ASUS ROG Phone 5 vs ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE
The ASUS ROG Phone 5 (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 $799 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 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 (2,342,433 vs 1,119,714); the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE is thinner (8.9mm vs 10.3mm).
ASUS ROG Phone 5
ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE
- Bigger battery: 6000 vs 5500 mAh
- Better main camera: 64MP vs 50MP
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $899
- Better camera (48/100 vs 42/100)
- Higher AnTuTu: 2342433 vs 1119714
- Better Geekbench Single: 2205 vs 1488
- Better Geekbench Multi: 7192 vs 3373
- Higher refresh rate: 185Hz vs 144Hz
- Lighter: 225g vs 238g
- Higher performance (83/100 vs 63/100)
- Longer battery life (66/100 vs 60/100)
- Better portability (34/100 vs 20/100)
Comparing the ASUS ROG Phone 5 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 63/100). Value score: ASUS ROG Phone 5 — 32/100, ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE — 48/100; it is biased by price level, so it should not be compared directly between devices at different prices. In the "performance" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE notably outperforms the ASUS ROG Phone 5 (83/100 vs 63/100). In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 89/100. In the "camera" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 5 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).
| Specification | ASUS ROG Phone 5 | ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | |
| AnTuTu | 1119714 | 2342433 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1488 | 2205 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3373 | 7192 | |
| 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 | 8GB / 12GB / 16GB | 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 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 | $799 | $899 |
ASUS ROG Phone 5
- Main: 64MP f/f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 13MP
- Front: 24MP
ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE
- Main: 50MP f/f/1.9
- Ultrawide: 13MP
- Front: 32MP
ASUS ROG Phone 5
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 2448x1080
- Refresh rate: 144 Hz
ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE
- 6.8" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 2400x1080
- Refresh rate: 185 Hz
ASUS ROG Phone 5
- 6000 mAh
- Wired: 65W
- No wireless charging
ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE
- 5500 mAh
- Wired: 65W
- Wireless: 15W
We compared ASUS ROG Phone 5 and ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE leads ASUS ROG Phone 5 by 52.2% in our overall performance rating.
Launch price difference: $100. ASUS ROG Phone 5 was $100 cheaper at launch.
performance
In the "performance" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE notably outperforms the ASUS ROG Phone 5 (83/100 vs 63/100).
display
In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 89/100.
camera
In the "camera" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 5 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).
Which is better: the ASUS ROG Phone 5 or the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE?
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE edges out the ASUS ROG Phone 5 by just 8 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the ASUS ROG Phone 5 and the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE?
The ASUS ROG Phone 5 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 or the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE?
The ASUS ROG Phone 5 leads on camera score (48/100 vs 42/100).
Which is more powerful: the ASUS ROG Phone 5 or the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE?
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE leads on performance (83/100 vs 63/100).
Should you choose the ASUS ROG Phone 5 over the ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE?
The ASUS ROG Phone 5 is a better fit for active users. The ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE is a better fit for gamers and power users.