Asus ROG Phone 8 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Which Flagship Reigns Supreme?

The Asus ROG Phone 8 and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra represent opposite ends of the Android flagship spectrum. The ROG Phone 8 prioritizes unadulterated gaming performance in a surprisingly compact form factor, while the S24 Ultra aims for a more balanced, all-encompassing experience with a focus on camera versatility and productivity. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the more compelling choice. Its superior camera system, longer battery life, and broader feature set offer a more well-rounded experience. However, dedicated mobile gamers will find the ROG Phone 8’s optimized performance and gaming-centric features invaluable.

PHONES
Phone Names Asus ROG Phone 8 Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE (Up to 7CA), 5GHSPA, LTE (up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, January 082024, January 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, January 18Available. Released 2024, January 24
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frameGlass front (Corning Gorilla Armor), glass back (Corning Gorilla Armor), titanium frame (grade 2)
Dimensions163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm (6.39 x 3.11 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - INT· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - USA· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - CN
Weight225 g (7.94 oz)232 g or 233 g (8.18 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2Corning Gorilla Armor
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~505 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~88.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 113.5 cm2 (~88.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10, 1600 nits (HBM), 2500 nits (peak)Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)8-core (1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.1GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.2GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 750Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
OSAndroid 14, up to 2 major Android upgradesAndroid 14, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 8.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Quad-200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm (telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/3.4, 111mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.52", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video
Triple- International model - 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, gimbal OIS 32 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), 1/3.2", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm - SEA/China/India model - 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, gimbal OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro)-
Video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR10+8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanorama, HDRHDR, HDR10+
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide), 1/3.2", 0.7µm12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5), GLONASSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C (side), DisplayPort 1.4; USB Type-C (bottom), OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-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, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging65W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC5, 100% in 39 min - International 30W wired, PD3.0, PPS - India 15W wireless (Qi) 10W reverse wired45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
Type5500 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPhantom Black, Rebel GreyTitanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, Titanium Orange
ModelsAI2401, AI2401_ASM-S928B, SM-S928B/DS, SM-S928U, SM-S928U1, SM-S928W, SM-S928N, SM-S9280, SM-S928E, SM-S928E/DS
Price€ 879.99$ 514.94 / C$ 929.99 / £ 630.00 / € 658.53 / ₹ 84,999
SAR-1.26 W/kg (head)     0.62 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.06 W/kg (head)     1.30 W/kg (body)

Asus ROG Phone 8

  • Superior gaming performance and cooling
  • Compact flagship form factor
  • Faster wired charging (International model)

  • Potentially shorter battery life
  • Less versatile camera system

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Top-tier camera system with versatile zoom
  • Brighter and larger display

  • Slower wired charging
  • Larger and heavier form factor

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1447 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the ROG Phone 8’s display specs aren’t provided, Asus typically prioritizes refresh rate and color accuracy for gaming. The S24 Ultra’s panel likely utilizes LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, conserving battery life. The S24 Ultra’s larger screen size also benefits content consumption and multitasking, while the ROG Phone 8’s smaller size enhances portability.

Camera Comparison

The S24 Ultra is expected to feature a more sophisticated camera system, leveraging larger sensors and advanced image processing algorithms. While specific details are missing, Samsung’s history suggests a focus on computational photography and versatile zoom capabilities. The ROG Phone 8, while capable, likely prioritizes image quality for social media sharing rather than professional-grade photography. The S24 Ultra’s OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) will likely be more advanced, resulting in sharper images and smoother video recording. Ignoring the typical 2MP macro lens found on many phones, the S24 Ultra’s main sensor size and aperture will be key differentiators.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm SM8650-AB/AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm), but subtle CPU clock speed differences exist. The S24 Ultra’s CPU reaches 3.39GHz, slightly exceeding the ROG Phone 8’s 3.3 GHz peak. This difference, coupled with potentially more aggressive thermal management in the S24 Ultra, could translate to sustained performance in demanding tasks. Both utilize LPDDR5x RAM, but the ROG Phone 8’s cooling system is specifically designed to minimize thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, potentially offsetting the S24 Ultra’s clock speed advantage. The ROG Phone 8’s focus on gaming also suggests software optimizations geared towards maximizing frame rates and minimizing latency.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra demonstrates a clear advantage in battery life, achieving 13:49 hours of active use. The ROG Phone 8’s battery capacity isn’t specified, but its focus on high performance likely results in faster battery drain. The S24 Ultra’s 45W wired charging is slower than the ROG Phone 8’s 65W (International) or 30W (India) charging, but the S24 Ultra’s larger battery and efficient power management compensate for this. Both support 15W wireless charging, while the ROG Phone 8 offers 10W reverse wired charging compared to the S24 Ultra’s 4.5W reverse wireless, making the ROG Phone 8 a more effective power bank for accessories.

Buying Guide

Buy the Asus ROG Phone 8 if you prioritize mobile gaming above all else, demand a compact flagship form factor, and appreciate features like AirTriggers. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if you need a top-tier camera system, exceptional battery life for all-day use, and a feature-rich experience encompassing productivity, entertainment, and photography.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the ROG Phone 8’s smaller size impact its cooling performance compared to larger gaming phones?
While the ROG Phone 8 is more compact, Asus has implemented a sophisticated cooling system, including vapor chamber and graphite sheets, specifically designed to mitigate thermal throttling despite the limited space. This system prioritizes cooling key components like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 to maintain sustained performance during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How does the S24 Ultra’s camera perform in low-light conditions compared to the ROG Phone 8?
The S24 Ultra is expected to excel in low-light photography due to its larger sensor, wider aperture, and advanced image processing algorithms. Samsung’s Night Mode is renowned for its ability to capture bright and detailed images in challenging lighting conditions, likely surpassing the ROG Phone 8’s capabilities in this area.
❓ Is the 30W charging speed in the Indian ROG Phone 8 model a significant drawback?
The 30W charging speed in the Indian ROG Phone 8 model is slower than the 65W offered in other regions. While still relatively fast, it will take longer to fully charge the device. However, the ROG Phone 8’s battery optimization and gaming-focused software may offset this difference for users who primarily game for shorter durations.
❓ Can the S24 Ultra handle demanding games at the highest settings without significant frame drops?
The S24 Ultra, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, is capable of handling virtually all mobile games at the highest settings. Its advanced cooling system and optimized software contribute to sustained performance, minimizing frame drops even during prolonged gaming sessions. However, extremely demanding titles may require slight graphical adjustments to maintain a consistently smooth frame rate.