Asus ROG Phone 5s vs ROG Phone 7 Ultimate: The Ultimate Showdown

The Asus ROG Phone series has consistently set the bar for gaming smartphones. But with the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate arriving, is it a worthy upgrade over the still-powerful ROG Phone 5s? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into the specs, features, and performance to help you decide which phone deserves your money.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is the clear winner, boasting a significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, a brighter display, and potentially improved camera capabilities. While the 5s remains a capable device, the 7 Ultimate offers a noticeable performance leap and future-proofing that justifies the upgrade for serious mobile gamers.

PHONES
Phone Names Asus ROG Phone 5s Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - Version 1HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 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 11, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 11, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 1400/150 Mbps, 5G 4 Gbps DLHSPA, LTE (Up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 41, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - China
Launch
Announced2021, August 162023, April 13
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, August 26Available. Released 2023, May
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions172.8 x 77.3 x 9.9 mm (6.80 x 3.04 x 0.39 in)173 x 77 x 10.3 mm (6.81 x 3.03 x 0.41 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight238 g (8.40 oz)239 g (8.43 oz)
 RGB light panel (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers)Built-in motorized cooling air vent (AeroActive Portal) IP54 water resistant 2" OLED display (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 740
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13, ROG UIAndroid 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 4.0 NTFS support for external storage
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 11mm, 125˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanorama, HDRPanorama, HDR
Single24 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm32 MP, f/2.5, 29mm (wide), 1/3.2", 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers)Yes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers)
 24-bit/192kHz audio32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (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)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connectorUSB Type-C 3.1 (side), DisplayPort 1.4; USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 70% in 30 min, 100% in 52 min 10W reverse wired65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 100% in 42 min 10W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 6000 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPhantom Black, Storm WhiteStorm White
ModelsZS676KS-
PriceAbout 1030 EURAbout 780 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 131h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.5 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 1325105 (v9) GeekBench: 5139 (v5.5), 5567 (v6) GFXBench: 107fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Asus ROG Phone 5s

  • Excellent performance for its price
  • Fast 65W charging
  • Good display
  • Solid build quality
  • Reverse wired charging

  • Older chipset compared to competitors
  • Camera could be better
  • Design is somewhat dated

Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate

  • Blazing-fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
  • Brighter and higher contrast display
  • Improved camera performance (expected)
  • Premium design and build
  • Excellent battery life

  • Higher price point
  • Design may not appeal to everyone

Display Comparison

The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate's display takes a significant step forward. Its 1095 nits peak brightness is considerably higher than the 5s, offering better visibility in direct sunlight. The infinite contrast ratio (nominal) suggests deeper blacks and richer colors. While the 5s has a good display, the 7 Ultimate's is noticeably superior.

Camera Comparison

While specific camera specs are not detailed, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is expected to have improvements in both photo and video quality. The 8 Gen 2's image signal processor (ISP) offers enhanced processing capabilities. The 5s' camera is decent, but the 7 Ultimate likely provides a more refined experience.

Performance

This is where the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate truly shines. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a massive upgrade over the Snapdragon 888+. Expect significantly faster processing speeds, smoother gameplay, and improved efficiency. The 7 Ultimate handles demanding games and multitasking with ease, while the 5s, though still capable, will show its age sooner.

Battery Life

Both phones offer excellent battery life, with an endurance rating of 131h. Charging speeds are identical at 65W wired, ensuring relatively quick top-ups. Neither phone has a clear advantage in battery performance.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Asus ROG Phone 5s? Gamers on a tighter budget who still want a powerful and feature-rich gaming experience. It's a great value proposition. Who should buy the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate? Dedicated mobile gamers who demand the absolute best performance, a stunning display, and the latest technology. It's the premium choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate worth the upgrade from the ROG Phone 5s?
If you're a serious mobile gamer who wants the absolute best performance and a superior display, then yes. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a significant upgrade. However, if you're happy with the 5s' performance and budget is a concern, it's still a capable device.
❓ What is the difference between the Snapdragon 888+ and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers significantly improved CPU and GPU performance, better power efficiency, and enhanced AI capabilities compared to the Snapdragon 888+. It's a generational leap in mobile processing power.