1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 offers a larger screen that can fold, offering tablet-like experience with a smaller form factor when closed. The Asus Zenfone 8 is a standard, compact smartphone. |
| Dimensions | 148 × 68.5 × 8.9 mm | 155.1 × 130.1 × 6.3 mm (Unfolded) | The Zenfone 8 is more pocketable due to its smaller size and is noticeably more compact in one hand, while the Z Fold4 is a large device, and much wider when open. |
| Weight | 169g | 263g | The Zenfone 8 is significantly lighter, making it easier to hold and carry for extended periods. The Z Fold4's weight may be a factor for extended single handed use. |
Display
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 5.9" | 7.6" | The Z Fold4 provides a much larger viewing area, which is excellent for media consumption, multitasking, and productivity. The Zenfone 8 is much more compact for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1812x2176 | Z Fold4 provides a much higher resolution and pixel count resulting in more detailed and sharper image. |
| Pixel Density | 446 PPI | 373 PPI | The Zenfone 8 has a sharper display, meaning text and images will appear slightly crisper on the smaller screen. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unspecified | Zenfone 8 offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and superior power efficiency when using dark themes. The Z Fold 4 display technology is not specified. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, making both screens feel very fluid. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Zenfone 8 is much more visible in bright sunlight. The Z Fold 4 brightness is not specified so cannot be fairly compared. |
Performance
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Z Fold4's newer chip offers significantly better overall performance, faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and enhanced gaming performance, while being more efficient with battery use. |
| AnTuTu Score | 891,700 | 1,232,800 | Z Fold4 has a much higher performance capability in benchmarks. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | Z Fold4 provides better graphics performance, resulting in smoother and more detailed visuals for gaming and demanding applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX686 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57", Samsung GN3 | Zenfone 8 has a higher megapixel count, while the Z Fold4 has a larger sensor, often leading to better low-light performance and overall image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.45, 1/2.93", Sony IMX663 | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", Sony IMX374 | Zenfone 8 has a slightly higher megapixel count. The Z Fold 4 has a wider aperture and the Zenfone 8 has a larger sensor. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9", Samsung S5K3K1 | Z Fold4 offers optical zoom capabilities not present in the Zenfone 8, enabling higher quality zoomed-in shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", Sony IMX258 | Z Fold4 has an additional wide angle lens, allowing for shots with a wider perspective. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX363 | None | Zenfone 8 has dedicated macro capabilities, for detailed close up shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both have similar video capture capabilities, but the Z Fold4 features slightly better stabilisation and slow motion. |
| DxOMark | Main: 116, Photo: 120, Video: 118 | Main: 124, Photo: 131, Video: 122 | The Z Fold4 has slightly better overall camera performance than the Zenfone 8. |
| Camera Features | Various including Dual Camera and 8K video | Various including triple camera, optical zoom, and night mode. | Z Fold4 offers more versatile camera features with multiple lenses. |
Battery
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4400mAh | Z Fold4 has slightly more capacity, potentially resulting in longer battery life. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | The Zenfone 8 charges slightly faster than Z Fold4. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging, Wireless Charging 15W, Reverse Wireless Charging 9W, Non-removable | The Z Fold4 has additional wireless charging capabilities, and features, making it more versatile, especially for charging accessories. |
Software
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (max 13) | Android 12 (max 16) | Z Fold4 is newer and will receive software support for a longer period. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Both feature similar Bluetooth technologies. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | Zenfone 8 has more comprehensive satellite navigation support for slightly better accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | The Z Fold4 supports eSIM for more flexible connectivity, and the Asus Zenfone 8 offers dual SIM functionality using 2 physical nano SIM cards. |
Storage
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 128/256GB | 256/512/1024GB | Z Fold4 offers more generous storage options, especially for users who need a lot of space for files. |
| RAM | 6/8/12/16 GB | 12 GB | Zenfone 8 offers up to 16GB of RAM, great for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage options. |
Audio
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Noise Cancellation Microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Zenfone 8 has additional hardware for improved sound quality and clear calls. Z Fold 4 has Dolby atmos for high quality audio immersion |
Security
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Z Fold4 fingerprint sensor placement is generally more convenient. |
Build Quality
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | Both have advanced screen protection technology, with the Z Fold 4 having slightly more advanced glass. |
Sensors
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Z Fold4 features a barometer, which may be useful for weather-related data and altitude measurements. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages
- Compactness and Lightness: More pocketable and comfortable for extended one-handed use.
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density offers crisp text and images on the screen.
- Brighter Display: 1100 nits brightness for excellent visibility in direct sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging for faster power ups.
- More RAM: Up to 16GB of RAM for heavy multitasking.
- Superior Audio: Hi-Res Audio, Noise Cancellation Microphone and multiple microphones for clear calls and better audio playback.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro camera for detailed close up photography.
- More Comprehensive GPS: Supports more satellite systems for accurate navigation
- Dual Sim: Can have two physical sim cards.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 Advantages
- Foldable Design: Unique form factor with a large, immersive display for media and multitasking.
- Larger Display: Provides a tablet-like viewing experience.
- Higher Resolution Screen: More detailed and sharper screen with high pixel count.
- Higher Performance: Newer chipset with improved CPU and GPU performance.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated lens for optical zoom.
- Wide Angle Lens: Wider field of view for versatile photography.
- Additional Battery Features: Bypass Charging, Wireless Charging, Reverse Wireless Charging.
- eSIM Support: Provides a more digital and flexible connectivity
- Larger Storage Options: Available with up to 1TB of internal storage.
- Better Camera Overall: Better overall camera rating on DxOMark.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient location for fingerprint unlocking.
- More Advanced Screen Protection: Slightly more advanced screen protection.
- Additional Sensor: Includes a barometer.
Trade-offs
- The Asus Zenfone 8 trades off a larger display and higher performance for portability and a more comfortable, compact phone.
- The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 trades compactness and weight for a significantly larger display and additional versatility with more camera options and larger storage.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Asus Zenfone 8 Ideal Users
- Users who prioritize portability: People who prefer a small, lightweight phone that fits easily in a pocket.
- One-handed users: Those who prefer using their phone with one hand.
- Audio enthusiasts: Users who want high quality sound and clear calls.
- Users who value screen visibility: People who often use their phone in bright sunlight.
- Budget Conscious: More affordable option than the Fold.
Asus Zenfone 8 Use Cases
- Everyday use: Calling, texting, browsing, social media, casual gaming.
- Commuting: Easier to handle and store during transit.
- Content Consumption: Still has a high resolution, sharp display for video content.
- Macro Photography: Capturing detailed close up photos.
- Outdoors: High brightness makes it good for visibility in outdoor situations.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 Ideal Users
- Multitaskers: People who need to work on multiple apps and documents simultaneously.
- Media consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos or play games on their phone.
- Productivity enthusiasts: Users who want a device that can function as a mini-tablet.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who want a versatile camera system with different lenses.
- Early Adopters: People who want the latest technology and design.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 Use Cases
- Mobile office: Working on documents, spreadsheets, and emails on the go.
- Gaming: Enjoying immersive games on a larger screen.
- Media Consumption: Watching movies and TV shows.
- Photography: Capturing photos and videos using different lenses and settings.
- eSIM Flexibility: Seamlessly switch to digital carriers on the go.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- Do you prioritize portability and one-handed use over a large display? (If yes, Zenfone 8; if no, Fold4)
- Are you willing to pay a premium for foldable design and multitasking capabilities? (If yes, Fold4; if no, Zenfone 8)
- Do you need extensive storage and versatile camera features, including optical zoom? (If yes, Fold4; if no, consider Zenfone 8)
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1 (Everyday User): If you primarily use your phone for basic tasks and value portability, the Asus Zenfone 8 is the more practical choice.
- Scenario 2 (Mobile Professional): If you need a device for multitasking, media consumption, and mobile productivity, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 is the superior option.
- Scenario 3 (Photography Enthusiast): If you enjoy taking photos with multiple lenses and desire optical zoom, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 is better equipped.
- Scenario 4 (Budget Conscious User): If your budget is a major concern, the Asus Zenfone 8 offers a more cost-effective solution.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing, I would opt for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4. The versatility offered by the foldable design and larger display is compelling, especially for someone who often works on the go and enjoys media consumption. While the Zenfone 8 is an excellent compact phone with strong features, the superior processing power, more versatile camera system and extra features of the Z Fold 4, as well as its longevity with software upgrades, would be more beneficial for my personal use case. The premium is a consideration, but for the functionality it offers, it would be a justifiable investment for me, even with the added weight and size.
