Asus ROG Phone 5s Pro hands-on review

Design and controls

The chassis design isn't any different from the already reviewed ROG Phone 5, but the 5s Pro does seem to attract a bit more attention than the vanilla version, mostly because of its secondary PMOLED display. It looks cool, it's customizable, while remaining easy on the eyes.

Aside from the themes and animations that you can set on the secondary display, it can also be used for notifications and incoming calls if you are the type to bravely keep your phone face-down on your desk. Launching the X-mode triggers the display too, and it reacts to certain events during gameplay.

Unlike the vanilla versions, the Pro models skip the off-centered, light-up RGB ROG logo on the lower half of the phone. It seems like Asus is slowly transitioning into a more everyday style instead of going all-in with the "gamer" aesthetic. There are also no accent elements or opened vents for cooling, the whole glass back lies flush. Except maybe the sharply-angled camera island, which, by the way, isn't protruding as much as you'd expect.

Built-wise - no change. We've got a Gorilla Glass 3 sheet protecting the back and Victus on the front - held together by an aluminum frame with an anodized finish. Since the phone is designed for landscape mode, there's a secondary USB-C connector, so the cable doesn't get in the way when playing while charging. The pins for the additional accessories are found right next to the secondary port.

Interestingly, the main USB-C connector is off-centered, and there's a 3.5mm audio jack keeping it company. Both the volume rocker and the power button are clicky and easy to reach. The air triggers sit subtly under the frame, and only small patterns engraved into the frame give them away. No actual buttons, indentations or touch surfaces. Pretty simplistic.

The front of the device keeps relatively thick top and bottom bezels to prevent mistouch during gaming and a little more wiggle room for your palms. The stereo loudspeakers are positioned there too, so they blast directly towards you.

There's no way around it, though. The glass back is indeed a bit slippery, the side curvatures help with the grip to some extent, but it's a pretty hefty phone. It tips the scale at 238 grams and is 9.9mm thick. On a more positive note, the weight distribution is pretty good and the reason for that is the internal design.

On the plus side, the ROG Phone 5s Pro feels solid with no flex in the frame. We can definitely see why the phone feels hefty. Not to mention you are getting a 6.78-inch, unobstructed display.

Internal design

All of the Asus ROG 5 series come with a new internal design having not only the phone in mind but the user too. The interesting bit here is that the PCB along with the chipset are positioned in the middle of the device. This helps with the weight distribution and keeps the heat mostly in the center, away from the user's hands. Additionally, the AeroActive Cooler 5 is more efficient as it sits directly onto the heat-emitting components.

And since the PCB is in the middle, it is flanked by two 3,000 mAh batteries. This way Asus retains the high capacity and utilizes the space more efficiently.