Gaming phones are chunky, overpowered beasts with outrageous aesthetics that most consumers don't need. But if you're someone who doesn't care about looks or weight, they pack incredible oomph. ASUS released its ROG Phone 2 last year, and it earned a place on AP's Most Wanted list. Now the company has unveiled its successor, and the ROG Phone 3 is probably more powerful than your home computer.

The ROG Phone 3 is ostensibly built for pro-level gaming, so it's equipped with the latest and greatest Snapdragon 865+ with 5G capability. The 6.59" AMOLED screen should provide a great visual experience during gameplay thanks to its 144Hz refresh rate. ASUS has also refreshed its trademark AirTrigger system — which has traditionally used pressure sensitivity to approximate shoulder buttons — to include motion sensing, which allows for "even more ways to control the action."

Specs and pricing vary by region. In Europe, €999 will get you 12 gigs of RAM and 512GB storage, or you can splurge for a ridiculous 16GB RAM for an additional 100 Euros. There's also a cheaper "Strix Edition" of the phone that steps down to a (non-plus) Snapdragon 865 with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. This model will start at €799. You can order now in Europe.

The ROG Phone 3 starts at Rs 49,999 in India for a model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB storage, or Rs 57,999 for 12GB RAM and 256GB of storage. It'll be available there through Flipkart starting August 6.

US pricing and availability haven't been announced yet.

SPECS

Processor

Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+. Snapdragon 865 for Strix Edition.

OS

Android 10 with ROG UI

RAM

12/16GB in Europe, 8/12GB in India. 8GB for Strix Edition.

Storage

512GB in Europe, 128/256 GB in India. 256GB for Strix Edition. UFS 3.1

Display

6.59" AMOLED 1080 x 2340, HDR10+, 144Hz refresh rate

Battery

6000mAh, 30W fast charging with Quick Charge 4.0

Front camera

24 MP

Rear cameras

64MP main, 13MP wide-angle, 5MP macro

Connectivity

WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC

Dimensions

171 x 78 x 9.9 mm, 240 grams

Ports

USB-C

Colors

Black Glare

Biometrics

In-display fingerprint sensor

The Kunai 3 Gamepad transforms the phone into a mobile gaming system.

Along with the ROG Phone 3, ASUS announced a variety of gaming accessories and peripherals during its Game Changer virtual launch event. There's the Kunai 3 Gamepad, which adds console-like gamepad controls to the phone. Gamers can connect the phone to PlayStation, Stadia, or Xbox controllers with the ROG Clip. And in true 2020 fashion, ASUS provides a dual-screen option with the TwinView Dock 3. The company also has new "gaming headphones" that connect via USB-C and have active noise cancellation. While most mainstream phone buyers probably will look elsewhere, it's kind of cool that ASUS is giving hardcore mobile gamers an ecosystem made for them.

Source: ASUS, YouTube (1), (2)