It’s been a giant week for Android telephones and I’ve tried a cellphone that hasn’t been absolutely introduced but.
On Monday, Qualcomm introduced the Snapdragon 8 Elite, its newest and best cell chipset. We’re anticipating to see it come to prime Android handsets all through the following yr, together with the Samsung Galaxy S25 collection and OnePlus 13.
However loads of corporations are launching Snapdragon 8 Elite handsets even sooner. It’ll debut on the Xiaomi 15 collection later this month, earlier than the Honor Magic 7 collection only a few days later.
Nonetheless, each of these telephones will solely be out there in China initially. For gadgets you’ll have the ability to purchase within the West, you’re trying on the Oppo Discover X8 collection and Asus ROG Telephone 9 in November.
And at Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit, I obtained an opportunity to strive the common ROG Telephone 9. Whereas my couple of minutes with the system had been restricted to simply two apps – Chrome and YouTube – I already obtained the impression that Asus could possibly be on to a winner.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
The efficiency and energy effectivity enhancements provided by the Snapdragon 8 Elite are notably related to the ROG Telephone, which goals to ship the very best gaming efficiency attainable. It’s essential for longer gaming periods, which can lead to lowered efficiency and a giant hit to battery life.
I didn’t get an opportunity to see simply how good that gaming efficiency was, however contemplating the ROG Telephone 8 was already so robust on this space, it bodes effectively. And the touted enhancements to battery life recommend the capability will at the very least stay at 5500mAh.
The design shift Asus launched on the ROG Telephone 8 continues and makes the ROG Telephone 9 a sensible choice for on a regular basis utilization. It seems to be and feels impressively premium, but the angular digicam module helps it stand out from the gang with flare many players will discover satisfying.
One refined change on the common mannequin is the introduction of the mini-LED show on the again, which was beforehand unique to the ROG Telephone 8 Professional. It may be used to point out varied system messages, or a customized one in every of your come clean with 20 characters.
Other than the Snapdragon 8 Elite, Asus hasn’t revealed any of the specs for the ROG Telephone 9. We’ll discover out all the ultimate particulars on 19 November however the giant show and punchy audio system are actually spectacular, whereas it stays comparatively light-weight.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
The success of the system will hinge on the all-important efficiency and battery life, but additionally the worth. It’s unclear if there’ll be any distinction in comparison with the ROG Telephone 8, which began at £949.99/$1,099.99.
Keep tuned for all of the information on what could possibly be the very best gaming cellphone of 2024/25.