ASUS has returned this 12 months with the ROG Telephone 7 and the ROG Telephone 7 Final to comply with up final 12 months’s ROG Telephone 6 and ROG Telephone 6 Professional. As one would most likely count on, the brand new gadget duo from one in every of gaming’s most premium manufacturers has fairly a couple of enhancements. Promising a good higher cell gaming expertise than earlier than. However not only a higher cell gaming expertise, a greater general telephone expertise.
That being stated, that is nonetheless a gaming telephone. Most options are going to be gaming-centric. Even the design is tailor-made to the cell gamer. Whereas this can be a smartphone first, gaming is the primary focus. And it exhibits with the developments ASUS has made to the gadget this 12 months. Like previous units although, the ROG Telephone 7 and ROG Telephone 7 Final are going to be costly. Are they price all that cash? Is that this a tool that you must think about shopping for?
I’ve spent the previous couple of weeks utilizing this telephone as my every day driver so I may reply these questions. So let’s dive in see what makes this telephone nice, and the place it could possibly enhance.
ASUS made the ROG Telephone 7 Final with gaming-centric ergonomics
As with previous units, the design of the ROG Telephone 7 and ROG Telephone 7 Final options ergonomics that cater to cell avid gamers. What I imply by that is that the design strikes past having these typical “gamer” aesthetics you would possibly count on to see. The gamer aesthetic is certainly nonetheless there. An RGB ROG eye emblem could be seen on the again of the ROG Telephone 7. Whereas the ROG Imaginative and prescient show is on the again ROG Telephone 7 Final. Different extra delicate particulars, just like the Republic of Avid gamers branding, are nonetheless current as effectively.
However that’s not what I largely wish to deal with right here. It’s the ergonomics. ASUS particularly designed the ergonomics of the ROG Telephone 7 and seven Final to cater to panorama mode. As a result of most AAA cell video games are designed to be performed this fashion. Massive shock proper?
With that in thoughts, the most recent ROG telephones proceed to supply options and ergonomics that work effectively with the telephone being held this fashion. For starters, the AirTriggers are nonetheless up prime for added controls. Which I discover are available in actually useful when taking part in Name of Responsibility: Cell. I take advantage of these as my intention down sight and hearth controls. So my thumbs can keep on the motion.
The side-charging USB-C port makes a return as effectively so you possibly can plug the gadget in and maintain the battery topped up whilst you play. Or, you possibly can merely use this with bypass charging to energy the telephone as an alternative of juicing up the battery. You’ll additionally discover two new magnet connector pins. These are for the AeroActive Cooler 7, which now features a 5-magnet tremendous linear subwoofer for enhanced audio throughout gaming. Plus you continue to have front-facing stereo audio system tuned by Dirac for distinctive audio with out the subwoofer.
All of these items might sound small. However whenever you put them collectively, they make a extremely large distinction for those who play a whole lot of cell video games. And greater facets of that ergonomic design, just like the AirTriggers and side-facing USB-C port for charging guarantee you possibly can maintain the telephone as comfortably as attainable whilst you play.
ROG Telephone 7 Final design
For essentially the most half, nothing has actually modified right here. ASUS stored the identical design for the ROG Telephone 7 Final because it had for the ROG Telephone 6 Professional. Save for 2 issues – the brand new magnet connector pins on the facet and the AeroActive Portal on the again. Except for these two issues, the design doesn’t change a lot.
And that’s factor as a result of the design final 12 months was nice. You continue to have the steel body with rounded corners, bottom-facing off-center USB-C port and bottom-facing 3.5mm audio port. There’s additionally Gorilla Glass Victus protecting the show and Gorilla Glass 3 on the again. Even the colours are the identical as final 12 months. Phantom Black and Storm White. Though the Final mannequin solely is available in Storm White. There are after all very delicate variations within the design in comparison with the ROG Telephone 6 collection.
The again of the ROG Telephone 7 Final for example now has a big ‘ROG’ branding slapped throughout the underside edge. ASUS additionally took away a lot of the line graphics. Each the ROG Telephone 7 and ROG Telephone 7 Final now function a two-toned coloration scheme as effectively. The colours are nonetheless technically the identical, however one facet of the again has extra of a matte end whereas the opposite facet offers off a slight however noticeable sheen.
It’s nonetheless very a lot a gaming-style aesthetic however just a bit much less loud. Total it’s a pleasant design and I hope ASUS continues this pattern for future telephones. I positively don’t wish to see them going again to type of design that was current on the ROG Telephone 2.
The AeroActive Cooler 7 feels much less wanted than ever, and that’s factor
There was a time when the ROG Telephones weren’t solely exceptionally highly effective cell gaming units, however in addition they grew to become fairly sizzling. To the purpose that they have been uncomfortable to carry after solely an hour’s price of taking part in video games.
Yearly ASUS has improved the cooling of its ROG Telephones to counteract this. And whereas they’ve gotten higher, the telephones nonetheless wanted slightly additional assist. So ASUS started packaging the units with the AeroActive Cooler. This 12 months’s mannequin, the AeroActive Cooler 7, is one of the best it’s ever been. Utilizing the identical Peltier cooling chip-based design as with the AeroActive Cooler 6 for superior airflow and cooling.
However, it simply doesn’t really feel as wanted because it was. Don’t get me flawed, I nonetheless typically like utilizing it. As a result of in the long run it cools the telephone higher than with out it. However for those who don’t use it, I’ve seen much less warmth buildup than on the ROG Telephone 6 Professional after longer gaming classes. And a big enchancment over the ROG Telephone 5 Final and former units.
That is all because of the brand new GameCool 7 cooling system. ASUS revamped the inner construction in order that warmth dissipation is extra environment friendly. It additionally redesigned the ROG Speedy-Cycle vapor chamber with particular liquid return channels that assist to dissipate warmth as much as 2.1 occasions extra. That is along with utilizing bigger graphite sheets to assist unfold warmth extra evenly. This fashion warmth doesn’t get trapped in the course of the telephone prefer it did earlier than.
The tip consequence, is a cooler telephone beneath prolonged heavy hundreds with AAA, graphically demanding video games. Although as I discussed earlier than, there are nonetheless causes to make use of and benefit from the AeroActive Cooler 7 attachment. Even when it isn’t actually wanted as a lot because it was.
Why you must think about using the AeroActive Cooler 7
Regardless that the telephone doesn’t get as sizzling with out this glorious accent as previous units did, you must nonetheless think about using it. The telephone doesn’t really feel as sizzling to the contact anymore. However that doesn’t imply that warmth is just not nonetheless impacting the gadget in different methods. Essentially the most important of those is efficiency. The warmer the chip will get, the likelier it’s you’ll see dips in efficiency over time. Which isn’t what you need for those who’re within the thick of a gaming session. Particularly if these video games are aggressive in nature.
Except for serving to the telephone keep cool extra effectively, it additionally has the added again buttons you possibly can map to on-screen contact controls. Plus, this new mannequin consists of the subwoofer for enhanced audio. It doesn’t make an enormous distinction to the sound. However it does enhance it and it simply makes the expertise higher. Along with these items it additionally features a bottom-facing 3.5mm audio port. So for those who resolve to make use of wired headphones, you possibly can plug them in on the underside as an alternative of on the facet.
It’s positively a much bigger cooler attachment than final 12 months’s. However positively price carrying round with you when you’ve got a bag or sling to slide it into.
Stellar battery life as anticipated
Among the best issues about ASUS’s ROG Telephone collection is the battery life. Each the ROG Telephone 7 Final and the ROG Telephone 7 function the identical 6,000mAh capability battery as previous units. Letting you sport for hours upon hours or simply have a telephone that lasts for literal days.
There’s not likely an entire lot to say in regards to the battery right here because it’s the identical battery because the ROG Telephone 6 collection. Which is a 6,000mAh dual-cell battery module that helps 65w Hyper Charging. Mainly the battery is simply pretty much as good as final 12 months’s and as soon as once more makes the ROG Telephone a standout gadget relating to how lengthy the battery lasts.
There may be one notable enchancment although. It costs up sooner than earlier than. In line with ASUS, the ROG Telephone 7 collection will cost from 0% to 100% in simply 42 minutes. Which is about 10 minutes sooner than the ROG Telephone 6 collection. Which may not make an enormous distinction for each person. However sooner charging is quicker charging. And I definitely did recognize the telephone getting again to full faster than I used to be used to.
Close to inventory Android software program with that gamer contact
The software program expertise on ASUS’s ROG Telephone collection has at all times been fairly first rate, and the identical is true with the ROG Telephone 7 and ROG Telephone 7 Final. You get your alternative of the ROG UI or the up to date Zen UI. The 2 are fairly comparable however the Zen UI has a extra inventory Android appear and feel.
Which is what I personally desire and have used on this gadget all through my time with it to this point. The gadget comes with Android 13 out of the field so that you get all the advantages of that as effectively.
However the place the software program actually shines for my part is with the Sport Genie. Whereas the Sport Genie isn’t new there are some new options being added to it this 12 months. X Sense and X Seize are two that might find yourself being fairly cool for some avid gamers. With X Sense, it lets the software program detect key moments all through your sport. It could actually then use these detections to help you with what to do subsequent. X Seize in the meantime additionally detects key moments, however as an alternative of helping with resolution making it saves clips so that you can share.
The one drawback is that proper now the assist for these appears to be restricted to a really small variety of video games. X Seize for example solely appears to assist the Garena model of Area of Valor. And I think X Sense is similar means. There’s additionally Background Mode, which merely retains the sport working within the background.
Essentially the most fascinating is the brand new Vibration Mapping function. With this you possibly can set zones on the gadget the place the haptics will come into play so the vibration interacts with what’s occurring in your sport at sure moments. This can provide your video games a extra immersive really feel and I believe it’s most likely one of the best of the brand new options. All-in-all the software program is nice similar to it was final 12 months.
Do you have to purchase the ROG Telephone 7 or ROG Telephone 7 Final?
ASUS has outdone itself as soon as once more relating to making what actually does really feel like one of the best telephone out there for cell gaming. With a couple of key enhancements to the cooling, and up to date {hardware} for even higher efficiency, the ROG Telephone 7 and ROG Telephone 7 Final are the cream of the crop on this small area of interest of the smartphone market.
However neither telephone is ideal they usually received’t be for everybody. Irrespective of how good the gadget is, there are merely going to be extra appropriate choices for some customers. And that’s okay. Not everyone seems to be into cell gaming or into it sufficient to warrant spending the upper value that ASUS calls for. To not point out the digital camera positively takes a backseat to all of the gaming options. Whereas greater than fantastic for my private wants, there are higher smartphone cameras on the market. And you could be a person that values that greater than what ASUS is providing right here.
ASUS plans to launch the ROG Telephone 7 and ROG Telephone 7 Final within the US someday in late Q2. Which most likely places the official US launch nearer to Summertime. As for pricing, the telephone will begin at $999.99 for the ROG Telephone 7. Pricing for the Final mannequin hasn’t been confirmed but. Should you don’t wish to await the brand new mannequin, ASUS remains to be promoting it’s glorious ROG Telephone 6 and ROG Telephone 6 Professional units.
Purchase the ASUS ROG Telephone 7 or ROG Telephone 7 Final if:
- You need one of the best cell gaming telephone there may be
- Battery life is necessary to you
- You need the additional options and equipment geared in direction of avid gamers
Don’t purchase the ASUS ROG Telephone 7 or ROG Telephone 7 Final if:
- You need a greater smartphone digital camera
- The worth is greater than you’re prepared to spend
- You don’t play an entire lot of cell video games