Apple iPhone 13 vs ASUS ROG Phone 9
Side-by-side specifications, scores and verdict.
Quick Verdict
iPhone 13 delivers a refined, efficient experience with exceptional build quality and iOS ecosystem integration at a competitive price point. Its Super Retina XDR OLED display remains excellent despite 60Hz limitations, while the A15 Bionic chip provides reliable performance for everyday tasks. However, ROG Phone 9 significantly outperforms in raw specifications: the 185Hz LTPO AMOLED display with 2500 nits brightness is extraordinary, the 50MP main camera with OIS and 8K video capability surpass iPhone's capabilities, and the 5800mAh battery with 65W charging vastly exceed iPhone's 3227mAh setup. With 16GB RAM and Snapdragon 8 Elite processing, ROG Phone 9 targets power users and mobile gamers willing to accept its heavier build and higher price. For mainstream users prioritizing seamless experience and ecosystem coherence, iPhone 13 remains compelling; for performance enthusiasts, ROG Phone 9's superior specs justify its $200 premium.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Apple iPhone 13 | ASUS ROG Phone 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 15 | Android 15 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 174 g | 227 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm | 163.8 x 77.0 x 8.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP | 50 MP, f/1.9, OIS (Sony IMX906) |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 13 MP, f/2.2, 120-degree |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3227 mAh | 5800 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 65W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | — |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.78 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | LTPO AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 185Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 800 | 2500 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 830 |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 13
Pros
- Significantly improved battery life over iPhone 12
- Cinematic mode for video storytelling
- Strong A15 Bionic chip handles anything
- Bright and vibrant OLED panel
- Solid value compared to Pro tier
Cons
- Only 60Hz display while Android rivals offered 120Hz
- Lightning connector showing its age
- Notch remains largely unchanged
- No telephoto camera
- USB 2.0 transfer speeds over Lightning
ASUS ROG Phone 9
Pros
- 185Hz display refresh rate is the highest on any smartphone
- Snapdragon 8 Elite with advanced cooling sustains peak gaming performance
- 5800 mAh battery handles extended gaming sessions
- AniMe Vision LED dot-matrix display on the back for notifications
- AirTrigger ultrasonic shoulder buttons enhance mobile gaming controls
Cons
- Heavy at 227 g — feels chunky as a daily driver
- 65W charging is slow compared to Chinese gaming phone rivals
- Camera is competent but not flagship-level for the price
- Gaming-focused design is too aggressive for many users
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