Speedy – that’s a given. If speed defines your quest for the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate, the paramount gaming phone, satisfaction awaits. For everyday mobile enthusiasts or those in pursuit of an all-encompassing top-tier device, it might not be the right fit – though this isn’t a critique. This phone caters to gamers akin to a Ferrari crafted for speedsters; seeking an all-purpose vehicle leads to an SUV. Opting for unparalleled speed, reveling in distinctive and eccentric features that define it, culminates in selecting the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate – the embodiment of swiftness.
Pros:
- Astounding speed outperforms rivals in benchmarks
- The superb display operates at a swifter pace than anticipated
- Substantial battery for extensive gaming sessions
Cons:
- Frequent disruptive software add-ons pose challenges
- Incomplete water resistance
- Subpar cameras, in contrast to peers within this price bracket.
Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate: Quick Review
The Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate stands as the fastest Android phone you can acquire, offering an array of performance-enhancing options beyond necessity. Across all facets that matter to gamers, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate emerges as the unrivaled victor. It boasts a display outpacing game frame rates, an expansive battery, and distinct features partially justifying its premium price.
From the instant you unbox it, every element of this phone caters to gaming. While design echoes last year’s model, newcomers to ROG phones are in for a treat. Exhibiting an aggressive style with spaceship-like lines and detailing, the phone even incorporates a 2-inch OLED display on its back, capable of flashing select animations to broadcast your gaming endeavors to the world. The choice to stand back or gather around is yours.
The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate represents the amplified iteration of the impressive Asus ROG Phone 7, boasting a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, a staggering 16GB of RAM, and a half-terabyte of storage. It incorporates the latest UFS 4.0 storage, Wi-Fi 6e, and even Wi-Fi 7 (still unofficially official). Notably, it accommodates not one, but two USB-C ports, with one supporting DisplayPort for video output.
Contrasts exist between the Ultimate and the base model ROG Phone 7. While the Phone 7 can be equipped with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, the Ultimate takes it a step further. It introduces a 2-inch OLED back display with limited features. Impressively, it comes bundled with the AeroActive Cooler attachment, a hybrid subwoofer-fan unit capable of channeling air into a dedicated port on the Ultimate model’s rear.
If these aspects hold little significance, the Ultimate ROG phone might not cater to you. This phone thrives on powering graphics-intensive multiplayer games. It’s tailored for maxing out detail levels in games like Call of Duty or Genshin Impact, not for productivity or photography. Its focus is solely on gaming.
Comparable gaming performance is possible on the Galaxy S23 Ultra, albeit not entirely equivalent. For non-gamers, distinctions might evade notice—speed is speed. Yet, the ROG Phone 7 empowers fine-tuning of performance, enabling adjustments of graphics and button responses akin to a game console controller. Customization extends broadly across this phone.
This abundance can overwhelm whether you’re a gamer or not, and software isn’t immune to issues. Occasional bugs and untimely crashes disrupted my gameplay. Accidental touches triggering additional actions were also a setback. When software hampers gaming, it needs rectification.
The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate isn’t just swift; it incorporates an external cooling fan directing air into the phone. Nevertheless, it retains its sleekness and splash resistance to a certain degree. The fan, a remarkable device, features the expected LED lights of a gaming accessory. It also integrates a genuine subwoofer, significantly enhancing audio—a boon for those wishing to make a statement in public.
This phone caters to a specific audience, much like a Ferrari isn’t for everyone. It doesn’t excel in cameras, multitasking, or a conversational AI companion. Those desiring all-encompassing features should opt for a Galaxy S23 Ultra, which is more cost-effective.
The Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate meets the demands of individuals seeking optimal gaming performance from their device and wishing to broadcast it. If hardcore mobile gaming is your realm, this phone won’t disappoint, though hardware can no longer be blamed for losses.
Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate Review: Price and availability
- The Ultimate model costs $1,399 / £1,199.99 / AU$2,099.
- That’s $400 / £200 / AU$300 more than the ROG Phone 7.
- Includes AeroActive Cooler, a fan/subwoofer attachment.
The Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate ranks among the priciest phones available (not folding models). Is the price justified? Not the key query. Rather, it’s whether anything cheaper can provide more. Is it the best gaming phone regardless of cost? If so, Asus can demand any price for boasting rights.
A fitting comparison is the Nubia Red Magic 8S Pro, a newer phone than the ROG Phone 7. It’s priced at $799 / £709 / AU$xxx for equal storage and RAM, plus gamer lighting effects. Nubia even wields an overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor that matches the Galaxy S23’s ‘for Galaxy’ Snapdragon. Is there a reason to pay much more for the $999 / £999 / AU$1,799 ROG Phone 7, let alone the Ultimate model?
The Ultimate offers more. A faster, brighter display, up to 165Hz, though almost excessive since most games don’t reach that speed, yet surpassing the norm of 120Hz on other top phones. Two USB ports prevent cord interference while gaming and enable video output to external displays.
Serious audio enhancement comes with the AeroActive cooler. Extra subwoofer power boosts loud gaming or movie experiences. It also features a slick cooling function, unique and unseen on other devices.
Are these extras sufficient? Disappointment arises from a rival gaming phone already shipping with a faster processor. Gaming phones can’t be upgraded like PCs, necessitating the best out of the box. Asus has limited room for hardware differentiation with the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate, yet accessories and the extra LED display set it apart enough to be unique.
The question isn’t justifying the phone’s cost. It’s about finding a phone with equivalent gaming advantages – the answer is no. Close but not enough to label the ROG Phone 7 as a great value. Nonetheless, it delivers what it promises.
- Value score: 3/5
Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate Specs Review
Comparing specs, the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate impresses. It either matches or surpasses nearly all gaming performance specs. The slightly newer Red Magic 8S Pro boasts a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, minutely swifter, with just a 5% higher clock on the primary processing core. Nubia claims a speedier touch sampling rate on its display and shoulder bumpers compared to the ROG Phone 7, though the distinction is marginal, and I encountered no issues with the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate.
Asus trims its focus on cameras. The back houses three lenses, plus a selfie cam, but they’re not particularly commendable. Utilizing mid-range, older sensors, only ultra-wide or wide options are available, without a zoom lens. This stands as a bit unexpected, given the smartphone industry’s emphasis on camera performance, but Asus seemingly believes gamers prioritize other aspects.
Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate Specifications
Here’s a quick overview:
- Dimensions: 173 x 77 x 10.3mm
- Weight: 239 grams
- Display: 6.78-inch OLED, HDR10+
- Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB
- OS: Android 13
- Cameras: 50MP + 13MP + 5MP
- Front Camera: 32MP
- Battery: 6,000mAh
- Charging: 65W (wired)
- Colors: Storm White
ROG Phone 7 Ultimate Design Review
- Characteristically striking gamer design
- Minimal deviation from ROG Phone 6
- Large and weighty yet ergonomic grip
If you’re acquainted with Asus gaming laptops, the aesthetics of this gaming phone’s design will resonate. Some devices attempt to subtly convey their gaming identity. The Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is not one of them. Every aspect of this phone, loud and clear, broadcasts its gaming intent to you and the world.
To begin with, a 2-inch OLED display on the rear boldly declares ‘Game Start’ when you initiate gaming, among other preset messages. A conspicuous port on the side exclusively unlocks when attaching the AeroActive Cooler. It doesn’t camouflage; instead, it’s deliberately painted black against the ‘Storm White’ body finish. A true embodiment of gaming.
Otherwise, ornate lines and details evoke a futuristic time traveler’s artifact. Nothing about it is subtle, yet these elements coalesce harmoniously. It avoids the ostentation found in larger gaming laptops.
The white hue varies in tones and texture, with captivating electric blue accents adorning the main camera’s ring, the SIM card tray slot, and a fragment of the ‘R’ in ‘ROG’ on the back – almost as if the acronym was initially blue but got painted over at the eleventh hour.
The power button enjoys a blue highlight, while the volume rocker remains plain black. A double-press of the power button launches the camera, though it doesn’t default to activating Google Assistant – inadvertently prompting me to command my phone verbally.
Comparatively thicker than most phones and endowed with a substantial battery, the ROG Phone 7 retains heft. Although phones with equally capacious batteries boast slimmer profiles, they lack an external fan port like this. Accommodating this feature likely necessitates additional space for airflow. It achieves an impressive IP54 rating, indicative of substantial dust resistance and the ability to endure splashes or rain, though not full submersion.
- Design score: 5/5
ROG Phone 7 Ultimate Display Review
- Ultra-fast refresh rates, peaking at 165Hz
- Vibrant and bright, with impressive color
- Galaxy S23 Ultra’s display boasts greater sharpness and brightness
The display on the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate stands out, possibly exceeding the demands of current mobile gaming. It achieves a remarkable refresh rate of up to 165Hz. But, in reality, is there any game or software that operates at such speed, apart from perhaps the phone’s interface?
Notably, Call of Duty Mobile showcased magnificently on this display, flawlessly handling the game’s new Super Resolution experimental mode. However, the frame rate capped slightly above 60fps, falling far short of the screen’s potential.
Even during GFXBench benchmark tests, the fastest run reached 144fps – swifter than a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra’s display and even outpacing the Red Magic 8S Pro. Nevertheless, real-world applications rarely reach such speeds.
Undoubtedly, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate surpasses the Galaxy S23 Ultra as a gaming phone, yet the latter boasts a significantly superior display, aside from a refresh rate. It’s brighter, sharper (with more pixels per inch), higher in resolution, and sturdier too. Asus deploys Gorilla Glass Victus, renowned for its strength, whereas the S23 Ultra employs Gorilla Glass Victus 2, capable of withstanding concrete impact, as Corning claims.
Still, gamers understand that more pixels don’t equate to enhanced gaming. The Galaxy S23 Ultra’s appealing screen falters slightly during games, unlike the impeccably smooth performance of the Asus. For gamers, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate’s blazing performance takes precedence over the more visually striking screen.
- Display score: 5/5
ROG Phone 7 Ultimate Cameras Review
- Lacks a zoom lens entirely
- Produces subpar image quality
- Dismal compared to top contenders in this price bracket
Astounding that the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate comes equipped with subpar cameras. However, just as one wouldn’t expect ample trunk space in a Ferrari, certain sacrifices are made in favor of speed.
Yet, unlike a Ferrari shedding weight for greater speed, the Asus ROG Phone 7 could only reduce camera quality to lower costs. With ample space in its sizable, weighty frame, incorporating a superior camera sensor is feasible; we’re not discussing golf clubs here.
More budget-friendly alternatives to the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate abound… actually, in everything. Curiously, the ROG Phone’s cost surpasses every camera phone on our best camera phone compilation. Take your pick; they’re superior and more affordable. The Galaxy S23 Ultra, closest in price, also unsurprisingly ranks as our recommended best camera phone.
Contrasted with the slightly cheaper S23 Ultra, the ROG Phone 7 yielded blurry, washed-out photos with diminished detail. Its lens boasts a narrower aperture than better phone cameras, admitting less light while preserving excessive scene focus. Consequently, capturing sought-after blurred background effects or bokeh is challenging, unlike on other cameras.
Though acceptable with low-light photos, the camera falters with astrophotography and moon shots, unlike superior yet cheaper alternatives. Meanwhile, selfies appeared slightly blurry, worsened by the selfie camera’s production of mirror-image selfies – a left cheek blemish appearing on what seems like the right cheek, for instance. Unlike other camera phones that default to correcting this quirk, the ROG Phone 7 does not.
- Camera score: 2/5
ROG Phone 7 Ultimate Software Review
- Software interruptions cause issues
- Tools to fine-tune performance and record gameplay
- Lacks enticing widgets or personalized home screen features
Upon commencing this review during the initial ROG Phone 7 launch, I grappled with disruptive software glitches, that hindered my gaming experience. Candidly, the phone led to losses, more than once. Functions intermittently ceased functioning, untimely requests popped up. Significant matches were forfeited, fueling my initial frustration.
Fortunately, post subsequent software updates, I’m content to affirm a month of smooth phone usage, offering a fresh outlook. No game interruptions, no match losses. Both gaming and general performance remained largely stable. Mostly.
Nevertheless, the software experience persists as unconventional and intrusive. Occasional bugs emerged, and messages were duplicated. Overall, the interface felt encumbered by surplus features clamoring for attention.
Triggering certain features or unintentional alterations remained overly effortless. A misguided corner swipe might activate an overlay atop your game. A slight nudge to the AeroActive Cooler could disrupt its connection, causing unwarranted delays as reconnection ensued. While cautious handling averts these issues, they ideally shouldn’t exist.
Extensive home screen customization would have been preferable. Despite available wallpapers and themes, intriguing widgets, or innovative software augmentations, differentiating it as a superior smartphone to other Androids, remains absent. Even Android phone manufacturers embracing the ‘vanilla’ Android style incorporate a few widgets as tokens. Asus adheres to gaming software and themes, comprising the bulk.
Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate on AeroActive Cooler displaying a firmware error message
Regrettably, my AeroActive Cooler’s functionality ceased entirely just before publication (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
My AeroActive Cooler unexpectedly ceased functioning. Every connection attempt triggers repetitive firmware updates, culminating in an unending cycle. I anticipate a forthcoming software fix, but for now, I must forgo this flagship accessory.
Anticipated more extensive home screen customization. Wallpapers and themes are present, yet intriguing widgets or innovative software augmentations, differentiating it as a superior smartphone to other Androids, remain absent. Even Android phone manufacturers embracing the ‘vanilla’ Android style incorporate a few widgets as tokens. Asus adheres to gaming software and themes, constituting the core.
- Software score: 3/5
ROG Phone 7 Ultimate Performance Review
- Unsurpassed speed awaits
- This isn’t just about benchmarks; this phone is seriously rapid
- Handles maximum graphics in all games with ease
You came for speed, and speed you shall receive. We usually don’t emphasize benchmark tests, but it’s worth noting that the Asus ROG Phone 7 set new speed records in our benchmarks. The real-world difference is tangible, even when compared to the top contenders.
I indulge in Marvel Snap on both my Galaxy S23 Ultra and Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate. The Galaxy occasionally stutters, especially during transitions, despite typically maintaining a 60 fps rate.
Hiccups don’t sit well with the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate. It doesn’t falter or pause. While other phones might occasionally achieve similar performance, the ROG Phone 7 maintained the finest graphics and fastest frame rate consistently. Even sans the supplementary cooling accessory, it sustained peak performance throughout a full day of gaming.
Much more could be said, but when a phone reigns as the fastest, there’s little left to elaborate. An issue to note: your carrier’s network capabilities might not align perfectly with the ROG Phone 7’s. I tested the phone on AT&T in the US; despite AT&T’s unsupported warning, the phone connected seamlessly to 5G and LTE networks.
- Performance score: 5/5
ROG Phone 7 Ultimate Battery Life Review
- Enormous 6,000mAh battery, standard for gaming phones
- Endured a full day of gaming and messaging
- Various power management modes are available
No complaints about the size of the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate, as its substantial battery is crucial for gaming phones, second only to a fast processor. While a gaming laptop manages around an hour of battery life, a phone must last the entire day, gaming or not, given its multifunctional nature.
The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate powered through hours of gaming—over eight hours of gameplay before necessitating a recharge. It even outlasted me. During regular use, it consistently retained charge until the day’s end, even after intensive gaming during my commute.
Battery benchmark tests showed the phone outperforming rivals like the Galaxy S23 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro, courtesy of its considerably larger battery. Power isn’t wasted when gaming isn’t underway. The phone offers three performance levels, ranging from the frugal “Ultra Durable” mode to the top-tier “X Mode.”
Dynamic mode, the middle option, delivered a remarkable performance. Even in X Mode, I enjoyed hours of gaming, merely requiring a top-up post-dinner to ensure longevity till bedtime.
- Battery score: 5/5
Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate Score Card
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Pricey, yet offers excellent accessories and unmatched speed. | 3 / 5 |
| Design | Bold gamer aesthetics, but stylish rather than tacky. | 5 / 5 |
| Display | Large, vibrant, and exceptionally speedy – perfect for gaming. | 5 / 5 |
| Cameras | Wide and ultra-wide lenses, lacking zoom, and average photo quality. Not the focus for gaming phones. | 2 / 5 |
| Software | Impressive customization options, but occasional hindrance from intrusive software. | 4 / 5 |
| Performance | Remarkably rapid; no slowdowns even when compared to supposedly faster rivals. | 5 / 5 |
| Battery | Outstanding endurance, thanks to a sizable battery and effective power management. | 5 / 5 |