Asus ROG Phone 9 FE Smartphone Review – Many Asus smartphone fans are eagerly waiting for the new Zenfone release while the company unveils yet another ROG phone. Around the end of November 2024, they already released ROG Phone 9 and Phone 9 Pro. Both of them excel in high-end performance and uncompromised gaming experience. But the new ROG Phone 9 FE feels downgraded in various departments to the extent that it falls behind the mainstream flagship smartphone brands.
To be precise, it’s a rebadged version of the Asus ROG Phone 8 with a few minor changes in the hardware and a solid software upgrade policy. For now, the phone is available in Thailand and a couple of other Southeast Asian countries. Yet, it’s not clear when this phone will be unveiled in other markets. You can purchase ROG Phone 8 if you want a similar deal. Still, the question remains: is this phone worth buying? Let’s find out from the following review.
Table of Contents
Asus ROG Phone 9 FE Smartphone Review
Highlights
- A decent 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED panel attains a 185Hz refresh rate with 2500 nits brightness support.
- As for the software interface, the new Android 15 configuration has various customization attributes.
- The performance department is handled through the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset with Adreno 750 GPU.
- A 50MP triple camera module with a 32MP selfie cam setup brings above-average results.
- A massive 5500 mAh battery ensures long-lasting screen time for gaming.
Design and Display
At the first impression, the phone carries Asus’s signature logo with complimentary mini-LED and their iconic camera module. All of these are available in Phantom Black, which gives the ROG Phone 9 FE an aesthetic appearance, while the mini-LED can be customized with different colors. Though, there’s no denying that the phone resembles the previous-gen model.
Despite this, the device has a slim and lightweight build compared to many gaming-centric smartphones. Besides this, it features IP68 certification to minimize dust and water harm. Like most of the ROG phones, you will find dedicated pressure-sensitive zones, also known as gaming triggers on the side panel. Those buttons can be effortlessly customized using the game armory settings according to the user’s needs.
As for the front display, you will notice a thin bezel 6.78 inches LTPO AMOLED panel that boasts a 185Hz refresh rate. Through this, the users will receive an advanced level of touch response, making swift moments and clutch movement possible. Alongside this, the high-resolution display ensures vibrant colors, crisp contrast, and ample saturation for a remarkable viewing experience. Furthermore, the sharp visual is attainable through 2500 nits brightness.
Memory and Internal
As far as the performance aspect is concerned, the device arrives with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. There’s no doubt that the 8 Gen 3 chip brings a high-performance octa-core CPU. Typically, the users can smoothly achieve 1×3.3GHz cloaking speed with this setup, which is considerably great. At the same time, the 4nm architecture isn’t that bad either it’s more than sufficient for performance-driven tasks and advanced-level gaming.
Following this, ASUS is known for providing cutting-edge cooling systems so that you can rest assured that the device won’t cause heating issues. However, the company didn’t add an external cooling fan to this device. Still, the Android 15 ensures fabulous gaming sessions without any hiccups or delays.
It comes with captivating perks to modify the gameplay according to your needs. Apart from adjusting the gaming triggers, the users can modify the refresh rate, frame rate, and many other things using the armory settings. Not to forget, the company has also promised two years’ worth of Android updates. You can also rely on the 16GB RAM and 256GB UFS 4.0 storage to save your multi-media data without any hassle.
Camera
Undoubtedly, the camera department has always been a weak point for the ROG series phone. But when it comes to picture quality, the ROG Phone 9 FE didn’t fall behind. It’s a good thing that the company provides a triple-camera setup. First of all, let’s talk about the 50MP primary sensors. It introduces gimbal stabilization that reduces shakiness and provides crisp pictures in almost every condition.
Alongside this, the camera module is paired with a 13MP ultra-wide lens and a 5MP macro lens for close-up photos. The ultra-wide lens captures landscape photos without any problem while managing the dynamic range with ease. In terms of video recording, the device is capable of recording 8K at 30fps. The video results may not rival that of the latest Google Pixel, Samsung, or iPhone models, but the videos look presentable.
On the other hand, the phone houses a 32MP front-facing camera, which will be loved by selfie enthusiasts. With this, you will notice natural and detailed photos with a precise balance of colors and contrast. Overall, the phone will satisfy most of the camera needs that normal users demand, while the camera system struggles with lowlight photography. Despite this, if you choose the ROG Phone 9 FE for streaming purposes, then it might not disappoint since there are tons of features for game streaming.
Battery and Others
The most compelling aspect of this phone would be the 5500 mAh battery configuration, which ensures a long-lasting screen. Whether you want to enjoy your favorite games or want to squeeze out every ounce percentage of battery for a heavy user, the battery performance will still be reliable. In general, the phone can efforstly support 6 hours worth of intense gameplay with a single charge.
Alongside this, it equips a 65W fast charger that needs only 45 minutes to refill the battery. For user convenience, Asus has also added 15W wireless charging and reverse charging capability on the ROG Phone 9 FE. Beyond the battery section, the device is packed with a variety of perks. It includes a highly tuned audio system, robust connectivity, 5G, Wi-Fi, NFC, and other necessary sensors, all of which cost $914 (Rs 79,990 in India).
Asus ROG Phone 9 FE Pros and Cons
Asus ROG Phone 9 FE Specifications Detail
Down below you can see the full specifications of the Asus ROG Phone 9 FE smartphone.
| Specifications | Asus ROG Phone 9 FE |
| Network | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G |
| Announced | February 2025 |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Dimensions | 6.45 x 3.02 x 0.35 inches |
| Weight | 225 g |
| Size | 6.78 inches |
| Display | LTPO AMOLED 1B colors 185Hz HDR10 1600-2500 nits brightness 20:9 ratio ~388 PPI density Always-On display |
| Protection/Others | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 IP68 dust-tight and water-resistant Mini-LED (341 dots) programmable matrix (on the back) Pressure-sensitive zones (Gaming triggers) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels |
| OS | Android 15, up to 2 major Android upgrades |
| Chipset | 4nm – Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| CPU | Octa-core 1×3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 3×3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 2×3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 2×2.3 GHz Cortex-A520 |
| GPU | Adreno 750 |
| Card slot | No |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Internal | 256GB UFS 4.0 NTFS support for external storage |
| Camera | 50 MP (wide), PDAF, gimbal OIS 13 MP (120Ëšultrawide) 5 MP (macro) LED flash, HDR, panorama Max – 8K@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+ |
| Selfie | 32 MP (wide) Panorama, HDR Max – 1080p@30fps |
| Loudspeaker | Yes (stereo speakers) |
| 3.5mm jack | Yes 32-bit/384kHz Hi-Res & Hi-Res wireless audio Snapdragon sound |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC, GLONASS |
| NFC | Yes |
| Infrared port | No |
| Radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C (side), DisplayPort 1.4; USB Type-C (bottom), OTG |
| Sensors | Under display fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | 5500 mAh 65W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC5 15W wireless (Qi) 10W reverse wired |
| Colors | Phantom Black |
| Expected Price | $914 (Rs 79,990 in India) approx |
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, the Asus ROG Phone 9 FE stands out as an astounding option if you want a high-performance smartphone. Moreover, the device is launched at a competitive price, which could pose tough competition to ZTE Red Magic series phones. The phone offers a powerful chipset, generous battery life, and an immersive viewing experience that every gamer demands. It runs smoothly with top-tier games like Final Fantasy, Fortnite, Genshin Impact, and so on.
Though the camera setup has its shortcomings, it works fantastic in well-lit conditions. At the same time, fast charging paired with a long-lasting battery is something everyone wants. Long story short, if you prioritize high performance and stunning visuals, this phone would be a safe bet. But if you’re more interested in video recording or superior camera results, consider looking for Samsung Galaxy 25 and Galaxy 25 Plus instead. They will provide a refined camera system, longer system updates, and a variety of AI features. Still, the choice is yours. So pick the phone that suits you.
