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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you value camera performance and are willing to pay more, the Asus Zenfone 9 has better overall camera quality, but the Google Pixel 6a offers excellent camera quality for a lower price. The Asus Zenfone 9 also boasts a higher screen refresh rate for smoother visuals, yet the Google Pixel 6a has a larger screen which might enhance media consumption. Battery life is similar between the two devices. If headphone jack and reverse wireless charging are important to you, only the Asus Zenfone 9 has these features. Both phones run on Android, but each has its unique software experience. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Asus Zenfone 9
- The Asus Zenfone 9 has no clear advantages over the Google Pixel 6a.
Advantages of the Google Pixel 6a
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
6.2
7.6
The Google Pixel 6a has good overall camera quality, while the Asus Zenfone 9 has only fair overall camera quality.
The Asus Zenfone 9 falls short in camera performance with lower scores in important areas such as the software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance in both photos and videos, as well as camera versatility in comparison to the Google Pixel 6a. On the other hand, the Google Pixel 6a provides a much better photography and videography experience with higher ratings for software experience, photo and video dynamic range, and low light performance, although it has a marginally lower rating for selfie quality than the Zenfone 9.
Photo Quality
6.0
7.4
The Google Pixel 6a takes good photos, while the Asus Zenfone 9 takes only fair photos.
The Google Pixel 6a delivers very good photos due to its superior photos software experience and dynamic range, while the Asus Zenfone 9, despite its versatility, struggles with dynamic range and low light performance, resulting in poorer overall photo quality. Additionally, the Pixel 6a's edge in selfie quality aligns with its higher selfie score, contributing to its better photographic performance compared to the Zenfone 9.
Video Quality
6.4
7.2
The Google Pixel 6a takes good videos, while the Asus Zenfone 9 takes only fair videos.
The Google Pixel 6a offers a better overall video experience than the Asus Zenfone 9 because it achieves superior video stabilization, more dynamic range, and improved low-light performance, which together create higher quality videos. Meanwhile, the Asus Zenfone has commendable microphone quality and a higher video resolution and framerate, but it falls short in software experience and the other aspects that enhance video quality.
Screen Size
The Asus Zenfone 9 has a screen size of 5.9 inches and the Google Pixel 6a is 6.1 inches.
Cost
$700
$400
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Asus Zenfone 9 has a price of $700 and the Google Pixel 6a costs $400.
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Key similarities
Battery
7.8 Hours
7.6 Hours
The Asus Zenfone 9 has 7.8 hours of battery life. The Google Pixel 6a has 7.6 hours of battery life.
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How the Asus Zenfone 9 and the Google Pixel 6a compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus Zenfone 9 | Google Pixel 6a |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$700 | $400 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Asus | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 15, 2022 | July 21, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 5.9" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 445 | 429 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD8+G1 | Tensor | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.5/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 12.2 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.8 Hours | 7.6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4300 mAh | 4410 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.77" x 2.68" | 5.99" x 2.83" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.96 oz | 6.28 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 6e | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 89 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Side | Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | |
Color | |||
Color | Sunset Red, Starry Blue | Chalk, Sage, Charcoal | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Asus Zenfone 9
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Robert Triggs | March 2023
"The Asus Zenfone 9 is a compact device that still packs more than enough power under the hood. It's compact size, Bluetooth and audio features (including a headphone jack!), and hardware gestures combine to offer a package that does enough differently to warrant your attention."
Google Pixel 6a
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Dig into reviews and images
Ars Technica
Ron Amadeo | July 2022
"it's very hard to find fault with the Pixel 6a. It has a processor that, in the US at least, blows away other Android phones in this price range. The design is great, the camera is fine, and the price is right. What's not to like?"
Get a great deal on the Asus Zenfone 9 or the Google Pixel 6a
About ASUS
Asus is a well-known player in the mobile world, and in the past few years it has been known for covering specific niches in the smartphone market. Their Zenfone line of devices appeal to small phone enthusiasts, by providing very well-rounded and capable phones at a package that is not too large to operate with one hand – something hard to find in modern Android smartphones. Conversely, their ROG line of devices cater to mobile gamers, by providing a slew of hardware and software features, specifically tailored to enhance the mobile gaming experience. Additionally, Asus is one of the only manufacturers left that continues to include headphone jacks in their lineup of phones, a feature that has become exceedingly rare in today's market.
About Google
Google can be considered a relatively new player in the smartphone industry, joining as late as 2016 with their phone, the Google Pixel. Since then, the Pixel lineup has undergone many changes, but it has always been characterized by a focus on photography and clean software, by providing a pure Android experience. By virtue of Google being the creator of the Android operating system, Pixels are known for receiving timely software updates and for being supported with updates for a long time. Additionally, over the past few generations of devices, Google started designing their own processors. This allowed for the implementation of unique software features that are not present in any other phone, such as automatic call screening and unique voice transcribing capabilities.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
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Joe Golden, Ph.D
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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