The ROG 8 series gaming smartphones have been in the spotlight since their recent launch, with many people comparing them to the earlier released Red Magic 9 Pro series. Both are considered large designs with a gaming phone title, offering fully upgraded camera systems and boasting impressive specs across the board. But, does the newly launched ROG 8 series stand up to the earlier released Red Magic 9 Pro series?
To facilitate a detailed comparison, we have listed the main specs of both phones in a table format. At a glance, it’s evident that despite both featuring the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, there are subtle but interesting differences in other specs. Let’s delve into them:
Starting with the design, the Red Magic phones have maintained a unique aesthetic and functional approach amidst a sea of similar smartphone designs. The Red Magic 9 Pro series offers a full-screen display beneath the screen and a completely flat back panel, with no camera bump in sight, achieving a supreme level of sleekness that is unparalleled in the flagship market. The phone’s signature RGB lighting has also been upgraded, offering a multitude of built-in effects combinations, customizable to keep things fresh and exciting. Even the shoulder triggers are illuminated, making it easier to locate buttons while gaming in bed at night.
Looking at the ROG 8, the most noticeable changes are a slimmer body and narrower bezels, indicating clear improvements. One potential downside is its continued use of a punch-hole screen design, which could detract from the display experience for some users. The back of the device features a minimalist design with a polygonal, tiered camera setup that adds depth and a high-tech feel to the phone’s design. While the ROG logo with its RGB lighting is still recognizable, visually, it may not have the same wow factor as the Red Magic 9 Pro.
Now, let’s talk about performance. Both the Red Magic 9 Pro and the ROG 8 are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, but they take different paths when it comes to cooling technologies. The Red Magic 9 Pro employs the new ICE 13.0 Magic Cooling system, featuring a 10-layer heat dissipation structure and a 10182mm² VC liquid cooling system, along with an RGB active cooling fan and dedicated air channels to keep the phone calm and cool even during intense sessions of graphically demanding games like “Genshin Impact” and “Honkai: Star Rail.”
The Red Magic 9 Pro’s cooling capabilities are evident as it tops the charts with a combined performance of 60.2 frames and 6.8W in recent gaming performance tests, proving its excellent temperature control and stable performance.
The ROG 8 series introduces a new Matrix Liquid Cooling Architecture 8.0. While maintaining the SoC-centered build, internally it features advanced heat-conducting technology that quickly disperses heat across the rear of the device. Enhanced with boron nitride cooling materials, the thermal efficiency is up by 20%, ensuring smooth, high-quality, full-frame gameplay for mainstream titles.
Consistency and stability over long gaming sessions are crucial metrics for gaming performance, and both the Red Magic 9 Pro and ROG 8 excel here, as they are designed for eSports competitiveness. Red Magic 9 Pro has integrated the new Red Core R2 PRO and upgraded to the X-Gravity Platform 2.0, which supports customized touch, vibration, sound, and lighting effects, as well as smart scene recognition algorithms. It also includes new handheld and classic gaming modes.
ROG 8, too, has features developed specifically for gaming, such as the in-game console that allows quick access to various gaming parameters like performance mode, network optimization, key mapping, and screen recording. It also allows monitoring of real-time hardware usage stats for CPU, GPU, memory, and battery, which is especially useful for gamers who need to overclock and monitor their system’s status.
Battery life is a standout feature for these phones. The Red Magic 9 Pro has been dominant in battery endurance tests, thanks to its 6500mAh capacity. According to recent data, the Red Magic 9 Pro continues to lead in battery performance metrics.
The ROG 8, on the other hand, brings versatility in charging options, featuring a 5500mAh battery, 65W HyperCharge wired charging, and 15W wireless charging. While these options provide convenience for charging in various situations, the downside is that frequent charging may be required, which could lead to less than ideal battery life, particularly noticeable during cold winter months.
In summary, both the Red Magic 9 Pro and ROG 8 exhibit outstanding performances in areas like processing power, cooling, gaming optimization, and battery life. However, a comparison reveals that the Red Magic 9 Pro stands out with a more recognizable design, superior cooling performance, more stable frame rates, smoother gaming controls, and longer-lasting battery life, aligning more closely with user demands from an eSports gaming phone today.