Sarawakiphrys dringi was described in 1995 after its discovery by Julian Dring on Gunung Mulu. The species remains enigmatic, and only few observers have encountered it, largely due to its high elevational range above 1,600 m a.s.l. More recently, it has also been recorded from the Crocker Range.

This frog is a high-elevation specialist, breeding in cold, rocky streams within primary mist forests.

Adults are brown above with dark markings, particularly between the eyes, and crossbars on the limbs. The fingers and toes are long. Females reach up to 55 mm in snout–vent length, while males are slightly smaller. Juveniles exhibit a markedly different coloration, including a dark facial mask and striking orange finger tips. Note also the variation of iris coloration in the photo gallery; its significance is not understood.

The tadpole superficially resembles that of Pelobatrachus species. The labial folds of the mouth are enlarged and form a funnel. In the resting position, this funnel is slightly folded with its corners pointing upward. When the tadpole rises to the water surface, the funnel spreads out and functions as a structure that channels water—containing pollen, detritus, and bacteria—toward the mouth. These fine particles are then filtered in the gill chamber (see P. baluensis page). The depicted tadpole was assigned to the species based on DNA matching with an adult specimen.