Asus ROG Phone 2 Review: Still A Gaming Beast In Malaysia?

Hey gamers! Let's dive into a comprehensive review of the Asus ROG Phone 2 in Malaysia. Even though it's not the newest kid on the block anymore, this phone still packs a serious punch for mobile gaming. We're going to explore everything from its design and display to performance, camera, and battery life, all while keeping the Malaysian market in mind. So, is the ROG Phone 2 still worth considering in today's smartphone landscape? Let's find out!

Design and Build Quality

When you first lay your eyes on the Asus ROG Phone 2, you'll immediately notice its aggressive, gamer-centric design. This phone screams "I'm here to play!" with its sharp lines, geometric patterns, and the iconic ROG logo emblazoned on the back. The RGB lighting on the logo is fully customizable, letting you personalize your phone with a splash of color. The ROG Phone 2 feels incredibly solid and well-built. The combination of metal and glass gives it a premium feel, although it's definitely on the heavier side, which is something to keep in mind if you prefer lighter devices. The phone is also quite large, making it a bit challenging to use one-handed for some people.

Speaking of design specifics, the ROG Phone 2 features a unique AirTrigger II system. These are essentially ultrasonic touch sensors on the side of the phone that can be mapped to in-game actions, giving you a console-like gaming experience. They offer haptic feedback, making them feel incredibly responsive and satisfying to use. You'll also find a side-mounted port specifically designed for accessories like the AeroActive Cooler II, which helps keep the phone cool during intense gaming sessions, a must-have in Malaysia's humid climate. While the design might not appeal to everyone, especially those who prefer a more subtle look, it's undeniably functional and perfectly suited for its target audience: serious mobile gamers. The robust build quality ensures it can withstand the rigors of intense gaming sessions, making it a durable choice for gamers in Malaysia.

Display: A Visual Feast for Gamers

The display on the Asus ROG Phone 2 is, without a doubt, one of its standout features. It boasts a massive 6.59-inch AMOLED display with a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate and a lightning-fast 1ms response time. What does all that mean for you? Well, it translates to incredibly fluid and responsive gameplay, with minimal motion blur and ghosting. This is a huge advantage in fast-paced games where every millisecond counts. The colors are vibrant and punchy, thanks to the AMOLED technology, and the display is incredibly bright, making it easily visible even under direct sunlight – perfect for gaming outdoors in Malaysia.

Furthermore, the ROG Phone 2's display has an incredibly low delta E < 1, which means it's exceptionally color accurate. This is great not only for gaming but also for watching videos and viewing photos. The display also supports HDR10+, further enhancing the viewing experience with wider dynamic range and richer colors. Asus also included a blue light filter to reduce eye strain during long gaming sessions. The high refresh rate is a game-changer, and once you've experienced it, it's hard to go back to a standard 60Hz display. Everything from scrolling through menus to playing games feels noticeably smoother and more responsive. For gamers in Malaysia who demand the best visual experience, the ROG Phone 2's display is a major selling point. Whether you're battling opponents in PUBG Mobile or exploring vast open worlds in Genshin Impact, the ROG Phone 2's display will immerse you in the game like never before.

Performance: Unmatched Power for Mobile Gaming

Under the hood, the Asus ROG Phone 2 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ Mobile Platform, paired with up to 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 3.0 storage. This combination delivers absolutely blistering performance. Games load quickly, multitasking is a breeze, and the phone handles even the most demanding titles with ease. The Snapdragon 855+ is specifically designed for gaming, offering a 15% performance boost over the standard Snapdragon 855. This translates to higher frame rates, smoother gameplay, and reduced lag, giving you a competitive edge in online games.

Asus also implemented a sophisticated cooling system called GameCool II, which helps dissipate heat and prevent thermal throttling. This is crucial for maintaining consistent performance during extended gaming sessions, especially in Malaysia's hot and humid climate. The GameCool II system consists of a large vapor chamber, copper heat sink, and vents that allow heat to escape. The AeroActive Cooler II accessory further enhances the cooling capabilities, ensuring that the phone stays cool even under extreme load. In terms of real-world performance, the ROG Phone 2 can handle any game you throw at it. PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, Genshin Impact – all run flawlessly at max settings with consistently high frame rates. The phone also excels at other tasks, such as video editing, streaming, and browsing the web. If you're looking for a phone that can handle anything you throw at it, the ROG Phone 2 is an excellent choice, offering unparalleled performance for mobile gaming enthusiasts in Malaysia.

Camera: Surprisingly Capable

While the Asus ROG Phone 2 is primarily a gaming phone, its camera is surprisingly capable. It features a 48MP Sony IMX586 primary sensor and a 13MP ultrawide lens. The image quality is generally good, with decent detail, accurate colors, and good dynamic range. In daylight, the ROG Phone 2 captures sharp and vibrant photos. The ultrawide lens is useful for capturing wider scenes, although the image quality is slightly lower than the main sensor. The phone also has a dedicated Night mode, which helps improve image quality in low-light conditions. The Night mode brightens up the image and reduces noise, resulting in more usable photos.

The ROG Phone 2 can record video at up to 4K resolution at 60fps. The video quality is good, with stable footage and accurate colors. The phone also has electronic image stabilization (EIS), which helps reduce camera shake. The front-facing camera is a 24MP sensor, which captures detailed and well-exposed selfies. While the ROG Phone 2's camera might not be the best on the market, it's certainly good enough for most users. It's capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos in a variety of conditions. For gamers in Malaysia who also want a decent camera on their phone, the ROG Phone 2 is a solid option. It's not going to compete with dedicated camera phones, but it's more than capable of capturing memorable moments.

Battery Life: A Marathon Runner

One of the biggest strengths of the Asus ROG Phone 2 is its massive 6000mAh battery. This is one of the largest batteries you'll find in a smartphone, and it delivers exceptional battery life. You can easily get through a full day of heavy use, including several hours of gaming, without needing to recharge. Even with more intensive usage, you can still expect to get at least 8-10 hours of screen-on time. This is a huge advantage for gamers who want to play for extended periods without worrying about running out of battery. The phone also supports 30W fast charging, which allows you to quickly top up the battery when needed.

In our testing, the ROG Phone 2 consistently delivered impressive battery life. We were able to play PUBG Mobile for over 6 hours straight on a single charge. Even with the 120Hz refresh rate enabled, the battery life was still excellent. For gamers in Malaysia who are constantly on the go, the ROG Phone 2's battery life is a game-changer. You can finally play your favorite games without having to constantly worry about finding a power outlet. The combination of the large battery and fast charging makes the ROG Phone 2 an ideal choice for mobile gamers who demand long-lasting battery life.

Is the Asus ROG Phone 2 Still Worth It in Malaysia?

So, after all this, is the Asus ROG Phone 2 still worth buying in Malaysia? The answer is a resounding yes, especially if you're a serious mobile gamer. While it's not the newest phone on the market, it still offers incredible performance, a stunning display, and exceptional battery life. The Snapdragon 855+ is still a very capable processor, and the 120Hz AMOLED display is a joy to use. The 6000mAh battery ensures that you can game for hours on end without needing to recharge.

However, there are a few things to consider. The ROG Phone 2 is a large and heavy phone, which might not appeal to everyone. The design is also quite aggressive, which might not be suitable for those who prefer a more subtle look. And of course, newer phones have been released since the ROG Phone 2, offering even more advanced features and performance. But, considering its current price point in Malaysia, the ROG Phone 2 offers incredible value for money. It's a fantastic gaming phone that can still hold its own against the competition. If you're looking for a phone that can deliver a top-notch gaming experience without breaking the bank, the Asus ROG Phone 2 is definitely worth considering. Just make sure you're comfortable with its size and design before making a purchase.