ASUS ROG Phone 5 to ROG Phone 7: Is It Worth Upgrading?
A plain-English look at what actually changes, 2 years apart.
Yes — the ROG Phone 7 is a worthwhile upgrade
The ROG Phone 7 is 2 years newer than the ASUS ROG Phone 5, and the BeastScore rises from 87.0 to 90.3. The biggest improvements: performance rated 5 points higher, display rated 4 points higher, newer snapdragon 8 gen 2 chipset (replaces snapdragon 888). Trade-offs to know: lower-resolution main camera (−14 mp).
What you gain with the ROG Phone 7
- Performance rated 5 points higher
- Display rated 4 points higher
- Newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset (replaces Snapdragon 888)
- Smoother display (+21Hz refresh rate)
- 1,700 nits brighter peak display
- 4 GB more RAM
What you give up
- Lower-resolution main camera (−14 MP)
Head-to-head
| Spec | ASUS ROG Phone 5 | ROG Phone 7 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore (overall) | 87.0 | 90.3 | +3.3 (4%) |
| Performance score | 90 | 95 | +5 (6%) |
| Camera score | 84 | 84 | No real change |
| Battery score | 98 | 98 | No real change |
| Display score | 92 | 96 | +4 (4%) |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | New generation chip |
| Battery capacity | 6,000 mAh | 6,000 mAh | No real change |
| Wired charging | 65W | 65W | No real change |
| Screen size | 6.8" | 6.8" | No real change |
| Refresh rate | 144Hz | 165Hz | +21Hz (15%) |
| Peak brightness | 800 nits | 2,500 nits | +1,700 nits (213%) |
| Main camera | 64 MP | 50 MP | −14 MP (22%) |
| RAM | 12 GB | 16 GB | +4 GB (33%) |
| Weight | 238 g | 239 g | No real change |
| Launch price | $999 | $999 | No real change |
Upgrade if…
- 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
ASUS ROG Phone 5 to ROG Phone 7: Common Questions
Is it worth upgrading from the ASUS ROG Phone 5 to the ROG Phone 7?
Yes — the ROG Phone 7 is a worthwhile upgrade. The ROG Phone 7 is 2 years newer than the ASUS ROG Phone 5, and the BeastScore rises from 87.0 to 90.3. The biggest improvements: performance rated 5 points higher, display rated 4 points higher, newer snapdragon 8 gen 2 chipset (replaces snapdragon 888). Trade-offs to know: lower-resolution main camera (−14 mp).
What is the biggest difference between the ASUS ROG Phone 5 and ROG Phone 7?
Performance rated 5 points higher: 90 on the ASUS ROG Phone 5 vs 95 on the ROG Phone 7.
Does the ROG Phone 7 have a bigger battery than the ASUS ROG Phone 5?
No — both have about the same battery capacity (6,000 mAh vs 6,000 mAh).
Who should upgrade to the ROG Phone 7?
Upgrade if: 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.