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The iPhone 16 (Image credit: Future) Pick up any modern phone – be it one of the best iPhones or best Android phones – and you’re likely to find a rear panel adorned with two, three, or even four cameras. In most cases, at least one of these cameras will be an ultra-wide lens – commonly referred to as a 0.5x or 0.6x zoom, compared to the main snapper.
Apple, for example, markets the base-model iPhone 16 as having a 4x optical zoom range thanks to an inner crop on its main camera and the 0.5x “magnification” offered by the ultra-wide camera.
But beyond neat figures for marketing and pseudo-zoom trickery, can any of us actually remember if we even wanted an ultra-wide camera to begin with?
The first phone to really make an impact by having two cameras was the iPhone 7 Plus, which pushed the idea of the dual camera setup into the mainstream. It came equipped with a wide-angle main camera and a 2x telephoto camera, at a time when even decent digital zoom wasn’t a given on smartphones.
The iPhone 7 Plus launched in 2016 with a dual camera setup The revolutionary iPhone X, and its follow-up the iPhone XS, kept this momentum going, and the rivals of the day followed suit, with the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus also sporting a telephoto camera.
Ever since the iPhone 11, though, it’s been seen as normal to fit premium, flagship handsets with ultra-wide secondary cameras, and the more useful telephoto lens has increasingly become a tertiary luxury. And in the budget world, telephoto lenses are a real rarity compared to the common – and presumably cheaper – ultra-wide option.
Ultra-wide cameras have their uses. The lesser focal distance of an ultra-wide camera means you can get up close to subjects, enabling macro photography. And sometimes you just need to fit more stuff in the frame.
However, for day-to-day photography – which is the majority of photography done with a smartphone – even a 2x telephoto zoom is so much more useful; it virtually extends the photographer’s reach to help them capture a wider variety of day-to-day happenings – not to mention better-looking portraits and detailed close-ups.
The ultra-wide cameras affixed to smartphones are also rarely meaningfully corrected by the phone’s image processing pipeline, meaning people and objects at the fringes of the image appear unnaturally stretched out.
The Xiaomi Mix Flip doesn’t have an ultra-wide camera (Image credit: Xiaomi) Luckily, there does seem to be a course correction in motion. Xiaomi affixes telephoto cameras to several of its mid-range models, and even the new Xiaomi Mix Flip foldable has a 2x zoom as its sole backup. The Samsung Galaxy S24 family all carry an optical zoom camera of some description.
And I’m even glad of the rumors that suggest the next-generation iPhone SE will continue the single-camera tradition, as this means more investment and design resources can be allocated to things like performance and battery life instead of a camera with very limited use cases.
Hopefully, these choices begin to trickle down towards the best cheap phones over the coming years, but until then, it seems I’ll have to keep chasing the highest-performing phones for a secondary camera that I actually want to use.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series will be the first to get it.
What you need to know
Last week, Samsung announced plans to begin the rollout of One UI 6 Watch to older Galaxy Watch models.
The update began rolling out today for some Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic users in the U.S.
Following the Galaxy Watch 6 series, One UI 6 Watch will come to Galaxy Watch 5, Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Watch 4 Classic and Galaxy Watch FE.
One UI 6 has some interesting features, including:
Sleep Apnea Tool: This could be a really helpful tool for people who suspect they might have sleep apnea.
Better Health Tracking: The update includes an “Energy Score” that’s calculated based on your sleep, activity, and other data. This could be a good way to get a better overall picture of your health.
New Watch Faces: Samsung is adding some new watch faces to its collection, giving users even more ways to customize their watch.
Who’s getting the update? Right now, it seems like the update is mainly rolling out to Galaxy Watch 6 Classic users in the US. Hopefully, it won’t be long before other regions and models, like the base Galaxy Watch 6 and older Galaxy Watch 5 and 4 series, get the update too.
Thehighly-anticipated One UI 6 Watch updateis slowly making its way to older Samsung Galaxy Watch models. Users onRedditbegan reporting seeing updates for One UI 6 Watch become available for theirGalaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classicdevices today in the U.S. The rollout comes following Samsung’sannouncementof the One UI 6 Watch release schedule last week, which is based onWear OS 5.
One UI 6 Watch debuted on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and Ultra earlier this year, packing a few Samsung Health features powered by Galaxy AI. They includeEnergy Score, which is similar to Garmin’s Body Battery metric, andSleep Analysis. On top of that,RaceandWorkout Routinewill help athletes train for their next big event — or simply hit their personal goals. Now, these features and more are set to come to a slew of older Galaxy Watch models.
The One UI 6 Watch update may arrive in a few different build numbers, including R965USQU1BXJ5 and R965UOYM1BXJ5. It’s nearly two gigabytes in size, and some users are reporting that the update takes hours to apply to their Galaxy Watch 6 or Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. The exact details and rollout timeline will depend on your device model, and whether you have the GPS or GPS + LTE versions of the Galaxy Watch.
(Image credit: Samsung)
Samsung warns that the included Galaxy AI features are only guaranteed for free until the end of 2025. After that, their future is up in the air. The idea of Samsung offering a subscription for Galaxy AI and/or Samsung Health features has been floated, but nothing is concrete at the moment.
For now, the One UI 6 Watch update is only available for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. Eventually, One UI 6 Watch will come to Galaxy Watch 5, Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Watch 4 Classic and Galaxy Watch FE.
Samsung Display has patented a rather strange gaming handheld. While the device resembles a Nintendo Switch in its default state, it can be folded into a clamshell form factor, much like the Galaxy Z Flip6.
Samsung Display may well showcase this design at future trade shows. (Image source: via WIPO)
In recent weeks, there has been plenty of discussion about Samsung possibly creating its first tri-fold smartphone as a rival to Huawei’s Mate XT. However, it seems that Samsung Display has something even stranger in the works. Please note that Samsung Display is a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics rather than a part of it.
As a result, the former has showcased prototypes like the Flex S and Flex G that have never been released in a retail capacity. By contrast, Samsung Electronics makes use of Samsung Display panels in devices like the Galaxy Z Fold6. At any rate, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has registered what Samsung Display describes as an ‘electronic games console’.
Filed over two years ago, the patent resembles a Nintendo Switch Lite until it folds in half. To achieve this, Samsung Display has included recessed buttons and what may well be removable joysticks. Ultimately, Samsung Display’s foldable gaming handheld resembles a Galaxy Z Flip6, although it remains to be seen whether such a design will ever reach mass production.
The two latest Sony Walkmans were originally delivered with Android 12. Now, the music players are getting an update to Android 14, which comes are a surprise since major operating system updates are the exception rather than the rule for hi-fi music players.
Sony is updating two of its latest music players to Android 14. (Image source: Sony)
Android-based music players from manufacturers such as FiiO, Hiby, iBasso or Shanling generally come with Android versions that are several years old, and updates to newer versions are almost never available. This has also been the case for Sony Walkman, such as the NW-A105 that was delivered with Android 9.0 and never received an update to Android 10.
Sony now appears to be following a new update policy for its two latest music players, the Walkman NW-A306 and the Walkman NW-ZX707. After the two Walkmans were launched with Android 12 at the beginning of 2023, Sony released the update to Android 13 around a year ago, and users can now download an update to Android 14. We have already installed the update on a Walkman NW-ZX707 as a test and, as expected, Sony has deactivated many features that are not relevant for a music player.
There are nevertheless a few new features. For example, the Walkman now has more options for customizing the color of the home and lock screens, including the option of coloring app icons. Android 14 also comes with some new wallpapers. Charging processes can now be limited to a maximum of 80% in order to extend battery life. After the update, the Walkman switches off automatically after 72 hours to save battery power.
The update contains the Android security patch from August 2024. The download can be started as usual via the system settings, provided the Walkman is connected to a USB-C charging cable and a Wi-Fi network. Firmware version 3.00 requires a download of around 1,500 MB. Lastly, Sony points out that it is not possible to revert to the older Android version after installing the update.
The sale stoppage went into effect when the company failed to meet local requirements.
Apple has offered $100 million to Indonesia as part of an effort to lift a recent ban of the iPhone 16 in the country, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. The company has presented an investment plan that would use that $100 million to set up a manufacturing plant in the nation.
Earlier this month, Apple offered the country $10 million to reverse the ban. This latest proposal is worth ten times that, so the company certainly sees Indonesia as an important market. After all, the country is home to 280 million potential smartphone customers. The Ministry of Industry of Indonesia is scheduled to review Apple’s proposal this week.
This all started because Apple missed a local investment threshold by around $15 million. Indonesia mandates that certain devices sold in the country must have at least 40 percent “domestic content.” This percentage can be met by using domestically-sourced materials, building manufacturing plants or by employing local workers.
Apple previously invested around $94 million in the country through a variety of means, but it wasn’t enough to stave off the ban. The sale stoppage also applies to other recently-released Apple products, like the Apple Watch Series 10. The ban doesn’t impact older Apple devices, which are still available for purchase throughout the country.
Apple has opened up several developer academies throughout the country, but an actual manufacturing plant would be a major boon for Indonesia. Both Samsung and Xiaomi have already set up factories in the nation.
There’s nothing more annoying than forgetting your WiFi password.
Android Wi-Fi networksYour device remembers your Wi-Fi password even if you don’t.
We’ve all been there: You’ve got a fancy newphoneorlaptop, and it’s time to set it up, but you have no idea what the Wi-Fi password is. Maybe it’s a long string of characters on the back of your router in another room or written on a Post-It note somewhere in the house. Either way, there are some pretty easy ways to get yourself up and running without having to bug a friend, family member, or colleague to access it or add another of your own devices; here’s how to find the password.
Of course, this process won’t be much help if the Wi-Fi password has changed, which might explain why your connected devices are no longer getting online. In that case, you will have to get the new password from whoever is running the network.
The Android Wi-Fi password screen comes with a QR code.
If you’re using a Google Pixel phone, from Settings, tapNetwork and internetandInternet, then tap the gear icon next to the name of the wifi network you’re currently connected to. TapShareon the next screen, authenticate your identity, and you will get a QR code to share the login details. The Wi-Fi password will be listed underneath.
It’s a little different if you’re on a Samsung Galaxy phone. Open Settings, chooseConnectionsandWi-Fi,and tap the gear icon next to the current Wi-Fi network. The password field will be starred out, but if you tap the eye icon next to it and confirm your identity, you’ll see the password in plain text.
If you have any other type of Android phone, you should be able to find a similar Wi-Fi configuration page somewhere. Note the other useful options and features on the same screens: Telling Android whether or not to automatically reconnect to the network, for instance, and readings on the frequency and Wi-Fi standard you’re connected with.
It only takes a couple of taps to find a password on iOS.
If you’re using an iPhone, head to the main Settings app, then chooseWi-Fito see the network you’re currently connected to. Tap the small blue information icon next to that network name (the small “i” inside a circle) to see how it’s configured—whether or not your iPhone is set to connect to it automatically.
Tap on thePasswordfield, and you’ll be asked to authenticate yourself using whatever method is set as the screen lock protection measure (Face ID or a PIN code, for example). After that, the password appears, and you even get a handyCopybubble on the screen in case you need to copy it somewhere else.
It’s worth familiarizing yourself with the other options on this screen, too, in case you ever need them—you can turn on a special low data mode if bandwidth is limited, for example, or ask your iPhone to forget the network (in which case you’ll have to enter the password again the next time you connect).
Windows
Bringing up the current Wi-Fi password on Windows.
When it comes to finding your Wi-Fi passwords on Windows, open up Settings from the Start menu, then chooseNetwork & internetandWi-Fi. You’ll see the network you’re currently connected to up at the top (you can see more by clickingShow available networks)—select the name of the network you’re on to view its properties.
On the next screen, you’ll get a wealth of information, including detailed readings for the network profile type and your DNS and IP settings. This is all handy information, but we just want the Wi-Fi password: Click View next to View Wi-Fi security key, and it pops up in a new dialog box.
Back on theNetwork & InternetandWi-Fiscreen, you can useManage known networksto add new networks, forget existing networks (so you’ll need to enter a password again to connect to them), and edit their various properties. If you’ve got a long history of wifi networks, use the filtering options at the top to get through them.
macOS
There are several ways to bring up the wi-fi password on macOS.
To find your stored wifi passwords on macOS, open theApplemenu, click onSystem Settings, and then chooseWi-Fi. The wifi network you’re currently connected to is listed at the top, but to get the password for it you don’t click theDetailsbox next to it—you need to scroll down to find it again underKnown Networks.
This second listing will have three dots next to it: Click this icon, thenCopy Password, and the password will be sent to the clipboard. To actually see it, you need to paste it into a different application like TextEdit or the Notes app (Cmd+V will do the job), and from there, you can send it anywhere else you need to know.
You can bring up an interesting little potted history of your Mac by scrolling further down the same screen and then choosing Advanced to bring up a dialog box showing some extra settings and all the Wi-Fi networks your computer has ever connected to. You can also click the three dots next to any of these to find the Copy Password option.
The Fitbit app is likely to be showing up on a lot more phones in the future(Image credit: Google)
Fitbit has replaced Google Fit on the Oppo Find X8 series
It’s a first for a non-Pixel Google handset
This could be the norm for Android phones from here
The end is nigh for the Google Fit app on Android phones, it would seem: It looks as though the Fitbit app is going to replace it on these devices going forward, with Google making the most of its 2021 acquisition of the fitness company.
As spotted by 9to5Google, the newly-unveiled Oppo Find X8 comes with Fitbit installed rather than Google Fit. It’s the first time we’ve seen that on a non-Google Android phone, and could well be the norm in the future.
If you’ve bought one of the Google Pixel 9 phones you’ll notice Fitbit has replaced Google Fit here as well. If it’s happening on handsets made by Google’s manufacturing partners as well, the transition from one app to the other is just about complete.
Should you have a lot of data already in Google Fit, Google’s Health Connect service can sync it to Fitbit, if needed: Tap Profile then the gear icon in the Google Fit app to set this up. You can also export your Google Fit data from inside the app by tapping your Google account avatar (top right), then Fit data and privacy.
The Pixel Watch 3 is Fitbit-focused (Image credit: Future) While it’s disappointing to see yet another Google app killed off, Google does at least seem to be investing in new features and upgrades for the Fitbit app – even if it did recently abandon the web interface for your Fitbit data.
Google has previously announced an AI health coach that’s now in testing and is likely to soon make an appearance in the Fitbit app proper. It’s not clear when everyone will get it, but it could show up before the end of the year.
The Gemini-powered feature can answer questions about your health and give you personalized insights into your activity patterns and workouts. We’ll have to wait until we can test it out for ourselves to see just how accurate it is.
In recent weeks we’ve also heard that an AI-driven Sleep Journal is also on the way for the Fitbit app, which will give you detailed feedback on your sleep health and ways in which you might try and improve it. Whether or not these extras will be exclusive to Fitbit Premium subscribers remains to be seen.
The Garmin Edge Explore 2 bike computer is receiving a new public beta update, version 25.19. This is an unusual back-to-back update, which requires users to install different firmware before proceeding with the update. The change log notes that the release brings support for camera controls.
The Garmin Edge Explore 2 is being updated with beta version 25.19. (Image source: Garmin)
Garmin is rolling out anew beta updateto the Edge Explore 2 GPS Bike Computer. This is the first public release in the 25.xx testing cycle, despite it being version 25.19. The previous software, version 24.20, brought a wide range of features and improvements to the product, including Garmin Share and hazards support.
Beta version 25.19 is a relatively minor update. The change log states that the Edge Explore 2 now supports camera control. The release notes also indicate that the update brings bug fixes, though Garmin has not listed these changes. As with recent updates for other models like theEdge 540andEdge 1050bike computers, this is a back-to-back update. Users must first install version 24.54, which allows the Edge Explore 2 to use MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) when transferring files between the device and a computer. After the installation is complete, the bike computer will reboot.
Once this has finished, you can proceed with the download of update version 25.19. According to a Garmin team member, this beta update has already reached at least 50% of eligible users. TheGarmin Edge Explore 2 is currently available for $269 at Amazon.
The Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro is the most powerful phone on the market at the time of writing. It’s also remarkably easy to use day-to-day, with a relatively subtle design, outstanding battery life, an adequate camera, and plenty of pleasing quality-of-life features. It isn’t fully optimized for either purpose – gaming or everyday use – but it takes a pretty convincing stab at covering all bases.
Pros
+Class-leading performance
+Excellent battery life
+Relatively easy to use everyda
Cons
-Very expensive
-Not perfectly optimised for gaming
-Still only two years of OS updates
Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro: Two-minute review Asus took a bold turn towards the mainstream with the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro in 2023, repositioning its flagship (but typically niche) gaming phone as something you might actually want to use day-to-day. You don’t get two consecutive radical overhauls in the modern smartphone era, so the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro serves as more of a gentle refinement.
The chief improvement comes from the switch to Qualcomm’s impressive Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, which provides a measurable bump in performance. This is paired with a whole lot of RAM and a passive cooling system that has been beefed up yet further.
Whatever the contributing factors, the ROG Phone 9 Pro addresses our concerns over its predecessor’s sustained performance, remaining consistently fast over longer gaming sessions.
The ROG Phone 9 Pro sticks to the design template of last year’s model, with the same (relatively) discrete shape and style. Quality of life features like wireless charging and IP68 certification make a return, too, and continue to be unique among gaming phones.
(Image credit: Future) Hardcore mobile gamers will likely continue to regard this as a compromised layout, however. Asus has only half-heartedly addressed the lack of dual front-firing speakers, while the display continues to be partially obstructed by a hole punch camera, unlike that of the Red Magic 9S Pro.
One gamer-friendly change on the ROG Phone 9 Pro is the provision of a larger 5,800mAh battery, which ensures epic stamina in regular usage. More to the point, you’ll be able to indulge in some serious gaming on your commute without fear of running out of juice. Charging speeds are quick enough, and there’s a secondary USB-C port on the left-hand edge for easy charging while gaming.
Asus’ rear-mounted AniMe Vision system, introduced in the ROG Phone 8 Pro, has been improved, with a bunch more LEDs. You can even play a series of simplistic games on it, using the returning mappable Air Trigger controls. It’s a fun addition, but pretty superfluous given the range of games (both simple and otherwise) that can be played on the main screen.
Talking of which, Asus has stuck with broadly the same 6.78-inch AMOLED panel as before. The only real difference is that the refresh rate now goes up to 185Hz, but you’ll struggle to find many games that can capitalize on such a feature.
(Image credit: Future) Also similar is the ROG Phone 9 Pro’s camera system, which adds an improved gimbal stabilization system to the package. It’s far from one of the best camera phones out there, especially among its premium-priced flagship competition, but it’s capable of capturing solid shots in a variety of scenarios.
The software provision remains the most thoughtful of any gaming phone, with a straight choice between Asus’ bespoke gamer aesthetic and a more traditional stock(ish) Android UI. It’s a real shame you’ll only be getting two major Android updates, though at least the AI-enhanced Android 15 is available out of the box.
For all its many minor improvements, it’s questionable whether the ROG Phone 9 Pro is the best out-and-out gaming phone on the market, and it’s certainly not the best value. However, it’s quite clearly the best option if gaming is merely the first among many interests.
Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Price and availability
From $1,199
Shipping expected second half of December
Global Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro pre-orders are open now, with shipping expected to begin in mid-to-late December.
The ROG Phone 9 comes in three variants: the regular Asus ROG Phone 9, the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro, and the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro Edition. It’s the latter that I’ve been testing for this review, though it’s broadly the same phone as the regular Pro.
Pricing starts at $1,199.99 for the ROG Phone Pro with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The ROG Phone Pro Edition is the same phone, but with 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, as well as an external AeroActive Cooler X Pro fan included in the box. This top-tier model costs $1,499.99.
It’s worth mentioning that there’s a little more meaningful differentiation for the regular ROG Phone 9 this year. It has a simpler AniMe Vision LED set-up on the back, and swaps out the dedicated telephoto camera for a lesser macro one.
Value score: 3.5 / 5
Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Specs
Dimensions:
163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9mm
Weight:
227g
Display:
6.78-inch up to 185Hz Full HD+ AMOLED
Chipset:
Snapdragon 8 Elite
RAM:
16GB / 24GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage:
512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)
OS (at launch):
Android 15
Primary camera:
50MP f/1.9 Sony IMX890 1/1.56-inch sensor w/ 6-axis Hybrid Gimbal
Asus dropped its juvenile gamer aesthetic for the ROG Phone 8 Pro in favor of something a little more subdued and mature. Indeed, so comprehensive was the transformation, Asus essentially re-released the phone several months later as the normie Zenfone 11 Ultra.
Unsurprisingly, it has stuck to its design guns with the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro. The phone looks and feels almost exactly the same as its predecessor, with identical proportions of 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9mm and a similar weight of 227g. That’s big by normal standards, but not especially so for a gaming phone.
Like the ROG Phone 8 pro, this heft is partly softened by a soft-touch precision-etched glass material on the rear that curves off at the edges. The Pro model only comes in a sober Phantom Black finish, which has just the slightest of glimmers about it. It’s totally non-reflective, however, and also mercifully resistant to fingerprints.
There are still a few gamery decals dotted around the back of the phone, but at least Asus has ditched the cheesy ‘Dare to Win’ message this time around.
(Image credit: Future)
One thing Asus has leaned into is the AniMe Vision secondary display that debuted on the ROG Phone 8 Pro. Completely invisible by default, this LED system (up from 341 to 648 LEDs) only lights up when you dive into the menus and activate it. You can have it play little animations when music is playing, for incoming calls and notifications, and more. I particularly liked the little countdown timer and smiley face that appears when you take timed photo.
The big new addition is the ability to play simplistic games on this stylized secondary display, but that’s arguably the least consequential use for it. Using the Air Trigger controls, you can play crude knock-off versions of Space Invader, Snake, and the like. None of them are especially good, and I’m not sure why you’d ever opt for one of these given the range of games available for the main screen.
Asus added IP68 certification with the ROG Phone 8 Pro, and it makes a return here. It’s something you don’t get on the likes of the Red Magic 9 Pro with its big fan vents, and it’s most welcome as the bad weather starts to roll in.
For gamers, this more accessible design is something of a mixed bag. On the plus side, you get a secondary USB-C port on the left-hand edge, which makes it easy to charge while you’re gaming. You also get a 3.5mm headphone jack for latency-free audio.
Conversely, Asus’ more streamlined design reduces the bezels to the point where there’s no room for dual front-facing speakers. The earpiece fires frontwards, but the other speaker is on the bottom edge of the phone. This will never match true front-firing speakers for stereo clarity, and Asus knows it.
(Image credit: Future)
In a somewhat half-baked attempt to address this, the manufacturer has made it so that both of its official cases (including the bundled ChillCase) redirect the downwards-firing audio frontwards. It works to avoid you blocking the speaker with your finger while gaming, but it’s still a half measure, especially if you don’t care for the case.
As for the sound output itself, it gets nice and loud and clear, but it’s no match for the nuanced output of similarly priced regular phones like theiPhone 16 Pro Max.
Those compact bezels also mean that the front camera is marooned in a sea of screen, which isn’t optimal for gaming, even if it’s a standard measure for the vast majority of non-gaming phones. Still, it does mean that the selfie camera is usable, unlike with the Red Magic 9S Pro’s awful in-display solution. Again, it all comes down to your priorities.
I’ve already drawn a contrast with the way Asus handles cooling compared to Nubia. Instead of integrating a physical fan into the body of the phone, Asus includes the aforementioned ChillCase, which draws heat away from the body of the phone. It also bundles in the AeroActive Cooler X Pro, which is a clip-on fan that serves to draw heat away from the body, as well as provide additional physical shoulder buttons and a built-in stand.
This AeroActive Cooler X Pro runs off the phone’s power by hooking into its extra USB-C port, and also uses this to run some ROG lighting, which you can adjust or toggle off in the Armoury Crate app.
Compared to last year’s AeroActive Cooler X, the AeroActive Cooler X Pro features a 12.5% larger fan and extra thermal material, boosting cooling efficiency by a claimed 29%. Its design is fundamentally similar though, and it’s good to see that Asus is continuing to sell the older fan as a cheaper alternative.
Design score: 4 / 5
Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Display
(Image credit: Future)
6.78-inch LTPO OLED
FHD+ resolution
Refresh rate now goes up to 185Hz
Asus has gone with a 6.78-inch E6 AMOLED display for the whole ROG Phone 9 range, which is the same as the ROG Phone 8. You might expect a sharper resolution than 1080 x 2400 (FHD+) given the price, especially of this top model, but image clarity is fine and fewer pixels make for better performance.
The brightness hasn’t been cranked up at all, with the same claimed peak of 2,500 nits inHDRtasks and 1,600 nits in high brightness mode, which automatically activates in sunny outdoor conditions. It’s far from the brightest screen on the market, but it proves to be more than enough in practical terms.
Color output is certainly on the punchy side, even in the supposedly Natural display setting. You can rein this in by switching to Standard mode, which offers a pleasingly balanced look, while you can also fine-tune the color temperature and saturation level according to your taste.
This is an LTPO panel, which means that it can operate at any one of 14 refresh rates depending on the task at hand, thus maximizing energy efficiency. This is actually one more gradient than the ROG Phone 8 Pro was capable of, and that’s because the ROG Phone 9 Pro can extend beyond the previous 165Hz limit to 185Hz.
You can only access this elevated refresh rate when the screen is set to Auto, and it’ll only activate within games. It’s also a simple fact that vanishingly few games will actually take advantage of such a refresh rate. Indeed, most won’t even hit 120Hz. Even the super-fluidDead Cellstopped out at 167fps for me.
Still, this is a phone built around high-end mobile gaming, which means it needs to offer the maximum possible gaming performance. In terms of display technology, it’s mission accomplished.
Display score: 4 / 5
Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Cameras
(Image credit: Future)
Familiar 1/1.56-inch main camera sensor with improved gimbal
13-inch ultra-wide with freeform lens
Dedicated 32MP 3x telephoto on Pro models only
It might appear as if Asus has switched to a new main camera sensor on paper, but theSonyLytia 700 is merely a rebrand of the 1/1.56-inch IMX 890 found in the ROG Phone 8.
All that’s new this time around, at least from a hardware perspective, is an improved gimbal system. The six-axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer 4.0 can manage five degrees of motion compensation rather than the previous three.
As we’ve seen with previous Asus flagship phones, this system results in freakishly stable images and video footage, which has positive ramifications for low-light shots. By keeping even steadier, the ROG Phone 9 Pro can keep its shutter open for longer without it negatively affecting clarity – so long as the subject is relatively static.
Sure enough, food shots taken in dim restaurant lighting looked appropriately sharp and delectable, while Night mode shots were reasonably crisp and clear. I didn’t spot too much of that artificial brightening effect that often blights less-than-top camera systems either.
You get the same 13MP ultra-wide camera as before, which can’t manage the same detail or contrast as the main sensor. The overall tone is broadly of a piece, however, and edge distortion isn’t excessive thanks to the provision of a freeform lens.
We also get the return of the ROG Phone 8’s 32MP 3x telephoto camera – or at least, the ROG Phone 9 Pro does. In a noteworthy downgrade, Asus has dropped the telephoto from the regular ROG Phone 9, replacing it with a 5MP macro.
Speaking of the Pro model, the dedicated telephoto camera takes sharp and balanced shots at its native 3x zoom, and usable snaps using the hybrid 2x mode. Things start to get soft at 10x, however, while the 30x hybrid zoom turns out awful impressionistic snaps. Some of the facial features I captured on distant subjects in these extended hybrid zoom shots will haunt my dreams for some time to come.
The 32MP selfie camera makes a return, and it continues to go about its business adequately. Skin still looks a little waxy, but detail is fine; it makes the subject pop against the background nicely, and I appreciated the option of a wider perspective for group and landscape selfies.
That above-and-beyond gimbal further earns its place when capturing video at up to4K/60fps or8K/30fps. You can add electronic image stabilization (EIS) to the equation in HyperSteady mode, but this is only available at up to 1080p/60fps. Auto HDR can also be applied to videos, but only up to 1080p/30fps.
More than any hardware improvements, Asus seems to have gone the extra mile on its camera software this year. The big addition is Photo Vibes, which let you fundamentally alter the tone of your shots between five major settings.
Standard is Asus’ idea of a balanced look, and it was also my preference throughout my test period. Rich & Warm cranks up the contrast and drops the temperature. Soft & Warm drops both, Vivid gives you high color temperature and high contrast for that cool blue tint, while Gentle Cold gives you high temperature but low contrast.
The other new feature that feels potentially meaningful is the ability to map the right Air Trigger button to the shutter. It’s turned off by default, but when activated it gives you something of a point-and-shoot camera feel.
This is still only a capacitive button, so you don’t get the same tactile feedback as the iPhone 16’s Camera Control button, but it’s a welcome addition nonetheless. I particularly appreciated that the shot was taken on release, not the initial press, which helps with stability and shot composition.
Make no mistake, this still isn’t a top-notch camera system, despite the premium price you’re paying for the phone. Neither night nor daytime shots are up to the level of the iPhone 16 Pro Max,Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, orSamsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
That’s part of the deal with even thebest gaming phones, and this is still comfortably the best gaming phone camera in town. It’s a low bar admittedly, but it’s one that last year’s ROG Phone 8 cleared with ease. The ROG Phone 9 Pro nudges things forward.
Camera score: 3.5 / 5
Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro camera samples
Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Performance
(Image credit: Future)
Features the brand new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip
18GB or 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM
512GB or 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage
Let’s face it, for all the ROG Phone 9 Pro’s mainstream refinements, we’re all here for the performance. You can take your gaming phone design in any direction you like, but if it can’t run games better than regular phones, you’re onto a loser.
Suffice it to say, the ROG Phone 9 Pro is very much a winner in the performance department. Much of that success can be laid at Qualcomm’s door, with the third-party chip maker providing its latest and greatest 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor with its brand new Oryon CPU architecture.
Now add in an absolute stack of fast LPDDR5X RAM – 18GB in the Pro, 24GB in the Pro Edition – and you have as good a foundation as any phone on the market. My benchmark tests indicate a healthy advance on the previous Android flagship generation, which tended to run on the older Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
In the CPU-focused Geekbench 6, the ROG Phone 9 Pro scored an average of 10,106. That’s a 40% increase on the ROG Phone 8 Pro, and a 15% increase on the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
(Image credit: Future)
There’s a slightly less remarkable improvement in GPU terms, but Qualcomm’s new Adreno 830 GPU still represents a solid bump. The improvement across a selection of GFXBench GPU benchmark tests stood at around 24% on average compared to the ROG Phone 8 Pro.
Benchmark tests are especially necessary in figuring out how fast this phone is, as no games available on theGoogle Play Storecan really stretch it.Genshin ImpactandWreckfestboth run on the highest graphical settings at a more or less consistent 60fps.
More noteworthy for gamers is the ROG Phone 9 Pro’s improved sustained performance – that is, its ability to run consistently fast over extended periods, which is important for prolonged gaming sessions. In the 3DMark Solar Bar Stress Test, which runs 20 consecutive minute-long high-intensity graphical workouts, the ROG Phone 9 Pro scored 99.6% consistency.
That’s better than the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s 92.2%, and is right up there with theRed Magic 9 Proand its integrated cooling fan on 99.7%. You might want to bring the AeroActive Cooler X Pro into play for hour-long sessions and beyond, but this is a meaningful improvement.
How much of this is down to efficiency gains on Qualcomm’s part and how much is Asus’ improved GameCool cooling system remains unclear. At the heart of this is Asus’s custom X Mode which, as well as ramping up the clock speeds of the CPU and GPU, monitors thermal limits and adjusts output accordingly.
Besides a meaty multi-layer cooling system, Asus has positioned the heat-generating SoC at the center of the phone, away from your hands. It’ll still warm up after a prolonged gaming session, but not uncomfortably so.
Performance score: 5 / 5
Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Software
(Image credit: Future)
Android 15 with ROG UI
Armour Crate app to fine-tune gaming settings
Only two OS updates, five years of security updates
One of the big things that, for me, sets the ROG Phone 9 Pro apart from its Red Magic rivals and makes it a more pleasant phone to use day-to-day is Asus’ approach to software. Right at the start of the set-up procedure, you’re given a choice between a custom Asus UI or a more stock take on Android.
As a fan of Google’s Pixel phones, I went with the latter, with its familiar icons, volume control system, and integrated quick settings panel. But tinkerers, power users, and those coming from non-Google-branded phones may appreciate Asus’ alternative. The choice is most welcome, and I wish more manufacturers would offer it.
Asus adds a few of its own apps out of the box, including its own Gallery app and the usual everyday tools – think Clock, File Manager, Calculator, Themes, and the like. There’s nothing too egregious here, though that depends on your opinion of Facebook.
Armoury Crate is the company’s custom game interface, granting access to different power modes and display configurations. For popular games likeGenshin Impact, you’ll find downloadable Air Trigger button mappings.
Artificial Intelligence figured highly in Asus’s press materials for the ROG Phone 9 Pro, but most of it is typical stuff for a high-end phone launched in 2024. There’s an AI Wallpaper feature for bespoke backgrounds; natural language image search in the Gallery app; localized AI transcriptions and summaries within the Recorder app; AI call translations; and various image and video editing enhancements. Google’s Circle to Search tool is also here.
Asus has also applied some AI smarts to its gaming UI with X Sense. It’s only in Beta at present, but it can use AI to identify when the ‘Pick up’ button appears on a game likeGenshin Impact, and automatically activate it. It’ll also offer you the option to auto-run, and can speed up conversations in lengthy cut scenes. X Sense can even automatically hammer the escape button when it detects that your avatar is frozen or trapped.
All this positivity is tarnished somewhat by Asus’ inexplicably bad update promise, which only commits to two additional major Android versions. Still, at least Android 15 comes with it out of the box, and you’re also guaranteed a pretty decent five years of security patches.
There’s also the simple fact that anyone splashing out $1,000 / £1,000 or more on a cutting-edge gaming phone is likely to be the type of person who upgrades fairly regularly. Even so, this is an area Asus needs to improve on if it really wants to break into the mainstream with its ROG line.
Software score: 3.5 / 5
Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Battery
(Image credit: Future)
Larger 5,800mAh battery
Comfortable all day heavy usage
65W wired and 15W wireless charging
One of the unwelcome compromises Asus reached in streamlining the ROG Phone 8 Pro was dropping the size of the battery to 5,500mAh, which isn’t the sort of thing a committed gamer wants to hear.
While it hasn’t quite restored us to the heights of the ROG Phone 7’s 6,000mAh battery, Asus has given us an improved 5,800mAh cell this time around. Together with the improvements to energy efficiency, I’m pleased to announce that the Asus ROG Phone 9 is once again a stamina monster.
On a 15-hour day of moderate usage, with around 4 hours 30 minutes of screen on time, I was left with 60% in the tank. That’s notably better than the ROG Phone 8 Pro, which left me with less than 50% in similar scenarios, and is right up there around the Red Magic 9 Pro and Red Magic 9S Pro with their 6,500mAh cells.
Of course, at the time of writing, Nubia has just announced the Red Magic 10 Pro with its ridiculously large 7,050mAh battery, so Asus may still be a little behind on the gaming stamina bragging rights. Watch this space.
Asus hasn’t changed its charging provision, and it arguably didn’t need to. Once again it bundles in a 65W charging brick, which gets the phone from empty to full in a little over 45 minutes. That’s a tad worse than the ROG Phone 8 Pro, but about the same as the Red Magic 9S Pro.
One thing that stands out from other gaming phones is the provision of 15W wireless charging. It’s another small quality-of-life improvement that makes the phone a little nicer to use day to day.
Battery score: 5 / 5
Buy it if…
You want the fastest phone on the market At the time of writing, the ROG Phone 9 Pro is the fastest phone out there, bar none.
You want an everyday gaming phone Yes, the ROG Phone 9 Pro is incredible at gaming, but it does all the everyday stuff pretty well too, and without looking like a Transformer.
You want a gaming phone with a little extra Most gaming phones don’t come with wireless charging, IP68 waterproofing, and a telephoto camera. This one does.
Don’t buy it if…
You’re on a budget The ROG Phone 9 Pro doesn’t come cheap, and you can get broadly similar performance for much less.
Pocket space is limited While the ROG Phone 9 Pro is pretty discrete for a gaming phone, it’s still quite big and heavy by regular standards.
You don’t want to upgrade for some time While the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro has plenty of performance and storage headroom, it’ll only get two full OS updates.
The QuietComfort Earbuds offer a lot of bang for your buck – they have a longer battery life than the Ultra, more equaliser options, voice controls and wireless charging. And all for a lower price. Unfortunately they can’t keep pace with the Ultra in terms of performance, but for the money they’re still well worth considering.
Bluetooth: 5.3 (SBC, AAC) Noise-cancelling: Yes Wireless charging: No Battery life: 6hrs (+18hrs from charging case) Weight:6.2g (per earbud)
Thanks to their peerless noise cancellation and very good sound quality, the Ultra are some of the best wireless earbuds you can buy. True, they are outdone by their cheaper counterparts in terms of features, and the Bose Immersive Audio tech is a bit hit and miss, but in terms of performance, these come out tops. Their price is also falling by the day…
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) vs QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: design and build
(Image credit: Future)
The QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) represent a departure from the stem-style look of the Ultra model. Instead, they opt for a more rounded shape, which could appeal to those who prefer a less conspicuous look. The new design comes in three colour options: black, white, and a rather fetching chilled lilac.
Both models offer a choice of ear tips and stability bands to ensure a secure fit, which is crucial for both comfort and sound quality. And so they prove – both pairs are comfortable enough to wear for long listening sessions, and stay firmly in place.
In terms of durability, both earbuds feature an IPX4 rating, making them resistant to splashes and sweat – ideal for workouts or rainy days.
One notable difference between them is in the charging cases. The Ultra’s case doesn’t support wireless charging out of the box (requiring an additional case accessory to unlock this feature), while the QuietComfort Earbuds case includes wireless charging as standard.
** Winner: Draw **
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) vs QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: features
(Image credit: Future)
Both models are packed with features, but there are some key differences. The QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) introduce a rather novel Remote Selfie feature, allowing the earbuds to act as a remote shutter for your phone’s camera. Whether or not there’s a high demand for such a feature we highly doubt, but we’re certainly not ones to stifle companies trying something new. The new QuietComfort Earbuds also support voice control via a “Hey Headphones” wake word, which will appeal to fans familiar with hands-free assistants.
The Ultra Earbuds, on the other hand, boastBose’s Immersive Audiotechnology, which aims to create a more spatial sound experience. This feature is notably lacking in its more affordable sibling (though it is slated to arrive sometime in 2025). The Immersive Audio feature has two modes – Still and Motion – with the latter incorporating head tracking, in a similar way to other implementations such asApple Spatial Audio. We found the feature to be hit and miss during our testing of the Ultra model so we don’t think it’s going to be a huge loss.
Both pairs offer active noise-cancelling (ANC) – you can read how they compare in the relevant section below. And in terms of connectivity, both models supportBluetooth 5.3andmultipointconnectivity, allowing you to connect to two devices simultaneously.
Lastly, the QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) use a new companion app, which includes an upgraded 5-band EQ for more precise sound customisation. The Ultra Earbuds use the standard Bose Music app with a 3-band EQ, which, like the lack of wireless charging, is another feature that’s oddly missing from the more expensive product – though one which we hope can be added with a future software update.
** Winner: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) **
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) vs QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: battery life and charging
(Image credit: Future)
On paper, the QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) have a slight edge in battery life, offering up to 8.5 hours of playback on a single charge. The Ultra Earbuds, in our testing, managed six hours and 11 minutes.
Both models’ cases provide additional charges, with the QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) offering a total of 29 hours, compared to the Ultra’s 24 hours. As mentioned earlier, the QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) case supports wireless charging without needing an additional accessory.
It’s worth noting that using features like Immersive Audio on the Ultra Earbuds can significantly reduce battery life, dropping it to around four hours per charge.
** Winner: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) **
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) vs QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: active noise cancellation
(Image credit: Future)
Bose is still the reigning champ when it comes to active noise cancellation (ANC). So how do its two pairs compare?
In our testing of the Ultra Earbuds, we found Bose’s formidable noise cancellation at work, effectively reducing the impact of noisy environments in a manner that few rivals can match. They work well when tasked with a number of different sounds to compete with, too. “They’re able to take the noisiest environments, whether it’s the rumble of heavy machinery as you walk past a building site or the loud chatter and sound system of a crowded pub, and reduce their impact quite dramatically,” we wrote in our review.
The Ultra allow you to preset different levels of noise-cancelling for different situations, and cycle through them. But the ANC on the QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) is less advanced – it’s just on or off, though it does have the same Aware mode (which lets in some ambient sound) as the Ultra.
They do a good job of eliminating mid- and low-frequencies, but you really feel the lesser signal processing and lack of CustomTune calibration (which adjusts the ANC to your hearing profile). But the Ultra are just a cut above, especially higher up the frequency range: “The Ultra’s ANC delivers a stronger sensation of things being cancelled, making background noise that bit quieter,” we wrote in our review.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) vs QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: sound
(Image credit: Future)
In our review, the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds impressed us with their punchy, musical sound and solid bass response. They offer a rich, full-bodied presentation that we found engaging across various genres. We also noted their ability to deliver a good sense of openness and spaciousness, with clearly defined edges to drum thwacks and a real sense of dynamism.
The Ultra also supportaptX Adaptive, which provides better audio quality when paired with compatible devices. The QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) lack support for this codec, which affects the audio quality.
But this aside, they do sound very good indeed, full of drive and musicality. As we put it in our review: “They’re powerful and punchy performers that build an entertaining sound on the foundations of robust low frequencies, an expressive midrange and controlled highs.”
The bass is rich and solid with great levels of insight. But they can’t match their pricier siblings in terms of sound – the Ultra have “a greater sense of spaciousness and even greater detail and dynamic differentiation,” we noted. Which is expected, given the higher price.
** Winner: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds **
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) vs QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: verdict
Unsurprisingly, the Ultra are the more accomplished performers. But what is surprising is just how much the QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) offer for the price. They have a better battery life, more EQ options, voice controls and wireless charging – all features which the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds lack. True, they lack Bose’s Immersive Audio feature, but it will arrive at some point, and anyway, it’s far from a dealbreaker in our view.
The Ultra have the better sound quality and noise cancellation, but if you can’t – or don’t want to – stretch to the higher price, the QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) offer a lot of what makes the Ultra so great for a lot less money.
