Today we have the latest flagship phone from OnePlus, the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro. After extensively testing this device, it’s clear that this phone offers exceptional gaming performance and an unbeatable 6,100 mAh battery. However, the question remains: is it worth buying? For a bit more money, you could get the OnePlus 12 on Amazon, which boasts a better camera, screen, and USB 3.2 support. Let’s delve into how the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro performs and see if it’s the right choice for you.
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Unboxing and Design
Like almost all OnePlus phones, the Ace 3 Pro comes in the signature red packaging. Inside, you’ll find a USB-C cable, a 100W charger, and a protective case. This time, OnePlus offers three colors, each with a different back cover material. The green vegan leather version, the lightest of the three, stands out with its unique texture.
The Ace 3 Pro’s design is reminiscent of the OnePlus 12, with a similar camera module and curved screen. However, the camera design has been tweaked slightly, removing the bracket structure next to the camera and replacing it with sleek lines. While I’m not a huge fan of OnePlus’ camera module design, it has become quite recognizable and distinctly OnePlus.
I got the green version, and I must say, I really like this bright color. However, the green version of the OnePlus 12 feels more refined. The vegan leather back cover on this phone features a leaf-like vein structure, adding a unique touch. The Ace 3 Pro has a metal frame, and the mute button has been kept intact, offering a premium feel. The phone also features a high-quality linear motor, providing fine vibrations.
Display and Build Quality
The Ace 3 Pro uses a curved 1.5K resolution screen. When viewed from the front, it’s hard to distinguish it from the OnePlus 12. The display maintains the high standards OnePlus is known for, with vibrant colors and sharp details. The BOE-manufactured screen supports LTPO, with a manual maximum brightness of 800 nits and a peak brightness of 1,600 nits. Although slightly less bright than the OnePlus 12, it’s still an excellent screen.
In terms of dimming, the Ace 3 Pro supports DC-like dimming for medium and high brightness, and 2160 Hz PWM dimming for low brightness, ensuring comfortable viewing in various lighting conditions.
Screen Quality
When it comes to screen quality, the Ace 3 Pro’s display is nothing short of impressive. The 1.5K resolution provides crisp and clear visuals, making it ideal for both gaming and media consumption. Watching videos, browsing photos, or just navigating through the phone feels delightful due to the vivid colors and deep blacks.
The curved edges of the screen not only add to the aesthetic appeal but also enhance the immersive experience when watching videos or playing games. This design choice has been a hallmark of many premium smartphones, and OnePlus has executed it well on the Ace 3 Pro.
Performance and Gaming
The OnePlus Ace 3 Pro shines in performance, powered by the latest 8 Gen 3 chipset. It performed exceptionally well in the Genshin Impact test, running the game at 60 FPS almost the entire time. The gaming experience was smooth and enjoyable. The phone also features a resolution and frame interpolation feature, allowing for a 120 FPS gaming experience in supported games.
OnePlus has partnered with Genshin Impact for an optimized gaming experience. The frame interpolation technology introduces minimal latency, making gameplay fluid and responsive. However, this feature is currently exclusive to Genshin Impact. In other games, the latency is comparable to other phones, and if the phone’s temperature rises, the frame rates drop from 120 to 90 FPS.
I also tested the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro with the popular game Wering Waves, known for its poor optimization. Running on high graphics (but not the highest), the average frame rate was 57 FPS. The 1% low FPS performance was still subpar due to the game’s optimization issues, resulting in a less smooth gaming experience. Nevertheless, this is not a fault of the phone.
For less demanding games, the Ace 3 Pro handles them effortlessly. The phone’s bigger battery also allows for longer gaming sessions without worrying about running out of power.
Gaming Features and Experience
The OnePlus Ace 3 Pro comes with several gaming-centric features aimed at enhancing the overall experience. The device’s high refresh rate display ensures smooth visuals, and the touch sampling rate is optimized for responsiveness, making in-game controls feel snappy and precise. Additionally, the phone’s cooling system works efficiently to manage heat during extended gaming sessions, which is crucial for maintaining performance.
The Conant resolution and frame interpolation feature is a game-changer for mobile gaming. By effectively doubling the frame rate in supported games, it creates a much more fluid and immersive experience. Although currently limited to Genshin Impact, this technology has the potential to revolutionize mobile gaming once it becomes available in more titles.
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Camera Performance
The OnePlus Ace 3 Pro features the IMX A90 sensor for its main camera, an older sensor carried over from the A2. It also has an 8 MP ultra-wide camera and a macro camera, which are not particularly impressive. Essentially, this phone should be considered as having only a main camera, with the other two cameras serving more decorative purposes.
In testing, the main camera performed adequately for everyday shooting. It’s not exceptional, but it’s perfectly fine for casual photography.
Main Camera
The IMX A90 sensor, while not the latest, still holds its ground for everyday photography. In good lighting conditions, the camera captures detailed and vibrant images. Colors are accurately represented, and the dynamic range is decent, ensuring that both highlights and shadows are well-balanced.
However, in low-light situations, the camera’s performance dips slightly. Noise becomes more apparent, and the detail level drops. Night mode helps to some extent, but it doesn’t match up to the performance of more recent sensors found in flagship devices like the OnePlus 12.
Ultra-Wide and Macro Cameras
The 8 MP ultra-wide camera offers a broader perspective, useful for landscape shots and group photos. However, the image quality is noticeably lower than that of the main camera. There is a drop in detail, and the edges of the frame tend to suffer from distortion and softness.
The macro camera, while a fun addition, doesn’t add much value to the overall camera setup. It struggles in low-light conditions and requires a very steady hand to capture clear images. For most users, this camera will be more of a novelty rather than a practical tool.
Camera Software
OnePlus’ camera software provides a range of features and modes to enhance the photography experience. Pro mode allows manual adjustments for those who want more control over their shots, while various filters and AI enhancements can help improve photos with minimal effort.
The software is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it accessible for both novice photographers and experienced users. However, the lack of significant updates to the camera hardware means that the Ace 3 Pro’s photographic capabilities remain average compared to its competitors.
Battery Life and Charging
The standout feature of the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro is undoubtedly its massive 6,100 mAh battery. Utilizing new materials, this battery is both thinner and larger, delivering outstanding battery life. In real-world use, it’s amazing, offering the best battery performance of any normal phone I’ve tested.
The Ace 3 Pro also supports 100W fast charging, taking only 38 minutes to fully charge. This rapid charging capability is impressive, rivaling even dedicated gaming phones.
Battery Performance
In daily use, the Ace 3 Pro’s battery life is nothing short of phenomenal. Whether you’re gaming, streaming videos, browsing the web, or using social media, this phone can easily last an entire day and more on a single charge. For power users, this means less time spent tethered to a charger and more time enjoying the device.
The efficiency of the 8 Gen 3 chipset combined with the optimized software helps in conserving battery life without compromising on performance. Even with heavy usage, the phone manages to maintain impressive battery endurance, making it a reliable companion for those on the go.
Fast Charging
The 100W fast charging technology is a game-changer for the Ace 3 Pro. In just 38 minutes, you can go from 0 to 100%, ensuring that you spend less time waiting for your phone to charge. This is particularly beneficial for gamers and heavy users who need their phone ready at a moment’s notice.
OnePlus has implemented various safety features to ensure that fast charging doesn’t negatively impact the battery’s longevity. This includes intelligent charging management that regulates heat and prevents overcharging, giving users peace of mind while enjoying the benefits of rapid charging.
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Software Experience
The OnePlus Ace 3 Pro runs on the latest version of OxygenOS, OnePlus’ custom skin over Android. Known for its clean and fast interface, OxygenOS offers a near-stock Android experience with added customization options and features.
User Interface
The user interface of OxygenOS is smooth and intuitive. It provides a clutter-free experience with minimal bloatware, allowing users to customize their home screens, icons, and themes to their liking. The overall performance of the UI is snappy, with quick app launches and seamless multitasking.
Customization and Features
OnePlus has always prioritized customization, and the Ace 3 Pro is no exception. Users can tweak various aspects of the interface, from accent colors to icon shapes, creating a personalized experience. Features like Zen Mode, which helps users take a break from their phone, and Work-Life Balance, which manages notifications based on time and location, enhance the overall usability of the device.
Software Updates
OnePlus has a good track record of providing timely software updates. The Ace 3 Pro is expected to receive regular updates, ensuring that it stays up-to-date with the latest security patches and new features. This commitment to software support adds long-term value to the device.
Connectivity and Additional Features
The OnePlus Ace 3 Pro comes with a range of connectivity options and additional features that enhance the overall user experience.
Connectivity
The phone supports 5G connectivity, ensuring fast and reliable internet speeds for streaming, gaming, and browsing. It also includes Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC for contactless payments and easy pairing with other devices. The inclusion of USB-C 3.1 provides fast data transfer speeds, although it’s not as advanced as the USB 3.2 found on the OnePlus 12.
Audio
The Ace 3 Pro features stereo speakers that deliver clear and loud audio. Whether you’re watching videos, listening to music, or playing games, the audio quality is impressive for a smartphone. The phone also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature that’s becoming increasingly rare in modern smartphones.
Security
For security, the Ace 3 Pro includes an in-display fingerprint sensor and face unlock. Both methods are fast and reliable, providing convenient access to the device. The fingerprint sensor, in particular, is highly accurate and quick to respond.
Pros:
- Outstanding gaming performance
- Unmatched battery life
- Fast charging
- High-quality display
- Clean and customizable software
Cons:
- Average camera performance
- Limited frame interpolation support in games
- Slightly lower screen brightness compared to competitors
Verdict
The OnePlus Ace 3 Pro is a fantastic phone if you prioritize performance and battery life over camera quality. It offers a superb gaming experience, thanks to its powerful chipset and innovative features like frame interpolation. The massive battery ensures you can game for extended periods without needing to recharge frequently.
However, if you’re looking for a more balanced flagship phone with a better camera, screen, and additional features like USB 3.2, the OnePlus 12 might be a better option. For those interested in purchasing either of these phones, Gek Wheels has you covered. Head to the link below to make your purchase.
