ASUS ROG Phone 5 to ASUS ROG Phone 9: Is It Worth Upgrading?
A plain-English look at what actually changes, 3 years apart.
Maybe — worth it only if the new features matter to you
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 is 3 years newer than the ASUS ROG Phone 5, and the BeastScore rises from 87.0 to 89.5. The biggest improvements: camera rated 7 points higher, display rated 8 points higher, newer snapdragon 8 elite chipset (replaces snapdragon 888). Trade-offs to know: battery rated 4 points lower, 200 mah smaller battery.
What you gain with the ASUS ROG Phone 9
- Camera rated 7 points higher
- Display rated 8 points higher
- Newer Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset (replaces Snapdragon 888)
- Smoother display (+41Hz refresh rate)
- 1,700 nits brighter peak display
- 11 g lighter
What you give up
- Battery rated 4 points lower
- 200 mAh smaller battery
- Lower-resolution main camera (−14 MP)
- Launched $100 more expensive
Head-to-head
| Spec | ASUS ROG Phone 5 | ASUS ROG Phone 9 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore (overall) | 87.0 | 89.5 | +2.5 (3%) |
| Performance score | 90 | 90 | No real change |
| Camera score | 84 | 91 | +7 (8%) |
| Battery score | 98 | 94 | −4 (4%) |
| Display score | 92 | 100 | +8 (9%) |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 | Snapdragon 8 Elite | New generation chip |
| Battery capacity | 6,000 mAh | 5,800 mAh | −200 mAh (3%) |
| Wired charging | 65W | 65W | No real change |
| Screen size | 6.8" | 6.8" | No real change |
| Refresh rate | 144Hz | 185Hz | +41Hz (28%) |
| Peak brightness | 800 nits | 2,500 nits | +1,700 nits (213%) |
| Main camera | 64 MP | 50 MP | −14 MP (22%) |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB | No real change |
| Weight | 238 g | 227 g | −11 g (5%) |
| Launch price | $999 | $1,099 | +$100 (10%) |
Upgrade if…
- Photo quality is a priority for you
- You play demanding games or want the newest on-device AI features
- You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen
- Your ASUS ROG Phone 5 is 3+ years old and its battery has worn down
ASUS ROG Phone 5 to ASUS ROG Phone 9: Common Questions
Is it worth upgrading from the ASUS ROG Phone 5 to the ASUS ROG Phone 9?
Maybe — worth it only if the new features matter to you. The ASUS ROG Phone 9 is 3 years newer than the ASUS ROG Phone 5, and the BeastScore rises from 87.0 to 89.5. The biggest improvements: camera rated 7 points higher, display rated 8 points higher, newer snapdragon 8 elite chipset (replaces snapdragon 888). Trade-offs to know: battery rated 4 points lower, 200 mah smaller battery.
What is the biggest difference between the ASUS ROG Phone 5 and ASUS ROG Phone 9?
Camera rated 7 points higher: 84 on the ASUS ROG Phone 5 vs 91 on the ASUS ROG Phone 9.
Does the ASUS ROG Phone 9 have a bigger battery than the ASUS ROG Phone 5?
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 has a 5,800 mAh battery versus 6,000 mAh on the ASUS ROG Phone 5 (−200 mAh (3%)).
Who should upgrade to the ASUS ROG Phone 9?
Upgrade if: Photo quality is a priority for you; You play demanding games or want the newest on-device AI features; You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen; Your ASUS ROG Phone 5 is 3+ years old and its battery has worn down.