OnePlus Ace 3 Pro review

Item picture

The OnePlus Ace 3 Pro is the latest phone from the company, boasting impressive specs, including a large 6,100mAh battery and a high-performance gaming experience. In my testing, I was pleased to find that the phone delivers on its promises, offering great gaming performance and an unbeatable battery life. One of the standout features of the Ace 3 Pro is its gaming capabilities. The phone's agent 3 processor provides excellent performance, even in demanding games like Genshin Impact, which it ran at a smooth 60 FPS. Additionally, the phone's frame interpolation feature, in collaboration with the game developer, reduces latency and allows for silky-smooth gameplay. The battery life is also exceptional, with the large 6,100mAh cell providing days of use even with heavy gaming. The 100W fast charging support means that you can fully charge the battery in just 38 minutes, which is impressive considering its size. However, the camera system on the Ace 3 Pro is a letdown. While the main IMX A90 sensor is decent, the ultra-wide and macro cameras are not quite up to par. The phone's design is also similar to that of the OnePlus 12, with some minor changes to the camera module. In terms of value, the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro is a great option for those who want a high-performance phone with a large battery and good gaming capabilities. However, if you're looking for a more balanced flagship experience with a better camera system, the OnePlus 12 might be a better choice. Overall, the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro is a solid mid-range to budget flagship that delivers on its promises, but falls short in some areas, particularly the camera system.

Build Quality and Design

The OnePlus Ace 3 Pro boasts a familiar design language, reminiscent of its predecessor, the OnePlus 12. The device's build quality is impressive, with a sturdy metal frame that provides a premium feel in the hand. The Green vegan leather back cover, available on this variant, adds a touch of sophistication and uniqueness. OnePlus has retained the same high standards for craftsmanship that they are known for, evident in the A3 Pro's overall construction. The phone's design is unmistakably OnePlus, with a camera module that, while not to everyone's taste, is at least recognizable as a signature feature of the brand. In terms of build quality, the Ace 3 Pro feels solid and well-made, with no noticeable flex or creaking when applying pressure on the metal frame. The vegan leather back cover, although slightly lighter than its counterpart on the OnePlus 12, still exudes a premium feel and provides a comfortable grip in the hand. The camera module has undergone some design tweaks, abandoning the bracket structure in favor of a more minimalist approach with lines instead. While this design change may not resonate with everyone, it is undeniably an aesthetic choice that sets the A3 Pro apart from its peers. In conclusion, the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro's build quality and design are worthy of praise, reflecting the company's commitment to delivering high-end craftsmanship in their products.

Battery Life

OnePlus has consistently impressed with its battery life, and the Ace 3 Pro is no exception. This phone boasts an enormous 6,100mAh battery, making it one of the largest batteries on the market. In real-world use, this translates to incredible longevity, easily lasting two days or more with moderate usage. The Ace 3 Pro's battery life is truly remarkable, and I've found it to be one of the phone's standout features. Not only does it provide hours of uninterrupted gaming, but it also handles demanding tasks like video editing and streaming without breaking a sweat. But what really sets the Ace 3 Pro apart is its charging speed. With support for 100W fast charging, this phone can go from zero to full in just 38 minutes. To put that into perspective, many high-end gaming phones struggle to match this level of performance. In my testing, I found the Ace 3 Pro's battery life to be nothing short of phenomenal. Whether you're a gamer, streamer, or simply someone who wants a phone that can keep up with your busy lifestyle, the Ace 3 Pro is an excellent choice. The sheer capacity and efficiency of its battery make it a game-changer in this regard. Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with the battery life on offer here. If you're in the market for a new phone and want one that will last all day and then some, the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro is definitely worth considering.

Display

The OnePlus Ace 3 Pro boasts a stunning display that's sure to impress. The phone features a curved 1.5K resolution screen, which is identical to its predecessor, the OnePlus 12. At first glance, it's hard to distinguish the two displays apart, and for good reason - they're both exceptional. The display on the Ace 3 Pro is an excellent example of what OnePlus has become known for: high-quality screens that deliver vibrant colors, crisp text, and smooth motion. In terms of brightness, the screen performs well across various conditions, with a manual maximum brightness of 800 nits and a full-screen peak brightness of 1,600 nits. The display is also equipped with LTPO support, which allows for seamless transitions between power-saving modes and high-brightness settings. The result is an incredibly responsive and engaging visual experience that's perfect for gaming, video streaming, or just scrolling through your favorite social media feeds. One notable omission on the Ace 3 Pro is the absence of a refresh rate boost to match its more expensive counterpart, the OnePlus 12. However, the display still manages to deliver smooth motion, making it well-suited for demanding use cases like gaming and video playback. Overall, the display on the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro is an excellent showcase of what this phone has to offer. While it may not be the absolute best in its class, it's certainly up there with the competition, and its impressive performance makes it a great fit for anyone looking for a reliable and feature-packed smartphone experience.

Camera

The OnePlus Ace 3 Pro is an impressive smartphone with great gaming performance and a massive 6,100 mAh battery. However, its camera capabilities are a different story altogether. While the phone's design and screen quality are reminiscent of the OnePlus 12, the camera module has undergone significant changes. Unfortunately, these changes haven't quite worked in favor of the Ace 3 Pro's camera performance. The main camera is equipped with the IMX A90 sensor, which was also used on the older OnePlus A2. While it's not bad for everyday shooting, it pales in comparison to other flagship phones. The ultra-wide and macro cameras are similarly underwhelming. They're more of a decorative feature than actual useful tools for photography. The lackluster performance of these secondary cameras is disappointing, considering the high standards set by OnePlus' previous flagships. I've had the chance to test the Ace 3 Pro's camera in various lighting conditions, and while it's not terrible, it's certainly not outstanding either. In bright sunlight, the main camera produces decent shots with good color accuracy. However, as soon as the light dims, the noise levels become noticeable, and the overall image quality suffers. One of the most frustrating aspects of the Ace 3 Pro's camera is its inability to take great photos consistently. You might get a few excellent shots in a row, but more often than not, you'll be left with subpar images. This inconsistency makes it difficult to recommend the phone as a reliable choice for photography enthusiasts. While the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro excels in other areas, its camera performance is a letdown. If you're looking for a phone that can take great photos and videos consistently, you might want to consider other options.

Price and Value

The OnePlus Ace 3 Pro is an intriguing device that checks all the right boxes when it comes to performance and battery life. With its impressive gaming capabilities, thanks to the Genie Impact feature, and a whopping 6,100mAh battery, this phone is sure to impress enthusiasts. However, as with any flagship, the question remains: is it worth the investment? One thing that's hard to ignore is the price point. The Ace 3 Pro, despite its impressive specs, doesn't quite match up to the value offered by other flagships in the same tier. Take for instance, the OnePlus 12, which offers a better camera, screen, and USB 3.2 connectivity for only a slight premium. This makes it difficult to justify the extra cost for the Ace 3 Pro. The battery life is undoubtedly one of the highlights of this phone. The massive 6,100mAh battery is a game-changer, offering an unparalleled gaming experience that lasts longer than most devices on the market. However, considering the price point and the fact that you can get similar performance from other devices without breaking the bank, it's hard to say if this is enough to make up for the premium pricing. If you're in the market for a device with top-notch gaming capabilities and an impressive battery life, then the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro might be worth considering. However, if you're looking for a more balanced flagship experience that offers better value for money, then there are other options available that should not be overlooked. Ultimately, whether or not the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro is worth the investment comes down to personal priorities and what you're willing to pay for. While it's an impressive device in its own right, it doesn't quite live up to the hype when compared to other flagships on the market.

Performance

The OnePlus Ace 3 Pro is an intriguing device that boasts impressive gaming performance, an unbeatable big battery, and a sleek design. As I delved into testing this phone, I was pleased to find that it lived up to its promises. In terms of performance, the Ace 3 Pro excels. Powered by a fast agent 3 chip, it delivered exceptional results in the Geni Impact test, outperforming the OnePlus 12 with a steady 60 FPS gaming experience. The inclusion of a Conant resolution and frame interpolation feature allowed me to enjoy a smooth 120 FPS gaming experience, which was exhilarating. The partnership between OnePlus and Game Impact resulted in minimal latency, making the gaming experience even more seamless. However, it's essential to note that this feature is currently only available in Geni Impact, while other games with frame interpolation may not yield the same results. I also tested the Ace 3 Pro on a popular game known for its poor optimization, and while it struggled to maintain high frame rates, it still managed an average of 57 FPS. This demonstrates that the phone's performance is more than capable of handling demanding tasks. In addition to its impressive gaming capabilities, the Ace 3 Pro features a Boe 1.5k screen with LTPo support, manual maximum brightness of 800 nits, and full-screen peak brightness of 1600 nits. While it may not match the OnePlus 12's screen in terms of sheer brightness, it still offers excellent color accuracy and decent viewing angles. Overall, the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro is a powerhouse that delivers exceptional performance, making it an ideal choice for gamers and those seeking a device that can handle demanding tasks with ease.

FAQ