Asus ROG Phone 3 vs. Motorola Edge+: A Deep Dive into Performance and Battery Life

Launched in 2020, the Motorola Edge+ aimed to deliver a premium, balanced Android experience. The Asus ROG Phone 3, however, was a dedicated gaming powerhouse. With both devices utilizing the Snapdragon 865 platform, albeit different variants, the key differentiators lie in their approach to battery life, cooling, and display technology. This comparison dissects these nuances to determine which phone best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a well-rounded experience, the Motorola Edge+ (2020) offers a compelling package. However, the Asus ROG Phone 3 is the clear winner for mobile gamers, thanks to its superior charging speed, slightly more powerful processor, and longer endurance rating.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Edge+ (2020) Asus ROG Phone 3
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - GlobalHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - A version
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 66, 71 - Global1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - A version
5G bands5, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 Sub6 - Global1, 2, 3, 5, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - A version
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (6CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G 4 Gbps DLHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G 4.4 Gbps DL
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 2, 5, 66, 260, 261 mmWave/Sub6 - Verizon-
Launch
Announced2020, April 222020, July 22. Released 2020, July 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, May 14Discontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions161.1 x 71.4 x 9.6 mm (6.34 x 2.81 x 0.38 in)171 x 78 x 9.9 mm (6.73 x 3.07 x 0.39 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight203 g (7.16 oz)240 g (8.47 oz)
 Water-repellent coating-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~95.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~79.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 90Hz, HDR10+AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 650 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.10 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 650
OSAndroid 10Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, ROG UI
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.0-
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 81mm (telephoto), 3x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1.0µm, AF TOF 3D, (depth)64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 11mm, 125˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
Video6K@30fps, 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama, HDR
Single25 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 0.9µm24 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm
Video1080p@30/120fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jack-No
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with DTS:X stereo speakers (2 dedicated amplifiers)
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1USB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired 15W wireless 5W reverse wireless30W wired, PD3.0, QC4 10W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSmokey Sangria, Thunder Grey, Baltic GrayBlack Glare
ModelsXT2061-3ASUS_I003D, ZS661KS, I003DD, I003D
PriceAbout 670 EURAbout 650 EUR
SAR-0.74 W/kg (head)     1.50 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 100h Endurance rating 120h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.3 LUFS (Very good) -23.1 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 574155 (v8) GeekBench: 3295 (v5.1) GFXBench: 48fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 621932 (v8) GeekBench: 13306 (v4.4), 3386 (v5.1) GFXBench: 48fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola Edge+ (2020)

  • Clean and near-stock Android experience
  • Balanced performance for everyday tasks
  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging

  • Slower charging speed (18W)
  • Shorter battery life (100h endurance)
  • Less focused on gaming features

Asus ROG Phone 3

  • Faster charging (30W with PD/QC)
  • Longer battery life (120h endurance)
  • Enhanced cooling system for sustained performance

  • More aggressive gaming-focused design
  • Potentially more software bloat
  • Larger and heavier build

Display Comparison

Both devices feature displays with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting excellent black levels. However, the Asus ROG Phone 3 boasts a measured peak brightness of 719 nits, significantly exceeding what the Edge+ likely achieves (no official data available). This translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. While both are likely 6.67” in size, the ROG Phone 3’s display is geared towards higher refresh rates (120Hz vs. likely 90Hz on the Edge+), crucial for smoother gaming. The ROG Phone 3’s higher brightness and refresh rate give it a clear edge for media consumption and gaming.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specs are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the ROG Phone 3’s gaming focus, its camera system is likely optimized for quick snapshots and social media sharing, while the Edge+ may prioritize more detailed image processing. The absence of specific details suggests neither phone is a standout in the camera department, relying on the Snapdragon 865’s ISP for image quality.

Performance

Both phones utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G platform, but the ROG Phone 3 steps up to the Snapdragon 865 5G+. The ROG Phone 3’s CPU features a slightly higher clock speed on its prime core (3.10 GHz vs. 2.84 GHz on the Edge+), offering a marginal performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks. Both share the same core configuration (1x Cortex-A77, 3x Cortex-A77, 4x Cortex-A55). The ROG Phone 3’s advanced cooling system, a hallmark of the ROG line, is likely more effective at sustaining peak performance during prolonged gaming sessions, mitigating thermal throttling compared to the Edge+. While both likely use LPDDR5 RAM, the ROG Phone 3’s focus on gaming suggests optimized memory management.

Battery Life

The Asus ROG Phone 3 delivers a significant advantage in battery endurance with a rating of 120 hours, compared to the Motorola Edge+'s 100 hours. This, combined with the ROG Phone 3’s 30W wired charging (with PD3.0 and QC4 support) – a substantial leap over the Edge+'s 18W charging – means significantly faster recharge times. The ROG Phone 3 also offers 10W reverse wired charging, while the Edge+ provides 5W reverse wireless charging. The ROG Phone 3’s faster charging and longer endurance make it ideal for users who demand all-day battery life, especially during intensive gaming.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Edge+ (2020) if you need a flagship phone with a clean software experience, solid all-around performance, and respectable battery life for everyday tasks. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 3 if you prioritize extended gaming sessions, rapid charging, and a feature set specifically tailored to mobile gaming, even if it means a more aggressive design and software approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the ROG Phone 3's cooling system actually make a difference in sustained gaming performance?
Yes, the ROG Phone 3 incorporates a sophisticated cooling system, including a vapor chamber and potentially external fan attachments. This allows the Snapdragon 865+ to maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods without significant thermal throttling, resulting in smoother frame rates and more consistent performance during extended gaming sessions compared to the Edge+.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging speed between the Edge+ and the ROG Phone 3 in real-world use?
The ROG Phone 3’s 30W charging is considerably faster than the Edge+'s 18W charging. Expect a full charge on the ROG Phone 3 to take approximately 60-75 minutes, while the Edge+ will likely require over 90 minutes. This difference is particularly noticeable when you need a quick top-up before a gaming session or a long day.
❓ Is the Motorola Edge+ a good choice for playing demanding mobile games?
While the Edge+ can handle most mobile games, it's not specifically optimized for gaming like the ROG Phone 3. The Edge+ may experience more thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions, potentially leading to reduced frame rates. The ROG Phone 3’s dedicated gaming features and superior cooling make it the better choice for serious mobile gamers.