Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro vs. 5s: The Ultimate Gaming Showdown

The Asus ROG Phone series has consistently set the bar for mobile gaming. The ROG Phone 5 Pro and 5s are both formidable contenders, but subtle differences exist. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone best suits your gaming needs and budget.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The ROG Phone 5s offers a slight performance edge thanks to the Snapdragon 888+, but the differences are minimal. The 5 Pro remains an excellent choice, especially if you can find it at a better price. Both deliver exceptional gaming experiences.

PHONES
Phone Names	Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro	Asus ROG Phone 5s

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - Version 1
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - Version 1
5G bands	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 1
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 1400/150 Mbps, 5G 4 Gbps DL	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 1400/150 Mbps, 5G 4 Gbps DL
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	-	2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 4

Launch
Announced	2021, March 10	2021, August 16
Status	Available. Released 2021, July 02	Available. Released 2021, August 26

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions	172.8 x 77.3 x 10.3 mm (6.80 x 3.04 x 0.41 in)	172.8 x 77.3 x 9.9 mm (6.80 x 3.04 x 0.39 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	238 g (8.40 oz)	238 g (8.40 oz)
	Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers) Touch sensor; ROG Vision color PMOLED display (on the back)	RGB light panel (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution	1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density)	1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density)
Size	6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)	6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak)	AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)	Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)
GPU	Adreno 660	Adreno 660
OS	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, ROG UI	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, ROG UI

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	512GB 16GB RAM	128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM
	UFS 3.1	UFS 3.1

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple	64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 11mm, 125˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)	64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 11mm, 125˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
Video	8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS	8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	Panorama, HDR	Panorama, HDR
Single	24 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm	24 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes, with DTS:X stereo speakers (2 dedicated amplifiers)	Yes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers)
	24-bit/192kHz audio	24-bit/192kHz audio

Comms
Bluetooth	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector	USB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 70% in 30 min, 100% in 52 min 10W reverse wired	65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 70% in 30 min, 100% in 52 min 10W reverse wired
Type	Li-Po 6000 mAh	Li-Po 6000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Glossy Black	Phantom Black, Storm White
Models	ZS673KS, ZS673KS-1A079IN	ZS676KS
Price	About 680 EUR	About 1030 EUR

Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro

Excellent performance
Stunning 144Hz display
Long battery life
Fast charging
Reverse wireless charging
Aggressive cooling system

Design can be polarizing
Software can be a bit cluttered
No official IP rating

Asus ROG Phone 5s

Slightly better performance than 5 Pro
Stunning 144Hz display
Long battery life
Fast charging
Reverse wireless charging
Aggressive cooling system

Design can be polarizing
Software can be a bit cluttered
No official IP rating
Slightly higher price

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.78-inch FHD+ (2400 x 1080) AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and a 300Hz touch sampling rate. The panels are incredibly responsive and vibrant, offering a superb visual experience for gaming. There's virtually no difference in display quality between the two.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature a triple-camera system: a 64MP main sensor, a 13MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP macro lens. Image quality is generally excellent, with vibrant colors and good detail. Low-light performance is also commendable. While there might be minor software tweaks, the camera hardware is essentially identical, resulting in very similar photo and video quality.

Performance

The key difference lies in the chipset. The ROG Phone 5s boasts the Snapdragon 888+, which offers a modest performance boost (around 5-10%) over the Snapdragon 888 in the 5 Pro. This translates to slightly smoother frame rates in demanding games and marginally faster app loading times. However, both phones are incredibly powerful and can handle any mobile game with ease.

Battery Life

Both phones pack a 6000mAh battery, providing exceptional battery life. Expect a full day of heavy gaming and usage. Charging speeds are identical at 65W, allowing for a quick 70% charge in 30 minutes and a full charge in approximately 52 minutes. Reverse wireless charging is also available at 10W.

Buying Guide

The Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro is ideal for gamers seeking a premium experience without the absolute latest chipset. It's a fantastic value if you can find it discounted. The Asus ROG Phone 5s is best for those who demand the absolute best performance and are willing to pay a slight premium for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 888+ in the 5s worth the extra cost?

The performance difference is noticeable but not massive. If you're a hardcore gamer pushing the limits, the 5s might be worth it. Otherwise, the 5 Pro offers excellent value.

❓ Are the cameras significantly different between the two phones?

No, the camera hardware is essentially the same. Expect similar image quality from both devices.

❓ Does the ROG Phone 5 Pro or 5s have better cooling?

Both phones feature Asus's GameCool 5 system, providing excellent cooling performance. There's no significant difference in thermal management.