1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 148 × 68.5 × 8.9 mm | 165 × 71 × 8.2 mm | Zenfone 8 is more compact; Xperia 1 IV is taller and slightly wider, Zenfone is slightly thicker. |
| Weight | 169g | 185g | Zenfone 8 is lighter, easier for one-handed use and extended holding. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.9" | 6.5" | Xperia 1 IV offers a larger screen for more immersive viewing and better media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1644x3840 | Xperia 1 IV has a much sharper and more detailed display. |
| PPI | 446 | 643 | Xperia 1 IV has significantly higher pixel density leading to crisper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent contrast and color reproduction, negligible practical difference. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations; similar user experience. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits (Data missing) | Zenfone 8 has much better visibility in bright outdoor conditions (Assuming Sony's brightness is not actually 0 nits) |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Xperia 1 IV offers newer generation, slightly faster performance and efficiency improvements. |
| AnTuTu Score | 891,700 | 1,076,100 | Xperia 1 IV has better performance, smoother multitasking and gaming experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | Xperia 1 IV has a more powerful GPU for better graphics in games. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Xperia 1 IV has significantly better battery life, may last a full day with heavy use; Zenfone 8 might require charging mid-day in high use cases. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Both offer similar fast charging speeds, recharge times will depend on battery capacity. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Non-removable | Xperia 1 IV includes bypass charging which enables device to be powered directly from charger when gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res. | 64MP | 12MP | Zenfone 8 captures more detail at the expense of low light performance; Xperia 1 IV captures better low light images and generally better quality. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.7 | Xperia 1 IV's wider aperture allows more light for better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.7" | N/A | Zenfone 8 has a physically larger sensor |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.80 µm | Xperia 1 IV's larger pixel size captures more light, aiding low light performance and dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.0 | Xperia 1 IV's wider aperture allows more light for better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | Not present | 12MP (f/2.3) | Xperia 1 IV provides optical zoom for better quality zoomed shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP (f/2.2) | 12MP (f/2.2) | Xperia 1 IV offers a dedicated wide angle camera for landscape or group photos |
| ToF 3D sensor | Not present | Present | Xperia 1 IV has depth-sensing for better portrait mode performance; enables some AR applications. |
| Macro Lens | Present | Not present | Zenfone 8 has macro capability for close up shots. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@120fps, with EIS | 4K@120fps with OIS, EIS | Zenfone 8 has higher video resolution; Xperia 1 IV provides better stability with OIS. |
| DxOMark Score | 116 (Mobile), 120 (Photo), 118 (Video) | 105 (Mobile), 107 (Photo), 92 (Video) | Asus Zenfone 8 has better camera performance than Sony Xperia 1 IV. |
| Camera Features | OIS, EIS, Digital Zoom, Dual Camera | OIS, EIS, Digital & Optical Zoom, Quad Camera | Xperia 1 IV has a more versatile set of cameras with the added zoom features |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 13) | Android 12 (up to 13) | Xperia 1 IV has a slightly more modern Android version out of the box; both should receive Android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi MiMO | Wi-Fi 6 | Asus has Wi-Fi MiMO which allows for better performance when multiple devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | Xperia 1 IV has slightly more advanced Bluetooth profiles. |
| GPS | Dual-band GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Dual-band GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Zenfone 8 supports more satellite systems for improved location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano-SIM | Dual Nano-SIM + eSIM | Xperia 1 IV provides more flexibility with eSIM support (switch between digital carriers without physical SIMs). |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | Xperia 1 IV has more storage options and generally larger capacity which is better for media, gamers, and heavy users |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB/12GB/16GB | 12GB/16GB | Both offer enough RAM, Xperia 1 IV has more RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res, Noise Cancelling Mic, Stereo Speakers, 3 Mics | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | Zenfone 8 has advanced microphone features. Xperia 1 IV provides surround sound experience; both offer similar high-quality audio reproduction. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Xperia 1 IV provides more convenient access and faster unlock. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus | Both offer similar levels of scratch and impact resistance. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint, Barometer | Xperia 1 IV provides a barometer sensor for environmental data gathering. Zenfone 8 additionally features gravity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages:
- More Compact and Lighter: Easier for one-handed use and more comfortable to carry.
- Higher Brightness: Better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Better Camera Performance: Higher DxOMark score across mobile, photo and video categories.
- 8k Video Recording Has the capability of 8k video recording, which is great for high-definition video content creation
- More advanced audio microphones: Includes 3 microphones and noise cancelling microphone for higher quality sound capture.
- Dual band GPS and additional satellite support: Improves navigation and accuracy.
- Macro Lens: Captures high quality close-up shots.
- More RAM Configurations: Offers more variation in RAM, starting from 6GB to 16GB.
- More advanced Wifi: Supports MIMO, increasing Wifi speeds when multiple devices are connected to the same network.
Sony Xperia 1 IV Advantages:
- Larger and Higher Resolution Display: Offers a more immersive viewing experience and sharper visuals.
- More Powerful Processor: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset provides better overall performance.
- Bigger Battery: Longer battery life, crucial for power users and media consumption.
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: Provides optical zoom capabilities for versatile photography.
- Dedicated Wide-angle Lens: Allows for capturing wider shots
- ToF 3D sensor: Offers better portrait mode photos and depth of field features
- Advanced Bluetooth: Offers more bluetooth profiles for a wider range of bluetooth functionality.
- eSIM Support: Provides flexibility for digital carrier switching.
- Bypass Charging: Enables the device to be powered by the charger directly while gaming, improving battery longevity.
- More Storage Options: Offers more storage for more media and games
- More RAM options: Includes more RAM options starting at 12GB up to 16GB.
- Dolby Atmos: Delivers a higher quality surround sound experience.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Generally more convenient and faster access.
- Barometer: Collects more sensor data for environment and weather.
Trade-offs:
- Asus Zenfone 8: Smaller screen, potentially shorter battery life, no telephoto lens.
- Sony Xperia 1 IV: Larger size and weight, lower DxOMark score for camera, no macro lens, lower brightness.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Asus Zenfone 8:
- Users who prioritize a compact and lightweight design.
- Users who value one-handed usability and pocketability.
- Users who need a bright screen for outdoor use.
- Users who prioritize better camera performance.
- Users who want better quality audio from microphones and speakers.
- Users who prefer higher quality macro photography.
- Users who prefer more advanced Wifi technology.
- Gamers and users who prefer a wide range of RAM configurations to fit needs.
- Those who value a phone with dual sim capabilities.
- Users who need higher video recording capabilities
Ideal Users for Sony Xperia 1 IV:
- Users who prefer a larger screen for media consumption.
- Users who value high-resolution display quality for detail.
- Users who need longer battery life for extended use.
- Users who require a more powerful and versatile camera system with optical zoom.
- Users who need a phone with eSIM capability.
- Users who prioritize high performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Users who want a phone with Dolby Atmos audio.
- Users who prefer a more modern side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
- Users who need a barometer sensor.
- Users who need bypass charging capabilities.
- Users who need a phone with more advanced bluetooth profiles.
- Users who need more storage
Use Cases:
- Asus Zenfone 8: Ideal for daily commuting, on-the-go photography, outdoor navigation, and users who prefer compact phones.
- Sony Xperia 1 IV: Ideal for media enthusiasts, photographers who need zoom capabilities, frequent travelers, gamers, and power users who require longer battery life.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Asus Zenfone 8 was launched earlier and may be available at a lower price, offering good value for users seeking a smaller, well-rounded device with a bright screen and excellent camera performance.
- The Sony Xperia 1 IV, being the newer device and packed with more features, usually comes at a higher price, but offers better screen, higher performance, and better battery life.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my primary use case (e.g., media consumption, photography, gaming, portability)? This will help determine if display size, battery life, camera zoom, or compact design is more important.
- How important is display brightness for outdoor usage? If outdoor visibility is crucial, the Asus Zenfone 8 is the better choice.
- What is my budget, and how do I balance the features I want with the cost? Consider whether the higher price of the Sony Xperia 1 IV is justified by its additional features.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Portability & Outdoor Use): If you prioritize a compact size, bright display, and better quality camera, the Asus Zenfone 8 is the better choice.
- Scenario 2 (Media Consumption & Photography): If you prioritize a large, high-resolution screen, telephoto zoom, and longer battery life, the Sony Xperia 1 IV is the better choice.
- Scenario 3 (Gaming & Power Users): If you prioritize higher performance, longer battery life, and versatile cameras, the Sony Xperia 1 IV is the better choice.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would choose the Sony Xperia 1 IV. Although I value a compact size, the advantages that the Sony Xperia 1 IV provides, such as the larger, higher resolution display, the more powerful processor, the longer battery life, more advanced camera system, and other quality-of-life features like Dolby Atmos audio, make it a better fit for my general use. While the Asus Zenfone 8 does have its advantages, for me personally, those advantages do not outweigh the advantages provided by the Sony Xperia 1 IV. I also value a more modern device, with all the updated tech and features, which the Sony Xperia 1 IV better represents. I also would not mind the larger screen size, as that is more beneficial for media consumption, which is another important use case for me. Also, I appreciate the additional storage and RAM options that the Sony Xperia 1 IV offers, as I am a heavy user. The additional bluetooth profiles are also a plus, as I like to connect a wide range of devices to my phone.
