HMD Skyline vs Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro: A Deep Dive into Performance and Endurance

The HMD Skyline and Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro represent distinct approaches to the smartphone market. The Skyline aims to deliver a balanced experience with a focus on longevity, while the ROG Phone 8 Pro is a no-compromise gaming powerhouse. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing battery life and value, the HMD Skyline is the stronger choice. However, gamers and power users demanding the absolute best performance will find the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and superior display worth the premium.

PHONES
Phone Names HMD Skyline Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66, 711, 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, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE (Up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, July 182024, January 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, July 19Available. Released 2024, January 18
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame
Dimensions159.8 x 76 x 8.9 mm (6.29 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight209.5 g (7.41 oz)225 g (7.94 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)
Size6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~88.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeP-OLED, 144Hz, 1000 nits (peak), HDR10LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10, 1600 nits (HBM), 2500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 710Adreno 750
OSAndroid 14, upgradable to Android 15, up to 2 major Android upgradesAndroid 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, (telephoto), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.5, (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm50 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)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR10+
Selfie camera
Features-Panorama, HDR
Single50 MP, f/2.5, (wide), AF32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide), 1/3.2", 0.7µm
Video1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GALILEO, GLONASS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5), GLONASS
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C (side), DisplayPort 1.4; USB Type-C (bottom), OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired, PD3.0 PPS, QC4 15W wireless (magnetic), Qi2 5W reverse wireless65W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC5, 100% in 39 min - International 30W wired, PD3.0, PPS - India 15W wireless (Qi) 10W reverse wired
Type4600 mAh, user replaceable5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsNeon Pink, Twisted Black, Blue TopazPhantom Black
ModelsTA-1600AI2401, AI2401_A, AI2401_D
Price$ 330.00 / £ 249.95 / € 279.00$ 1,157.98 / £ 1,693.75 / € 632.66

HMD Skyline

  • Exceptional battery life for all-day use
  • More affordable price point
  • Qi2 wireless charging support

  • Less powerful processor for demanding tasks
  • Dimmer display compared to the competition

Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro

  • Top-tier performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
  • Incredibly bright and responsive display
  • Faster wired charging speeds

  • Higher price tag
  • Shorter battery life compared to the Skyline

Display Comparison

The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 1765 nits compared to the HMD Skyline’s 1060 nits. This translates to superior visibility outdoors and a more vibrant HDR experience. While both utilize a 4nm process, the ROG Phone’s display is likely to feature a higher refresh rate and potentially LTPO technology (though not specified), enabling dynamic refresh rate scaling for improved efficiency. The Skyline’s brightness is still respectable, but the ROG Phone offers a clear advantage for media consumption and gaming in bright environments.

Camera Comparison

The provided data doesn’t offer detailed camera specifications. However, given the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s positioning as a flagship, it’s reasonable to expect a more advanced camera system with larger sensors, optical image stabilization (OIS), and sophisticated image processing algorithms. The Skyline likely features a more modest camera setup geared towards everyday photography. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive comparison, but the ROG Phone is expected to excel in low-light performance and video recording.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, with its Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.3 GHz, represents a substantial leap in performance over the HMD Skyline’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2. The ROG Phone’s CPU configuration (1x3.3GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.2GHz Cortex-A720, 2x3.0GHz Cortex-A720, 2x2.3GHz Cortex-A520) is architecturally superior, offering faster processing speeds and improved multi-tasking capabilities. The 7s Gen 2 (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) is a capable mid-range chip, but it won’t match the ROG Phone’s sustained performance under heavy load. The ROG Phone also benefits from faster RAM (likely LPDDR5x) which further enhances responsiveness.

Battery Life

Despite a smaller battery capacity (not specified for either device, but inferred from active use scores), the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro achieves significantly longer active use – 14:43h versus the Skyline’s 10:47h. This is likely due to a combination of the more efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and aggressive power management optimizations. The ROG Phone also offers faster charging at 65W (international) or 30W (India) compared to the Skyline’s 33W, allowing for a full charge in approximately 39 minutes. Both support wireless charging, but the ROG Phone’s 15W Qi support is matched by the Skyline’s 15W magnetic and Qi2 support, while the Skyline adds 5W reverse wireless charging.

Buying Guide

Buy the HMD Skyline if you need a phone that lasts all day and beyond on a single charge, and value a clean software experience without the need for extreme gaming capabilities. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro if you prioritize top-tier gaming performance, a stunningly bright and responsive display, and are willing to pay a premium for the fastest possible processor and advanced features.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 in the HMD Skyline struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
While the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is capable, it will require lower graphics settings and potentially frame rate caps to maintain a smooth experience in demanding titles like Genshin Impact. The ROG Phone 8 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 will handle these games at maximum settings without issue.
❓ The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro has different charging speeds depending on the region (65W vs 30W). Which one do I get?
The charging speed is determined by your region of purchase. If you're in a region that supports 65W charging, you'll benefit from significantly faster charging times. However, even the 30W charging is still faster than the HMD Skyline’s 33W.
❓ How does the reverse wireless charging on the HMD Skyline compare to the wired reverse charging on the ROG Phone 8 Pro?
The HMD Skyline offers 5W reverse wireless charging, allowing you to top up accessories like earbuds. The ROG Phone 8 Pro provides 10W reverse *wired* charging, which is faster and more efficient for charging other devices, but requires a cable connection.