After the numerous rumors and speculations, the third iteration of the ASUS ROG Phone is finally here, bringing a ton of new features and improvements, ushering in a new level for mobile gaming. Welcome, the ROG Phone 3 and ROG Phone 3 Strix Edition.
Both devices sport the familiar cyber-themed design, with the illuminated ROG logo at the back panel. It has a 6.59-inch AMOLED 10-bit HDR display with a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, 270Hz touch sampling rate, and 1000 nits peak brightness.
At the helm is up to a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus 5G mobile platform with Qualcomm Snapdragon Elite Gaming capabilities and an updated GameCool 3 cooling system to allow the phone to sustain optimal performance, up to 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and up to 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage.
The GameCool 3 system uses a redesigned 3D vapor chamber, a large graphite film behind the screen to maximize heat transfer, and an enlarged heat sink to eliminate hotspots. This makes it one of the most effective thermal solutions on a mobile device.
Apart from the programmable ultrasonic touch sensors, ROG Phone 3’s AirTrigger 3 system now employs a motion sensor that lets users perform new gestures to control or trigger in-game actions. Just like its predecessors, it still has a side charging port.
On the software side, the device runs on Android 10 with the new ROG UI on top. It’s new enhanced X Mode performance optimization software now allows in-depth customization of specific system parameters to adhere to any gaming or usage scenario. With meticulously calibrated defaults, serious gamers can easily unlock the phone’s full potential.
There’s also a dedicated Game Mode that enhances in-game sound effects for an immersive listening experience, as well as ROG Connect – a new online social community built into the Armoury Crate app. This allows ROG Phone users to join and play with friends and upload their gameplay footage and screenshots.
ROG is also partnering with Stadia and Unity to establish an integrated gaming ecosystem where gamers can access their favorite gaming content on-the-go.
The device also gets a significant upgrade in audio performance, tuned in collaboration with audio specialist Dirac. In fact, DXOMARK gave it a score of 75 for audio performance alone, stating that its speakers demonstrate good tonal balance, dynamics, and intelligibility even at minimum volumes.
ROG Phone 3 packs a 6,000mAh battery and is fitted with numerous passive power-saving mechanisms which include a hibernate function that proactively limits background data and power usage for select apps, increasing battery lifespan.
Other features include Bluetooth 5.0 and a USB-C port, among many others.
Accessories
Of course, the show wouldn’t be complete without new accessories.
Aero Case. Standard case for the ROG Phone 3.
AeroActive Cooler 3. Enhanced cooling while still allowing for charging using the USB-C port on the side.
ROG Kunai 3 Gamepad. Adds physical console-like gamepad controls
ROG Lighting Armor Case for a stunning appearance
ROG Clip. Lets you attach the ROG Phone 3 to select console controllers for next-level mobile gaming
Twin View Dock 3. Allows for true 144Hz dual-screen gameplay.
Mobile Desktop Dock. Lets you connect a keyboard and mouse for a desktop-like gaming experience on an external display.
ROG Phone 3/Strix Edition Specifications
| ROG Phone 3 | ROG Phone 3 Strix Edition | |
| Processor | 3.1GHz Snapdragon 865 Plus (5G) | 2.84GHz Snapdragon 865 (5G) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 10 with new ROG UI | Android 10 with new ROG UI |
| Display | 6.59″ 2340 x 1080, 144Hz / 1ms | 6.59″ 2340 x 1080, 144Hz / 1ms |
| AMOLED 10-Bit HDR | AMOLED 10-Bit HDR | |
| 1000 nits peak brightness | 1000 nits peak brightness | |
| Delta-E < 1 | Delta-E < 1 | |
| DCI-P3 Support, Gorilla Glass 6 | DCI-P3 Support, Gorilla Glass 6 | |
| Supports Always On | Supports Always On | |
| 10-Point Multitouch | 10-Point Multitouch | |
| Dimensions | 171 x 78 x 9.85mm | 171 x 78 x 9.85mm |
| Weight | 240g | 240g |
| Battery | 6,000mAh Typical Capacity | 6,000mAh Typical Capacity |
| RAM | Up to 16GB LPDDR5 | Up to 8GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | Up to 512GB UFS 3.1 | Up to 256GB UFS 3.1 |
| Sensors | In-Display Fingerprint Sensor | In-Display Fingerprint Sensor |
| Face Recognition | Face Recognition | |
| Accelerator | Accelerator | |
| E-Compass | E-Compass | |
| Gyroscope | Gyroscope | |
| Proximity Sensor | Proximity Sensor | |
| Hall Sensor | Hall Sensor | |
| Ambient Light Sensor | Ambient Light Sensor | |
| Ultrasonic Sensors (AirTrigger 3/Grip Press) | Ultrasonic Sensors (AirTrigger 3/Grip Press) | |
| Wireless | WiFi 6 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax 2×2 MIMO) | WiFi 6 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax 2×2 MIMO) |
| Bluetooth 5.1 (BR/EDR+LE), Qualcomm aptX Adaptive | Bluetooth 5.1 (BR/EDR+LE), Qualcomm aptX Adaptive | |
| WiFi Direct | WiFi Direct | |
| NFC | NFC | |
| I/O | Side: Custom USB-C | Side: Custom USB-C |
| Supports USB 3.1 Gen2 / DisplayPort 1.4 (4K UHD) | Supports USB 3.1 Gen2 / DisplayPort 1.4 (4K UHD) | |
| Fast-Charging (PD 3.0, 30W) | Fast-Charging (PD 3.0, 30W) | |
| 30W ROG HyperCharge Direct Charging | 30W ROG HyperCharge Direct Charging | |
| Bottom: USB-C | Bottom: USB-C | |
| USB 2.0/Fast-Charging (PD 3.0, 30W)/Direct Charging | USB 2.0/Fast-Charging (PD 3.0, 30W)/Direct Charging | |
| Front Camera | 24MP | 24MP |
| Rear Camera | 64MP Sony IMX686 (Main) | 64MP Sony IMX686 (Main) |
| 13MP 125° (Ultra-wide) | 13MP 125° (Ultra-wide) | |
| 5MP (Macro) | 5MP (Macro) | |
| Speaker | Dual Front-Facing Speakers with Dirac HD Sound | Dual Front-Facing Speakers with Dirac HD Sound |
| Stereo Speakers with Dual NXP TFA9874 Smart Amplifier | Stereo Speakers with Dual NXP TFA9874 Smart Amplifier |
Pricing
ROG Phone 3
- 16GB + 512GB – 1099 Euros
- 12GB + 512GB – 999 Euros
ROG Phone 3 Strix Edition
- 8GB + 256GB – 799 Euros
Emman has been writing technical and feature articles since 2010. Prior to this, he became one of the instructors at Asia Pacific College in 2008, and eventually landed a job as Business Analyst and Technical Writer at Integrated Open Source Solutions for almost 3 years.
