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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a phone with a higher-quality camera, the Google Pixel 8 is a superior choice, particularly excelling in still photo and video quality, along with offering high dynamic range video. However, if battery life is a priority for you, the Asus Zenfone 9 has a slightly longer battery life. The Asus Zenfone 9 has a plastic body and smaller screen, which could be more comfortable for one-handed use, whereas the Google Pixel 8 offers a glass back and larger screen. Additionally, the Google Pixel 8 has a higher peak screen brightness which can be useful in sunny conditions. Both run on Android, have 5G capability, and do not support expandable storage via SD card. Keep in mind, the Google Pixel 8 generally costs less. 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 8.
Advantages of the Google Pixel 8
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
6.2
8.4
The Google Pixel 8 has very good overall camera quality, while the Asus Zenfone 9 has only fair overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 8 outshines the Asus Zenfone 9 with its superior camera capabilities, especially in critical areas such as software experience, low light performance, and camera versatility, including selfie quality which is very important for customers; these elements contribute to a comprehensive and capable camera package. In contrast, the Asus Zenfone 9 lags behind, particularly in photo software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance, which are important for capturing high-quality images and versatile photo opportunities, making it less appealing for photography enthusiasts.
Photo Quality
6.0
8.5
The Google Pixel 8 takes very good photos, while the Asus Zenfone 9 takes only fair photos.
The Google Pixel 8 delivers excellent photos partly because it has superior photo software and dynamic range performance that enriches image quality. Conversely, the Asus Zenfone 9 selfie camera is assessed as fair, which is a step down from the Pixel 8, and this, together with its lower scores in software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance, contributes to comparatively poor photo results.
Video Quality
6.4
7.6
The Google Pixel 8 takes good videos, while the Asus Zenfone 9 takes only fair videos.
The Google Pixel 8 delivers very good videos due to its excellent video stabilization and dynamic range, as well as superior video low light performance compared to the Asus Zenfone 9; additionally, the Pixel 8 benefits from an excellent video software experience and very good mic quality, enhancing overall video recording quality further than the Asus Zenfone 9, which, while offering good stabilization and mic quality, doesn't match the Pixel 8 in dynamic range or low light performance.
Screen Size
The Asus Zenfone 9 has a screen size of 5.9 inches and the Google Pixel 8 is 6.2 inches.
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Key similarities
Battery
7.8 Hours
7.3 Hours
The Asus Zenfone 9 has 7.8 hours of battery life. The Google Pixel 8 has 7.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$700
$699
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Asus Zenfone 9 has a price of $700 and the Google Pixel 8 costs $699.
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How the Asus Zenfone 9 and the Google Pixel 8 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus Zenfone 9 | Google Pixel 8 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$700 | $699 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Asus | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 15, 2022 | October 12, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 5.9" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 445 | 428 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD8+G1 | TensorG3 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.5/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.8 Hours | 7.3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4300 mAh | 4575 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 18 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.77" x 2.68" | 5.93" x 2.79" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.96 oz | 6.60 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.3 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 7 | |
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 | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | |
Color | |||
Color | Sunset Red, Starry Blue | Rose, Hazel, Obsidian | |
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 8
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Dig into reviews and images
The Guardian
Samuel Gibbs | October 2023
"The fit, finish and feel is top notch. The phone is responsive and smooth. The battery life is decent. The main camera is excellent but the lack of an extended optical zoom is slightly disappointing, even if it has been a similar formula for Google for several years.
The 6.2in screen moves the Pixel 8 closer to the underserved market of smaller but top-end phones, of which there are only a handful to choose from. Google’s generative AI features are certainly novel, but it is the extended seven-year software support that truly sets it apart."
Get a great deal on the Asus Zenfone 9 or the Google Pixel 8
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 is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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