Review of ROM on ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro ROG9 5G Gaming

The ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro is a powerhouse of a gaming smartphone, and its firmware (ROM) plays a key role in delivering a seamless experience for gaming enthusiasts and power users alike. Here's a breakdown of the ROM and its performance:

Operating System

The ROG Phone 9 Pro runs on Android 14, customized with ASUS's ROG UI. The ROG UI is tailored for gamers, featuring vibrant designs, gaming-specific optimizations, and various tools to enhance the overall experience. The interface is highly customizable and allows users to tweak themes, icons, and performance settings.

Performance Features

Game Genie Integration

The ROM includes Game Genie, a built-in gaming assistant that allows users to:

Customize game profiles with specific CPU, GPU, and refresh rate settings.

Block notifications and calls while gaming.

Enable on-screen performance stats for FPS, temperature, and more.

Map advanced controls for touch inputs or external peripherals.

X Mode

The ROM enables X Mode, an exclusive gaming performance mode that boosts CPU and GPU capabilities. With this, users can enjoy smoother frame rates, faster load times, and reduced thermal throttling.

Custom profiles in X Mode can be adjusted for specific games to ensure optimal performance.

Advanced Display Control

The ROM fully supports the phone's 165Hz AMOLED display with HDR10+ certification.

Users can switch between different refresh rates (60Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz, 165Hz) directly from the ROM's display settings for a balanced battery and performance experience.

Battery Optimization

With its 6000mAh battery, the ROM includes:

Battery Care Mode, which optimizes charging speed and extends the battery's lifespan.

Smart power-saving options and scheduled charging for better battery management.

Adaptive refresh rate settings to reduce power consumption during non-gaming use.

Updates and Security

ASUS frequently rolls out firmware updates to the ROG Phone 9 Pro, ensuring bug fixes, performance improvements, and security patches.

The ROM includes Google Play Protect and a robust set of privacy options to keep user data safe.

Customizations

Users can personalize their experience with themes from the ROG Theme Store, including exclusive gaming themes.

The Armoury Crate app, pre-installed on the ROM, is a hub for managing game libraries, performance profiles, and device lighting (Aura Sync).

Limitations

While the ROM is optimized for gaming, there are minor downsides:

The ROG UI can feel heavy for users who prefer a clean or stock Android experience.

Some gaming-specific features may be overwhelming for non-gamers.

Updates, while regular, may occasionally lag behind pure Android devices like Google Pixel in terms of release timelines.

Conclusion

The ROM on the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro is a gaming-focused software powerhouse that enhances performance, battery efficiency, and customization options. It provides a rich and dynamic experience tailored to gamers while still offering essential productivity features for everyday use. If you're looking for a device that maximizes gaming potential, the ROG Phone 9 Pro's ROM is an excellent match.