ROG Phone 7 Ultimate
The ROG Phone series consistently delivers top-notch performance, especially within the mobile gaming category. Each model in this series, particularly the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate, is a force to be reckoned with, boasting superior performance and enduring battery life.
Review of ROG Phone 7 Ultimate, Price in the Philippines
The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate enters the market at a peculiar timing, launched alongside flagship devices like the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Xiaomi 13 Pro, and the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 5. Consumers now face the challenge of choosing between purchasing this device, sticking with the previous model, or awaiting the next release, even from other brands.
| MODEL | COLOR | SKU | SRP | ACCESSORIES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROG Phone 7 Ultimate | Storm White | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (216GB/512GB) | PHP 69,995 | Aero CaseUSB-C to USB-C cable SIM Ejector Pin 65-Watt USB power adapter Documentation (user guide, warranty card) AeroActive Cooler 7 (Ultimate Variant only) |
| ROG Phone 7 | Storm White / Phantom Black | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (16GB/512GB) | PHP 54,995 | Aero Case USB-C to USB-C cable SIM Ejector Pin 65-Watt USB power adapter Documentation (user guide, warranty card) |
| ROG Phone 7 | Storm White / Phantom Black | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (12GB+256GB) | PHP 50,995 | Aero Case USB-C to USB-C cable SIM Ejector Pin 65-Watt USB power adapter Documentation (user guide, warranty card) |
This review will shed light on these choices by sharing my experience with this device, which should prove valuable to potential buyers.
Unboxing the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate
The unboxing experience of the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is similar to that of its predecessor. Yet, for those new to the ROG Phone series, it promises a novel experience. Upon opening the box, you’ll find the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate itself, a unique SIM ejector tool, stickers, a manual, and an Aero case. This device comes equipped with an AeroActive Cooler 7, enhancing the phone’s thermal performance and even sound quality. This feature significantly boosted the performance of its predecessor, and it continues to do so for the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate.
One of the distinct advantages of the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate, like its predecessors, is the inclusion of the ROG HyperCharge 65W charger. It should fully charge the device in less than an hour. During unboxing, users will also discover an exclusive AR experience which takes you to an ala-Starfield experience. It’s fun. You can see the full unboxing experience in this article and video:
ROG Phone 7 Ultimate Specifications
The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate doesn’t present a radical leap from the ROG Phone 6, so existing users should moderate their expectations. However, the standout upgrade here is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, addressing thermal concerns while boosting performance, as ROG had done so in the past. This chipset packs eight cores in various configurations, with the main core capable of reaching up to 3.2Ghz—considerably faster than the previous model.
In many aspects, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is a natural progression from the ROG Phone 6s Pro, with almost identical storage and memory capacities. Many other specifications, such as extra triggers at the rear, camera specifications, and 6000mAh battery, remain virtually unchanged. However, the most notable change is the its 165Hz AMOLED display with Gorilla Victus protection, Additionally, the phone adapted the AeroActive Portal that we previously saw in ROG Phone 6D. You will be able to use this only when the AeroActive Cooler 7 is connected.
As the successor to the ROG Phone 6, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate inherits the ROG Vision at the back of the phone. This PMOLED display offers aesthetic animations when the phone is facedown. Though more a novelty than a necessity, it adds a unique touch to this gaming smartphone.
Gaming Performance and Benchmark
My tests on the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate showed performance levels on par with the ROG Phone 6. Games like Honkai: Star Rails and Diablo Immortal ran smoothly at maximum settings. I also got to play an Early Access of The Division Resurgence, which is a mobile version of the popular The Division series by Ubisoft. It is surprising a good mobile port, and gives a good and lasting impression of how games will be played out in the future.
If you already own an ROG Phone 6, there is little reason to upgrade to the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate. But if you skipped the ROG Phone 5, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is worth your attention.
Thermal Performance
Thermal performance is a critical aspect of any gaming phone, and the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate shows improvement over its predecessors. Playing high-intensity games like Shadowgun Legends, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate managed to maintain an average thermal performance of 53C, a 3C improvement over the ROG Phone 6s Pro under similar conditions.
I also should point out that if you’re a hard core mobile gamer and video content consumer, I highly recommend that you buy the AeroActive Cooler 7. The thermal cooling pads and the AeroActive Portal impressively improve the phone’s thermal conditions. The AeroActive Cooler 7 also has another trick up its sleeve: it also boosts the performance of the sound making it sound like you’re using a phone with a 2.1 speaker. Yes – it sounds like it has a built in sound woofer.
Camera Performance
The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate inherits the same camera set from the ROG Phone 5 series. You get a 50MP lens with an f/1.8 aperture, 13MP with an f/2.4 aperture, and 5MP with an f/2.0 aperture. For selfies, it offers a 32MP wide camera with an f/2.4 aperture, enough for quality selfie photos and videos. It’s the same configuration from the ROG Phone 6, but they tweaked quite a bit when directly compared to the ROG Phone 5 in favor of having higher megapixel front facing camera.
Here are some sample photos that I snapped:
Battery Performance
Powerful performance often implies significant battery drain. But with a 6000mAh battery, like the previous generation, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate manages to last throughout the day, with around 19% battery life remaining after more than 13 hours of usage. This involves a mix of activities, such as using social media apps like TikTok and Facebook, eCommerce apps like Lazada and Shopee, and playing mobile games like The Division Resurgence and Honkai: Star Rails. This is impressive, and the fact that you’re able to quickly charge it gives more reason to consider as daily driver.
A PC Mark Battery test run while the phone was in X Mode demonstrated the phone’s endurance. The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate managed to last for 12 hours and 19 minutes, with 20% battery life still remaining.
Verdict
Without question, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is one of the most powerful smartphones released this year. It sports a stunning look, accompanied by a high level of performance. If you have the budget and are not inclined towards an iPhone or a foldable smartphone, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is an excellent choice. This is currently their best phone yet, and if you’re a mobile gamer at heart, and you can afford to buy this one, I don’t see any reason why you’re not picking this up.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
