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Our Opinion

The Asus ROG Phone II (8GB RAM, 128GB) is a much better phone than the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (6GB RAM, 128GB), and is also much better value for money. What should you buy? Go for the Asus ROG Phone II (8GB RAM, 128GB)!

Asus ROG Phone II (8GB RAM, 128GB)  Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (6GB RAM, 128GB) 
Asus ROG Phone 2 Samsung Galaxy Note 9
Buy Now  not available currently Buy
Excellence Score
70.4
40.4
Value for Money Score
63.1
27.5
Price ₹ 37,999 onwards ₹ 67,900 onwards
Launch Date (India) Sep, 2019 Aug, 2018
Expected Launch Date N/A N/A
Smartphone OS Android 9.0 Pie, Upgradeable to Android 10Expected update to next Android version Android 8.1 Oreo, Upgradeable to Android 10Expected update to next Android version
Touchscreen Yes (Capacitive) Yes (Capacitive)
Screen Size 6.59 inches 6.4 inches
Screen Resolution 1080x2340 pixels (~ 391 pixels per inch) 1440x2960 pixels (~ 514 pixels per inch)
Tall Aspect Ratio / Minimal Bezels Yes Yes
Scratch Resistant Display Yes, Corning Gorilla Glass 6 Yes, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Display Type AMOLED AMOLED
Screen Refresh Rate 120 HzSuper High 60 HzStandard
Display Features 2.5D Curved Glass, DCI-P3 108%, HDR10, 120Hz Display, 240Hz Touch-sensing, Bluelight Filter, Always-on Display, Glove touch Support Super AMOLED, HDR10 Compliant, Always-on Display, Infinity Display
Full Physical QWERTY Keypad
Processor 2.96 GHz 2.7 GHz
Processor Type Octa Core Octa Core
Processor Name Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 PlusRanked #8 in Mobile Processor Benchmarks Exynos 9810 OctaRanked #14 in Mobile Processor Benchmarks
GPU Adreno 640 Mali-G72 MP18
RAM 8 GB 6 GB
3G Yes Yes
4G Yes Yes
5G
VoLTE Yes Yes
WiFi Yes Yes
VoWiFi/WiFi-Calling Yes
GPS Yes Yes
Bluetooth Yes Yes
Connecting Port USB-C USB-C
Primary Camera 48MP + 13MP 12MP + 12MP
Camera Auto-Focus Yes Yes
Camera Flash Yes Yes
HD Video Recording Yes (4K) Yes (4K)
Other Camera Features 48MP: F/1.79 Aperture; 26mm Focal Length (wide); Sony IMX586 Sensor; 1/2" Sensor Size; 0.8um Pixel Size; 1.6um Pixel Size @ 12MP; PDAF, 13MP: F/2.4 Aperture; 125° Ultrawide Lens; 11mm Focal Length, HDR, Panorama, Video: [email protected]/60fps; [email protected]/60/240fps; [email protected], EIS, Portrait mode, Panorama, Super Night mode, Pro mode, AI Scene Detection 12MP (Wide): F/1.5-2.4 Aperture; 1/2.55" Sensor Size; 1.4µm Pixel Size; 26mm Focal Length, 12MP (Telephoto): F/2.4 Aperture; 1/3.6" Sensor Size; 1.0um Pixel Size; 52mm Focal Length, Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) in both Cameras, Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF), 2x Optical Zoom, Dual-LED (Dual Tone) Flash, Geo-tagging, Simultaneous 4K Video and 9MP Image Recording, Touch Focus, Continuous Autofocus, Face/Smile Detection, Auto HDR, Video HDR, Dual-video Recording; Live Focus, Pro mode, Panorama, Slow Motion, Hyperlapse, Food mode
Secondary Camera 24MP 8.0MP
Secondary Camera Features F/2.2 Aperture, 77.9° Field-of-view, Panorama, HDR, Portrait mode F/1.7 Aperture, Autofocus, 1/3.6" Sensor Size, 1.22 µm Pixel Size, 25mm Focal Length, Full HD Video Recording, Dual Video Call, Auto HDR
Internal Memory 128 GB 128 GB
Expandable Memory Slot Yes, up to 256 GB
Contacts Storage Unlimited Unlimited
SMS Storage Unlimited Unlimited
Music Player Yes Yes
FM Radio Yes
Dual SIM GSM+GSM GSM+GSM (Hybrid SIM slot)
Thickness 9.48 mmThick 8.8 mmMedium
Weight 240 gmHeavy 201 gmHeavy
Width 77.6 mmInconvenient for one-handed use 76.4 mmOk for one-handed use
Audio Output 3.5mm jack 3.5mm jack
Water Resistant Yes, IP68 Rated (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Battery Capacity 6000 mAh 4000 mAh
Battery Standby N/A N/A
Battery Standby (3G) N/A N/A
Battery Talktime N/A N/A
Battery Talktime (3G) N/A N/A
Fast Charging Support Yes, 30W HyperCharge Yes, 15W Quick Charge 2.0
Included Fast Charger Yes, 18.0W Fast Charger Yes
Other Battery Parameters N/A N/A
Fingerprint sensor Yes Yes
Other Features In-display Fingerprint Sensor; Air Triggers; Side-mounted USB Type-C Connector; Reverse charging 10W; UFS 3.0 Storage; NFC; Stereo Speakers; Noise Filtration; DTS Headphone X Scratch Resistant (Corning Gorilla Glass 5) Back Panel; S-Pen; Samsung Desktop Experience (DeX); Wireless Charging; Bixby Assistant; Edge Gestures; Live Messages; NFC; TV Out; ANT+ Support; Miracast; Google Cast; Stereo Speakers; Noise Filtration; Samsung Pay
2-minute Review [Positives]
  • Exquisitely crafted and uniquely designed - excellent materials and build quality - unique and surprisingly stealthy gaming look
  • The back is crafted out of glass with a strip of aluminum on the right - it looks pretty cool
  • Well thought-out control layout, plenty of I/O including some unique input offers like the Air Triggers - it's also a very functional gaming-focussed design, including wider areas (bezels) around the display for bigger speakers and easier gripping
  • There are two USB-C ports, one on the bottom and another on the left side - the latter is to allow gamers to charge the phone while playing games in landscape orientation (Asus has thought of everything here)
  • Decent under display fingerprint reader
  • The “Air Triggers” on the ROG Phone 2 are touch sensitive panels located on the right side of the device’s body that double as shoulder/trigger buttons when the phone is held sideways - this allows gamers to play certain games the way console players do, with a combination of thumb and index fingers, and it improves the experience of playing first-person shooters significantly
  • Huge, stunning 6.59" AMOLED, silky smooth 120Hz display (most phones are 60Hz) - graphics and animations are butter smooth - it’s hard to describe with words - but the more fluid graphics are noticeable, and one of those things that once you see it, you can’t unsee it - it makes for arguably the best display on any smartphone right now, along with the 90Hz OnePlus 7 Pro display
  • Surprisingly clean Android ROM, with most additions working behind the scenes to improve gaming
  • Well laid-out Armoury Crate gaming interface, which includes a lot of automated optimization options as well as unparalleled access to system-level values and thresholds for advanced tuning
  • Runs on the speed beast Snapdragon 855+, which is the just-released upgrade of Qualcomm’s flagship chip - the 855+ is the same hardware as the 855, but the CPU and GPU has been overclocked to better handle memory and graphics rendering - considering that the 855 is already more than powerful to handle any game, the 855+ is overkill
  • You get amazing peak and sustained performance, with some top-grade thermal management
  • Combine the 855+ with the excellent thermal management, and you get the pinnacle of Android performance so far into 2019
  • Just like it was with the original, a big part of the allure of the ROG Phone II lies with its extensive accessory ecosystem, unmatched by any gaming phone - some key ones include AeroActive Cooler II, Lighting Armour Case, ROG Kunai Gamepad, Twinview Dock II, Mobile Desktop Dock, ASUS Professional Dock, WiGig Display Dock Plus and USB 3.0 to RJ45 dongle
  • Solid cameras for the price bracket - the main camera sensor is a 48-megapixel sensor that produces 12-megapixel pinned images, and the secondary wide-angle camera marks the first time a gaming phone featured a wide-angle lens
  • Photos captured under good lighting conditions are more than respectable, with the wide-angle camera doing an admirable job of keeping distortion to a minimum, too (In low light situations, photos become noisier, but still respectable)
  • Overall, the cameras are not exceptional, but they are good in general for the price bracket, and surprisingly good for a gaming oriented phone
  • Easily one of the best stereo speakers on a smartphone to date - the two fairly wide areas on top and bottom of the ROG Phone's display house an impressive pair of smartphone speakers - you get great loudness, depth, and clarity
  • Excellent battery life with a whopping 6000 mAh battery - you can expect up to 2 days of use even with solid gaming sessions thrown in
  • Snappy 25W fast charging support, with Asus' Hypercharge technology (an 18W fast charger comes included)
  • Put simply, the ROG Phone 2 is now the best gaming device for your buck - the 120Hz AMOLED display, the "Air Triggers", the amazing accessory eco-system, the very good thermal management, the outstanding speakers, and the huge 6000mAh battery put it far and ahead of the rest of the gaming phones pack, including the excellent Nubia Red Magic 3 - if you are a hardcore gamer, this is the device you are looking for
  • Big, stylish, premium, high-end phablet, mostly continuing the design from the previous Note series - Samsung continues to do an impressive job cramming a lot of screen into a reasonably manageable footprint
  • The new blue and purple paint jobs look excellent
  • The fingerprint sensor has now (thankfully) migrated from the side of the camera to underneath it, making it more intuitive to use
  • The new stylus (S-Pen) comes in vibrant color options, and now can be used as a (bluetooth) remote control for the phone - serving as a handy surrogate for those who don’t own a compatible smartwatch - for instance you could control your music player (single click plays/pauses a song, and a double-click extends the track), or you could use it as a shutter button in the camera app which could be a useful way to take a selfie without having to hold the phone at arms’ length
  • Absolutely gorgeous, vibrant, bright, big display - one of the best displays in a smartphone, period
  • Samsung's Android UI is one of the more refined Android UIs, and includes the (somewhat useful, but not always useful) Bixby AI assistant
  • Top-end, top-notch performance backed by flagship hardware - the Note 9 will steamroll through anything you throw at it
  • Excellent set of dual rear cameras - up there with the best of the lot, the Pixel 2 and the Galaxy S9 Plus - this time out, most of the camera improvements are on the software side of things - as has been the case for a lot of flagships this year - two features in particular stand out: Scene Optimizer (AI engine to pick the scene you are shooting and tweak settings accordingly) and Flaw Detection (AI engine to pick out and warn about blurry shots, people blinking in the picture etc)
  • Very good selfie camera too
  • Surprisingly loud and powerful stereo speakers - there's one on the bottom, and the earpiece doubles up as the second - all your music, games and videos will sound rich, crisp and clear without any distortion
  • Very good battery life - with a 4000mAh battery this time, you can now expect the phone to last a full day and night
  • Fast charging, and wireless charging support
  • On the whole, the Note continues to be Samsung's “innovation brand”, the uber-premium device that allows the company to push the limits of its mobile hardware, and at least for the time being, the Note remains one of the best methods for transporting a whole lot of screen around on your person - the big screen and stylus come together to walk the line between productivity and entertainment - it’s big, it’s bold, and it remains the phablet to beat
2-minute Review [Negatives]
  • Quite heavy at 240 grams, which takes some getting used to (though to Asus' credit - it's still reasonably easy to hold due to the curvature of the back and even weight distribution)
  • Incredibly slippery body - a case is a must (and thankfully one is included in the retail package)
  • If you are more into casual gaming, then of course the ROG Phone 2 is massive overkill - you will be well served by more all-round flagship phones like the OnePlus 7, Zenfone 6Z, or the Redmi K20 Pro, which will be cheaper, easier to handle, and have slightly better cameras
  • Of course, as is usually the case with all Note series phones, a lot of people might still find the size a bit too large, and unwieldy, for their taste - it's also fairly heavy - beyond the 200g mark
  • The company’s everything-and-the-kitchen-sink approach to the Note line means there are plenty of features that will probably never really make their way into your daily routine - the Note continues to be a phone that's best suited for the most hardcore users
  • Like always, one of the key things about whether you should buy the Note, should be if you see yourself using the stylus for handwritten notes, annotations, making drawings, and the likes - this is always a divided house - some people find it useful as a productivity device, and others not so much
Expert Reviews
  1. Meant to shock, amaze and overshadow others in the mobile gaming niche...The mobile gaming experience on the ROG Phone 2 is truly the best money can buy
    gsmarena.com in-depth Read Review »
  2. Sweet overkill...A ridiculously good phone, that would also be a good pick for non-gamers - as long as you don't mind the heft of course
    phonearena.com in-depth Read Review »
  3. Undoubtedly a great gaming device...but if you’re looking to use it as your daily driver, you’ll be hard-pressed to compromise on certain factors like its large profile and weight
    techradar.com in-depth Read Review »
  4. If you're looking for a beast of a phone, then the Asus ROG Phone 2 is one of the best out there...If you're not a fan of the weight of the ROG Phone 2, the OnePlus 7T would be a good alternative
    gadgets.ndtv.com in-depth Read Review »
  5. 120Hz screen and 6,000 mAh battery makes it the top gaming phone
    forbes.com in-depth Read Review »
  6. A top contender for this year's best smartphone
    bgr.in in-depth Read Review »
  7. The best gaming phone is also a superb Android device
    indianexpress.com in-depth Read Review »
  8. Gaming beast
    economictimes.indiatimes.com in-depth Read Review »
  9. ROG Phone 2 isn’t just a gaming beast but an impressive flagship phone overall.
    hindustantimes.com in-depth Read Review »
  10. A great value phone....not just a good gaming smartphone, but it can also be a good choice for non-gamers
    ibtimes.co.in in-depth Read Review »
  11. The ROG Phone II is clearly the best phone on the market right now if you care about gaming
    news18.com in-depth Read Review »
  12. More than just a great gaming phone...With a stunning 120Hz panel, the latest specs, and 6000mAh battery, the ROG Phone 2 is also great for everyday use
    androidcentral.com in-depth Read Review »
  13. A power-packed, unwieldy device and if you’re a gamer, you’ll love it.... In case you don’t like gaming on mobile, but don’t mind a big-size phone, the ROG 2 is still a good bet
    thequint.com in-depth Read Review »
  14. If you're serious about your mobile gaming and want a leg up over your online opponents, the ASUS ROG Phone 2 is the ultimate gaming handset of 2019
    stuff.tv in-depth Read Review »
  15. One Phone for all your needs!
    themobileindian.com in-depth Read Review »
  16. Lots of power for Android gaming fans
    finder.com.au in-depth Read Review »
  17. A game-changing gaming phone
    financialexpress.com in-depth Read Review »
  18. Top-notch hardware at a jaw-dropping price
    in.mashable.com in-depth Read Review »
  19. Those looking for a gaming smartphone with a premium-built should definitely go for the ROG Phone II
    thenewsminute.com in-depth Read Review »
  20. The alpha Android phone
    indiatoday.in in-depth Read Review »
  21. Combining the ZenFone’s strong camera with over-the-top specs and a wealth of gaming add-ons means this is one of the few gaming phones that doesn’t ask you to compromise on other elements
    techadvisor.co.uk in-depth Read Review »
  22. A ridiculously well-made smartphone and a steal at the current price
    zeebiz.com in-depth Read Review »
  23. Best gaming phone
    pandaily.com in-depth Read Review »
  24. The best gaming phone in India
    gadgetsnow.com in-depth Read Review »
  25. Gamers - Go get it right now. Non-gamers - Go get it right now.
    techpp.com in-depth Read Review »
  26. For someone planning to get the most specced out phone right now, with the added oomph of the battery, and the crazy looks to go with it, and is someone who plays games almost daily - we recommend the ROG Phone 2
    timesnownews.com in-depth Read Review »
  27. Delivers the best performance and features to be hailed as the best gaming smartphone in the market
    firstpost.com in-depth Read Review »
  28. Buy for gaming, leave with one of 2019's best smartphones
    deccanchronicle.com in-depth Read Review »
  29. notebookcheck.net in-depth Read Review »
  30. beebom.com hands-on Read Review »
  31. fonearena.com hands-on Read Review »
  32. androidauthority.com hands-on Read Review »
  33. digitaltrends.com hands-on Read Review »
  34. trustedreviews.com hands-on Read Review »
  35. expertreviews.co.uk hands-on Read Review »
  36. tomsguide.com hands-on Read Review »
  37. pocket-lint.com hands-on Read Review »
  1. The most smartphone packed in a single device you can buy...If that's what you're after, the Galaxy Note9 is an easy recommendation
    gsmarena.com in-depth Read Review »
  2. The Note 9 certainly has the convincing package to earn our recommendation, but it’s more evolutionary than revolutionary
    phonearena.com in-depth Read Review »
  3. One of the year's best phones
    cnet.com in-depth Read Review »
  4. The Note 9 is a satisfying update that will please power users
    engadget.com in-depth Read Review »
  5. It’s big, it’s bold, it’s too expensive for a lot of us. But it remains the phablet to beat.
    techcrunch.com in-depth Read Review »
  6. For the Note 9 to make sense, you need to want more than just “more,” you need to want the most
    theverge.com in-depth Read Review »
  7. The best phone money can buy
    techradar.com in-depth Read Review »
  8. An 'ALMOST' perfect flagship smartphone
    beebom.com in-depth Read Review »
  9. In a world full of nearly identical smartphones, the Galaxy Note 9 does stand out, and while it is expensive, you get what you pay for
    gadgets.ndtv.com in-depth Read Review »
  10. Compelling experience for consumers that want it all
    androidauthority.com in-depth Read Review »
  11. forbes.com in-depth Read Review »
  12. digit.in in-depth Read Review »
  13. bgr.in in-depth Read Review »
  14. indianexpress.com in-depth Read Review »
  15. economictimes.indiatimes.com in-depth Read Review »
  16. alphr.com in-depth Read Review »
  17. news18.com in-depth Read Review »
  18. expertreviews.co.uk in-depth Read Review »
  19. androidcentral.com in-depth Read Review »
  20. livemint.com in-depth Read Review »
  21. zdnet.com in-depth Read Review »
  22. slashgear.com in-depth Read Review »
  23. deccanchronicle.com in-depth Read Review »
  24. gadgetsnow.com in-depth Read Review »
  25. t3.com in-depth Read Review »
  26. indiatoday.in in-depth Read Review »
  27. bgr.com hands-on Read Review »
  28. mashable.com hands-on Read Review »
  29. digitaltrends.com hands-on Read Review »
  30. tomsguide.com hands-on Read Review »
  31. pocketnow.com hands-on Read Review »
  32. stuff.tv hands-on Read Review »
  33. pcworld.com hands-on Read Review »
  34. gizmodo.com hands-on Read Review »
User Reviews
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Official Website Official Website » Official Website »
Unofficial specs? N/A N/A
Individual Review 2
  • Individual Review 2
Individual Review

Asus ROG Phone 2 Review: The Spec King!

Marques Brownlee

Top Pick

Individual Review

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Review: The Total Package!...

Marques Brownlee

Top Pick

Full Review

Asus ROG Phone 2 Review: The Spec King!

Marques Brownlee

Full Review

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Review: The Total Package!

Marques Brownlee

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