If camera performance is a priority for you, the Sony Xperia 1 III has higher-quality cameras overall, with the option for HDR video and higher-resolution photo capabilities. However, the Asus Zenfone 9 offers a longer battery life, which means you'll be recharging less often. The Zenfone 9 has a smaller screen, which might be preferable if you're looking for a more compact device. On the other hand, the Xperia 1 III has a larger screen for more immersive viewing and gaming experiences but might be less manageable with one hand. The Xperia 1 III is also positioned as a premium device, commanding a higher price, partly justified by its higher internal storage. Both phones run on Android, and choosing between them would depend on your preference for either a more affordable option with great battery life or a more expensive one with superior camera capabilities and a larger display. 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 Sony Xperia 1 III
Best in class display quality
Good performance
Key differences
Battery
7.8 Hours
5.6 Hours
The Asus Zenfone 9 has 7.8 hours of battery life. The Sony Xperia 1 III has 5.6 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Asus Zenfone 9 has a screen size of 5.9 inches and the Sony Xperia 1 III is 6.5 inches.
Cost
$700
$899
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Asus Zenfone 9 has a price of $700 and the Sony Xperia 1 III costs $899.
The Asus Zenfone 9 and Sony Xperia 1 III both have only fair overall cameras quality.
The Asus Zenfone 9 has less satisfactory camera capabilities due to its relatively lower performance in core photo aspects like low light performance and dynamic range, while the Sony Xperia 1 III performs moderately better due to a slightly higher versatility and better selfie quality. However, both struggle with certain photo aspects, emphasizing the tradeoff between the selfie quality being more favorable for the Xperia, and the Zenfone 9 being hindered by poor low light performance and dynamic range across the board.
Photo Quality
6.0/10
5.9/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Asus Zenfone 9 to have only fair photos, while the Sony Xperia 1 III takes poor photos.
The Asus Zenfone 9 takes poor photos largely because it has lower photo dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility compared to the Sony Xperia 1 III, which leads to only fair-quality photos. Additionally, while both phones exhibit modest selfie capabilities, these factors collectively contribute to a less impressive overall camera experience for the Zenfone 9.
Video Quality
6.4/10
6.0/10
The Asus Zenfone 9 and Sony Xperia 1 III both have only fair videos.
The Asus Zenfone 9 delivers top-notch video stabilization and a great video software experience, along with good microphone quality, but it struggles with video dynamic range and low light performance. On the other hand, the Sony Xperia 1 III provides a very good video software experience and stabilization, fair video dynamic range and low light performance, and average microphone quality.
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How the Asus Zenfone 9 and the Sony Xperia 1 III compare to other phones
"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."
"For those who enjoy Sony’s Android phones, or who want a top-tier smartphone with a versatile camera, a beautiful screen and strong battery life, this is a great choice. If your budget can stretch to it, and you're a fan of its looks, it could be a great option."
Get a great deal on the Asus Zenfone 9 or the Sony Xperia 1 III
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 Sony
Sony has had a long history in the mobile market, entering the scene all the way back in 1993 with its first commercially available phone, the CM-H333. Nowadays, their Xperia line of phones provide well-rounded and sometimes expensive devices with a focus on camera software that includes extensive support for manual tweaking of settings. Sony's dedication to audio quality is also evident in its smartphones, which often feature high-resolution audio support while also being one of the few remaining manufacturers that consistently provide headphone jacks in their phones. The company's version of Android is also considered to be close to stock, enabling a bloatware-free experience for its users.
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.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
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.