A gamer is only as good as where their skills can take them, but sometimes, no matter how good a gamer is, the device could get in the way. Gaming has evolved over time to the point where mobile gaming is at the forefront—with MOBAs, shooters, RPGs, and even more shooters being found—but with all that’s said and done, is the nubia Neo 3 GT 5G the answer to your prayers, or just proof that you have a skill issue?
What’s the nubia Neo 3 GT 5G?
Fresh off of a grand launch event last March 30, the nubia Neo 3 GT 5G is one of three models included in the Neo 3 line, together with the Neo 3 4G and Neo 3 5G, with the Neo 3 GT 5G serving as the flagship among them.
While all three are budget gaming smartphones, they’re all similar in that they boast a 6.8-inch screen and a sci-fi-like appearance reminiscent of Zenless Zone Zero. And while its price may deceive you at first glance, there’s just something about its build—together with its near-flat camera—that gives it a premium feel.
The fact that the nubia Neo 3 GT came along in this packaging gives it that console vibe, but it’s not always about the exterior—it’s what’s inside that counts. Apart from the unit itself, the power brick, and its accompanying cord, inside the package are two frosted glass cases (with one having a magnetic strip), a fan, clips for the fan, a cord to power the fan, and a button of the AI mascot, Demi. Off the bat, one accessory that was strangely missing was earbuds—because let’s face it, audio plays a big part in any multiplayer game—and lo and behold, apparently there wasn’t a 3.5mm jack.
Gaming with the nubia Neo 3 GT
Before talking about my gaming experience with the phone, let’s lay it all out. The Neo 3 GT 5G, apart from having 5G connectivity (which matters for budget-conscious gamers), has quite a bit of power with its Unisoc T9100 (6nm) chipset—even if it’s quite dated. It has a massive 6000mAh battery and 80W Super Charging, perfect for longer gaming sessions on the go. It even has Bypass Charging for times when you just need to leave the phone on to grind. The RAM’s quite hefty at 12GB as well, and with all seriousness, the fact that my phone can handle higher-quality graphics compared to my gaming PC worries me.
Another aspect of the device which just makes the experience even better gaming-wise was this model having shoulder triggers, which makes FPS gaming closer to how it’d feel with console or PC gaming. Lastly, AI GameSpace—a function distinct with the Neo 3 line—maximizes phone assets every time you boot a game up, clearing the cache along the way.
With that out of the way, how did it feel gaming with the GT?
Let’s get the big one out of the way and talk about MOBAs—or more specifically, Mobile Legends. With the gaming and streaming atmosphere the way that it is, you can’t talk about Mobile Gaming without adding a MOBA to the conversation. And with the Neo 3 GT, not only was I able to play the game in ultra graphics and settings, but I was even able to land skill shots without any lag spikes or delays. This was tested on both WiFi and on data, and considering there’s a speed mode utilizing both, as long as you’re in an area with decent internet speeds, you’re in the clear (device-wise—skill issues are another thing entirely).
Onto the topic of FPS gaming with the Neo 3 GT: unlike the Mobile Legends test, for some reason, the graphics for Call of Duty Mobile wouldn’t go higher than medium. But at the same time, this could be because AI Game Space was set to performance mode, hindering that option. Nevertheless, though, we’re here to test the shoulder triggers—and if it makes playing the game more fun, then the graphics are secondary.
Surprisingly, because I had more visual space and didn’t need to multitask my thumb, I played better than I ever did years ago. It’s not even because I play FPS games on the desktop, but because I don’t need to slam the base and tip of my thumb—and that’s all thanks to the shoulder triggers, which are mappable.
There was one issue with this setup, though, that I never realized till I had to use the shoulder triggers. Playing this way (and only through this way) covers up the charging port AND one of the speakers. It might need some getting used to—especially for longer sessions—but if you don’t mind the awkward position, it’s still highly playable.
Remember I mentioned the need for bypass charging and why it’s perfect for longer sessions? It was perfect for grinding out Ragnarok Mobile Classic dailies overnight—and surprisingly, it even let me bring out every asset, which would oftentimes crash my PC. All this power in a budget gaming phone is surprising, considering the gaming implications for longer, better-quality sessions.
Function Easter Eggs
You’d look at a gaming phone and think it’d just be used for gaming and nothing else, but one thing that surprised me was how decent the camera was. Yes, there’s AI enhancement for the base mode as needed, which sharpens farther images. And yes, 50 MP is practically the standard for phones within similar price ranges. But considering how decent the camera was—for just night mode and some basic functionality like document and QR code scanning, which could be found by tinkering with the device—I’d say it’s a great gift for students or young adults that need a phone dedicated to gaming.
Verdict
While I’ve only had the nubia Neo 3 GT 5G for a little over a week, I was thoroughly impressed with its performance on the daily grind—whether it be on the game grind, document reading, or even just browsing social media. The design is an acquired taste, with non-gamers not being as appreciative, but all things considered, there is a different color available apart from yellow.
The use of AI, whether it be for gaming through its GameSpace or even for social media, was tasteful. However, the AI Gaming Companion, Demi, definitely had more that could be improved, especially with that robotic voice and the fact that her presence was actually intrusive to an extent. There’s both little and a lot to unbox with this device, but all in all—especially for its price point—as long as you know what you’re doing, the nubia Neo 3 GT is a great phone all around.
Pros
- Great gameplay specs allowing longer, high-quality grinding sessions
- AI Game Space optimizes games, allowing shoulder triggers and more
- Comes with a cooling fan for additional temp control
- Decent camera quality that can take good night shots
- Z-SmartCast lets you stream directly to a monitor or PC for livestream purposes
Cons
- Demi, the AI companion, could feel intrusive at times
- The design catches stray eyes, which might be an issue for commuters
- No 3.5mm jacks mean wired earbuds are a no-go
- (Temporary) Being new in the market means no available accessories outside of official goods
Check out more details on the nubia 3 GT 5G over on their site:
https://www.nubia.com/en/products/smartphones/nubia/nubia-neo-3-gt-5g.html
