Between the Phone (3a) and ROG Phone 9, the Phone (3a) comes out ahead in weight, while the ROG Phone 9 wins on antutu and ram. Overall, the Phone (3a) scores 62.5 and the ROG Phone 9 scores 75.1 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The ROG Phone 9 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 12.6 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 (3a) if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. The biggest gaps in its favor are weight.
Pick the ROG Phone 9 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 antutu, ram, refresh rate, among others.
Both ship with comparable main camera, 5g support, front camera, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the ROG Phone 9 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Nothing - Phone (3a) wins
- ▲Weight — 26.00 g less. 201 vs 227.
Why ASUS - ROG Phone 9 wins
- ▲AnTuTu — 214.63% more. 2580000 vs 820000.
- ▲RAM — 100.00% more. 16 GB vs 8 GB.
- ▲Refresh rate — 54.17% more. 185 Hz vs 120 Hz.
- ▲Wired charging — 30.00% more. 65 W vs 50 W.
- ▲Battery capacity — 16.00% more. 5800 mAh vs 5000 mAh.
- ▲Has Headphone jack.
- ▲Water resistance: IP68 (vs IP64).
- ▲Pixel density — 0.26% more. 388 ppi vs 387 ppi.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Nothing - Phone (3a) | ASUS - ROG Phone 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 201 glead | 227 g |
| Thickness | 8.4 mmlead | 8.9 mm |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP64 | IP68lead |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Nothing - Phone (3a) | ASUS - ROG Phone 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 6.77 " | 6.78 "lead |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 387 ppi | 388 ppilead |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 120 Hz | 185 Hzlead |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 3000 nitslead | 2500 nits |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Nothing - Phone (3a) | ASUS - ROG Phone 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Front camera | 32 MP | 32 MP |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Nothing - Phone (3a) | ASUS - ROG Phone 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 5000 mAh | 5800 mAhlead |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 50 W | 65 Wlead |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 0 W | 15 Wlead |
Connectivity
| Spec | Nothing - Phone (3a) | ASUS - ROG Phone 9 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | truelead |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Nothing - Phone (3a) | ASUS - ROG Phone 9 |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Android | Android |
| Promised OS updates | 3 years | 3 years |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, Phone (3a) or ROG Phone 9?+
ROG Phone 9 has 16.0% more battery — 5000 mAh vs 5800 mAh.
Which is lighter, Phone (3a) or ROG Phone 9?+
Phone (3a) is 26g lighter — 201g vs 227g.
Is Phone (3a) waterproof?+
Phone (3a) has an IP64 rating.
Does ROG Phone 9 support 5G?+
Yes, ROG Phone 9 supports 5G.
Which has more RAM, Phone (3a) or ROG Phone 9?+
ROG Phone 9 offers 16GB of RAM.
Which has a better camera, Phone (3a) or ROG Phone 9?+
ROG Phone 9 has a 50 MP main camera vs 50 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
More from the same brands
vsMars is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.