ASUS ROG Phone 9 vs Samsung Galaxy S23
ASUS ROG Phone 9 dominates with flagship gaming prowess, featuring a blazing-fast Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, industry-leading 185Hz LTPO AMOLED display (2500 nits), and massive 5800mAh battery with 65W charging. Its 50MP Sony IMX906 main camera with 8K video and 16GB RAM deliver premium performance across the board. Samsung Galaxy S23, meanwhile, offers a more compact form factor (168g vs 227g), refined design, and excellent everyday performance with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. However, its aging Android 13 OS, smaller 3900mAh battery requiring frequent charging, and slower 25W charging lag behind. The S23's telephoto lens adds versatility, but the ROG Phone 9's superior display tech, processing power, and battery endurance make it the clear victor for demanding users and mobile gamers. Galaxy S23 suits those prioritizing portability and established reliability, but the ROG Phone 9's substantial performance lead justifies the $200 premium.
Full Specifications
| Spec | ASUS ROG Phone 9 | Samsung Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 15 | Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 227 g | 168 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 77.0 x 8.9 mm | 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.9, OIS (Sony IMX906) | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 32 MP, f/2.4 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 13 MP, f/2.2, 120-degree | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 10 MP 3x optical |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5800 mAh | 3900 mAh |
| Charging | 65W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | — | 15W |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.78 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Type | LTPO AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 185Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2500 | 1750 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 830 | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.3 |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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
Samsung Galaxy S23
Pros
- Compact 6.1-inch size is rare in flagship phones
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 flagship performance
- Lightweight at 168 g for comfortable one-handed use
- IP68 water and dust resistance
- Four years of OS and five years of security updates
Cons
- Small 3900 mAh battery limits all-day endurance
- Slow 25W charging with no charger in box
- Only 8 GB RAM
- No 4K@60fps ultrawide video recording
Related Comparisons
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