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

The Asus ROG Phone series consistently delivers top-tier gaming experiences. The ROG Phone 5s and 5s Pro are the latest iterations, boasting incredible power and features. But which one is right for you? This comprehensive comparison will dissect every aspect to help you make an informed decision.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The ROG Phone 5s Pro offers a slightly brighter display and a more premium feel with its added rear display. However, the 5s remains a powerhouse with identical processing power and charging speeds, making it a compelling choice for gamers prioritizing value.

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

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - Version 1	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
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 - Version 1	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
5G bands	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 1	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
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, August 16	2021, August 16
Status	Available. Released 2021, August 26	Available. Released 2021, August 24

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 9.9 mm (6.80 x 3.04 x 0.39 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)
	RGB light panel (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers)	Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers) Touch sensor; ROG Vision monochrome PMOLED display (on the back)

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 (1x2.99 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	128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB 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 stereo speakers (2 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	Phantom Black, Storm White	Matte White
Models	ZS676KS	ZS676KS
Price	About 1030 EUR	About 2000 EUR

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 110h
Loudspeaker	-	-24.0 LUFS (Very good)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 743021 (v8), 844901 (v9) GeekBench: 14278 (v4.4), 3672 (v5.1) GFXBench: 58fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Asus ROG Phone 5s

Excellent performance
Fast 65W charging
High refresh rate display
Good value

Display slightly less bright than Pro
Less premium build compared to Pro

Asus ROG Phone 5s Pro

Brighter display (840 nits)
Unique rear display
Premium build quality
Excellent performance

Higher price
Rear display functionality limited

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, offering incredibly smooth visuals. However, the ROG Phone 5s Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 840 nits, surpassing the 5s, resulting in better visibility in bright environments. Color accuracy is excellent on both.

Camera Comparison

The camera systems are largely identical, featuring a triple-lens setup with a 64MP main sensor, a 13MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. Image quality is good, but not the primary focus of these gaming phones. Low-light performance is adequate.

Performance

Under the hood, both devices are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+ chipset, ensuring blistering-fast performance in any game. RAM configurations are similar, guaranteeing seamless multitasking and demanding gaming sessions. There's virtually no performance difference between the two.

Battery Life

Both phones pack a 6000mAh battery, providing exceptional endurance. Asus claims an endurance rating of 110 hours for both models, suggesting comparable battery life in real-world usage. Fast 65W charging ensures quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

The Asus ROG Phone 5s is ideal for gamers seeking a high-performance device without breaking the bank. It delivers exceptional gaming capabilities and fast charging. The ROG Phone 5s Pro is for enthusiasts who demand the absolute best, including a brighter display, a unique rear display, and a slightly more premium build, justifying the higher price tag.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the rear display on the ROG Phone 5s Pro useful?

The rear display offers limited functionality, primarily displaying notifications, system information, and custom animations. It's more of a novelty than a core feature.

❓ Which ROG Phone 5 model offers better gaming performance?

Both the ROG Phone 5s and 5s Pro offer virtually identical gaming performance due to the same Snapdragon 888+ chipset and RAM configurations.