Asus ROG Phone 6 review

For those who’re accustomed to devoted gaming telephones in 2022, one model most likely involves thoughts: Asus.  

The ROG (Republic of Players) Telephone made its debut 4 years in the past, and has since established itself because the go-to handset for cell avid gamers. That’s regardless of fierce competitors from manufacturers similar to Pink Magic, Black Shark and even Poco. 

However even in the event you’re set on an Asus handset, there are 4 gadgets within the newest ROG Telephone 6 Sequence to select from. The common 6 is the second most cost-effective of those, coming in at just below $1,000/£1,000 when paying full value. 

Because it seems, that is the candy spot for most individuals – the additional options on Professional and Final handsets don’t justify the elevated price. Right here’s my full evaluation. 

Design & Construct

• Close to-identical design to six Professional
• Secondary show changed with RGB gentle strip
• Two USB-C ports and a headphone jack

There are many similarities between the ROG Telephone 6 and 6 Professional, beginning with design. However that may isn’t apparent from a lot of the pictures on this evaluation, which present the Diablo Immortal particular version I examined. 

Right here’s what you’ll be able to count on on the common model:

Asus

You’ll most likely be shopping for the common model as an alternative, which shares its Professional sibling’s gamer aesthetic with out being too wacky or garish. Solely being obtainable in black or white emphasises this, though you continue to get some RGB lighting, one thing that not often makes its method to common telephones. 

Nevertheless, not all RGB lights are created equal. The secondary ‘ROG Imaginative and prescient’ show from the 6 Professional and 6D Final is gone, changed by a big gentle strip on the appropriate facet. 

This may be customised in Settings and works in tandem with the small ‘Dare to Play’ brand on the alternative facet, alerting you of incoming calls or notifications. As somebody who usually has their telephone on silent, this was an amazing delicate method to make sure I didn’t miss something necessary.  

After all, it’s not fairly as succesful as that secondary show, which may also be used for battery share and accent particulars. However given the ROG Imaginative and prescient display screen doesn’t help notifications or reply to the touch, I’d argue that is really an improve.  

You’ll discover splashes of color and branding elsewhere on the again of the telephone, however the one different core design factor is the rear digital camera module. It adopts an irregular hexagonal form and extends throughout the highest of the telephone, however I fairly like its quirky design. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

One minor gripe is that it protrudes from the again of the telephone, although that’s fairly ordinary lately and might simply be solved by making use of the case included within the field. Even with out it, there’s no adversarial impact on gaming in panorama mode. 

Essentially the most demanding video games all use this orientation, so it’s nice to see Asus embrace two USB-C ports. Alongside the common one on the backside, there’s one other on the left facet (this turns into the underside whereas gaming). It’s an amazing function, that means you’ll be able to simply cost and play on the identical time. 

However the ROG Telephone 6 has one other port you received’t discover on most 2022 telephones: a 3.5mm headphone jack. It’s nice to nonetheless have the choice for wired headphones, which nonetheless present a superior audio expertise to wi-fi.

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Both facet of the common energy and quantity controls are shoulder triggers, a helpful different to on-screen controls, which may grow to be fiddly at instances. These may be customised to your liking by way of the Sport Genie software program when you boot up a related app. 

As you may count on from a 6.78in gaming telephone, the ROG Telephone 6 is a cumbersome machine. At 239g, it’s an identical to the 6 Professional and one of many heaviest handsets on the market. The scale of that display screen and 10.3mm thickness makes it unwieldly and never simply pocketable, however that most likely received’t come as a shock. 

Show & Audio

• Wonderful 6.78in OLED show
• 165Hz refresh price and 720Hz contact sampling
• Spectacular twin stereo audio system

Let’s discuss that 6.78in display screen, then. Asus has gone for the very same show because the 6 Professional, which displays effectively on this cheaper telephone.  

It’s a 1080×2448 OLED panel, giving it a really particular 20.4:9 side ratio. That makes it a tall telephone, however not fairly to the identical diploma as Sony’s Xperia handsets. 

Nevertheless, the headline function right here is that 165Hz refresh price. It’s the joint-highest you’ll discover on any telephone, alongside the opposite ROG Telephone 6 handsets and up to date Pink Magic telephones. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Nevertheless, I’d suggest setting it to ‘Auto’ mode, which mechanically switches between 60-, 90-, 120-, 144- and 165Hz to assist preserve battery life. 

Mixed with 720Hz contact sampling (what number of instances the show can register contact enter every second) the whole lot feels extremely slick and responsive. Efficiency on this telephone is excellent, nevertheless it’s the show that offers it the true wow issue. 

The display screen delivers wealthy, vibrant colors which actually pop – serving to to reinforce the gaming expertise. Regardless of solely being Full HD, I’ve no complaints in regards to the stage of element on provide.  

It additionally will get impressively vivid, hitting a most of 515 nits throughout testing. I had no downside utilizing the telephone exterior, even when direct daylight is in brief provide presently of yr.  

Inside the show, you’ll discover the principle unlocking methodology: an under-display fingerprint scanner. These have been commonplace in telephones for some time now, and this one is especially spectacular. It’s simple to arrange, dependable and comparatively fast – I couldn’t ask for rather more.

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Alternatively, you need to use face unlock by way of the 12Mp selfie digital camera. It’s extremely quick, however lacks the additional safety of one thing like Apple’s Face ID or the fingerprint sensor. Consequently, I wouldn’t suggest utilizing it as your major unlocking methodology. 

That selfie digital camera is positioned inside some massive bezels by fashionable telephone requirements, however that’s really one of many ROG Telephone 6’s strengths. The absence of any notch offers it a lovely symmetry, whereas having one thing to carry onto whereas gaming is useful.  

Asus has put this space to good use, as you’ll additionally discover twin front-facing stereo audio system. The audio they produce is much superior to most telephones, with nice element and a powerful depth to the sound. One in all these doubles because the earpiece, that means calls are very clear and get a lot loud sufficient. 

They actually add to the expertise whereas gaming, though you’ll nonetheless need to join headphones for the very best high quality. 

Specs & Efficiency

• Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and 12- or 16GB RAM
• Stellar efficiency throughout all duties
• Only a few video games output at 165Hz

Just like the 6 Professional, the ROG Telephone 6 is powered by the 5G-enabled Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip. That is now not Qualcomm’s newest and best, following the discharge of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, nevertheless it stays a supremely succesful chipset. 

When you is perhaps tempted to attend for a gaming telephone that makes use of the 8 Gen 2, there’s actually no want. The ROG Telephone 6 delivers really glorious efficiency, blazing by way of the whole lot I may throw at it with ease.  

After all, that included among the most demanding video games on the Google Play Retailer. Name of Obligation: Cellular was a selected spotlight, with ultra-slick gameplay and shoulder triggers that felt like they gave me the higher hand over opponents.

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

That additionally applies to PUBG Cellular, though there are a number of extra controls there that you just’ll have to grasp. However don’t fear in the event you’re not a fan of fight video games – the likes of Asphalt 9 and FIFA Cellular are simply as spectacular, with not even a touch of stutter or hesitation. 

In all 4 of these titles, the excessive refresh price and 720Hz contact sampling mix for an impressively slick and responsive expertise. That’s regardless of none with the ability to output at that ultra-high refresh price. 

There’s a a lot smaller choice that may, however nothing that can correctly take a look at the ROG Telephone 6. Fashionable informal video games similar to Hill Climb Racing and Subway Surfers have been enjoyable to play, however telephones that price a fifth of the value can nonetheless deal with them wonderful. It’s actually not what you have to be shopping for a devoted gaming handset for.  

It’s price noting that my impressions solely apply to the top-spec mannequin with 18GB of RAM. The most cost effective model is restricted to 12GB, however I’d be very stunned if there was a noticeable drop-off in efficiency. 

Basically, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is taken into account barely extra highly effective than the MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ that powers the ROG Telephone 6D and 6D Final. The benchmarks under actually recommend that’s the case. 

But it surely wouldn’t be a gaming telephone with out equipment, and the ROG Telephone 6 has a lot which can be appropriate. 

The one you’ll most likely need to use is the AeroActive Cooler 6 fan, which attaches by way of the side-mounted USB-C port. That is significantly efficient throughout longer gaming periods, when the telephone is liable to operating on the recent facet. 

It consists of two bodily buttons which can be utilized to manage video games, however I nonetheless want Asus had included a fan throughout the physique of the machine. Nubia’s Pink Magic telephones have proven how efficient this may be – the effort of an additional accent doesn’t appear essential. 

The opposite one you may need to use is the Kunai 3 Gamepad, which delivers an efficient console-esque controller expertise. You may both use it wirelessly like an Xbox controller or connect both facet of the telephone like a Nintendo Change. 

Whereas the mannequin I examined has a beneficiant 512GB of storage, the cheaper model drops all the way down to 256GB. This could nonetheless be wonderful for most individuals, however you’ll want to verify – there’s no help for expandable storage. 

Digital camera & Video

• Respectable 50Mp major lens
• 13Mp ultrawide and 5Mp macro much less spectacular

All 4 ROG Telephone 6 handsets share the identical 4 cameras. That displays the truth that they’re not a precedence on gaming telephones, however among the lenses are higher than you may count on. 

That’s significantly true of the 50Mp major sensor, which delivers respectable stills throughout a spread of eventualities. I used to be particularly impressed with the way in which it dealt with structure, preserving key particulars with out blowing out the publicity of the background.

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Panorama pictures are additionally strong, though that’s while you’ll most likely need to swap to the 13Mp ultrawide lens. It has a 125° subject of view, however sadly there’s a noticeable drop-off in high quality. Many pictures are nonetheless usable, however dynamic vary is clearly affected. 

There’s a separate 5Mp macro lens, which I loved utilizing for close-up pictures of flowers and vegetation. It labored higher than on most telephones, however nonetheless doesn’t really feel like a superb use of house.  

A devoted telephoto sensor would have been rather more helpful. With out it, transferring past 2x zoom (it will probably go to 8x digitally) isn’t price it for something greater than reference functions. 

There’s additionally no depth sensor, nevertheless it’s not a requirement for excellent portrait-style pictures lately. The ROG Telephone 6 can produce a lovely background blur, however struggles with edge detection like so many telephones. 

Each the principle and ultrawide lenses profit from a Night time mode, which is mechanically enabled when taking a shot in low gentle. You’ll have to attend a number of seconds for the photograph, nevertheless it does a superb job of brightening with out shedding the important thing particulars.

On the entrance, you’ll discover a single 12Mp lens. The selfies it produces have a powerful stage of element and deal with publicity effectively – simply be sure you flip off magnificence mode for one of the best outcomes.

Take a look at a few of my digital camera samples within the gallery under:

It’s additionally price mentioning video. The ROG Telephone 6 can seize footage as much as 8K at 24fps, however the default Full HD at 30fps is a greater possibility for most individuals. Its color accuracy and stage of element is ok, however with out optical picture stabilization (OIS) footage is juddery with any vital motion. 

Battery Life & Charging

• 6,000mAh battery capability
• Comfortably lasts a full day, can stretch to 2
• 65W wired charging, no wi-fi

Asus is normally beneficiant with battery capability on its gaming telephones, and that’s no completely different right here. The ROG Telephone 6 has two 3,000mAh cells, giving a complete of 6,000mAh. 

Battery life is strong because of this. You may count on a full day on a single cost, even with the refresh price set to 165Hz. However in fact, it’ll final considerably longer on ‘Auto’ mode, which may mechanically drop all the way down to 60Hz (or one thing in between) relying on what you’re doing.  

That’s the setting I used for PCMark’s battery benchmark, which simulates real-world utilization at a typical 200 nits of brightness. A rating of 12 hours and 43 minutes is spectacular, though lengthy gaming periods will deplete the battery rather more rapidly. 

Once you do run out, simply plug the 65W charger into both of the USB-C ports. In contrast to many telephones lately, it’s included within the field, albeit not the quickest. 

I recorded 39% in quarter-hour, then 80% in half-hour. You’re nonetheless underneath 45 minutes for a full cost, nevertheless it’s not significantly spectacular by fashionable requirements.

Disappointingly, Asus is but so as to add wi-fi charging to any of its gaming telephones. This isn’t a dealbreaker, however needs to be obtainable on a tool that prices virtually $1,000/£1,000. 

Software program & Updates

• ROG UI & Zen UI over Android 12
• Good steadiness between gaming and basic use
• Solely two years of software program updates

The ROG Telephone 6 is constructed for gaming, however Asus additionally desires you to make use of it as a daily telephone. That’s mirrored within the software program, with a mix of the Zen UI and ROG UI skins over Android 12. 

Zen UI is what you’ll discover on different Asus telephones, and it’s surprisingly near the expertise on Pixel handsets. Android 12’s distinct fast settings menu, rounded corners and Google Uncover feed are all right here, and Asus has saved bloatware to a minimal. 

However turning on what’s generally known as ‘X Mode’ modifications the wallpaper, shifts the color scheme to pink and makes it clear you’re able to recreation. It’s not an enormous change, however I like the excellence between the 2. 

You may launch video games like ordinary, however Asus would like you used the Armoury Crate companion app as an alternative. It gives a variety of settings to wonderful tune your expertise, whereas Sport Genie gives an intensive toolbar when you’ve began enjoying.

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

By way of updates, Asus commits to solely two main variations of Android. Which means it’ll get Android 13 (anticipated in Q1 of 2023) and Android 14, however solely safety updates till 2024 after that.  

Many Android telephone makers are extra beneficiant lately, so it’s an space Asus may enhance on. 

Value & Availability

The ROG Telephone 6 is undoubtedly a premium handest, nevertheless it’s removed from the costliest gaming telephone Asus has launched in 2022. 

It at present begins at $899.99/£899.99/€999 for 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, though stepping as much as the 16GB/512GB mannequin I examined will price you $999.99/£999.99/€1,149. Each are at present $100 off within the US, however full value within the UK. 

That’s not low cost by any means, however seems to be inexpensive when in comparison with the 6 Professional (from $1,299/£1,099) or 6D Final (from £1,199).  

Nevertheless, the common 6D is much less at £799/€949, whereas the newest Pink Magic 7S Professional is cheaper nonetheless at $729/£669/€729

The ROG Telephone 6 gives quite a bit for the value you pay, however another gaming telephones provide higher worth for cash. 

Verdict

There are a great deal of choices on the subject of gaming telephones in 2022, however I imagine the common ROG Telephone 6 is one of the best for most individuals. 

It excels on the fundamentals, delivering stellar efficiency, a shocking show and nice battery life. With respectable cameras, two USB-C ports and even a headphone jack, there’s quite a bit to love right here. 

Nevertheless, it’s not excellent, with an absence of wi-fi charging and poor software program replace dedication essentially the most distinguished. You’ll additionally want to attach a fan for lengthy gaming periods. 

However none of those are dealbreakers for most individuals, and the ROG Telephone 6 supplies such a well-rounded expertise elsewhere. For those who’re critical about gaming in your telephone however simply need one of the best core expertise, that is the telephone to purchase. 

Specs

• Android 12 with ROG UI & Zen UI 
• 6.78in FHD+ (1448×1080) AMOLED show, 120Hz refresh price, 720Hz contact sampling 
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 
• 12/16GB RAM 
• 256/512GB inner storage (non-expandable) 
• 50Mp major lens
• 13Mp ultrawide lens
• 5Mp macro lens 
• 12Mp selfie lens 
• Fingerprint scanner (in-screen) 
• Bluetooth 5.2 
• GPS 
• NFC 
• 5G 
• Twin-SIM 
• IPX4 ranking 
• Twin 3000mAh non-removable batteries (6000mAh whole capability) 
• 65W wired charging 
• 173 x 77 x 10.3 mm 
• 239g