The Asus ROG Phone 5s is the latest gaming smartphone from the Taiwanese tech giant, and it’s positioned as an upgrade over the ROG Phone 5. While the design and aesthetics remain largely unchanged from its predecessor, the new model introduces some key upgrades, including a faster touch sampling rate and an improved cooling system. But does it offer enough to justify an upgrade from the ROG Phone 5 or tempt those considering a new gaming phone? Let’s dive into the details to find out.
Asus ROG Phone 5s Price in India
The Asus ROG Phone 5s is priced starting at Rs. 49,999 in India for the base variant which has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There’s also an option with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, priced at Rs. 57,999. For those seeking the ultimate gaming experience, there’s also the ROG Phone 5s Pro, priced at Rs. 79,999. This top-tier model comes equipped with a whopping 18GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, along with additional trigger buttons on the rear and a small secondary PMOLED screen on the rear. Asus offers the ROG Phone 5s in two colors: Phantom Black and a glossy Storm White.
Asus ROG Phone 5s Design and Specifications
The Asus ROG Phone 5s sports a large 6.78-inch HDR10+ AMOLED display with a full-HD+ resolution and 144Hz maximum refresh rate. This is the same display as the ROG Phone 5, but Asus has significantly increased the touch sampling rate to 360Hz, compared to the 300Hz on the older model. This is said to reduce touch latency even further, making it even more responsive to your fingertips.
The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, and there’s an in-display fingerprint scanner that’s conveniently placed and easy to use. You’ll notice the symmetrical thick bezels at the top and bottom of the display which house the front-firing stereo speakers. While these bezels might not be aesthetically pleasing to some, they allow for a rich and immersive audio experience. Although, the large size and weight of the phone, weighing in at 238g, makes it uncomfortable for one-handed use and best suited for landscape usage with two hands.
The Asus ROG Phone 5s features a metal frame, while the back is made of Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The power and volume buttons are located on the right, while the left houses an additional USB Type-C port and proprietary connectors for the Aero Active Cooler 5, which is sold separately by Asus (and included with the ROG Phone 5s Pro). The SIM tray is also on the left and has a bright red accent color for a bit of visual flair.
Just like its predecessors, the Asus ROG Phone 5s sports AirTriggers on the right side of the frame. These ultrasonic shoulder buttons are designed to enhance the gaming experience, providing intuitive controls that react to your touch instantly. At the bottom, you’ll find the off-center USB Type-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack, making it convenient to use wired headphones without the need for adapters.
The camera setup on the Asus ROG Phone 5s remains unchanged from the ROG Phone 5, featuring a triple rear camera setup. This includes a primary 64-megapixel camera with a Sony IMX686 sensor, a 13-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 5-megapixel macro shooter. For selfies, there’s a 24-megapixel camera neatly tucked away in the top bezel. On the rear, you’ll notice an RGB illuminated ROG logo that can light up for incoming calls and messages.
The Asus ROG Phone 5s packs a large 6,000mAh battery that is split into two cells of 3,000mAh each, which helps to charge it quickly. It supports up to 65W fast charging, but Asus only bundles a 30W charger in the box. You’ll need to buy the 65W charger separately if you want to take advantage of the full potential of the fast charging capability.
Under the hood, the Asus ROG Phone 5s is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+ SoC clocked at up to 2.99GHz, alongside an improved cooling system compared to its predecessor. This is the second-most powerful SoC from Qualcomm in the market, second only to the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. The phone offers up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, with the base model equipped with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Unfortunately, there’s no microSD card slot for storage expansion. Connectivity options include dual 5G, 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 6, and six satellite navigation systems.
Software and Performance
The Asus ROG Phone 5s runs ROG UI on top of Android 11, with the latest Android security patch at the time of writing. The ROG UI is highly customized, focused on enhancing the gaming experience and offering an interface that is appealing to gamers. Right out of the box, you’ll find a few apps preinstalled, such as Facebook, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, and Netflix, in addition to the Google app suite. These preinstalled apps can be uninstalled if you choose to.
As expected with its powerful hardware, the Asus ROG Phone 5s delivers exceptional performance. The phone is able to handle demanding games with ease, and the improved cooling system keeps things cool even during extended gaming sessions. The 144Hz refresh rate and 360Hz touch sampling rate make for an ultra-smooth and responsive gaming experience. The AirTriggers on the phone’s frame provide intuitive and near-instantaneous controls for games that support them. The stereo speakers are loud and clear, further enhancing the immersive experience.
Camera Performance
The Asus ROG Phone 5s camera setup is the same as the ROG Phone 5, which means you’ll get impressive results during the day. The main 64-megapixel sensor captures well-detailed photos with accurate colors even in challenging lighting conditions. The ultra-wide-angle camera is also capable of capturing wide shots with good dynamic range. However, the macro camera is mostly a novelty feature, not offering truly impressive results. In low light situations, the ROG Phone 5s struggles a bit, and photos can appear noisy, but the night mode can help to brighten up images and enhance detail to a certain extent. Overall, the cameras on the Asus ROG Phone 5s are capable enough for everyday use and social media sharing, but it’s not the best camera phone in this price range.
Battery Life and Charging
The 6,000mAh battery on the Asus ROG Phone 5s is the same as the ROG Phone 5, and its longevity is truly impressive. With heavy use, including demanding gaming sessions, I was able to push through an entire day with battery to spare, ending the day with about 20% battery remaining. This means average users can easily get two days of battery life under normal usage scenarios.
The fast charging capability comes in handy as well. The bundled 30W charger can top up the battery to 60% in about 30 minutes, and a full charge can be achieved in about an hour and a half. While this is respectable, the 65W charger would undoubtedly offer faster charging times, but it needs to be purchased separately.
Verdict
The Asus ROG Phone 5s is a fantastic gaming smartphone that delivers a powerful and impressive performance along with outstanding battery life. However, it doesn’t offer significant improvements over its predecessor, the ROG Phone 5, apart from a few key upgrades. If you’re looking for the best possible gaming experience and don’t mind the bulkiness and the price tag, then the Asus ROG Phone 5s is a solid choice. But, if you’re looking for a more affordable option with a slightly less aggressive gaming focus, then the ROG Phone 5 might be a better fit for you. The key decision hinges on whether you’re willing to pay the premium for the small upgrades offered by the 5s model.
Overall, the Asus ROG Phone 5s is a solid iteration that builds upon the already strong foundation established by the ROG Phone 5. It’s a powerhouse of a phone specifically designed for gamers and those who demand the latest and greatest in mobile technology. The true value proposition, however, depends on your individual priorities and budget.
