Gaming

ASUS ROG Phone 3 launches, has 144Hz refresh rate

ROG refines its mobile gaming machine

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The ROG Phone has been top of mind in the past year whenever someone thinks about a mobile gaming device. ASUS wants a firm grip on that recognition with the launch of the ASUS ROG Phone 3.

As the third generation iteration of this product line, there aren’t any significant, jump out of your seat, wow levels of new things. Instead, the ROG Phone 3 is a refinement of their formula.

Let’s jump right into the specs. It was earlier announced that the phone will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus. It’s currently Qualcomm’s best and has an array feature geared towards “elite gaming.”

Elsewhere on the phone, it’s all about delivering the best. Naturally, the specs have been maxed out. Here’s a quick rundown:

  • 6.44-inch OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate
  • Up to 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM
  • Up to 512GB of UFS 3.1 Storage
  • 6000mAh battery with a bundled 30W HyperCharge Adapter
  • Air Triggers with Enhanced Touch Gestures
  • Dual Front Facing Speakers

These are all par for the course and exactly the kind of specs we expected. In many ways, the ROG Phone 3 is a refresh of the ROG Phone 2 with minor noticeable changes — for good reason.

In terms of look, they toned the ASUS ROG Phone 3 down even more, getting rid of the cutouts that mimic the look of certain ROG laptops. The copper cooling vent has been replaced with a single sheet of glass with a transparent window to show off the AeroDynamic Cooling System.

The more understated, but still undeniably gaming look is in line, not only with their ROG line of laptops, but pretty much most gaming laptops of late. Gone are the bulky, over-the-top gaming look for something that looks a bit more subtle.

In terms of form factor and port placements, everything has largely remained the same. ASUS says this was intentional to make sure it remains compatible with existing accessories. That’s a really thoughtful approach.

Peripherals and accessories

Speaking of accessories, the ASUS ROG Phone 3 will come with the usual AeroActive Cooler 3 accessory. It’s a cooling device that now does more.

It now has a kicks stand so you can prop up the phone with the accessory on. ASUS also took away the 3.5mm audio jack from the phone — but this is still accessible with the AeroActive Cooler 3.

As mentioned, it will work with previous generations of peripherals. If you have the entire suite from either the ROG Phone or ROG Phone 2, it’ll work seamlessly with the ROG Phone 3.

The new accessory coming to the ROG Phone 3 is one that will let you connect your phone to any existing game controller you have lying round. It can be the Xbox Controller, DualShock 4 (PS4), or the Google Stadia controller — all will work with the phone with this new accessory.

Armory Crate, Game Genie

Also making an expected return are the gaming-related software baked into the phone. These are the Armory Crate and Game Genie.

Anyone who’s ever owned an ROG laptop should be familiar with this tool. With it you can customize how much power each core uses for certain tasks. You can also modify things like RGB lighthing, fan speed, as well as game controls.

Game Genie is like your mobile gaming assistant. Fire it up and it sends you into this interface where you can toggle all the games you have installed. It’s like having a console interface right on your phone.

It also lets you control the notifications you get while gaming and is also your tool in case you want to stream. You can stream directly on YouTube, but at the moment, Twitch is a no go. This is because there are still issues with Twitch’s API that need to be addressed first.

As for the UI, you can opt for the more stock Android experience, or you can embrace the whole gaming concept and go with the gaming skin. Like on the ROG Phone 2, it comes in two variations — one in black and one in white.

Again, like last year, if you have the Lightning Armor Case it’ll give you access to yet another variant of the gaming UI. Neat.

Solid cameras

From dual cameras, the ASUS ROG Phone 3 now sports a triple camera setup. They bumped the main sensor from 48MP to 64MP. And now it’s flanked by a 13MP ultra wide angle lens and a 5MP macro camera.

These likely won’t be competing against the likes of the Huawei P40 Pro/ P40 Pro+ or even the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, but unlike the very first iteration of the ROG Phone, these cameras should be capable. Not stellar, but pretty solid.

Pricing and availability

The ASUS ROG Phone 3 will come in three variants. They are as follows:

12GB + 512GB — EUR 999
16GB + 512GB — EUR 1099
8GB + 256GB (Strix Edition) — EUR 799

Pricing in other markets will be revealed as they launch on these respective markets.

Gaming

Dune: Awakening gets new PS5 gameplay, movie DLC

PS5 gameplay and cross-play confirmed

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Dune: Awakening is getting ready for its September 22 launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox. At Gamescom, Funcom showed seven minutes of new PS5 gameplay and announced new DLC inspired by the Dune films.

The studio also confirmed that PC and console cross-play is coming after launch. It has not announced a release date for the feature yet.

PS5 gameplay revealed

Funcom premiered seven minutes of Dune: Awakening gameplay captured on a PlayStation 5 Pro.

The footage gives players a look at how the open-world survival game runs on Sony’s consoles. Gamescom attendees can also get hands-on with the PS5 version at the show.

On the base PS5, Performance Mode targets 60fps with dynamic resolution. The PS5 Pro also runs Performance Mode at 60fps.

Quality Mode runs at 30fps on both consoles. Both PS5 models use upscaled 4K resolution in Performance and Quality Mode.

The PS5 and Xbox versions will launch on September 22. The console release will also bring several major additions to the game.

These include a full single-player mode, the conclusion to its story, more customization options, and adjustable difficulty levels.

Funcom says console players will also get a year’s worth of PC additions and enhancements on day one.

Watch the trailer.

Dune movie-inspired DLC arrives

Funcom also announced Filmic Archive, a new DLC featuring outfits and building pieces inspired by Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films.

The DLC launches September 22 on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. It will cost ₱615.92 ($9.99).

Among its additions are the Aegis of the Unwalked Path armor. It is inspired by Paul Atreides’ visions of Fremen holy warriors in Dune: Part One.

The DLC also includes the Caladan Stormcoat worn by Paul and Duke Leto in the film.

Other movie-inspired outfits are included as well. Players can also build with a 73-piece set styled after the Sardaukar.

Funcom will reveal more of Filmic Archive during the Xbox Broadcast on August 28.

Cross-play is coming after launch

PC and console cross-play was one of the community’s most requested features after Funcom announced the console versions.

The studio has now confirmed that the feature is in development.

However, Funcom has not committed to a release date. It will share more details once they are available.

Dune: Awakening originally launched on PC in June 2025. The PS5 and Xbox versions arrive on September 22, bringing the game’s latest additions and improvements to consoles.

The game will also launch on Xbox Game Pass on the same day.

Players who purchase the Deluxe or Ultimate Edition can start playing five days early. Early access begins September 17.

Funcom will also release a physical PS5 edition through its distribution partners. Pre-orders are already available at select retailers.

Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe will distribute the physical edition across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Solutions 2 GO will handle North and South America.

In Japan, Spike Chunsoft will publish the game digitally and at retail. Its Japanese release is scheduled for October 29.

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Gaming

CAPTAIN TSUBASA 2: WORLD FIGHTERS is out now

Super Action Soccer returns

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CAPTAIN TSUBASA 2: WORLD FIGHTERS

CAPTAIN TSUBASA 2: WORLD FIGHTERS is out now on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X|S. The game is also available on PC via Steam.

Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia brings back the popular series with its signature Super Action Soccer gameplay. Players can take control of more than 110 characters and compete across 22 national teams.

Tsubasa Ozora once again represents Japan as they take on national teams from around the world. The goal is to overcome their rivals and win the highly contested World Youth Championship.

The game is available in Standard, Deluxe, and Ultimate Editions on consoles and PC.

Super Action Soccer returns

CAPTAIN TSUBASA 2: WORLD FIGHTERS brings back the series’ over-the-top soccer action with enhanced visuals and new supercharged moves.

Players can pass, dribble, tackle, and unleash powerful strikes. Each character also brings signature techniques inspired by their abilities from the anime and manga.

The sequel adds a new system that pits goalkeepers directly against shooters. Players can attack and counter signature shots and blocks in dramatic sequences.

The game also features more than 150 new cutscenes that highlight some of these special skills and moves.

Composer Tadayoshi Makino also returns for the sequel. He created more than 80 new tracks for the game.

A bigger World Youth Championship

CAPTAIN TSUBASA 2: WORLD FIGHTERS features more content than any previous game in the series.

Its Story Mode features a new original story written by series creator Yoichi Takahashi. The story draws from the World Youth Championships arc of the original manga.

Beyond the main story, players can compete in a variety of game modes. These include battles against rivals both online and offline.

With its mix of traditional soccer tactics and exaggerated special moves, the game aims to deliver the unpredictable “neo-soccer” action that defines Captain Tsubasa.

CAPTAIN TSUBASA 2: WORLD FIGHTERS is out now on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

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Samsung Display’s QD-OLED panels help demos at gamescom 2026

Hundreds of gaming monitors feature company’s QD-OLED panels

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Samsung Display is showcasing the gaming performance advantages of QD-OLED at gamescom 2026 through hundreds of monitors helping with playable demos.

Samsung Display partnered with CAPCOM, KRAFTON, and CD PROJEKT RED, with their highly anticipated titles being showcased at gamescom 2026 (August 26 to 30, Cologne, Germany) on several gaming monitors featuring Samsung Display’s QD-OLED panels.

This demonstrates the outstanding picture quality of QD-OLED to gamers from around the world.

In addition, the company has announced that it will begin the mass production of 24.5-inch QD-OLED panels optimized for eSports and FPS games by the end of the year.

At CAPCOM’s booth, visitors can get a hands-on experience with the upcoming Onimusha: Way of the Sword and Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen.

Other playable titles include PRAGMATA, Street Fighter 6, and Mega Man: Dual Override.

Samsung Display is supplying a total of 90 QD-OLED gaming monitors, including the EVNIA 32MN8900, GIGABYTE MO32U24 and MSI MAG 321UP QD-OLED X24, for the hands-on gameplay.

Meanwhile, KRAFTON will showcase three of its five upcoming titles on 85 Alienware QD-OLED gaming monitors.

Visitors will have the opportunity to preview the multi-team tactical arena game Project ZETA, two-player coop AG Twisters, and the action RPG TARAE: The Unbound.

Lastly, at the CD PROJEKT RED booth, a trailer for Songs of the Past, the third expansion pack for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will be shown on eight QD-OLED TVs.

Visitors can also watch gameplay demonstrations on monitors equipped with similar displays. This gives Samsung Display the chance to highlight the QD-OLED Penta Tandem technology.

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