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How does the gaming performance of the ROG Phone 9 Pro differ from the ROG Phone 8 Pro


Gaming Performance Comparison: ROG Phone 9 Pro vs. ROG Phone 8 Pro

The Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro and ROG Phone 8 Pro are both designed for gamers, but the newer model brings significant enhancements in performance and features that elevate the gaming experience.

Processor and Performance

- The ROG Phone 9 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which offers a 45% increase in CPU performance and a 40% boost in GPU performance compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 used in the ROG Phone 8 Pro. The Snapdragon 8 Elite can reach clock speeds of 4.3 GHz, making it a powerhouse for gaming tasks[1][2][7].
- In practical terms, this means that the ROG Phone 9 Pro can handle demanding games with ease, maintaining high frame rates and smooth graphics even at maximum settings[4][5].

Refresh Rate and Display

- Both phones feature a 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, but the ROG Phone 9 Pro includes a gaming-specific refresh rate of 185Hz, compared to the 165Hz of the ROG Phone 8 Pro. This higher refresh rate allows for smoother gameplay, particularly in fast-paced titles[2][3][10].
- While both devices support a variable refresh rate down to 1Hz for battery savings, the ROG Phone 9 Pro's ability to push up to 185fps theoretically enhances its gaming capability, although most games currently cap at lower frame rates (90 or 120fps) due to hardware limitations[2][3].

Thermal Management and Battery Life

- The ROG Phone 9 Pro includes an improved thermal management system that keeps temperatures lower during intense gaming sessions, allowing for sustained performance without throttling. Asus claims that this new system is up to 12% cooler than its predecessor[4][7].
- Battery life during gaming has also seen improvements; while both phones can manage around 11 hours of gaming, the ROG Phone 9 Pro benefits from better efficiency due to its new chipset, leading to longer overall usage times under heavy load[10].

Software Features

- Both models come with the Armoury Crate software for performance tuning, but the ROG Phone 9 Pro enhances this with features like X Mode, which optimizes settings for specific games. This allows gamers to customize their experience further, maximizing performance when needed[1][5].

Conclusion

The ROG Phone 9 Pro significantly outperforms the ROG Phone 8 Pro in terms of processing power, refresh rate, and thermal management. For serious gamers seeking top-tier mobile performance, the upgrades in the ROG Phone 9 Pro make it a compelling choice. However, the ROG Phone 8 Pro remains a strong contender with excellent capabilities for mobile gaming.
Citations:
[1] https://gamerant.com/asus-rog-phone-9-pro-review/
[2] https://www.trustedreviews.com/versus/asus-rog-phone-9-pro-vs-asus-rog-phone-8-pro-is-it-worth-upgrading-4572535
[3] https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/asus-rog-phone-9-pro-review-gaming-powerhouse-from-front-to-back/
[4] https://rog.asus.com/fi/articles/smartphones/the-rog-phone-9-and-rog-phone-9-pro-level-up-mobile-gaming/
[5] https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/android-phones/asus-rog-phone-9-pro-review-gaming-pro-and-battery-life-legend
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBgr7SyKXC4
[7] https://www.gsmarena.com/asus_rog_phone_9_pro-review-2765p4.php
[8] https://www.gsmarena.com/asus_rog_phone_9_and_9_pro_arrive_with_sd_8_elite_bigger_batteries_and_better_cooling-news-65372.php
[9] https://rog.asus.com/phones/rog-phone-9-pro/
[10] https://www.phonearena.com/reviews/ROG-Phone-9-Pro-vs-ROG-Phone-8-Pro-wait-which-is-which_id6791