iQOO 8 vs Asus ROG Phone 5s Pro: A Deep Dive into Gaming and Charging

The vivo iQOO 8 and Asus ROG Phone 5s Pro represent distinct approaches to the high-performance Android smartphone market. The iQOO 8 aims for a balance of flagship features and aggressive pricing, while the ROG Phone 5s Pro doubles down on gaming-centric features and a premium experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw gaming performance and sustained frame rates, the Asus ROG Phone 5s Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 888+ chipset, coupled with a robust cooling system, provides a noticeable edge. However, the iQOO 8’s blazing-fast 120W charging is a compelling advantage for those who value speed above all else.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO 8 Asus ROG Phone 5s Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 281, 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
5G bands1, 5, 8, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 1400/150 Mbps, 5G 4 Gbps DL
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, August 172021, August 16
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, August 24Available. Released 2021, August 24
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions159 x 75.1 x 8.6 mm (6.26 x 2.96 x 0.34 in)172.8 x 77.3 x 9.9 mm (6.80 x 3.04 x 0.39 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight200 g (7.05 oz)238 g (8.40 oz)
 -Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers) Touch sensor; ROG Vision monochrome PMOLED display (on the back)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2376 pixels (~398 ppi density)1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density)
Size6.56 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55Octa-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 660
OSAndroid 11, OriginOS 1.0Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, ROG UI
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM512GB 18GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)-
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, 50mm (telephoto), PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide)64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 11mm, 125˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama, HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)24 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers)
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging120W wired65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 70% in 30 min, 100% in 52 min 10W reverse wired
Type4350 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsWhite, Orange, BlackMatte White
ModelsV2136AZS676KS
PriceAbout 500 EURAbout 2000 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 110h
Loudspeaker- -24.0 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 743021 (v8), 844901 (v9) GeekBench: 14278 (v4.4), 3672 (v5.1) GFXBench: 58fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo iQOO 8

  • Blazing-fast 120W wired charging
  • Potentially more affordable price point
  • Solid Snapdragon 888 performance

  • Limited information on display and camera specs
  • May throttle more under sustained load compared to the 888+

Asus ROG Phone 5s Pro

  • More powerful Snapdragon 888+ chipset
  • Superior thermal management for sustained performance
  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility

  • Slower 65W charging compared to the iQOO 8
  • Higher price tag

Display Comparison

While both phones feature high refresh rate displays, the Asus ROG Phone 5s Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 840 nits, suggesting a more visible experience in direct sunlight. The iQOO 8’s display specifications are not provided, making a direct comparison difficult, but the ROG Phone’s higher brightness is a clear advantage for outdoor use. Both likely utilize AMOLED panels for vibrant colors, but the ROG Phone’s brightness gives it an edge in usability.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specifications for the iQOO 8 are unavailable, hindering a comprehensive comparison. However, the ROG Phone 5s Pro’s camera system is geared towards versatility. While sensor sizes and apertures are unknown for the iQOO 8, the ROG Phone’s focus on gaming suggests its camera is a secondary consideration. Without further data on the iQOO 8’s camera, it’s difficult to assess its image quality relative to the ROG Phone.

Performance

The Asus ROG Phone 5s Pro’s Snapdragon 888+ 5G chipset, clocked at 2.99 GHz, represents a refinement over the iQOO 8’s Snapdragon 888 (2.84 GHz). The ‘+’ variant offers incremental improvements in CPU and GPU clock speeds, leading to slightly better performance in demanding tasks. Crucially, the 888+ also benefits from improved thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during prolonged gaming. Both devices utilize an octa-core configuration with the same Cortex-A78 and A55 cores, but the higher clock speed of the X1 core in the ROG Phone 5s Pro provides a tangible performance boost.

Battery Life

Both the iQOO 8 and ROG Phone 5s Pro achieve an endurance rating of 110 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, their charging capabilities differ dramatically. The iQOO 8’s 120W wired charging is significantly faster than the ROG Phone 5s Pro’s 65W charging, capable of fully charging the device in a fraction of the time (estimated 52 minutes for the ROG Phone vs. potentially under 20 for the iQOO 8). The ROG Phone 5s Pro also supports PD3.0, QC5, and 10W reverse wired charging, offering greater compatibility and convenience, but it cannot match the iQOO 8’s sheer charging speed.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO 8 if you need the absolute fastest charging speeds available and are willing to trade a small amount of sustained gaming performance for it. It’s ideal for users who frequently top up their battery throughout the day. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 5s Pro if you prioritize extended gaming sessions, a more refined gaming experience with features like AirTriggers, and a slightly more powerful processor capable of maintaining higher frame rates for longer periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How much does the charging speed of the iQOO 8 impact real-world usage?
The iQOO 8’s 120W charging is transformative. A quick 5-10 minute charge can provide hours of usage, making it ideal for users who frequently find themselves with low battery and limited time to charge. This is particularly beneficial for gamers who need to quickly top up between sessions.
❓ Will the Snapdragon 888+ in the ROG Phone 5s Pro noticeably improve gaming performance compared to the iQOO 8?
Yes, the Snapdragon 888+ offers a modest but noticeable performance increase, particularly in sustained gaming scenarios. Its improved thermal efficiency allows it to maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods, resulting in fewer frame drops and a smoother gaming experience. While both phones can handle demanding titles, the ROG Phone 5s Pro has the edge in long-term performance.
❓ Does the ROG Phone 5s Pro’s gaming-focused features justify the higher price?
For dedicated mobile gamers, the ROG Phone 5s Pro’s AirTriggers, customizable gaming profiles, and optimized cooling system are significant advantages. These features enhance the gaming experience and provide a level of control and customization not found on the iQOO 8. If you prioritize gaming above all else, the extra cost is likely justified.