Asus ROG Phone 8 vs Motorola Moto G85 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date January 18, 2024 June 25, 2024
Release Year 2024 2024

Physical

Volume 111.96 cm³ 89.95 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.01 "/g 3.9 "/g
Weight 225 g 171 g
Height 163.8 mm 161.9 mm
Width 76.8 mm 73.1 mm
Thickness 8.9 mm 7.6 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Phantom Black
  • Rebel Grey
  • Cobalt Blue
  • Olive Green
  • Urban Grey
  • Magenta

Display

Screen Size 6.78 " 6.67 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 88.2 % 90.8 %
Pixel Density 388 PPI 395 PPI
Refresh Rate 165 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 1600 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 2500 nits 1600 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 119.65 mAh/in² 112.39 mAh/in²
Battery Density 49.12 mAh/cm³ 55.59 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5500 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6 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 (2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 750 Adreno 619

Connectivity

USB Version N/A 2.0
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 2.0

Software

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

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureAsus ROG Phone 8Motorola Moto G85Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm161.9 x 73.1 x 7.6 mmROG Phone 8 is slightly larger and thicker. Moto G85 is more pocketable.
Weight225g171gROG Phone 8 is noticeably heavier. Moto G85 is more comfortable for extended use.
BuildNot specifiedNot specifiedBuild quality impact on durability and premium feel cannot be assessed.
Display
Size6.78"6.67"Negligible difference in screen real estate.
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 165HzP-OLED, 1B colors, 120HzROG Phone 8 offers smoother scrolling and animations with its higher refresh rate and potentially better power efficiency with LTPO.
Resolution1080x24001080x2400Identical resolution, resulting in similar sharpness.
Peak Brightness2500 nits1600 nitsROG Phone 8 will be significantly more visible in direct sunlight.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 3Snapdragon 6s Gen 3ROG Phone 8 offers significantly faster CPU and GPU performance, enabling demanding gaming and multitasking.
CPUOcta-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)ROG Phone 8's superior CPU architecture delivers a substantial performance advantage.
GPUAdreno 750Adreno 619ROG Phone 8's more powerful GPU provides a much better gaming and graphics-intensive application experience.
RAM16GB12GBROG Phone 8 allows for more apps to run in the background and smoother multitasking.
Storage256GB256GBBoth phones offer the same storage capacity.
Battery
Capacity5500 mAh5000 mAhROG Phone 8 has a slightly larger battery capacity, but real-world battery life depends on usage and optimization.
Camera
Video Capabilities8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@ various fps up to 480fps1080p@30/60fpsROG Phone 8 offers significantly better video recording capabilities with higher resolution and frame rate options. Specific camera sensor details are missing for both phones, limiting a full comparison.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Asus ROG Phone 8 Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: Significantly more powerful CPU and GPU for demanding tasks and gaming.
  • Smoother Display: Higher refresh rate (165Hz) and LTPO technology for smoother visuals and potential power savings.
  • Brighter Display: Much higher peak brightness for excellent outdoor visibility.
  • Enhanced Video Recording: Supports higher resolution (up to 8K) and frame rates.

Motorola Moto G85 Advantages:

  • Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable for one-handed use and portability.
  • Potentially More Affordable: While both are in the "medium price" range, the Moto G85 is likely to be priced lower given its specs.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Asus ROG Phone 8: Ideal for mobile gamers, power users, and those who demand top-tier performance and a premium display. Excellent for demanding tasks, content creation, and media consumption.

Motorola Moto G85: Suitable for everyday users who prioritize portability, affordability, and a good overall experience for general use. Recommended for social media, web browsing, light gaming, and communication.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your primary use case? (Gaming, productivity, general use)
  2. What is your budget?
  3. How important is portability and one-handed use?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Gamer: ROG Phone 8 is the clear choice.
  • Everyday User on a Budget: Moto G85 offers good value.
  • Power User needing portability: Consider the weight trade-off carefully. The ROG Phone 8 offers more power but sacrifices portability.

My Choice: Asus ROG Phone 8

While the Motorola Moto G85 offers a more portable and potentially more affordable option, the Asus ROG Phone 8 is my choice. The significant performance difference, superior display (higher refresh rate, brightness), and enhanced video recording capabilities are compelling. I prioritize a smooth and responsive user experience, especially for gaming and multitasking, and the ROG Phone 8 clearly excels in these areas. The extra weight is a trade-off I'm willing to make for the substantial performance gains. I also value a bright display for outdoor use. While lacking specific camera sensor details limits a full camera assessment, the superior video recording capabilities of the ROG Phone 8 suggest a more versatile camera system.

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.