ROG unveils Phone 9 series with cutting-edge gaming tech

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) has announced the launch of the ROG Phone 9 series in Australia and New Zealand, now available for pre-order at retail locations JB Hi-Fi and PB Tech.

The ROG Phone 9 series includes two models, the ROG Phone 9 and the ROG Phone 9 Pro, both designed to provide a high-quality gaming experience. They are marketed at starting prices of AUD $1,799 in Australia and NZD $2,199 in New Zealand. These devices feature the new AniMe Vision mini-LED auxiliary display, which allows for personalization and unique aesthetic customisations.

Both models integrate AI-driven gaming features developed by ROG, aiming to enhance the gaming experience. These are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform and coupled with the advanced ROG GameCool 9 cooling system to maintain performance levels during intensive gaming sessions.

Continuing with the established design philosophy of console-like controls, the ROG Phone 9 series includes the AirTrigger touch system. This offers an intuitive control interface supported by a wide range of gaming accessories from ROG.

Bradley Howe, Head of Consumer at ASUS ANZ, commented on the new release: "The ROG Phone 9 series is more than just a gaming phone - it's a bold lifestyle statement. With its sleek design, cutting-edge display, and the power of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform, we are confident the new series will deliver a gaming experience that's second to none."

The design of the ROG Phone 9 series is described as sleek with futuristic and sophisticated elements, including matte finishes designed to offer a smooth feel while minimising fingerprint marks. The AniMe Vision display, particularly on the ROG Phone 9 Pro, contains 648 programmable mini-LEDs to display animations responsive to user interactions, as well as red mini-LEDs that enhance the gaming experience.

The exclusive AniMe Play feature on the ROG Phone 9 Pro allows users to engage with pixel games with modern enhancements, providing gamers with a retro gaming experience through the responsive ROG AirTrigger system.

The range of AI-driven gaming features includes X Sense 3.0, which uses AI image recognition for various in-game tasks such as detecting significant events and auto-upgrading character skills. X Capture 2.0 offers automatic recording of notable gaming moments, while AI Grabber 2.0 provides text recognition for game tips and now supports translation. AI Noise Cancellation enhances in-game communication by eliminating background noises with machine learning.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform enhances device performance, and is paired with the ROG GameCool 9 cooling system designed with an innovative SoC-centred structure. This includes the AeroActive Cooler X Pro for advanced heat dissipation. Additionally, the ROG Phone 9 series features a 6.78-inch E6 AMOLED display with high refresh rates and a powerful audio system, which adds to the immersive gaming and multimedia experience.

The ROG Phone 9 series also includes a triple-camera system enhanced with OZO Audio technology for outdoor recordings. This aims to offer high-quality photographic and video capabilities, ensuring wind noise reduction and the capture of spatial audio at high fidelity.

For a console-like gaming experience, the ROG Phone 9 series features the AirTrigger controls, which support various gestures and interaction modes. The AeroActive Cooler X Pro enhances this with additional physical buttons, providing an experience akin to handheld gaming consoles. The optional ROG Tessen mobile controller further extends console-like functionality.