Nio Phone 2 vs Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro: A Head-to-Head Comparison of Flagship Power

The Nio Phone 2 and Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro represent two distinct approaches to the high-end smartphone market. Both are powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, promising top-tier performance, but diverge significantly in their charging strategies, battery endurance, and overall user experience. This comparison dissects these differences to help you choose the right device.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and exceptionally fast charging, the Nio Phone 2 emerges as the winner. Its 80W wired and 50W wireless charging capabilities significantly outperform the ROG Phone 8 Pro, while offering comparable processing power. However, gamers will appreciate the ROG Phone 8 Pro's optimized software and potentially better sustained performance.

PHONES
Phone Names Nio Phone 2 Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 421, 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, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 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 / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, July 272024, January 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, July 27Available. Released 2024, January 18
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.9 x 77.5 x 8.5 / 8.6 / 8.7 mm163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight209 / 214 / 226 g (7.37 oz)225 g (7.94 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1440 x 3168 pixels (~510 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)
Size6.82 inches, 113.0 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~88.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak)LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10, 1600 nits (HBM), 2500 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)Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 750Adreno 750
OSSkyUI 2.0Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Ring-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.6, 65mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2.6x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.3, 14mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF50 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@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS, HDR10+8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR10+
Selfie camera
Features-Panorama, HDR
Single12 MP, f/2.5, (wide)32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide), 1/3.2", 0.7µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Lossless5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), GLONASSGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5), GLONASS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTGUSB Type-C (side), DisplayPort 1.4; USB Type-C (bottom), OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired, PD3.0, QC4 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless65W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC5, 100% in 39 min - International 30W wired, PD3.0, PPS - India 15W wireless (Qi) 10W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 5020 mAh5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsSpace Blue, Moonlight Silver, Pine Green, Golden Sand, Nebula Red, EPeditionPhantom Black
ModelsN2301AI2401, AI2401_A, AI2401_D
PriceAbout 820 EUR$ 1,157.98 / £ 1,693.75 / € 632.66

Nio Phone 2

  • Significantly faster wired and wireless charging (80W/50W)
  • Potentially more convenient due to rapid charging
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 provides top-tier performance

  • Battery capacity and active use time are unknown
  • Camera specifications are not available for comparison

Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro

  • Longer active use battery life (14:43h)
  • Brighter display (1765 nits) for outdoor visibility
  • Optimized thermal management for sustained gaming

  • Slower charging speeds compared to Nio Phone 2
  • Camera details are limited, suggesting it's not a primary focus

Display Comparison

The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1765 nits, making it more visible outdoors under direct sunlight. While the Nio Phone 2’s display specifications are not provided, the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s brightness advantage is substantial. Both devices likely utilize AMOLED panels, but the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s higher brightness and potential for a higher refresh rate (based on ROG Phone tradition) give it an edge for multimedia consumption and gaming. The ROG Phone 8 Pro’s display is also likely to feature advanced features like LTPO for adaptive refresh rates, improving power efficiency.

Camera Comparison

Camera details for the Nio Phone 2 are absent, making a direct comparison difficult. The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro’s camera capabilities are described as 'Photo / Video,' lacking specific sensor details. Given the ROG Phone’s gaming focus, it’s reasonable to assume the camera system is competent but not a primary selling point. Without knowing the Nio Phone 2’s sensor size, aperture, or image processing algorithms, it’s impossible to determine a clear winner. However, the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is a likely advantage for video recording and low-light photography.

Performance

Both the Nio Phone 2 and Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro are equipped with the Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) chipset, featuring the same CPU configuration: 1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720, 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720, and 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520. This means raw processing power will be nearly identical. However, the ROG Phone 8 Pro benefits from Asus’s extensive thermal management system, including vapor chamber cooling, which is designed to prevent throttling during extended gaming sessions. While the Nio Phone 2’s thermal solution isn’t detailed, the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s dedicated gaming focus suggests superior sustained performance under heavy load. Both devices likely utilize LPDDR5x RAM, further contributing to fast application loading and multitasking.

Battery Life

The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro demonstrates a clear advantage in battery endurance, achieving 14 hours and 43 minutes of active use. The Nio Phone 2’s battery capacity is not specified, but its charging capabilities are a standout feature. The Nio Phone 2 supports 80W wired charging, 50W wireless charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging, significantly outpacing the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s 65W wired (International), 30W wired (India), 15W wireless (Qi), and 10W reverse wired. The Nio Phone 2 can fully charge in a shorter timeframe, potentially mitigating any capacity disadvantage. The ROG Phone 8 Pro’s longer active use score suggests better power efficiency, but the Nio Phone 2’s faster charging offers a different kind of convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Nio Phone 2 if you need blazing-fast charging speeds, both wired and wireless, and a balanced flagship experience. It’s ideal for users who frequently top up their phones and value convenience. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro if you prioritize a dedicated gaming experience, potentially longer battery life during active use, and are willing to trade some charging speed for optimized gaming features and software.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Nio Phone 2's fast charging generate excessive heat?
While 80W charging is fast, the Nio Phone 2 likely incorporates intelligent charging algorithms and thermal management to mitigate heat buildup. Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 also features improved power efficiency, reducing overall heat generation during charging. However, some warmth is expected during rapid charging.
❓ How does the ROG Phone 8 Pro's gaming performance compare to other Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 phones?
The ROG Phone 8 Pro is specifically engineered for gaming, featuring a robust cooling system and optimized software. This allows it to maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods, minimizing throttling and delivering a smoother gaming experience compared to standard Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 implementations. Asus's Game Genie software also provides performance tuning options.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed between the Nio Phone 2 and ROG Phone 8 Pro noticeable in everyday use?
Absolutely. The Nio Phone 2's 80W charging can add a significant amount of battery life in just a few minutes, making it ideal for users who frequently need a quick top-up. The ROG Phone 8 Pro's 65W (or 30W in India) charging is still fast, but the Nio Phone 2 offers a more substantial time saving.