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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you are looking for a more compact option with a higher performance and better camera quality, the Asus Zenfone 9 would be a good choice, though it is more expensive. On the other hand, if you prefer a larger screen and are looking for a more budget-friendly option, while still having a respectable camera, the Samsung Galaxy A53 could be a better fit. Both phones have OLED screens with high refresh rates, but the Zenfone 9 offers more power and better camera performance, which could justify the higher price, depending on your priorities. Both run Android, although the exact experience will differ between the brands. 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
- Good performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A53
- Very good battery life
Key differences
Video Quality
6.4
5.2
The Asus Zenfone 9 takes only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A53 takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy A53 takes good videos partly due to better overall video stabilization and dynamic range, which contribute to smoother footage with more balanced lighting in varying conditions. In contrast, the Asus Zenfone 9 provides fair video quality with an emphasis on high video software experience but may not handle dynamic range and low light conditions as well as the A53.
Screen Size
The Asus Zenfone 9 has a screen size of 5.9 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A53 is 6.5 inches.
Cost
$700
$200
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Asus Zenfone 9 has a price of $700 and the Samsung Galaxy A53 costs $200.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
6.2
5.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Asus Zenfone 9 to have only fair overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A53 has poor overall camera quality.
The Asus Zenfone 9's camera performance is considered poor due to its subpar software experience, low dynamic range, weak low light performance, and limited camera versatility, which collectively affect both photo and video capture; its selfie camera also scores low in quality. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A53 boasts a very good selfie camera and offers a better overall photo software experience in comparison, despite some similarities in dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility to the Zenfone 9.
Photo Quality
6.0
6.2
The Samsung Galaxy A53 and Asus Zenfone 9 both have only fair photos.
The Asus Zenfone 9 delivers fair selfie photos, whereas the Samsung Galaxy A53 takes very good selfies. This difference in quality could be due to a better selfie camera combined with superior software processing on the Galaxy A53, given the importance of photo resolution, software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility for the overall quality of photos.
Battery
7.8 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Asus Zenfone 9 has 7.8 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A53 has 8 hours of battery life.
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How the Asus Zenfone 9 and the Samsung Galaxy A53 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus Zenfone 9 | Samsung Galaxy A53 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$700 | $200 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Asus | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 15, 2022 | March 24, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 5.9" | 6.5" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 445 | 405 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD8+G1 | E1280 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 64 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.8 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4300 mAh | 5000 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" | 6.28" x 2.94" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.96 oz | 6.67 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | No | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.1 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 5 | |
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)2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Side | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Sunset Red, Starry Blue | Blue, White, Black | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
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."
Samsung Galaxy A53
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Ryan Haines | May 2023
"Samsung’s quartet of rear cameras delivers the goods, both day and night, with the only blemish being the lack of 4K/60fps video recording. The large, 6.5-inch, 120Hz AMOLED display is crisp and smooth, making video streaming enjoyable. You should have no issues pushing the 5,000mAh battery to its limits and it’s not too slow to charge relative to its competitors in the US."
Get a great deal on the Asus Zenfone 9 or the Samsung Galaxy A53
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 Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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