OnePlus ACE 3 Pro Review: The Imperfect Flagship Killer

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Introduction

The most recent model in the OnePlus series, the ACE 3 Pro, was introduced last week. Positioned as a mid-ranger or “flagship killer,” this new gadget runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. It looks remarkably similar to its sibling, the OnePlus 12, on the interior as well as the outside. But when you look closer, the ACE 3 Pro has some special features of its own, like a large 6100mAh battery that should last a long time.

Unboxing Experience

The ACE 3 Pro unboxing process is characteristic of OnePlus, with its recognizable red package. An A to C cable, a 100W charger, and a standard phone case are included. The green vegan leather model, the white ceramic version, and an additional choice are the three colors and distinct back cover materials offered for the ACE 3 Pro. The lightest of them all is the green vegan leather variant.

Design and Build

The ACE 3 Pro follows in the footsteps of OnePlus’s other phones, which have all maintained a uniform design language. Its somewhat curved screen and comparable camera module closely resemble those of the OnePlus 12. Though the bracket structure has been replaced by lines in the camera design, the four black camera holes are still a defining characteristic.

Even if the appearance might not be to everyone’s taste, it is unmistakably a OnePlus device—sturdy and reliable. I reviewed the green ACE 3 Pro, which has a leather-like rear cover with a texture that looks like leaf veins. This variation is especially striking, but I have to say that the OnePlus 12 feels more elegant in green.

To further ensure a premium feel, the ACE 3 Pro keeps its iconic 3-stage button and has a metal frame. The subtle vibration produced by the premium linear motor improves the user experience overall. From the front, it’s difficult to tell the phone’s curved 1.5K (FHD+) resolution screen apart from the OnePlus 12, upholding OnePlus’s high standards for display quality.

Performance

The exceptional performance of the ACE 3 Pro is ensured by its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. It fared better in our tests than the OnePlus 12 when running Genshin Impact, keeping the frame rate steady at 60 frames per second for a great gaming experience. Additionally, the phone has unique resolution and frame interpolation, which enables 120 frames per second gaming on compatible games.

OnePlus has achieved near-invisible frame interpolation thanks to their notable optimization of latency for Genshin Impact. But for the time being, Genshin Impact is the only one with this optimization. The delay is comparable to other phones with frame interpolation in other games. Furthermore, it is evident that the frame rate decreases from 120 to 90 frames per second as the phone’s temperature rises when gaming.

The ACE 3 Pro tested with Wuthering Waves, a graphically demanding game, and achieved an average frame rate of 57 fps on high settings. However, the game’s poor optimization made the experience less fluid. All things considered, the ACE 3 Pro outperforms the OnePlus 12 in gaming and has a bigger battery for longer playtime.

Display

A BOE 1.5K screen with LTPO support and a manual maximum brightness of 800 nits and a peak brightness of 1600 nits is featured on the ACE 3 Pro. On paper, it lags the OnePlus 12 by a little, but the screen quality is still superb. To ensure a comfortable viewing experience in a variety of lighting settings, the phone features 2160Hz PWM dimming for low brightness and DC-like dimming for medium and high brightness levels.

Camera

The IMX890 sensor, a well-liked option also included in the Ace 2, serves as the primary camera of the ACE 3 Pro. The 8MP macro and ultra-wide cameras, on the other hand, are merely cosmetic and are less striking. The ACE 3 Pro’s camera performance is subpar even though the architecture of the camera island suggests a strong configuration. The primary camera is good enough for daily use, however it could not meet the needs of people looking for better photography skills.

Battery and Charging

The 6100mAh battery, which is both larger and thinner because to new materials, is the ACE 3 Pro’s most notable feature. It has one of the best battery lives among phones as a result, lasting an amazing amount of time. Furthermore, the phone is capable of 100W rapid charging, which beats the efficiency of many gaming phones with a full charge time of just 38 minutes.

Verdict

To sum up, the OnePlus ACE 3 Pro is an appealing option for people looking for a dependable gaming experience, long battery life, and outstanding performance. Nevertheless, the OnePlus 12 provides a more well-rounded flagship experience for a somewhat higher price, and its camera capabilities remain lackluster. The ACE 3 Pro is a fantastic choice if performance and battery life are more important to you than camera quality. If you’re looking for a more versatile device, the OnePlus 12 is a good option. You can get both phones on Geekwills.