1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Sony Xperia 10 V | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Physical Size | 148 × 68.5 × 8.9 mm | 155 × 68 × 8.3 mm | The Xperia 10 V is slightly taller, while the Zenfone 8 is a bit thicker. Zenfone 8 is a more compact phone, which can be easier to use with one hand. |
| Weight | 169g | 159g | The Xperia 10 V is 10g lighter, making it slightly more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard non-folding phones. |
Display
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Sony Xperia 10 V | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 5.9" | 6.1" | Xperia 10 V provides a slightly larger viewing area for content consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2520 | Xperia 10 V has a slightly sharper display, though the difference may not be very noticeable in everyday use. |
| PPI | 446 | 449 | Both have very similar pixel density, resulting in sharp images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent colors and deep blacks; negligible difference. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | The Zenfone 8's 120Hz display results in much smoother scrolling and animations, which is great for gamers and users who prefer a fluid experience. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | The Zenfone 8 offers dramatically better outdoor visibility in bright conditions. The Sony's display brightness is not specified making it difficult to compare in this aspect. |
Performance
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Sony Xperia 10 V | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | The Zenfone 8's Snapdragon 888 is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading, better multitasking, and smoother gameplay. |
| Antutu Score | 891,700 | 437,860 | The Zenfone 8 has significantly better performance, almost double the score. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 619 | The Adreno 660 in the Zenfone 8 provides significantly better graphics performance for gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Sony Xperia 10 V | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 48MP | The Zenfone 8 captures more detailed photos with its higher resolution sensor. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.7" | 1/2" | Zenfone 8's larger sensor allows it to capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance and potentially higher dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 12MP | 8MP | Zenfone 8 captures more detailed selfie photos. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.0 | Xperia 10 V's wider aperture allows for better low-light performance and a shallower depth of field in selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.93" | 1/4" | The Zenfone 8 has larger selfie sensor which should results in better image quality and low light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 8MP, f/2.2 | Xperia 10 V provides optical zoom capabilities for better long distance shots, which Zenfone 8 cannot offer. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 (Wide Angle + Macro) | 8MP, f/2.2 | The Zenfone 8 offers a single wide angle lens combined with macro capabilities while the Xperia 10 V offers a standalone wide angle lens. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | 1080p@30fps | Zenfone 8 offers much higher video recording resolution and frame rates, great for users needing high quality video. |
| DXOMark Score (Mobile) | 116 | 78 | Zenfone 8 has a significantly better camera overall. |
| Camera Features | 4K/8K Video, PDAF, continuous autofocus | Optical zoom, Triple camera | The Zenfone 8 provides features for video content creators while the Xperia 10 V provides flexible camera system. |
Battery
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Sony Xperia 10 V | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | The Xperia 10 V offers a larger battery, likely providing significantly better battery life. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging | Standard charging (speed not specified) | The Zenfone 8 has faster charging capability, allowing for quicker refills, although battery is smaller. |
| Removable | No | No | Neither phone has a removable battery. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers significantly higher processing power and graphics capability than the Snapdragon 695, making it suitable for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate display provides a much more fluid and responsive user experience than the Xperia 10 V's 60Hz display.
- Better Camera Performance: The Zenfone 8 has a higher-resolution main sensor, larger sensor, and significantly higher DXOMark score, indicating better photo quality. It also has 8K video recording for high-quality video.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging can significantly reduce the time spent plugged in.
- Brighter Display: With 1100 nits, the display is much more visible outdoors.
- More RAM Options: The Zenfone 8 comes in higher RAM options.
- Better Connectivity: Newer wifi and Bluetooth version.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers higher quality audio playback.
Sony Xperia 10 V Advantages:
- Longer Battery Life: The larger 5000mAh battery likely provides a significant advantage in battery endurance.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated telephoto camera enables better long-distance zoom shots, adding versatility to the camera system.
- eSIM Support: Offers eSIM for digital carrier switching, which is convenient for international travel.
- Wider Aperture Selfie: The front facing camera has a wider aperture, resulting in better low light performance.
- More Software Updates: The Sony has a newer version of Android, which gives a more up to date software experience.
- More Bluetooth Profiles: More Bluetooth profiles supported, which may improve compatibility.
Trade-offs:
- Asus Zenfone 8: The main trade-off is its smaller battery, which is a key concern for users who value long battery life. The design, whilst smaller, is also thicker.
- Sony Xperia 10 V: The main trade-offs are lower performance, lower refresh rate, and a significantly less capable camera system compared to Zenfone 8.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Asus Zenfone 8 Ideal User:
- Gamers: Its powerful chipset, high refresh rate display, and better GPU make it ideal for mobile gaming.
- Power Users: Those who need fast performance for multitasking, video editing, and other demanding apps.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality photos and video recording, and like to edit them.
- Users seeking High Performance: Users wanting a compact phone with high performance and a smooth display.
Sony Xperia 10 V Ideal User:
- Battery Life Seekers: Users who need all-day battery life or even multi-day usage without frequent charging.
- Casual Photographers: Those who value versatility and zoom capabilities in a camera system over outright image quality.
- Travelers: The eSIM functionality is an advantage for those who travel internationally.
- Users Seeking Stability: Those wanting a new software with long lasting support.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Performance vs. Battery Life: Do you prioritize top-tier performance and display smoothness or extended battery life?
- Camera Needs: Do you need high-quality images and video, or is versatility with a telephoto lens more important?
- Budget: Are you comfortable paying more for a high-performance phone, or is value for money a priority?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Performance Gaming: If you're a gamer or need the best possible performance, the Asus Zenfone 8 is the clear choice.
- Scenario 2: All-Day Battery Life: If you value long battery life above all else, the Sony Xperia 10 V is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Use with Photography: If you want a balance of features with a preference for better image quality and video features, Asus Zenfone 8 would be better, or for better flexibility and telephoto lens, Sony Xperia 10 V should be chosen.
- Scenario 4: Best Value: If the price is a concern and good battery life is wanted then Sony Xperia 10 V might be a more reasonable choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally select the Asus Zenfone 8. Although the smaller battery is a disadvantage, the significantly better performance and display are more important to me. As someone who appreciates smooth animations, enjoys mobile gaming, and needs fast processing power for various tasks, the Zenfone 8 aligns with my usage preferences. The higher camera quality for both video and images is also a significant factor for me. The superior display makes a difference to my enjoyment of the phone. While the Sony Xperia 10 V's battery life is attractive, the significant performance difference outweighs this for my usage patterns.
