ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate vs ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE
The ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate (2021) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, while the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3; launch prices were $1299 and $899. By overall MobileRank rating, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE leads — 68/100 vs 60/100 (a 8-point difference). Key differences: the ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate has the bigger battery (6000 mAh vs 5500); the main camera is 64 MP vs 50 MP; the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE is faster in AnTuTu (2,486,941 vs 1,135,878); the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE is thinner (8.9mm vs 10.3mm).
Profile comparison
Category scores
ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate
ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE
What makes ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate better?
- Bigger battery: 6000 vs 5500 mAh
- Better main camera: 64MP vs 50MP
- Better camera (48/100 vs 42/100)
What makes ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 2486941 vs 1135878
- Better Geekbench Single: 2203 vs 1500
- Better Geekbench Multi: 6511 vs 3537
- Higher refresh rate: 185Hz vs 144Hz
- Lighter: 225g vs 238g
- Cheaper at launch: $899 vs $1299
- Higher performance (83/100 vs 64/100)
- Longer battery life (66/100 vs 60/100)
- Better portability (34/100 vs 20/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate vs the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE scores 8 points higher (68/100 vs 60/100). In the "performance" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE leads (83/100 vs 64/100). Value score: ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate — 30/100, ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE — 48/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE notably outperforms the ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate (83/100 vs 64/100). In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 89/100. In the "camera" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate is a bit better (48/100 vs 42/100). In the "battery" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE is a bit better (66/100 vs 60/100). In the "portability" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE is a bit better (34/100 vs 20/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate | ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | |
| AnTuTu | 1135878 | 2486941 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1500 | 2203 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3537 | 6511 | |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED | 6.8" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 2448x1080 | 2400x1080 | |
| Refresh rate | 144 Hz | 185 Hz | |
| Battery | 6000 mAh | 5500 mAh | |
| Charging | 65W | 65W | |
| Wireless charging | 0W | 15W | |
| Main camera | 64 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 13 MP | 13 MP | |
| Front camera | 24 MP | 32 MP | |
| RAM | 18GB | 16GB | |
| Storage | 512GB | 256GB | |
| OS | Android 11 / ROG UI | Android 15 / ROG UI | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1200 nits | 2500 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | — | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 172.8×77.3×10.3 mm | 163.8×76.8×8.9 mm | |
| Weight | 238 g | 225 g | |
| Launch price | $1299 | $899 |
Camera comparison
ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate
- Main: 64MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 13MP
- Front: 24MP
ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE
- Main: 50MP f/1.9
- Ultrawide: 13MP
- Front: 32MP
Display comparison
ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 2448x1080
- Refresh rate: 144 Hz
ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE
- 6.8" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 2400x1080
- Refresh rate: 185 Hz
Battery and charging
ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate
- 6000 mAh
- Wired: 65W
- No wireless charging
ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE
- 5500 mAh
- Wired: 65W
- Wireless: 15W
Overall performance score
We compared ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate and ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE leads ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate by 54.3% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $400. ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE was $400 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE notably outperforms the ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate (83/100 vs 64/100).
display
In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 89/100.
camera
In the "camera" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate is a bit better (48/100 vs 42/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE is a bit better (66/100 vs 60/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE is a bit better (34/100 vs 20/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate or the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE?
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE edges out the ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate by just 8 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate and the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE?
The ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate has a MobileRank rating of 60/100, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE — 68/100.
Which has the better camera: the ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate or the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE?
The ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate leads on camera score (48/100 vs 42/100).
Which is more powerful: the ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate or the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE?
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE leads on performance (83/100 vs 64/100).
Should you choose the ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate over the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE?
The ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate is a better fit for active users. The ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE is a better fit for gamers and power users.