Smartphone Comparison: Asus Zenfone 8 vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the key specifications for both phones, focusing on the practical implications for the user.
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-05-13 | 2024-07-24 | The Z Fold6 has newer technology. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Z Fold6's folding design offers a much larger display in a more portable format. |
| Dimensions | 148 x 68.5 x 8.9 mm | 153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm (Unfolded) | Z Fold6 is significantly wider when unfolded, while the Zenfone 8 is thicker. Z Fold6 offers a larger screen but is less pocketable. |
| Weight | 169g | 239g | The Zenfone 8 is much lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.9" | 7.6" | The Z Fold6's larger display provides a much more immersive experience for media consumption, gaming, and productivity. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1856x2160 | The Z Fold6 offers higher resolution, resulting in more detailed images and text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 446 | 374 | Zenfone 8 offers a sharper display, with finer details visible. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unknown | The Zenfone 8's AMOLED panel offers deeper blacks, vibrant colors, and better energy efficiency with dark themes. Samsung's technology is not specified, which is a limitation. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | The Zenfone 8 is significantly brighter, improving visibility in bright sunlight. Z Fold6 is unkown |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) | The Z Fold6’s chipset is much newer and offers superior performance, faster processing, and improved efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 891,700 | 2,200,000 | The Z Fold6 provides a much smoother, faster experience for demanding applications and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) | The Z Fold6's GPU is much more powerful, giving it an advantage in gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000 mAh | 4400 mAh | The Z Fold6 has a slightly larger battery, which could result in slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Zenfone 8 has faster wired charging for quicker top-ups. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging, Wireless Charging 15W, Reverse Wireless Charging 4.5W, Non-removable | The Z Fold6 offers more versatility in charging options including wireless, while both lack a removable battery. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 50MP | Zenfone 8 has a higher resolution primary camera, which may capture more detail. |
| Rear Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.8 | Both offer same aperture |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 12MP | 10MP | The Zenfone 8 offers slightly higher resolution for selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.2 | Z Fold6 allows more light into selfie shots with wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 10MP (f/2.4) | Z Fold6 offers optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | No | 12MP (f/2.2) | Z Fold6 allows wider angle photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | 12MP (f/2.2) | No | Zenfone 8 can take close-up macro shots, and wide angle photos |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps/4K@120fps | 8K@30fps/4K@60fps | Both phones offer high-resolution video recording. |
| DxOMark Main Score | 116 | 133 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 has a significantly better camera performance, according to DxOMark scores. |
| Camera Features | Dual camera, OIS, 4k, 8k, HDR, PDAF | Triple camera, OIS, 4k, 8k, HDR, PDAF, Optical Zoom, Noise reduction, AutoFraming, Manual Focus, Laser AF, Under display camera | The Z Fold6 offers more advanced camera features, with the Zenfone 8 offering continuous autofocus, while Z Fold6 offers more camera options overall. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 (upgradable to 18) | The Z Fold6 has a more recent version of Android with likely longer software support and access to newer features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support current Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | The Z Fold6 has a slightly newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | The Zenfone 8 supports more satellite systems for potentially better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano-SIM | Dual Nano-SIM + eSIM | The Z Fold6 offers more flexibility with the eSIM option. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | The Z Fold6 offers more storage options including higher capacities. |
| RAM | 6/8/12/16 GB | 12 GB | Zenfone 8 offers higher memory configurations for multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Zenfone 8 has more advanced audio features for both playback and voice capture. Samsung provides Dolby Atmos for better immersive audio, but Zenfone 8 supports Hi-Res audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Z Fold6 uses a more advanced side-mounted sensor, usually faster than basic fingerprint sensors in-screen. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Z Fold6 offers slightly more advanced screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Z Fold6 includes additional environmental sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages:
- Compact and Lightweight: Significantly more pocketable and easier to handle for one-handed use.
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density for crisper text and images.
- Brighter Display: Much better visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
- Faster Charging: Quickly replenishes the battery with 30W fast charging.
- Superior Audio Recording: Hi-Res Audio, noise cancellation, and 3 microphones for quality recordings.
- Higher RAM Options: Up to 16GB for the best multitasking performance, though only one configuration is listed.
- More GPS Systems: Better location accuracy
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 Advantages:
- Foldable Design & Larger Display: Significantly more screen real estate for media consumption, multitasking, and productivity.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Latest Snapdragon chipset for faster, smoother operation and gaming.
- Superior Camera System: Includes a telephoto lens for optical zoom and a wider range of camera features.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Wireless Charging: Convenient charging options.
- Newer Software: Runs on a newer version of Android, with more future updates.
- Larger Storage Options: Up to 1TB of internal storage.
- More advanced Bluetooth: Better connectivity experience
- More comprehensive sensors: Better options for advanced features and gaming
- eSIM Support: Better flexibility in carrier switching
Practical Implications and Trade-offs:
- Form Factor: The Zenfone 8 is a traditional smartphone ideal for users who prefer compactness and ease of use, while the Z Fold6 provides a larger screen for media consumption and productivity, at the cost of bulk.
- Display Experience: The Zenfone 8 excels in sharpness and outdoor visibility, while the Z Fold6 prioritizes screen size and resolution.
- Performance vs. Practicality: The Z Fold6 offers superior processing power at the cost of a bigger, heavier device, whereas the Zenfone 8 is good for everyday tasks.
- Camera Versatility: The Z Fold6's camera system offers more versatility with its telephoto and wide-angle lenses and features, while the Zenfone 8 excels at close-up macro photography.
- Portability: The Zenfone 8 is significantly more portable due to its size and weight.
- Battery Charging: Zenfone 8 provides faster charging with cable, while Z Fold6 provides wireless and reverse charging capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Asus Zenfone 8 Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize portability and one-handed use: Compact size is ideal for those who value ease of handling and pocketability.
- Users who need a sharp and bright display: Ideal for outdoor usage, detailed reading, and crisp visuals.
- Audiophiles and content creators: The high-quality audio recording and playback capabilities are well-suited for capturing and enjoying sound.
- Users who prefer faster wired charging: Quickly get the phone back in action with 30W fast charging.
- Users who need a performance-oriented phone for everyday tasks: The Zenfone 8 offers great specs for typical daily use.
Use Cases:
- Everyday communication, social media, and browsing.
- Audio recording and playback.
- Outdoor use in bright environments.
- Users who want a standard mobile phone without the added bulk of a foldable.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 Ideal Users:
- Productivity-focused users: The larger screen is excellent for multitasking, note-taking, and document editing.
- Media consumers: A larger, high-resolution display enhances video streaming and gaming.
- Users who want a cutting-edge device: The foldable design and advanced features make it a premium experience.
- Photography enthusiasts: The versatile camera system offers a range of shooting options.
- Users who are looking for a tablet/phone combo: The Z Fold6 functions like a tablet when unfolded.
Use Cases:
- Multitasking with multiple apps side-by-side.
- Watching videos and movies.
- Playing mobile games.
- Capturing photos and videos with diverse lenses.
- Reading and editing documents.
- Users who want the latest software and features
- Users who prioritize wireless and reverse charging
- Users who need a big phone with a large screen
4. Decision Framework
Consider these questions when choosing between the Asus Zenfone 8 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6:
- What is the most important aspect of the display for you? If it's size and multitasking capabilities, the Z Fold6 is the way to go. If it's sharpness and visibility, then the Zenfone 8 is better suited.
- How important is portability and one-handed use? If you prefer a compact and lightweight device, the Zenfone 8 is the clear winner. But if portability is less important than screen size, then Z Fold6 is ideal.
- What are your primary use cases for the camera system? If you need versatile cameras with multiple zoom options, the Z Fold6 will be better. If you value good macro photography, Zenfone 8 would be better.
Scenario Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You want a pocketable phone for daily tasks: Choose the Asus Zenfone 8 for its compact size, bright screen, and efficient performance.
- Scenario 2: You want a portable device for watching movies, working, and gaming on a big screen: The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 is better, it provides the big screen that would be better for those activities.
- Scenario 3: You take a lot of photos and videos and you want to have the most flexibility in your camera: The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 is the better option for its versatile camera system and optical zoom.
- Scenario 4: You prioritize faster wired charging: The Asus Zenfone 8 would be better with its faster 30W charging capabilities.
Final Choice:
If I had to choose between these two devices, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6.
Here is why:
While I do value a compact and light device, the increased screen real-estate provided by the Z Fold 6 would be incredibly helpful for my daily work and also for entertainment. I value productivity and multitasking and the Z Fold 6 screen would make these easier to do. The improved performance and camera capabilities are also something I would value. Even though the Zenfone 8 has some great features, I think the advantages of the Z Fold 6, especially the screen, is more compelling for my personal use case.
