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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The Asus ROG Phone 5 Ultimate is a distinct 2021 gaming phone, not just a standard ROG Phone 5 with more memory. Its 18GB RAM, 512GB storage, monochrome rear ROG Vision display, rear touch controls and bundled AeroActive Cooler 5 make it the most fully equipped member of its generation. In 2026, its 144Hz screen, speakers, headphone jack and gaming controls remain appealing, but its Snapdragon 888 age, battery condition, carrier compatibility and uncertain software-support horizon make it a specialist used buy—not a current all-purpose flagship.
What the ROG Phone 5 Ultimate is
Asus announced the ROG Phone 5 family on March 10, 2021, with the Ultimate at the top alongside the standard ROG Phone 5 and ROG Phone 5 Pro. The Ultimate is a standalone model, identifier ZS673KS, finished in Storm White. It combines 18GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage with features that distinguish it from the other family members. Asus’s family announcement and US announcement document the launch and the Ultimate/Pro display distinction.
Its unusual extras are functional as well as cosmetic: rear touch sensors can be mapped to game controls, and a small monochrome ROG Vision panel on the back displays status and customizable visuals. It is not a second full-size screen. The Pro has a color ROG Vision display; Asus identifies rear touch sensors on both the Pro and Ultimate, but not the standard ROG Phone 5. The Ultimate’s extra RAM is useful headroom for multitasking, but it does not by itself guarantee higher game frame rates.
ROG Phone 5 Ultimate specifications
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | ZS673KS |
| Platform and graphics | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G; Adreno 660 GPU |
| Memory and storage | 18GB LPDDR5 RAM; 512GB UFS 3.1 storage |
| Display | 6.78-inch Samsung AMOLED; 2448 × 1080; up to 144Hz refresh rate; 300Hz touch sampling |
| Display protection and claims | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus; Asus claims Delta-E below 1, 1ms response characteristic, HDR support and always-on HDR; DC dimming |
| Battery and charging | Split-cell design, equivalent to 6,000mAh typical capacity; up to 65W wired charging with supplied adapter |
| Rear cameras | 64MP Sony IMX686 main; 13MP ultrawide; macro camera |
| Front camera | 24MP |
| Audio and controls | Front-facing stereo speakers; 3.5mm headphone jack; AirTrigger 5 ultrasonic controls; rear touch sensors |
| Wireless and ports | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, 5G Sub-6; two USB-C ports |
| Size and weight | 173.00 × 77.00 × 9.90mm; 238g |
| Finish | Storm White |
| Storage expansion | Not listed in Asus’s official specifications; do not assume microSD support |
| SIM | Dual-SIM capability depends on regional model; verify the specific unit |
These are Asus’s listed specifications; display response, color accuracy, HDR and charging figures should be understood as manufacturer specifications or claims, not independent measurements. See the official technical specifications.
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How it compares with the ROG Phone 5 and Pro
| Model | Distinguishing points established by Asus |
|---|---|
| ROG Phone 5 | Standard member of the lineup; it lacks the rear touch sensors Asus specifies for the Pro and Ultimate. Its full specifications are listed on the ROG Phone 5 specification page. |
| ROG Phone 5 Pro | Has rear touch sensors and a color ROG Vision display. Asus’s announcement distinguishes its color panel from the Ultimate’s monochrome one. |
| ROG Phone 5 Ultimate | 18GB RAM, 512GB storage, Storm White finish, monochrome rear ROG Vision display, rear touch sensors and top-tier bundled positioning. |
All three belong to the same gaming-phone generation, so choose by condition, price and the features you will actually use. The Ultimate’s premium configuration is not a reason to pay substantially more if battery health is poor or its gaming accessories are missing.
Gaming: controls, screen and sustained play
The Snapdragon 888 and Adreno 660 provided high-end performance for the phone’s 2021 generation. The 144Hz AMOLED panel and 300Hz touch sampling support responsive play, while AirTrigger 5 ultrasonic shoulder controls and the Ultimate’s rear touch sensors let players map additional inputs. Asus’s product overview describes the gaming features and software tools, including Game Genie and performance modes: ROG Phone 5 Ultimate overview.
A 144Hz panel does not mean every game produces 144 frames per second. A game may cap its frame rate, and actual sustained performance depends on settings, software, ambient temperature, device condition and cooling. No particular frame rate should be assumed for a game or emulator without testing that title on the exact device and setup.
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The side-mounted USB-C port is useful when charging in landscape orientation, as it can keep the cable away from the bottom edge. The included AeroActive Cooler 5 is relevant to extended, demanding sessions: it can aid cooling, but it cannot remove all thermal limits. The 18GB RAM headline matters less to most games than stable thermals, battery health and whether the title supports the desired refresh rate.
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Display, battery, cooling and audio
Display
The 6.78-inch AMOLED screen has a 2448 × 1080 resolution, up to 144Hz refresh rate and 300Hz touch sampling. Asus also lists Gorilla Glass Victus, DC dimming and HDR-related features. High refresh can make supported interfaces and games feel smoother, but it can use more power, and the refresh rate is not a promise of matching game frame rates.
Battery and charging
Asus specifies a split-cell battery with an equivalent 6,000mAh typical capacity and up to 65W wired charging using the supplied adapter, with Quick Charge 5.0 and USB Power Delivery support. A high-refresh setting, bright screen, 5G and demanding games can all increase drain; there is no single battery-life figure that applies across those workloads. On a used handset, battery health may be more important than the original capacity. Check that both USB-C ports work and that the included charger is genuine.
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Thermals and long sessions
The Snapdragon 888 is a 2021 platform, and peak capability should not be confused with sustained performance. Heat, power mode, ambient conditions and battery age affect long sessions. If you intend to play demanding games for extended periods, test the phone under that workload and verify the cooler works rather than relying on a specification sheet or short demonstration.
Audio
Asus lists symmetrical front-facing stereo speakers with a seven-magnet design, Cirrus Logic amplification and Dirac HD Sound tuning. The phone also has a 3.5mm headphone output with an ESS DAC, Hi-Res Audio support listed up to 384kHz/32-bit, and four microphones with noise reduction. The jack and forward-facing speakers are practical gaming strengths, though specifications alone do not establish subjective sound quality.
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The rear system comprises a 64MP Sony IMX686 main camera, 13MP ultrawide and macro camera; the front camera is 24MP. Asus lists rear recording up to 8K at 30fps and 4K at 30 or 60fps, with electronic image stabilization in supported modes. Those recording options do not make it a camera-first phone: judge a particular used unit by focus, stabilization, low-light noise, ultrawide quality, HDR, skin tones and app behavior rather than megapixels or maximum video resolution.
Rank #4
- [360 ° Flexible Rotation Design] Comes with a rotatable lanyard ring that supports 360 ° free rotation, effectively solving the problem of twisted and tangled lanyards
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- [Durable and Portable Material] Premium rust-resistant stainless steel material with good flexibility, which not only avoids scratching the phone case, but also has excellent anti rust and anti fading performance
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- [Quality Service] If you find any damage or other issues with the product upon receipt, please contact us immediately. We will handle it quickly
At 238g and 9.90mm thick, this is a large, heavy device. That size accommodates the large battery and gaming-focused design, but it may be less comfortable for one-handed everyday use than a smaller phone. Asus’s listed specifications do not establish wireless charging or an IP water-resistance rating, so do not buy on the assumption that either is included.
Regional versions and carrier compatibility
Asus lists A, B and C regional configurations and warns that compatibility varies by region. The relevant US variant has listed 5G bands including N1, N2, N3, N5, N7, N8, N12, N20, N25, N28, N38, N41, N66, N71, N77, N78 and N79. Those specifications are not a guarantee that a particular carrier will support every service or feature on a particular imported handset.
Before buying, identify the regional version and check the exact model against the intended carrier. Confirm LTE and 5G band support, VoLTE behavior, carrier certification, SIM configuration and local warranty terms. “Unlocked” or successful SIM detection alone does not prove full voice, data or 5G compatibility. Asus’s regional specifications are a starting point, not a substitute for carrier confirmation.
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What should be included—and what to test on a used phone
Asus lists the AeroActive Cooler 5, 65W USB power adapter, USB-C to USB-C cable, Aero Case, ROG stickers and SIM-ejector tool in the package. A bare handset should not be valued like a complete set: the cooler matters for sustained gaming, while a genuine charger and working ports are important for charging. Case fit is model-specific; do not assume a generic ROG Phone 5 case has the same access and clearance.
- Verify identity and ownership. Confirm model identifier ZS673KS, the 512GB storage configuration and the seller’s claimed regional version. Check the IMEI status and ask whether the handset is financed, blacklisted, rooted, bootloader-modified or repaired.
- Inspect the body and display. Examine the Storm White back for cracks, stains, chips, discoloration and repair marks. Check the AMOLED panel for burn-in at different brightness levels, then test the 144Hz mode and fingerprint recognition.
- Test controls and ports. Use both AirTriggers, rear touch sensors and the ROG Vision panel. Test both USB-C ports and the 3.5mm headphone jack; inspect and operate the AeroActive Cooler 5 if included.
- Check audio, cameras and biometrics. Test both speakers and all microphones, confirm cameras focus and record video, and check face unlock as well as fingerprint recognition.
- Test battery and network behavior. Observe battery drain during a sustained game session. With the intended carrier, test SIM detection, calls, mobile data and VoLTE rather than relying on an “unlocked” label.
- Confirm accessories and service history. Ask whether the original 65W adapter and cable are included and genuine, and whether the battery or other components have been replaced. Check warranty and repair eligibility for that region before paying.
Walk away if the battery is swollen, the handset overheats or drains rapidly, the screen is damaged, essential controls or ports fail, or the seller cannot establish the model and network status. A missing cooler or charger is not automatically disqualifying, but it should affect the price and your assessment of the bundle.
Software support and ownership risk
Asus maintains support pages for the ZS673KS, including support and warranty-related services. The US support page and global ROG helpdesk do not, by themselves, establish a current Android-version commitment, a security-patch schedule, repair-part availability or coverage for a used or imported unit. Asus also notes that Premium Care availability varies by country.
Ask Asus or the seller for the last installed official Android and security update, whether the phone has been modified, and whether local battery replacement, repairs and warranty service are available. Do not assume that accessories from later ROG Phone generations are compatible; check the exact accessory specification.
Is the ROG Phone 5 Ultimate worth buying in 2026?
It is a conditional choice for a buyer who wants gaming controls, a high-refresh display, front-facing stereo speakers, a headphone jack and a large battery in one older device. The purchase makes most sense when the unit is battery-healthy, fully functional, compatible with the buyer’s carrier and priced well below newer gaming-phone options. Complete accessories strengthen the proposition.
- Consider it if gaming features matter more than current camera performance, the regional model is verified, the battery and controls pass inspection, and you accept uncertainty about future software support.
- Be cautious with imports, incomplete bundles, unknown repair history or a price that does not account for missing accessories and battery age.
- Choose something else if you need a clear long-term update commitment, dependable carrier compatibility without extra verification, wireless charging, water resistance, a light handset or current flagship camera capabilities.
The standard ROG Phone 5 may be the better-value used option if the Ultimate’s extra memory, rear display and white finish do not matter to you. The Pro is relevant if you want rear touch sensors and a color ROG Vision display. For a newer gaming platform or a longer remaining support horizon, compare exact later models and their current regional availability through Asus’s ROG phone range; do not assume that age or branding alone settles the comparison.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
