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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a more compact phone with a slightly better battery life, the Asus Zenfone 9 would be a good choice, even though it may cost a bit more. However, if a larger screen and more advanced video capabilities are important to you, and you want to save some money, then the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE would make sense. Both phones offer similar screen quality and performance, have plastic backs, and operate on the Android system. Keep in mind, the Zenfone 9 has no wireless charging capabilities unlike the S21 FE which does, and it also lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack which the Zenfone 9 includes. 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 battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has no clear advantages over the Asus Zenfone 9.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
6.2
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has good overall camera quality, while the Asus Zenfone 9 has only fair overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE's cameras outshine the Asus Zenfone 9's mainly because the Samsung model delivers a strong overall photography experience with good dynamic range and low light performance in photos, including better software processing, whereas the Zenfone 9 has been noted for having a less impressive photo dynamic range, low light performance, and versatility, despite a solid selfie camera performance. Additionally, while both phones have good camera features, the versatility and overall better scoring on most camera-related aspects for the Galaxy S21 FE translate to generally superior image capturing capabilities.
Photo Quality
6.0
6.9
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and Asus Zenfone 9 both have only fair photos, though the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes somewhat better photos.
The Asus Zenfone 9 takes poor selfies mainly because of its lower selfie quality, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE captures good selfies, which reflects it having better performance in this aspect. Additionally, other factors such as photos resolution, photos software experience, photos dynamic range, and photos low light performance generally contribute to the overall camera experience, with the S21 FE ranking better in these areas compared to the Zenfone 9.
Video Quality
6.4
5.9
The Asus Zenfone 9 takes only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes poor videos.
The Asus Zenfone 9 offers best video stabilization which greatly enhances the overall video experience, making videos appear smoother, combined with very good video dynamic range allowing for clearer details in contrasting areas. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, despite having good video stabilization, falls short with just fair video dynamic range, which might result in less detail in areas with high contrast or varying lighting conditions.
Battery
7.8 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Asus Zenfone 9 has 7.8 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Asus Zenfone 9 has a screen size of 5.9 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is 6.4 inches.
Cost
$700
$770
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Asus Zenfone 9 has a price of $700 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE costs $770.
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How the Asus Zenfone 9 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus Zenfone 9 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$700 | $770 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Asus | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 15, 2022 | January 29, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 5.9" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 445 | 401 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD8+G1 | SD888 | |
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 | 7.1/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.5/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.8 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4300 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.77" x 2.68" | 6.13" x 2.93" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.96 oz | 6.24 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 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 6 | |
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)41, 66, 71, 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 | Graphite, Lavender, Olive, White, Navy Blue | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
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."
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Philip Michaels | March 2022
"The Galaxy S21 FE is a fine addition to Samsung's S21 lineup, retaining the very best features of those flagship phones for a more modest price. This is a solid phone, matching the performance of the top Android flagships from a year ago and delivering photos that hold their own against some of the best camera phones we've tested."
Get a great deal on the Asus Zenfone 9 or the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
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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