1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Sony Xperia 10 III | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Physical Size | 148 x 68.5 x 8.9 mm | 154 x 68 x 8.3 mm | Asus is slightly shorter and thicker; Sony is taller and thinner, but both are very similar in width. |
| Weight | 169g | 169g | Both phones feel the same in hand in terms of weight. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.9" | 6.0" | Negligible difference; both offer compact form factors. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2520 | Sony has a slightly sharper screen with a taller aspect ratio. |
| PPI | 446 | 457 | Both screens look very crisp; the difference is barely noticeable to the human eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent contrast and vibrant colors; difference is negligible for most users. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | Asus offers much smoother scrolling and animations, especially for gaming and UI navigation. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Asus is much brighter and more usable outdoors in direct sunlight. Note: 0 nits for Sony likely an error in source data. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) | Asus is significantly faster for demanding tasks, gaming, and overall responsiveness. |
| AnTuTu Score | 891,700 | 275,000 | Asus is far more powerful; expect much faster app loading and better multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 619 | Asus offers much better graphics performance, essential for smooth gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4500mAh | Sony likely provides longer battery life due to a larger capacity, but this can vary greatly based on usage and the brightness values are questionable due to sony being 0 |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Asus charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" sensor | 12MP, f/1.8 | Asus captures more detail with its higher-resolution sensor. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | None | 8MP, f/2.4 | Sony offers more versatile photography with a dedicated zoom lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.45, 1/2.93" sensor | 8MP, f/2.0 | Asus takes higher-resolution selfies; Sony has a slightly brighter aperture for low light. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor (Macro) | 8MP, f/2.2 | Asus offers wide angle with macro capability. Sony has a basic wide angle lens. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Asus captures much higher resolution videos, offering better detail and editing flexibility. |
| DxOMark Score | Mobile: 116, Photo: 120, Video: 118 | Not available | Asus has a better rated camera system. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Both can be upgraded to Android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6, MIMO | Wi-Fi AC | Asus offers faster and more efficient Wi-Fi connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.1 LE | Asus has a slightly newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | Advanced System | Standard System | Asus provides more precise and reliable location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both offer similar dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB | Asus provides more storage, allowing for more apps and media. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB/12GB/16GB | 6GB | Asus can handle more tasks simultaneously without slowdowns. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 Mics | Hi-Res Audio, 2 Mics | Asus has better audio output and noise cancellation |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Sony has a more convenient and often more reliable fingerprint placement. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 6 | Asus screen offers better protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | Asus includes a Gyroscope for more advanced motion sensing capabilities, beneficial for games and AR apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages:
- Significantly higher performance: The Snapdragon 888 offers much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Superior display: The 120Hz refresh rate makes the UI and animations feel much smoother, and the higher brightness makes the display more usable in bright sunlight.
- Better main camera: Higher resolution main camera captures more details.
- Better Video Recording: Capable of 8K recording, offering higher quality and more flexibility
- Faster charging: 30W charging means less time plugged in.
- More Storage and RAM: Available with up to 256 GB storage and 16 GB RAM
- Better Audio: Stereo Speakers and noise cancellation makes for higher quality audio output.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus offers higher scratch and drop protection
- More advanced GPS More precise and reliable location tracking.
Practical implications: The Zenfone 8 is a significantly more powerful and responsive phone suitable for demanding users, gamers and content creators who need high performance, better screen quality, and a better camera experience.
Sony Xperia 10 III Advantages:
- Larger battery: Offers longer battery life under normal use due to a larger battery capacity (though this data may be inaccurate due to the 0 nits).
- Telephoto Camera: Has a dedicated telephoto camera.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Generally considered more convenient than a basic rear sensor.
Practical implications: The Xperia 10 III is a good choice for users who prioritize battery life, and prefer a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, along with a Telephoto camera for taking photos from a distance.
Trade-offs:
- The Asus prioritizes power and a better screen experience over long battery life.
- The Sony prioritizes a longer battery life and a Telephoto camera over overall performance and screen quality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Asus Zenfone 8 Ideal Users:
- Gamers: The high refresh rate screen, powerful processor, and better GPU offer a superior gaming experience.
- Power users: Those who multitask heavily, run demanding apps, and want the fastest performance possible.
- Content creators: The high-resolution camera and 8K video recording make it ideal for content capture.
- Users who prioritize a top-tier experience: Those who are willing to sacrifice a little battery life for a faster, smoother, and more responsive phone.
Specific Use Cases for Zenfone 8:
- Playing graphics-intensive mobile games.
- Editing videos or photos on the go.
- Running multiple apps simultaneously without lag.
- Taking high-quality photos and videos in various lighting conditions.
- GPS Navigation in areas with poor signal coverage.
Sony Xperia 10 III Ideal Users:
- Users who value battery life: Those who need their phone to last all day without needing to recharge and are not bothered by the reduced power.
- Casual users: Those who use their phones mainly for browsing, social media, and light productivity.
- Users who prefer a telephoto lens: Those who enjoy taking photos from a distance
- Price-sensitive buyers: Likely positioned as a more budget-friendly option (though not specified).
Specific Use Cases for Xperia 10 III:
- Daily communication and social media use.
- Streaming video content on the go.
- Taking casual photos and videos.
- Navigating with GPS.
- Basic office tasks and note taking.
Price-to-Value:
- The Zenfone 8 provides a higher performance and feature set for its price, though the price of both is not stated in the details.
- The Xperia 10 III provides a lower performance at a more budget-friendly price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance to you? (Gaming, heavy app use, multitasking)
- How important is display quality to you? (Smoothness, brightness, outdoor visibility)
- How important is battery life vs charging speed? (Do you need all-day battery or prefer faster charging?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gamers or power users: Choose the Asus Zenfone 8 for its superior performance, 120Hz display, and higher-quality camera.
- Scenario 2: Battery life is crucial: The Sony Xperia 10 III could be a better choice, although battery is not a strong point when compared to a higher powered phone.
- Scenario 3: Casual users: The Sony Xperia 10 III is sufficient for daily tasks, though the Asus Zenfone 8 may be found at a similar price.
- Scenario 4: Budget Conscious: Both phones are older and will be found on the used market, budget will be a deciding factor.
What I Would Choose and Why
Based on my analysis and personal preferences, I would choose the Asus Zenfone 8. Here's why:
- Performance is Key: I prioritize responsiveness and speed in my daily usage. The Snapdragon 888 in the Zenfone 8 is significantly more powerful than the Snapdragon 690 in the Xperia 10 III, which would make a noticeable difference in app loading, multitasking, and gaming.
- Superior Display: The 120Hz refresh rate of the Zenfone 8's display would make the user experience much smoother and more enjoyable. The higher brightness also makes it more usable outdoors. This is something I value greatly.
- Better Camera: While the Xperia 10 III has a telephoto lens, the overall camera system of the Zenfone 8, according to the provided DxOMark scores, is superior, and I would value the better photo and video quality.
- Future-Proofing: The Zenfone 8's more powerful processor and superior specs should ensure it remains usable and responsive for a longer period.
While the Xperia 10 III might offer slightly longer battery life, I am willing to trade that for the Zenfone 8's vastly superior performance and other features. Also, the stated 0 nits of brightness is suspect, and if battery is an important factor, there may be more suitable options available on the market. I would also appreciate the added features in the audio system and would make use of the extra sensors for my use case. I also value the extra storage available in the Asus.
