Gaming

ROG Phone 8 Pro Unboxing and First Impressions

Less ‘gamer’ look, same standout performance

Published

January 31, 2024

When we first saw renders of the ROG Phone 8 and ROG Phone 8 Pro, we weren’t particularly enthused. But once real-life photos came out during CES 2024, it started getting us curious. The ROG Phone 8 fits the “better-in-person” description.

Other than the looks, ROG also made significant quality of life improvements. Some of which are features not previously seen on a gaming smartphone of its caliber.

But first, let’s unbox it!

@gadgetmatch

Different skin, same beast 💪 #ROGPhone8 #ROGPhone #ASUS #ASUSROG

♬ original sound – GadgetMatch – GadgetMatch

Like usual, the ROG Phone 8 Pro remains one of the most fun devices to unbox. The box is quirky and has a few gimmicks here and there. You certainly feel like you’re getting a premium package.

A less ‘gamer’ look

I feel like ROG has previously said that they’ve toned down the gamer aesthetics of a particular ROG Phone version. But the ROG Phone 8 Series might be the truly first one to live up to the billing.

Gone are the lines and details that evoke a mecha anime aesthetic. Instead, there’s just a single line that cuts across the back of the device. And then there are just a few ROG branding spread along the sides.

The AniMe Vision display was replaced with the AniMe Matrix. A more subtle display mechanic that certainly fits the vibe of the phone. It changes depending on what you’re doing on the phone. For instance, it shows a timer when you’re taking a photo and it indicates when you are playing a game.

Just as well, you can just turn it off altogether if it’s not your thing or to conserve battery.

Better cameras?

I haven’t had many opportunities to take decent looking photos so you’ll have to settle for the very few samples here from which you can tell I wasn’t even really trying. I guess having a gaming phone in hand, taking pictures just kind of takes a backseat in my mind. Initial impressions? The cameras mayhaps still need some work?

Still the same beast inside

I’ve only really been playing Honkai: Star Raili so far but everything was in high settings. I had a grand time. I’ve stepped away from the game for a while but it’s good to come back using a machine that can truly handle it.

For usual browsing and doom scrolling, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is incredibly fast and smooth. I’ve been juggling a couple of smartphone review units over the past few weeks but this one definitely stands out in that department.

I also stuck with the ROG Launcher which certainly has a more ‘gamer’ feel. If you want it to feel more like vanilla Android, you can easily make the switch either during the setup or in Settings.

Overall first impressions

As far as regular slate smartphones I’ve had the pleasure of using so far in 2024, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is easily my favorite. I’ve tried an OPPO Reno Phone, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and a few more. But for regular slates, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is my personal favorite to use mostly for gaming, social scrolling.

Everything else it has to offer, I still have to test further. Leave a comment on GadgetMatch’s socials to let us know what else you want to find out about the ROG Phone 8 Pro.

Gaming

Gangstar Mirage City launches on August 20 with SEA localization

Join a faction now for a chance to win rewards

Published

August 5, 2026

GadgetMatch

Gangstar Mirage City is set for a full regional launch on August 20, with localization for the Southeast Asia region.

Published by Level Infinite, the free-to-play multiplayer, urban, open-world action game is available for download on iOS and Android.

The full regional release features an expanded open world, a new PvP Arena mode, and local languages.

In Gangstar Mirage City, players can team up for up to 4-man co-op heists, drive powerful vehicles, customize their arsenal, build an empire, and fight for control of Rooklyn City.

Players can register on gangstarmiragecity.com for in-game rewards.

In Southeast Asia, players can also register as a member of their respective local faction and get an exclusive in-game Avatar to represent their loyalty:

Philippines: Manila Brigade
Indonesia: War Kanda
Malaysia: Taiko Tedung
Thailand: SIAM APEX

Factions will be ranked based on how many players join and support them. The winning faction will enable all members to get 300 Diamonds, sent directly to their accounts.

Meanwhile, all players, including those who already began their journey in Rooklyn City with the soft launch last July, are invited to join the Global Vault Heist.

Reaching the final Registration Milestone will unlock the Full Tilt Vehicle Pack. These are the rewards up for grabs per milestone:

5 million players: 100 Diamonds
10 million players: 200 Diamonds
20 million players: Vehicle Upgrade Vouchers x5
30 million players: Full Tilt Vehicle Pack

All Global Vault Heist and Faction rewards can be claimed via the in-game mail system on August 20.

Gaming

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 clip shows Losing Ground 1st look

Pre-order now for Campaign Early Access

Published

August 2, 2026

GadgetMatch

A short new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 teaser shows a quick look at the Losing Ground mission for the first time.

It is one of the big war missions from the title’s Campaign mode, following the Korean grunt squad through chaos on the ground.

The brief clip is a pre-order promotional material, wherein gamers can place pre-orders now on any platform for Campaign Early Access.

This shall allow players to dive into the full single-player campaign a week ahead of the official worldwide release date on October 16.

In the vignette, soldiers can be seen advancing through a burning urban environment while under intense enemy fire.

The squad pushes through a breached storefront into a local cafe to clear enemy strongpoints.

Laster on, out in the open on the bridge, squad members realize they are heavily exposed and call out incoming enemy air support. This was right before an explosion rocks the area.

Computers

AMD launches Radeon RX 9050 graphics card

Affordable GPU option for AAA titles

Published

July 30, 2026

GadgetMatch

AMD has launched the new AMD Radeon RX 9050 graphics card, expanding the Radeon RX 9000 series with an affordable option.

This brings AMD RDNA 4 gaming technologies to mainstream gamers with a retail price of US$ 279.

The particular GPU is designed for responsive gameplay at 1080p. That’s for esports and modern AAA titles.

Some popular titles it can run at high frame rates on a 1080p resolution include: Cyberpunk 2077, Forza Horizon 6, Pragmata, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Valorant, and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, to name a few.

This highly efficient, drop-in upgrade features a 92W TBP and fully supports the latest AMD FSR technologies, next-gen raytracing, and high-quality AV1 video streaming.

Key specs: