The Asus ROG Phone 9 with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip is a performance powerhouse, but it can't match other $1,000 phones in ways that matter.

Over the years, Asus has carved a niche catering to mobile gamers with its ROG smartphone line, focusing on things you won't find in phones from the big dogs. That includes a second USB-C charging port for landscape mode so the cable won't get in the way while gaming.

ASUS has launched the ROG Phone 9 and 9 Pro, and the Pro model lets you play games on the rear lighting system.

I booted up the game Mortal Kombat Mobile on the new Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro, and the tutorial that led me into Scorpion pulling off a Fatality against Sub-Zero shows the fiery character slicing through his opponent's skull like butter.

The ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro is one of the first phones sporting a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, but is it worth the upgrade?

The ROG Phone 9 Pro doesn't change too much from its predecessor, but you get exciting hardware and a new camera at the back that takes great photos. Combine that with a clean software, and you get the ultimate gaming phone.