Between the Phone (3) and ROG Phone 9 Pro, the Phone (3) comes out ahead in weight and pixel density, while the ROG Phone 9 Pro wins on ram and refresh rate. Overall, the Phone (3) scores 68.7 and the ROG Phone 9 Pro scores 77.7 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The ROG Phone 9 Pro is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 9.0 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the Phone (3) if the display is what you stare at all day — refresh rate, brightness, or sharpness is where the difference will be most visible. The biggest gaps in its favor are weight, pixel density, promised os updates.
Pick the ROG Phone 9 Pro if the display is what you stare at all day — refresh rate, brightness, or sharpness is where the difference will be most visible. Its strongest claims are ram, refresh rate, antutu, among others.
Both ship with comparable main camera, 5g support, water resistance, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the ROG Phone 9 Pro is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Nothing - Phone (3) wins
- ▲Weight — 31.00 g less. 196 vs 227.
- ▲Pixel density — 18.56% more. 460 ppi vs 388 ppi.
- ▲Promised OS updates: 5 (vs 3).
Why ASUS - ROG Phone 9 Pro wins
- ▲RAM — 100.00% more. 24 GB vs 12 GB.
- ▲Refresh rate — 54.17% more. 185 Hz vs 120 Hz.
- ▲AnTuTu — 30.73% more. 2680000 vs 2050000.
- ▲Battery capacity — 12.62% more. 5800 mAh vs 5150 mAh.
- ▲Screen size — 1.19% more. 6.78 " vs 6.7 ".
- ▲Has Headphone jack.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Nothing - Phone (3) | ASUS - ROG Phone 9 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 196 glead | 227 g |
| Thickness | 8.4 mmlead | 8.9 mm |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP68 | IP68 |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Nothing - Phone (3) | ASUS - ROG Phone 9 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 6.7 " | 6.78 "lead |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 460 ppilead | 388 ppi |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 120 Hz | 185 Hzlead |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 4500 nitslead | 2500 nits |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Nothing - Phone (3) | ASUS - ROG Phone 9 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Front camera | 32 MP | 32 MP |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Nothing - Phone (3) | ASUS - ROG Phone 9 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 5150 mAh | 5800 mAhlead |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 65 W | 65 W |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 15 W | 15 W |
Connectivity
| Spec | Nothing - Phone (3) | ASUS - ROG Phone 9 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | truelead |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Nothing - Phone (3) | ASUS - ROG Phone 9 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Android | Android |
| Promised OS updates | 5 yearslead | 3 years |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, Phone (3) or ROG Phone 9 Pro?+
ROG Phone 9 Pro has 12.6% more battery — 5150 mAh vs 5800 mAh.
Which is lighter, Phone (3) or ROG Phone 9 Pro?+
Phone (3) is 31g lighter — 196g vs 227g.
Is Phone (3) waterproof?+
Phone (3) has an IP68 rating.
Does ROG Phone 9 Pro support 5G?+
Yes, ROG Phone 9 Pro supports 5G.
Which has more RAM, Phone (3) or ROG Phone 9 Pro?+
ROG Phone 9 Pro offers 24GB of RAM.
Which has a better camera, Phone (3) or ROG Phone 9 Pro?+
ROG Phone 9 Pro has a 50 MP main camera vs 50 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
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