ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate Review: The Gaming Smartphone You've Been Waiting For

ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate

Introduction

The ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is the latest flagship gaming phone from ASUS, designed for hardcore gamers and mobile enthusiasts who demand the best performance, features, and design. With its cutting-edge hardware, software, and accessories, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate aims to redefine the mobile gaming experience and set new standards for what a smartphone can do.

In this review, we'll take a closer look at the ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate and evaluate its design, display, audio, performance, gaming, camera, battery, software, and user experience. We'll analyze its strengths and weaknesses, compare it to other high-end phones, and provide a final verdict on whether it's worth the investment. So, buckle up and get ready to enter the world of mobile gaming with the ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate.

Design and Build

The ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate boasts a bold and aggressive design that screams gaming. The phone measures 173 x 77 x 9.9 mm and weighs 238g, making it a hefty device that may not appeal to everyone. However, the weight is distributed evenly, and the curved glass back provides a comfortable grip.

The phone features a Gorilla Glass Victus front, a Gorilla Glass 5 back, and an aluminum frame that gives it a premium look and feel. The back panel has an RGB ROG logo that can be customized with different lighting effects using the ROG Vision app. There are also two touch-sensitive areas on the edges of the phone called AirTrigger 5 that can be used as additional gaming buttons.

The ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate has a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2448 x 1080 pixels and a refresh rate of 144Hz. The display is HDR10+ certified, and it supports DCI-P3 color gamut, which means that it can produce vibrant and accurate colors. The display is also protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, which is the toughest glass currently available for smartphones.

Overall, the ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate has a unique and striking design that will appeal to gamers who want a device that looks and feels like a gaming device. However, the weight and size may be a turn-off for some users who prioritize portability and comfort.

Display and Audio

The ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate boasts a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2448 x 1080 pixels and a refresh rate of 144Hz. The display also supports HDR10+ and has a peak brightness of 1200 nits, making it one of the brightest displays on the market. The colors are vivid and accurate, with a Delta E rating of less than 1. The display also features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for added durability.

The audio performance of the ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is equally impressive. The device comes with front-facing stereo speakers that are powered by Dolby Atmos technology. The speakers are loud, clear, and provide a surround sound experience. The phone also has a 3.5mm headphone jack and supports Hi-Res Audio and DTS:X Ultra for a superior audio experience.

Overall, the display and audio performance of the ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate are top-notch and provide an immersive multimedia experience. Whether you're watching videos, playing games, or listening to music, the device delivers a premium experience that's hard to beat.

Performance and Gaming

The ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is a true gaming phone that packs a powerful punch under the hood. It is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 898 processor, which is the most advanced chipset for mobile devices currently available. The processor is paired with up to 18GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 3.1 storage, making the device one of the most capable in terms of raw performance.

In terms of gaming features, the ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate has plenty to offer. It comes with the GameCool 7 cooling system, which uses a vapor chamber and graphene thermal pads to dissipate heat from the processor and other components. This helps to keep the phone cool even during extended gaming sessions.

The device also has AirTrigger 5, which are pressure-sensitive buttons located on the sides of the phone. These can be used as additional inputs for games that support them, such as first-person shooters and racing games. Additionally, the ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate has ROG Vision, which is a customizable RGB lighting system that can display various animations and effects on the back of the phone.

When it comes to gaming performance, the ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is truly impressive. It can run the most demanding games at the highest settings with ease, thanks to the powerful hardware and software optimizations. The device also supports 5G connectivity, which provides faster download and upload speeds for online gaming and streaming.

Overall, if you're looking for a phone that can handle any game you throw at it, the ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is definitely worth considering. Its powerful hardware and gaming features make it one of the best gaming phones on the market.

Camera and Battery

The ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate comes with a triple-camera setup that consists of a 64MP primary camera, a 12MP ultrawide camera, and a 24MP selfie camera. The primary camera features an f/1.8 aperture, phase detection autofocus, and 4K video recording at 60fps. The ultrawide camera has a 122-degree field of view and can capture 4K video at 30fps. The selfie camera has an f/2.45 aperture and can record 1080p video at 30fps.

In terms of image quality, the ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate performs well in good lighting conditions. The primary camera produces sharp and detailed photos with accurate colors and good dynamic range. The ultrawide camera is useful for capturing wider scenes and landscapes, but the image quality is not as good as the primary camera, especially in low-light conditions. The selfie camera also performs well and can capture decent selfies with natural skin tones and good details.

As for the battery life, the ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is equipped with a massive 6,000mAh battery that can provide up to two days of moderate usage. The device also supports 65W HyperCharge technology, which can charge the battery from 0 to 100% in just 52 minutes. The device also supports USB Power Delivery and Quick Charge 5.0 standards, which allow for fast charging with compatible chargers.

Overall, the camera and battery performance of the ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate are quite impressive, especially considering that the device is primarily designed for gaming. The triple-camera setup provides good versatility and image quality, while the large battery and fast charging options ensure that the device can last for extended gaming sessions.

Software and User Experience

The ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate runs on Android 12 with the ROG UI overlay. The software is optimized for gaming and offers several customization options. Here are some of the key features and aspects of the software and user experience:

• ROG UI: The ROG UI is a custom skin that adds gaming-oriented features and themes to the stock Android experience. It includes a Game Genie menu, which provides quick access to game-related settings and tools, such as recording, streaming, and macros. It also offers a variety of themes, wallpapers, and icons that match the gaming aesthetic of the device.

• Android 12: The ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate runs on the latest version of Android, which brings several improvements and new features, such as Material You design, enhanced privacy controls, and faster performance. The device is expected to receive regular security updates and software upgrades.

• Pre-installed apps: The device comes with several pre-installed apps, such as the Armory Crate, which is the main hub for gaming settings and profiles. It also includes several ASUS apps, such as the Calculator, File Manager, and ZenUI Help.

• User interface: The user interface of the ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is smooth and responsive, thanks to the powerful hardware and optimized software. The device supports multiple gestures and navigation options, such as the AirTrigger 5, which allows you to map touch-sensitive buttons on the edges of the device for gaming and other purposes.

Pros and Cons

After reviewing the ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate, here are some of the main pros and cons to consider:

Pros:

• Top-notch gaming performance thanks to the Snapdragon 898 processor, up to 18GB of RAM, and Adreno 730 GPU

• Impressive display quality with a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen, 144Hz refresh rate, 1080p+ resolution, and HDR10+ support

• Innovative gaming features, such as the AirTrigger 5 sensors, ROG Vision rear display, and GameCool 7 cooling system

• Large 6,000mAh battery with fast 65W HyperCharge support and power-saving modes

• Dual speakers with THX certification, Hi-Res Audio, and DTS:X Ultra for immersive audio experience

• Durable and stylish design with Gorilla Glass Victus protection, aluminum frame, and RGB lighting

Cons:

• Expensive price tag, especially for the Ultimate variant with up to 1TB of storage and 18GB of RAM

• Large and heavy form factor may not suit all users, especially those with smaller hands

• Camera quality is average compared to other flagship phones, with no telephoto lens or optical zoom

• Limited availability in some regions, with no support for 5G in some countries

Conclusion

After evaluating the ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate, we can conclude that it is one of the best gaming smartphones in the market. It offers an impressive combination of design, performance, and features that make it a dream device for mobile gamers and power users.

The phone's Snapdragon 898 processor, 18GB RAM, and 512GB storage deliver smooth and lag-free performance even with the most demanding games and apps. The GameCool 7 cooling system, AirTrigger 5, and ROG Vision enhance the gaming experience and provide more options for customization and control.

The 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and 1200 nits brightness, combined with the front-facing stereo speakers and Hi-Res Audio support, provide an immersive and enjoyable multimedia experience.

The camera system, although not as impressive as some flagship devices, still produces decent results, especially in well-lit environments. The 6,000mAh battery, which lasts for a full day with moderate use, can be recharged in less than an hour with the 65W HyperCharge.

The software and user experience of the ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate are also commendable, with the ROG UI adding some unique features and themes to the Android 12 experience. The device feels premium and well-built, with an ergonomic design that fits comfortably in the hand.

However, the ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate may not be suitable for everyone, as it is relatively expensive and has a bulky form factor. It is targeted at gamers and power users who demand the best performance and features from their smartphones.

Overall, if you're a gamer or a power user who values performance, features, and design, the ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is definitely worth considering. If you're on a budget or prefer a more compact device, there are other alternatives in the market, such as the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, OnePlus 10 Pro, or iPhone 14 Pro Max.

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