while the back panel uses Gorilla Glass 3. Asus says the phone’s matte frame is made of recycled aluminum. Overall, it feels sleek, sturdy, comfortable, and high-end. It has an IP68 rating, so it can withstand dust and water immersion. The Galaxy S24 Ultra has the same protection from dust and water.
