Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro vs Google Pixel 9 Pro XL - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date January 18, 2024 August 22, 2024
Release Year 2024 2024

Physical

Volume 111.96 cm³ 106 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.01 "/g 3.08 "/g
Weight 225 g 221 g
Height 163.8 mm 162.8 mm
Width 76.8 mm 76.6 mm
Thickness 8.9 mm 8.5 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Phantom Black
  • Obsidian
  • Hazel
  • Porcelain
  • Rose Quartz

Display

Screen Size 6.78 " 6.8 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1344 x 2992
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 88.2 % 89.4 %
Pixel Density 388 PPI 486 PPI
Refresh Rate 165 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 1600 nits 2000 nits
Peak Brightness 2500 nits 3000 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 119.65 mAh/in² 109.43 mAh/in²
Battery Density 49.12 mAh/cm³ 47.74 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5500 mAh 5060 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) Google Tensor G4 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) Octa-core (1x3.1 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.92 GHz Cortex-A520)
GPU Adreno 750 Mali-G715 MC7

Connectivity

USB Version N/A 3.2
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort 1
DisplayPort Version 1.4 N/A
USB Features USB Type-C, OTG, DisplayPort 1.4, Bottom Port USB Type-C 3.2

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 14 14
Maximum OS Version 16 21

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureAsus ROG Phone 8 ProGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XLPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mmVirtually identical in size, Pixel slightly thinner. Negligible difference in hand feel.
Weight225g221gMinor weight difference, unlikely to be noticeable in daily use.
BuildNot specifiedNot specifiedCannot compare build quality without material information.
Display
Size6.78"6.8"Negligible size difference.
TypeLTPO AMOLEDLTPO OLEDBoth offer excellent color accuracy and power efficiency. AMOLED tends to have slightly more vibrant colors, while OLED can achieve deeper blacks.
Resolution1080 x 2400 (388 ppi)1344 x 2992 (486 ppi)Pixel has significantly sharper display due to higher resolution. Noticeably crisper text and images.
Refresh Rate165Hz120HzROG Phone offers smoother animations and scrolling, especially noticeable in gaming. Pixel's 120Hz is still very smooth for most users.
Peak Brightness2500 nits3000 nitsPixel offers better visibility in direct sunlight.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 3Google Tensor G4Snapdragon generally known for superior gaming performance and benchmarks. Tensor focuses on AI and machine learning capabilities.
CPUOcta-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)Octa-core (1x3.1 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.92 GHz Cortex-A520)ROG Phone likely to have a slight edge in CPU performance due to higher clock speeds on performance cores.
GPUAdreno 750Mali-G715 MC7Adreno 750 generally offers better gaming performance.
RAM/Storage24GB/1TB16GB/256GB, 16GB/512GB, 16GB/1TBROG Phone's configuration offers more RAM, benefiting multitasking and demanding applications. Pixel offers more storage options.
Battery
Capacity5500 mAh5060 mAhROG Phone has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. Real-world usage will vary.
Charging SpeedNot specifiedNot specifiedCannot compare charging speeds without specific data.
Camera
SpecificationsNot specified for either phoneNot specified for either phoneCannot compare camera quality without detailed sensor and feature information.
Software
OSAndroid 14Android 14Both launch with the same OS version.
OS UpdatesUp to Android 16Up to Android 21Pixel will receive significantly longer software updates and security patches.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Advantages:

  • Higher Refresh Rate Display: Smoother gaming and overall UI experience.
  • More RAM: Better multitasking and performance for demanding applications.
  • Slightly Larger Battery: Potential for longer battery life.
  • Likely Superior Gaming Performance: Due to Snapdragon chipset and Adreno GPU.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Advantages:

  • Sharper Display: More detailed visuals due to higher resolution.
  • Brighter Display: Enhanced outdoor visibility.
  • More Storage Options: Flexibility in choosing storage capacity.
  • Significantly Longer Software Support: Ensured security and feature updates for a longer period.
  • Potentially Superior AI and Camera Features: Tensor G4 excels in AI processing, which could translate to better camera performance and other AI-driven features. This cannot be confirmed without camera specifications.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro: Ideal for mobile gamers and power users who prioritize performance and a smooth display.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: Suitable for users who value a sharp, bright display, long software updates, a strong camera experience (assuming Pixel maintains its camera excellence), and Google's AI-powered features.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, general use)
  2. How much do you value software updates?
  3. What is your budget? (Pixel 9 Pro XL is in a higher price range).

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Gamer: ROG Phone 8 Pro
  • Photography Enthusiast: Likely Pixel 9 Pro XL (pending camera specs confirmation)
  • Average User: Pixel 9 Pro XL if long-term updates and a polished experience are prioritized; ROG Phone 8 Pro if gaming performance and value are more important.

My Choice: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

Reasoning: While the ROG Phone 8 Pro offers compelling performance advantages for gaming, the Pixel 9 Pro XL's sharper display, longer software support, and potential camera excellence are more important to me. I prioritize a well-rounded experience with long-term usability, and the Pixel's commitment to updates aligns with that. The slightly higher price is justified by the extended software support and anticipated overall refinement of the Pixel experience. While I can't definitively comment on the camera without specs, Pixel's history suggests it will be a strong contender. The higher resolution display significantly impacts daily usage, making text and images crisper. Ultimately, the Pixel 9 Pro XL offers a more future-proof and balanced package for my needs.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.