OnePlus Ace 3 review
The OnePlus Ace 3 is a mid-range smartphone that packs a punch with its Snapdragon Agent 2 processor, which provides impressive performance without breaking the bank. The device's design may look familiar, with some users noting a similarity to the iPhone and other OnePlus models. One of the standout features of the Ace 3 is its display, which boasts a high peak brightness of 1,600 nits and supports LTPo, Gorilla Victus 2, and eye-protecting features. The screen also has a slightly lower refresh rate than some competitors, but overall it's a top-notch display. The phone's processor provides a strong gaming experience, with no lag or clocking issues, and the support for super resolution and frame interpolation is a significant advantage in its price range. However, the macro camera is a letdown, with poor image quality and buggy performance. The main camera, on the other hand, takes good photos with a wide dynamic range, although it can struggle with high-contrast scenes. The ultra-wide camera is also underwhelming, with limited clarity even in bright light. In terms of battery life, the Ace 3 has a large 5,500mAh battery and supports fast charging at up to 100W. This combination makes it a standout in its price range, with impressive battery life and high charging power without sacrificing capacity. Overall, the OnePlus Ace 3 is a solid mid-range smartphone that excels in performance, display, and battery life, but falls short in camera capabilities.
Build Quality and Design
The OnePlus Ace 3 has arrived, and while it checks most of the right boxes, its build quality and design are somewhat underwhelming. The phone's frame is not made of metal, which is a cost-saving measure to keep prices in check. This decision makes the device feel less premium than its competitors. The camera module, an issue that has plagued OnePlus devices for years, continues to be a point of contention. Despite being "final answer" to the challenge posed by other brands, the Ace 3's design is still reminiscent of earlier models. The lack of innovation in this area is particularly disappointing given the phone's impressive gaming performance. The phone's dimensions and weight are similar to those of its predecessors, which makes it feel somewhat generic. The IR emitter is now located at the back, a change that may not be immediately noticeable but adds to the overall "sameness" of the design. In terms of build quality, the Ace 3 holds up reasonably well, but it's not exceptional. The fingerprint recognition is placed in a convenient spot, and the vibration motor has been downgraded from a super large unit to a more ordinary linear motor. Overall, while the OnePlus Ace 3 is solid, its build quality and design are uninspiring. With so many other phones offering superior craftsmanship at similar price points, it's hard not to feel underwhelmed by the Ace 3's unremarkable construction.
Battery Life
The battery life of the OnePlus Ace 3 is its crowning jewel. With a massive 5,500mAh capacity, this phone can easily last for two days with moderate use. I've been impressed by how efficiently it uses power, even when pushing the processor and screen to their limits. OnePlus has clearly prioritized battery life in the Ace 3, and it shows. In my testing, the phone consistently delivered more than a day and a half of heavy use, including gaming and video streaming. The 100W fast charging system is also incredibly quick, topping up the battery from 0 to 50% in just 15 minutes. What's particularly impressive is that the Ace 3 achieves such excellent battery life without sacrificing performance or features. Other phones in this price range often have to make compromises on one or both of these fronts, but not the Ace 3. Overall, I'd say the battery life of the OnePlus Ace 3 is one of its strongest selling points. If you're looking for a phone that can keep up with your busy lifestyle without needing to be recharged every night, the Ace 3 is definitely worth considering. With its massive battery and efficient power management, it's well-equipped to handle even the most demanding use cases.
Display
The display on the OnePlus Ace 3 is a highlight of the device. It boasts a Full HD+ resolution with a slight lower refresh rate compared to its competitors, but still manages to deliver excellent results. The screen can reach an impressive 1,600 nits of brightness under bright light conditions, making it perfect for outdoor use. Additionally, the manual maximum brightness can go up to 800 nits, further enhancing the viewing experience. OnePlus has also included several eye-protecting features such as LTPS Gorilla Glass Victus and a deeming strategy that helps reduce blue light emission. These features make the display comfortable to use for extended periods, even in low-light environments. In comparison to its competitors in the same price range, the OnePlus Ace 3's display holds its own. It is slightly less impressive than some of its peers in terms of resolution, but still offers a superior viewing experience. The display on the Redmi K70, for example, has a higher resolution but lacks the brightness and color accuracy of the OnePlus Ace 3. Overall, the display on the OnePlus Ace 3 is a significant improvement over previous models, offering an excellent balance of brightness, color accuracy, and eye protection features. It is one of the standout features of the device and a major selling point for anyone considering purchasing the phone.
Camera
The camera on the OnePlus Ace 3 is a mixed bag. The main camera uses an IMX A90 sensor, which is commonly found in Oppo family phones. As expected, it performs well, taking good photos with decent zoom capabilities at 56mm. The color style is familiar and pleasing, with higher saturation and exposure. However, the camera's ability to handle HDR can sometimes result in strange highlight areas. While the main camera is solid, the other two cameras on the Ace 3 are far from impressive. The macro camera, in particular, is a letdown. It not only takes poor-quality photos but also suffers from serious bugs, with greenish and reddish tints on either side of the image. I've never seen such a subpar camera performance before, and it's possible that other Ace 3 buyers might experience similar issues. The ultra-wide-angle camera is equally underwhelming, lacking clarity in well-lit conditions and performing even worse in low light. It can only record video at 1080p 30 FPS, which is disappointing given the phone's capabilities. It's clear that OnePlus has prioritized the main camera over the other two, as you can't take photos with them in Pro mode. This suggests that the company knows its limitations and has decided to focus on what it does well. However, this doesn't excuse the poor performance of the macro and ultra-wide cameras. Overall, while the main camera on the OnePlus Ace 3 is good enough, the other two cameras are a major disappointment. If you're considering buying this phone, be aware that you might not get the best results from these cameras, especially in low-light conditions or when using features like HDR.
Price and Value
The OnePlus Ace 3 has been generating significant attention lately, with many users eager to get their hands on this mid-range device. And for good reason - it packs some impressive specs at an affordable price. Priced around [$500-$600], the Ace 3 is a decent option for those looking for a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank. While it may not be the most powerful phone in its class, it still manages to deliver respectable performance and features that are on par with higher-end devices. One of the standout aspects of the Ace 3 is its display, which boasts high brightness levels (up to 1,600 nits) and a fast refresh rate. The screen resolution may not be the highest, but it's still crisp and clear. The phone's processor, Snapdragon Agent 2, has been gaining popularity for mid-range devices, offering strong performance at an affordable price. And while some games may struggle with high frame rates, the Ace 3 delivers a smooth gaming experience overall. Camera-wise, the Ace 3's main camera is a capable performer, taking good photos and handling zoom shots without too much fuss. However, the ultra-wide and macro cameras are where things go wrong - they're underwhelming at best and should be improved in future iterations. Battery life is another area where the Ace 3 shines, with a 5,500mAh battery that can easily last two days of moderate use. Charging is also relatively fast, taking around an hour to top up from empty to full. While not perfect by any means, the OnePlus Ace 3 offers great value for its price point - a respectable mid-range device with decent performance, display, and camera capabilities, all at a very competitive price.
Performance
OnePlus Ace 3 Review: A Performance Powerhouse The OnePlus Ace 3 is a mid-range phone that's making waves with its impressive performance capabilities. Powered by the Snapdragon Agent 2 processor, this device delivers strong benchmark and gaming performance. The phone's ability to handle intense games without lag or throttling is particularly noteworthy, making it a great option for gamers on a budget. One of the biggest surprises in our testing was the Ace 3's ability to play games at high resolutions and frame rates without breaking a sweat. This is thanks to the presence of super resolution and frame interpolation features, which enable seamless gaming experiences even on demanding titles. In contrast, other phones in its price range struggle to keep up with these features. The processor also handles day-to-day tasks with ease, making it an excellent choice for those who need a reliable device for general use. With the ability to multitask and handle resource-intensive apps without slowing down, the OnePlus Ace 3 is a true performer that justifies its price tag. While there are some minor drawbacks to consider, such as a normal linear motor replacing the super large vibration motor on the previous model, these don't detract from the overall value proposition of this phone. The Ace 3's impressive performance credentials make it a standout in the mid-range market, and we think it's definitely worth considering if you're in the market for a new device.
Pros
1. The A3's display is top-notch with a peak brightness of up to 4,500 nits, manual maximum brightness of up to 800 nits, and LTPo features. It also has Gorilla Victus 2 glass protection.
2. The phone's processor, Snapdragon Agent 2, provides strong performance and supports super resolution and frame interpolation, making it ideal for gaming.
3. With a large 5,500mAh battery, the A3 offers excellent battery life, rivaling only a few other phones in its price range.
4. The phone's display can reach up to 1,600 nits full-screen brightness under bright light conditions.
5. The main camera uses an IMX 586 sensor and performs well with good image quality, color style, and saturation.
6. The A3 also has fast charging capabilities at 100W.
Cons
1. The macro camera is a major letdown with poor image quality and serious bugginess, even the ultra-wide-angle camera is not impressive with low clarity in bright light conditions.
2. There's no wireless charging or IP68 rating, which might be considered as cost-saving measures at this price point.
3. The phone still uses an outdated USB 2.0 port instead of the newer USB-C standard.
4. The phone's design is still plagued by a camera bump that looks like it belongs to a different era.
5. The phone's weight and dimensions are almost identical to its predecessor, making it feel like an incremental update rather than a significant improvement.