The Asus ROG Phone 9 FE continues the legacy of the ROG Phone series by delivering a smartphone built for serious gaming. Even though it carries the “FE” label—which usually stands for “Fan Edition” and might suggest some cutbacks—this phone still offers high-end performance and features designed especially for gamers.
Refined Gamer Aesthetics
The ROG Phone 9 FE keeps the clean and modern look introduced with the ROG Phone 8 series but adds a few design touches to make it look even more like a gaming phone. You’ll still get the sleek matte glass back, but now with bold lines and a large “09” on the back to highlight its gaming roots.
Even with this gamer aesthetic, it doesn’t compromise on durability. The phone has IP68-rated protection, making it resistant to both water and dust.
185Hz of Smooth, Fast Display
One of the standout features is the 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display, which delivers ultra-smooth visuals with a maximum refresh rate of 185Hz. Whether you’re scrolling through apps or playing fast-paced games, everything looks sharp and fluid.
To help with power efficiency, the screen also supports adaptive refresh rates from 1Hz to 120Hz, adjusting automatically based on your usage. The 720Hz touch sampling rate ensures every tap or swipe is registered instantly, which is especially useful for competitive gaming where every millisecond counts.
Powerful Performance for Any Game
Although the ROG Phone 9 FE uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which is technically a last-generation chip, it still delivers flagship-level performance. Thanks to Asus’ GameCool technology, the phone stays cool and avoids performance drops even during intense gaming sessions.
In real-world use, games like Zenless Zone Zero ran at a consistent 60 frames per second, with smooth performance and no noticeable lag or stutters. Compared to competitors that may throttle or heat up, the ROG Phone 9 FE holds up impressively well.
AI Features That Boost Your Gameplay
While most smartphone brands today use AI mainly for improving photos or enhancing daily usage like battery or app suggestions, ROG Phones stay true to their DNA. Asus has focused all AI development purely on what matters most for this device—gaming. This sharp focus means every AI feature in the ROG Phone 9 FE is built to give you a smarter, smoother, and more immersive gaming experience.
The ROG 9 FE comes with X Sense 3.0, which introduces a suite of AI-enhanced gaming features. These tools are especially useful for titles like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, where precision, timing, and fast decision-making can determine the outcome of a match.
Some highlights include:
- Automatic skill upgrades to keep your gameplay fluid
- Buff alerts so you never miss a power-up opportunity
- Automatic recording of rare gacha pulls or key highlight moments
Battery That Lasts and Charges Fast
The 5500mAh battery ensures that you can game for long hours without needing to recharge. In testing, the phone easily lasted more than two days under normal use, and even during gaming, it held up impressively well.
When you do need to charge, 65W fast charging gets you back to full quickly. If you prefer convenience, there’s also Qi wireless charging support—a rare feature in gaming phones.
Surprisingly Good Camera Setup
Although it’s primarily a gaming phone, the ROG Phone 9 FE doesn’t ignore the camera. It comes with a 50MP main sensor, a 13MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro camera. On the front, there’s a 32MP selfie camera that’s great for video calls or livestreaming.
While the image processing isn’t at the level of flagship devices, the setup here is still the most capable we’ve seen on a gaming-focused device. It’s more than enough for casual photography and social media content.
What I Loved About the ROG Phone 9 FE
- Excellent gaming performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and GameCool thermal tech ensures smooth gameplay even under heavy load.
- Stunning 185Hz AMOLED display with ultra-responsive 720Hz touch sampling rate for a visually immersive and fluid experience.
- AI features built for gamers (X Sense 3.0), enhancing gameplay in real-time with smart tools like auto skill upgrades and gacha moment recording.
Some Forseeable Drawbacks
- Not the latest Snapdragon chip – while performance is still excellent, some users may prefer the newest generation for future-proofing.
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Camera system is good, but not exceptional – solid for casual use, but may fall short for users expecting flagship-level photography.
Verdict
The ROG Phone 9 FE is a well-rounded gaming smartphone that delivers solid performance, smart AI features, and a stunning high-refresh-rate display—all at a more accessible price point of RM2,999. While it carries the “Fan Edition” name, it doesn’t feel like a stripped-down model. Instead, it focuses on what truly matters to mobile gamers: smooth performance, responsiveness, long battery life, and thoughtful gaming enhancements.
This phone is especially ideal for gamers who want most of the ROG Phone 9 experience without the premium price tag. It may not have the absolute latest chipset or the more extravagant features found in the flagship variants, but it still holds its own in day-to-day use and intense gaming sessions.
If you’re a mobile gamer looking for a high-performance phone on a slightly tighter budget, and you’re willing to trade off a few bells and whistles, the ROG Phone 9 FE is a strong and reliable choice that doesn’t compromise on the gaming essentials.
