Gaming phones, with their strong emphasis on speed and performance, are usually some of the most powerful handsets you can buy in their price range. And now there’s an affordable option from a big brand that comes with 5G.
Starting at 3,799 yuan (US$545), the new Black Shark 3 sports a 6.67-inch screen that tracks your finger faster than the much pricier Asus ROG Phone II. It comes with a 4,720mAh battery that the company says can fast-charge at 65W through USB-C, reaching a full charge in 38 minutes. Users can also purchase a separate 18W magnetic charging cable that snaps onto the back.
The Black Shark 3’s 90Hz screen falls behind more expensive models from rivals Asus and Razer, though. Our review last year found that animations were noticeably less smooth on the Black Shark 2 Pro’s 90Hz screen than on the ROG Phone II’s 120Hz display.
The Black Shark 3 also has a premium Pro model starting at 4,699 yuan (US$674), which comes with two bouncy physical shoulder buttons that can be used when the phone is held horizontally.