Asus ROG Phone 6D Ultimate review

Asus is on a mission in 2022. Simply weeks after the corporate introduced its flagship ROG Telephone 6 and 6 Professional, two new high-end handsets have been revealed. 

The ROG Telephone 6D and 6D Final aren’t being pitched as direct successors – simply options. That’s as a result of they each use MediaTek’s Dimensity 9000+ chipset, moderately than the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 discovered on the 6 and 6 Professional. 

How a lot of a distinction does that truly make? And do the cooling upgrades on the 6D Final justify the additional price? I spent a couple of weeks with the costliest gaming cellphone you should purchase to search out out. 

Design and construct

• Engaging, premium construct
• Secondary show and cooling portal
• Large and hulking

From a fast look on the ROG Telephone 6D Final, you may be forgiven for pondering that Asus has re-released the 6 Professional. Whereas the darkish gray end (your solely color possibility) is extra muted, the 2 telephones look nearly an identical.  

I say nearly, as a result of there’s one key design distinction on the 6D Final. As an alternative of the small RGB ‘Dare to Play’ emblem, you get what Asus is looking the ‘AeroActive Portal’. That’s a elaborate title for what is actually a small flap which might open whereas gaming to enhance warmth dissipation. 

It gained’t work except you’ve gotten the AeroActive Cooler 6 linked. Regardless of it being appropriate with all ROG Telephone 6 handsets, it’s solely included within the field with the 6D Final. A small piece of plastic on a glass-backed cellphone isn’t the prettiest look, however its inclusion right here is actually justified. 

On the alternative facet, you’ll nonetheless discover the secondary ‘ROG Imaginative and prescient’ show, however its usefulness stays restricted. It may be used to show the likes of battery proportion, incoming calls and connection standing, but it surely nonetheless can’t present notifications. 

Given it’s going through away from you whereas gaming, its main goal appears to be trying cool to different individuals. There’s nothing improper with that, but it surely’s not a cause to purchase this cellphone over the common ROG Telephone 6D or 6. 

The remainder of the design is unchanged, which means you continue to get an imposing triple rear digicam module on the prime. There’s a slight digicam bump, one thing which may absolutely have been prevented contemplating the cellphone’s thickness – 10.4mm. Nevertheless, it doesn’t get in the best way whereas gaming, and nonetheless doesn’t wobble when used face up on a desk. 

Regardless of having a glass again, the 6D Final does a superb job of resisting fingerprints. It’s extremely reflective and shimmers within the gentle, however there are not any noticeable smudge marks. 

Flipping the cellphone over reveals the identical 6.78in OLED show that you just’ll discover on all the opposite ROG Telephone 6 handsets. In a world the place notches and cut-outs are the norm, it’s refreshing to see Asus stick to slim bezels. This provides the cellphone a horny symmetry, and I’m actually not complaining about an 82.2% screen-to-body ratio. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Asus has put the house to good use, with a selfie digicam which may also be used for face unlock. It’s not as safe as one thing like Apple’s Face ID, so I’d suggest the under-display fingerprint scanner as a substitute. That is simple to arrange and dependable, but additionally a lot quicker than most sensors of this type. 

The perimeters of the cellphone are additionally unchanged, however there’s much more happening in comparison with common telephones. On the correct (or prime, when utilized in panorama mode), you’ll discover shoulder triggers both facet of the quantity and energy controls. That is the proper place to be used whereas gaming. 

On the opposite facet, you’ll discover one of many key design options of ROG Telephones usually – a second USB-C port. This allows you to comfortably cost your cellphone whereas gaming, and it’s a sport changer in comparison with awkwardly utilizing the one on the backside. 

Asus has additionally retained the three.5mm headphone jack, which means you may simply join wired headphones should you’d moderately not depend on Bluetooth or the built-in audio system. Given how vital audio is for gaming, it’s nice to have all three choices. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Nevertheless, the 6D Final takes issues to a different degree relating to weight. At 247g, it’s heavier than the opposite ROG Telephone 6 handsets and one of many heaviest telephones you should purchase.  

That’s earlier than you issue within the AeroActive Cooler 6, which provides one other 117g. It’s not a dealbreaker, however one thing to pay attention to should you’re contemplating this cellphone. 

Show and audio

• Identical 6.78in, OLED show
• Adaptive 165Hz refresh charge and 720Hz contact sampling
• Nice audio system

Whereas the show on the 6D Final is an identical to the opposite three ROG Telephone 6 telephones, it actually wasn’t in want of an improve. 

The 6.78in, 2448×1080 OLED display is a pleasure to behold, delivering the wealthy, vibrant viewing expertise that cell players crave. Some individuals would possibly’ve been hoping for a 1440p decision, however I’ve no complaints in regards to the degree of element on provide. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

After all, the important thing characteristic that units it other than most different telephones is that prime refresh charge. At 165Hz, it could possibly solely be matched by the opposite ROG Telephone 6 handsets and up to date Crimson Magic telephones. This delivers a shocking smoothness and fluidity to the consumer expertise, though it’s possible you’ll not discover a distinction in comparison with 144Hz and even 120Hz. 

With that in thoughts, I’d suggest sticking with ‘Auto’ mode more often than not. This permits the 6D Final to dynamically swap between 165Hz, 144Hz, 120Hz, 90Hz and 60Hz relying on what you’re doing, serving to to lengthen battery life.  

It really works in tandem with the 720Hz contact sampling charge, which means the show can register contact enter as much as 720 instances each second. That makes the 6D Final extraordinarily responsive, even when a few of Android 12’s sluggish animations don’t all the time present it. 

Asus says the 6D Final can hit an unbelievable most brightness of 1,200 nits, however I didn’t get wherever close to that in testing. Nonetheless, 553 nits means it’s nonetheless fantastic to make use of in most out of doors environments. 

Audio is extra vital on gaming telephones than common handsets, and Asus has clearly prioritised it right here. Like different ROG Telephone 6 units, these bezels imply there’s room for twin front-facing stereo audio system on the 6D Final.  

Designed in collaboration with audio firm Dirac, the sound they produce is superb. With detailed music playback and punchy sound results, they assist take gaming with out headphones to the subsequent degree. There’s additionally extra bass than you’d anticipate from a smartphone, and it avoids distortion at excessive volumes.  

Specs and efficiency

• MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ and 16GB RAM
• Comparable efficiency to Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
• AeroActive Portal seems spectacular, however no noticeable profit

The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip is among the key strengths of the ROG Telephone 6 and 6 Professional, however Asus has determined to modify issues up with its new telephones. Each the 6D and 6D Final are powered by the Dimensity 9000+, MediaTek’s flagship smartphone silicon. 

It’s the primary time we’ve seen Asus transfer away from Qualcomm on its gaming telephones, with the corporate indicating it’s about providing players extra alternative. This implies there’s additionally new graphics, with a Mali-G710 GPU moderately than the Adreno 730. 

So, how a lot of a distinction does it make to efficiency on the 6D Final? In brief, little or no. There’s no noticeable drop-off or increase in efficiency. It was already excellent on the 6 Professional, and that continues to be the case right here. 

Curiously, there’s solely 16GB of RAM right here, in comparison with 18GB on the 6 Professional. However there’s a easy rationalization for this: the 6D Final makes use of the quicker DDR5X customary, which doesn’t presently go greater than 16GB. 

I examined the identical vary of video games because the 6 Professional and couldn’t inform the distinction between the 2. Demanding video games akin to Asphalt 9, Name of Obligation: Cellular and PUBG Cellular all run with none stuttering or hesitation, making them a pleasure to play. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

On these FPS titles, the shoulder triggers are an efficient various to tapping on the display. However for the complete expertise, you’ll wish to join the devoted Kunai 3 Gamepad that’s offered individually. 

Not one of the video games talked about above can output at 165Hz, however Asus highlights a small choice inside its ‘Armoury Crate’ launcher. Actual Racing 3 is the massive title right here, and there’s a noticeable enchancment in fluidity and responsiveness in comparison with different titles, particularly when mixed with the 720Hz contact sampling. 

However after just a few minutes of gaming, I seen the again of the cellphone getting fairly heat. With no built-in fan, you’ll want to attach the AeroActive Cooler 6 that’s included within the field for longer classes. That is extremely efficient at cooling the machine with out sacrificing efficiency, and it provides 4 customisable buttons that may used whereas taking part in. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

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As talked about above, that is supplemented by the ‘AeroActive Portal’, a small flap which opens when the cooler is linked to enhance airflow and, consequently, warmth dissipation.

The corporate says it improves thermal effectivity by as much as 20%, however that is unattainable to confirm. I actually didn’t discover any build-up of warmth whereas the portal was open, however the identical may very well be mentioned for simply the cooler with the 6 Professional. 

Nevertheless it’s value reiterating that efficiency is among the many very best you’ll discover on any smartphone. The transfer to MediaTek hasn’t modified that, though there’s some slight variation within the benchmarks.

There’s only one configuration of the 6D Final, and it provides 512GB of inside storage. That’ll be a lot for most individuals, but it surely’d nonetheless be good to see the choice for microSD growth. 

Digicam and video

• Spectacular 50Mp essential lens
• Underwhelming ultrawide and macro sensors
• Respectable 12Mp selfie digicam

The ROG Telephones aren’t recognized for his or her digicam prowess, which explains why the sensors haven’t been upgraded on the ‘Final’ branded cellphone. It means you’ll get the identical triple rear module, with a 50Mp essential lens joined by 13Mp ultrawide and 5Mp macro.

There have been a couple of software program updates because the 6 Professional launched, however none have had a noticeable impact on picture high quality. That’s not a nasty factor in well-lit environments, the place the 6D Final produces vivid pictures which might be stuffed with element. It tends to over-saturate, however meaning most individuals gained’t must edit their pictures later. 

I notably loved the best way the primary sensor dealt with landscapes, avoiding the widespread tendency to overexpose the sky. Nevertheless it’s a superb possibility for road pictures and buildings, too, with robust dynamic vary standing out. In brief, this can be a a lot better lens than you’d anticipate on a gaming cellphone. 

Sadly, issues aren’t fairly as spectacular relating to the opposite two sensors. It’s nice to have the choice of an ultra-wide digicam, however there’s a noticeable drop-off in high quality and publicity does develop into a difficulty right here. Elsewhere, low-quality macro lens takes respectable close-up pictures however provides little to the digicam expertise.  

I’d have most popular a telephoto digicam, which might’ve helped cut back the speedy decline in picture high quality if you zoom past 2x. 

There’s additionally no depth sensor, however you continue to get a software-based portrait mode. With the ability to modify the extent of background blur earlier than and after the shot is taken is a superb characteristic, but it surely struggles quite a bit with edge detection. 

Utilizing software program for the evening mode is way more spectacular. It does a superb job of brightening low-light photos with out shedding the important thing particulars. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Asus had loads of house on the entrance of the cellphone to incorporate a superb selfie digicam, and the corporate has delivered simply that. The 12Mp sensor delivers clear and crisp selfies, even in some difficult lighting situations. Nevertheless, you’ll wish to flip the wonder mode off for the very best expertise. 

The 6D Final can technically document video as much as 8K at 24fps, however 1080p at 30fps is enabled by default. EIS (digital picture stabilization) on the primary lens retains footage regular more often than not, but it surely’s in all probability solely appropriate for informal use. 

Battery life and charging

• 6000mAh battery in whole
• Wonderful battery life
• Respectable charging, however nonetheless not wi-fi

Asus hasn’t modified the dimensions of the batteries in its ROG Telephones for a couple of years now, which means you continue to get twin 3000mAh cells which mix for a complete capability of 6000mAh. 

Nevertheless, from utilizing the cellphone it’s simple to see why it hasn’t been upgraded. Battery life is a key energy of the 6D Final, with the cellphone comfortably lasting a full day of average utilization. You may stretch this to 2 days should you drop the refresh charge to 60Hz, however you miss out on a key characteristic. 

I primarily used the cellphone in ‘Auto’, which mechanically adjusts at varied intervals between 60Hz and 165Hz relying on what you’re doing. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

That’s additionally the mode I used for PC Mark’s battery benchmark, which goals to simulate real-world utilization at 200 nits of brightness. The 12 hours and 31 minutes I recorded is even higher than the 6 Professional (11hr 51 minutes), and probably the greatest scores we’ve recorded.  

Nevertheless, charging by way of USB-C was barely slower. Utilizing the 65W adapter included within the field, I reached 34% in quarter-hour from off, then 71% by the half-hour mark. It took round one hour for a full cost.  

That is completely respectable, but it surely’d be good to see Asus embrace even quicker charging on future fashions. It’s disappointing that the cellphone nonetheless doesn’t help wi-fi charging, with the corporate claiming the house required is being prioritised for different issues. 

Software program and updates

• Asus pores and skin over Android 12
• Gamer-specific software program tweaks simple to disregard
• Solely two years of updates

The 6D Final obtained a number of software program updates throughout my testing time, however the cellphone nonetheless runs Android 12. Particularly, it’s a mixture of Asus’s Zen UI and ROG UI skins over Google’s OS, however the core expertise stays comparatively just like what you’ll discover on Pixel telephones.

However identical to earlier ROG Telephones, the gaming software program expertise actually begins when you launch X Mode. On this mode, the cellphone is optimised to ship the absolute best gaming expertise. It additionally provides the house display and app icons a gamer aesthetic. In consequence, turning this off makes the 6D Final very simple to make use of as an everyday smartphone. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

You may launch video games from wherever, however Asus would like you to make use of the Armoury Crate companion app. Right here, you may fine-tune efficiency, customise options and equipment and join with different gamers. In the event you’re an avid gamer, there’s loads of performance right here.  

When you’re within the sport, fast settings might be accessed by way of the Recreation Genie toolbar. A variety of choices can be found, together with these which particularly goal the CPU and GPU. 

Asus says the ROG Telephone 6D Final and all its different handsets will get at the very least two main variations of Android. Meaning Android 13 and 14, then solely safety updates till 2024. 

Google now recommends this because the minimal, however Asus may very well be extra beneficiant with a cellphone that’s so costly. Many players will select to improve their telephones after two years, however they shouldn’t be pressured to. 

Value and availability

There’s just one configuration of the ROG Telephone 6D Final accessible, and it doesn’t come low cost. In actual fact, at £1,199/€1,399, it’ll be the costliest gaming cellphone ever when it goes on sale in late October within the UK and Europe. Nevertheless, it’s not clear when the cellphone will go on sale elsewhere, together with the US.

In consequence, solely probably the most devoted players will even be contemplating this cellphone. A few of these can have already dedicated to the marginally cheaper 6 Professional, the place you solely lose out on the cooling portal. 

The extra inexpensive common 6 and 6D are additionally value contemplating earlier than you even get to different gaming telephones. Regardless of being simply over half the value, the Crimson Magic 7S Professional provides every part most players are on the lookout for. 

While you put it that manner, the 6D Final turns into very exhausting to justify. 

Verdict

The ROG Telephone 6D Final justifies its title with an array of prime specs and options. 

The Dimensity 9000+ is each bit pretty much as good because the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 that powers the 6 Professional. That applies to each efficiency and energy effectivity, with battery life one other actual spotlight. 

When mixed with the massive, 165Hz show, the gaming expertise is among the many greatest you’ll discover on any cell machine – offered you’re pleased with Android apps. When the cellphone inevitably begins getting heat, you may join the included fan and make use of the 6D Final’s new cooling portal.  

Nevertheless, the latter will solely be useful for lengthy gaming classes. It’s additionally an enormous, cumbersome cellphone, and that solely will get worse if you join the cooler. 

However regardless of the excessive price ticket, it could nonetheless tempt avid cell players on the lookout for the best possible expertise. 

Specs

• Android 12 with ROG UI & Zen UI 
• 6.78in FHD+ (1448×1080) AMOLED show, 165Hz refresh charge, 720Hz contact sampling 
• MediaTek Dimensity 9000+
• 16GB DDR5X RAM 
• 512GB inside storage (non-expandable) 
• 50Mp essential lens with EIS 
• 13Mp ultrawide lens
• 5Mp macro lens 
• 12Mp selfie lens 
• Fingerprint scanner (in-screen) 
• Bluetooth 5.3
• GPS 
• NFC 
• 5G 
• Twin-SIM 
• IPX4 score
• Twin 3000mAh non-removable batteries (6000mAh whole capability) 
• 65W wired charging
• AeroActive Portal
• 173 x 77 x 10.4 mm
• 247g