Sharp Aquos R9 Pro vs. Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro: A Detailed Comparison

The Sharp Aquos R9 Pro and Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro represent distinct approaches to the flagship smartphone experience. The Aquos R9 Pro aims for a refined, balanced experience, while the ROG Phone 8 Pro is unapologetically geared towards mobile gaming enthusiasts. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a balanced experience, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro emerges as the stronger contender. Its superior Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, significantly faster charging, and longer battery life outweigh the Aquos R9 Pro’s more efficient processor. However, the Aquos R9 Pro offers a compelling alternative for those seeking a more streamlined experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Sharp Aquos R9 pro Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bandsLTE1, 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 bandsSA/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, October 292024, January 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, FebruaryAvailable. Released 2024, January 18
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame
Dimensions162 x 78 x 9.3 mm (6.38 x 3.07 x 0.37 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
Weight220 g (7.76 oz)225 g (7.94 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~513 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~88.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypePRO IGZO LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 240Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR, 1000 nits (HBM), 2000 nits (peak)LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10, 1600 nits (HBM), 2500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 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 SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 735Adreno 750
OSAndroid 14, up to 3 major Android upgradesAndroid 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal512GB 12GB RAM512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLeica lens, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50.3 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/0.98", dual pixel PDAF, OIS 50.3 MP, f/2.6, 65mm (telephoto), 1/1.56", dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 2.8x optical zoom 50.3 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.5", 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@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, Dolby Vision HDR8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR10+
Selfie camera
Features-Panorama, HDR
Single50.3 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), PDAF32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide), 1/3.2", 0.7µm
Video1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5), GLONASS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, Display Port 1.4USB Type-C (side), DisplayPort 1.4; USB Type-C (bottom), OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging32W wired, Qi 15W wireless65W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC5, 100% in 39 min - International 30W wired, PD3.0, PPS - India 15W wireless (Qi) 10W reverse wired
Type5000 mAh5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackPhantom Black
ModelsSH-54E, SH-M30AI2401, AI2401_A, AI2401_D
PriceAbout 1000 EUR$ 1,157.98 / £ 1,693.75 / € 632.66

Sharp Aquos R9 pro

  • Potentially more power-efficient chipset (Snapdragon 8s Gen 3)
  • Likely more compact form factor
  • Refined, less gamer-centric design

  • Inferior chipset performance compared to Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
  • Slower charging speeds (32W vs 65W)
  • Limited battery life information

Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro

  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
  • Significantly faster 65W charging
  • Excellent battery life (14:43h active use)

  • Larger and heavier form factor
  • Aggressive gaming aesthetic may not appeal to all
  • Higher price point

Display Comparison

The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1765 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Aquos R9 Pro’s display specifications are not provided, the ROG Phone’s brightness advantage is substantial. The ROG Phone 8 Pro likely utilizes an LTPO panel for adaptive refresh rates, contributing to power efficiency, a feature not confirmed for the Aquos R9 Pro. The ROG Phone’s display is geared towards immersive gaming and media consumption, while the Aquos R9 Pro’s display quality remains an unknown quantity.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specifications for the Sharp Aquos R9 Pro are unavailable, making a direct comparison challenging. However, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro’s camera system is expected to deliver strong performance, leveraging advanced image processing algorithms. The ROG Phone 8 Pro’s camera is capable of both high-quality photo and video capture, though its primary focus isn’t solely on camera prowess. Without knowing the sensor size, aperture, or OIS capabilities of the Aquos R9 Pro, it’s difficult to assess its photographic capabilities relative to the ROG Phone 8 Pro.

Performance

The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) chipset represents a clear performance advantage over the Sharp Aquos R9 Pro’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm). The 8 Gen 3 features a faster prime core (3.3 GHz vs 3.0 GHz) and a more robust GPU configuration. This translates to noticeably faster application loading, smoother multitasking, and higher sustained frame rates in demanding games. The ROG Phone 8 Pro’s CPU architecture also benefits from a broader range of Cortex-A720 cores (3x3.2 GHz + 2x3.0 GHz) compared to the Aquos R9 Pro (4x2.8 GHz). Both devices utilize a 4nm process, but the architectural improvements in the 8 Gen 3 provide a tangible performance boost.

Battery Life

The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro excels in battery performance, achieving an active use score of 14:43h. This, combined with its 65W wired charging (international) – capable of a full charge in 39 minutes – provides a significant advantage over the Sharp Aquos R9 Pro’s 32W wired charging. While both devices support 15W wireless charging, the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s faster wired charging is crucial for minimizing downtime. The Aquos R9 Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, but the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s combination of capacity and charging speed makes it the clear winner for users who demand all-day battery life and quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the Sharp Aquos R9 Pro if you need a flagship experience with a focus on efficiency and a potentially more manageable form factor. It’s ideal for users who want strong performance without the aggressive gaming aesthetic. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro if you prioritize raw gaming power, extended battery life during intense sessions, and the fastest possible charging speeds. It’s the clear choice for mobile gamers and power users.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the Aquos R9 Pro throttle under sustained load, and how does it compare to the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s thermal performance?
While the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is a capable chip, it’s generally expected to throttle more aggressively than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 under prolonged, heavy workloads. The ROG Phone 8 Pro, with its advanced cooling system (likely including vapor chamber technology), is designed to maintain higher sustained performance during extended gaming sessions. The Aquos R9 Pro’s thermal management capabilities are unknown, but it’s unlikely to match the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s.
❓ What are the real-world benefits of the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s 65W charging compared to the Aquos R9 Pro’s 32W charging?
The ROG Phone 8 Pro’s 65W charging significantly reduces charging time. A full charge takes approximately 39 minutes, whereas the Aquos R9 Pro will likely take well over an hour. This is particularly beneficial for gamers who need to quickly top up their battery between matches or for users who frequently find themselves with low battery levels.
❓ Is the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s gaming-focused design and features (like AirTriggers) useful for non-gamers?
While the ROG Phone 8 Pro is heavily geared towards gaming, some features can be useful for non-gamers. The high refresh rate display provides a smoother overall experience, and the powerful processor ensures snappy performance in all applications. However, the gaming aesthetic and AirTriggers may be unnecessary for users who don’t prioritize mobile gaming.