Two phones we know we can count on to tick every single box we have are… ASUS Zenfone and ROG Phone. Considering the things I’ve heard about the 2022 phone versions, you’re in for a treat!
ASUS ROG Phone 6 and ASUS Zenfone 9: Gaming King, Processor Champion
Both ROG Phone 6 and Zenfone 9 will keep being premium phones, backed up by the notorious Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Zenfone is going to push camera and productivity boundaries, while ROG is going to simply fight to keep its gaming king status.
While there’s been some competition in that arena of late, Asus has all the odds in their favor. The company hit it out of the park from the ROG Phone 2 onward by improving the audio, battery and cooling system plus the customizable game center.
Of course, Nubia and Lenovo have been picking up steam in the last years and if you’re already a fan of those, there’s no reason to switch to ASUS.
ASUS ROG Phone 6: Upgraded Camera, Bigger Second Display
But if you’re already a long time user of the ROG devices, it will be hard to turn a blind eye to the ROG Phone 6.
ASUS is a couple of months away from launching the phone so we don’t have a lot of certainties but sketches of the phone are already out in the wild.
From them, we can infer the arrival of a bigger secondary display for notifications and animations. There is also a larger camera island at play but only three cameras to work with.
There should be at least a 64MP main, with an ultrawide and maybe a tele in tow. Considering the direction of the industry, it would be a pity not to see a tele camera replacing the macro of last year. The flash now sits right next to it, too.
The design of the back seems a bit changed but it retains its edgy vibe, as a gaming phone should have.
Besides the upgraded chip, we might also see an upgraded refresh rate. A 144Hz refresh rate is nothing to complain about, but with 165Hz rates available, ASUS should try to increase it this year at least on the Pro model, if not the vanilla.
The memory should top at 16GB like last year and the 6,000mAh battery cell should return with 65W fast charging.
ASUS Zenfone 9: Responsive Back, Camera
It is the type of battery and charging combo I’d love to see on the Zenfone too but I’d say let’s be grateful for small increase this time for a 4,500mAh result.
We also have to bury the flip camera for good. Zenfone 8 ditched it and seems like this year’s model will do the same. A similar dual camera is in the works and a responsive back.
It seems that the back of the phone will be tappable. Two taps should trigger one of a variety of actions such as screenshot taking, camera opening or flashlight selection.
What’s interesting is the change ASUS plans to make when it comes to cameras. If the sketches I’ve seen come true, then Zenfone 9 should feature a 50MP main sensor with a 12MP ultrawide next to it.
Hopefully, the software will make that change less of a hit and miss and keep this phone in the top 2022 phones.
ASUS Zenfone 9: Display Refresh Rate and Audio
The rest of the specs should be top notch, starting with a generous screen with an equally great refresh rate. We won’t see an 144Hz screen like on the ROG Phone 6 but should get a 120Hz nonetheless. This will make streaming and video playback a joy.
Just like its brother, I expect Zenfone 9 to offer up to 16GB of RAM – that’s plenty to count on no matter how much you fuss with it or not.
Audio may not be as big of a deal on this phone like on the ROG Phone 6 but ASUS will make sure it doesn’t disappoint. You should get stereo speakers and maybe even a headphone jack from the get go on the Zenfone 9.
Asus ZenBook Pro Duo 15 OLED Review: You’re Gonna Wanna Listen to This
Besides top notch hardware, you know by now that flagship phones get the best OS possible. These two won’t be any different – both should launch in the spring with Android 12.
Now, what are you more excited about – Zenfone 9 or ROG Phone 6?
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