ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate Review – Unleashing Unrivaled Gaming Prowess

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The ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate stands tall as the epitome of gaming smartphones, delivering unparalleled performance and cutting-edge features. In this review, we delve into the specifics that make it the crowned king of the gaming realm.

Powerhouse Performance: The Ultimate Gaming Engine

The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate comes in two variants, with the Ultimate boasting an impressive 16GB RAM and 512GB storage powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. The synergy of LPDDR5X and UFS 4.0 storage catapults it ahead in benchmarks, securing the best AnTuTu and Geekbench 6 scores. A staggering 97.5% stability score on the 3DMark WLST test sets the gaming stage on fire, thanks to the X-Mode feature.

The device introduces a revolutionary AeroActive Cooler 7 with a Peltier element, providing enhanced cooling without an external power source. This cooler not only cools the system but adds tactile physical buttons for gaming. The addition of a subwoofer amplifies the dual front-facing stereo speakers, creating the best sounding smartphone speaker setup. The device further embraces a headphone jack with HiRes support, catering to audio enthusiasts.

Gaming Delight: Experiencing the Power

With the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, LPDDR5X, and UFS 4.1 configuration, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate exhibits impressive gaming performance. A Perfdog test on COD showcases an average of 120.5fps, delivering consistent gameplay at Medium Graphics and 120fps. In Genshin Impact, the device maintains 60.4fps, setting a benchmark for gaming smartphones. While the phone registers high temperatures in the Armoury Crate, it remarkably remains cool to the touch, ensuring an uninterrupted gaming experience.

Battery Beast: Sustaining the Gaming Marathon

The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate features a split-cell 6000mAh battery, supporting up to 65W charging with USB PD. Despite the inclusion of a 30W charger in the box, the device’s battery performance ranks as the best among flagships. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s power efficiency ensures remarkable screen-on time, offering up to 10 hours with heavy usage.

Game Developer Woes: The Big “But”

Despite the potent hardware, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate faces a significant challenge – the dearth of games fully utilizing its capabilities. The absence of titles with features like Ray Tracing leaves the hardware prowess underutilized. ASUS and other brands need to collaborate with developers to create games that harness the immense power these devices provide, thereby expanding the gaming ecosystem on Android.

Display Excellence: Visual Pleasure Beyond Gaming

The device boasts a 6.78-inch FHD+ Samsung-made AMOLED HDR10+ display with a 165Hz refresh rate and 720Hz touch sampling rate. While not an LTPO panel, the manual refresh rate adjustment option ensures a customizable viewing experience. The Gorilla Glass Victus protection, coupled with peak brightness up to 1500 nits, positions the display among the top-tier offerings.

Design and Extras: Unmatched Appeal

Featuring a two-tone finish with frosted glass on the back, the design maintains the ASUS ROG legacy. The IP54 rating adds dust protection, while the ROG Vision PMOLED display on the Ultimate version adds a touch of customization. The in-hand feel, accentuated by curved matte railing and blue accents, enhances the overall appeal.

Camera Performance: Gaming-Centric, Not Camera-Centric

While the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate isn’t renowned for camera capabilities, it holds its own with a 50MP Sony IMX766 primary sensor. The camera delivers impressive results in good lighting conditions, offering accurate colors and near-natural skin tones. However, ASUS falls short in optimizing multi-stack processing, resulting in occasional HDR corrections that crush shadows.

Software and Updates: Gaming-Focused Experience

The device runs on a near-Stock Android experience, devoid of bloatware. Game Genie and Armoury Crate enhance the gaming environment, providing a myriad of options and modes. However, ASUS’s promise of two years of OS updates and four years of security updates falls slightly short of expectations in this price range.

Pricing and Final Verdict: The Ultimate Gaming Titan

As of now, the pricing remains unknown, but ideally starting at Rs 70k for the vanilla variant. In conclusion, the ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate reigns as the undisputed king of gaming phones. However, the lack of games optimized for its capabilities and the finite update support may raise questions for prospective buyers. The ultimate decision rests on whether you seek unparalleled gaming performance or a more balanced flagship experience.

What are your thoughts on the ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate? Share your opinions in the comments below.