The ASUS ROG Phone 2 is now official, and, as expected, it’s the first device to be equipped with the new, never-before-seen Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus chipset.

(October 12: Here’s the latest update: 12GB/1TB ASUS ROG Phone 2 launched in PH, too.)

(Update, September 13: This gaming phone could be launching in the Philippines! See ROG Phone 2 PH launch imminent as ASUS starts teasing phone. Update, July 24: We already have the prices! See Priced: ASUS ROG Phone 2 with 6,000mAh battery, SD 855 Plus.)

The gaming phone has other things going for it, including one of the biggest batteries we’ve seen in a handset so far and a faster refresh rate compared to the original ROG Phone. You know, specs you’ll want to have on a device built to play PUBG Mobile, Fortnite, and other games that require especially powerful hardware to run at the highest settings.

READ ALSO: New Nintendo Switch: Same price, longer battery life

Of course, the ROG Phone 2 will have its own ecosystem of accessories that can take your gaming experience to a whole new level. The updated range includes a dual-screen dock and a gamepad attachment that looks a lot like what the Nintendo Switch uses and can be attached to the top and bottom of the handset or slid into a grip.

The ASUS ROG Phone 2 will launch first in China July 23, while the global launch is taking place sometime in the first week of September. The Chinese variant gets a glossy back cover, as opposed to the international version, which will have a matte finish. Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but you can bet it will cost about as much as the first-gen model, which was priced at P49,995 (about $978) in the Philippines at launch.

The display of the ROG Phone 2 has gotten a huge update, with an embedded fingerprint reader even thrown in for quickly and easily activating the device. The screen size is 6.59 inches, notably bigger than what we saw on the original, though the resolution is still 1080p.

SEE ALSO: ASUS ROG Phone hands-on review: King of mobile gaming

The refresh rate is now 120Hz — twice as fast as the 60Hz screen on most smartphones. A higher refresh rate means smoother gameplay and less stuttering during high-motion sequences, although it will also drain the battery much quicker.

Thankfully, ASUS has crammed a 6,000mAh battery into the ROG Phone 2’s chassis. The company claims it should provide more than 7 hours of PUBG if the display is set to 60Hz. 

READ ALSO: Phones with new Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus chip could be from these brands and Black Shark 2 Pro gaming phone launching July 30

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus under the hood features 12GB RAM and up to 512GB storage, while the main camera is 48 megapixels. It is said to offer 15% faster graphics rendering as compared to the regular Snapdragon 855. The ROG Phone 2 also sports a headphone jack and two USB-C ports for charging, connecting peripherals, and file transfer.

ASUS ROG Phone 2 specs

• 6.59-inch AMOLED display, 2,340 x 1,080 resolution (19:9), 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass 6
• Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus processor
• 12GB RAM
• Up to 512GB storage
• Dual 48MP, f/1.8 main, 13MP, f/2.4 ultra-wide rear cameras with LED flash
• 24MP, f/2.2 front camera
• Fingerprint sensor (under-display)
• 6,000mAh battery with 30-watt USB-C fast charging
• Android 9.0 Pie

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