Smartphone Comparison: Asus Zenfone 8 vs. Sony Xperia 5 IV
1. Specifications Comparison
Design & Build
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 148 x 68.5 x 8.9 mm | 156 x 67 x 8.2 mm | Xperia 5 IV is taller but slimmer; Zenfone 8 is wider and thicker. The Zenfone 8 is slightly more compact overall. |
| Weight | 169g | 172g | Both are very lightweight and portable, with minimal practical difference in weight. |
| Build Material | (Not Specified) | (Not Specified) | Impact on feel in hand and overall durability cannot be assessed. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Both offer excellent screen scratch protection. |
Display
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 5.9" | 6.1" | Xperia 5 IV offers a slightly larger viewing area. The Zenfone 8 will be more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2520 | The Xperia 5 IV offers slightly sharper images due to the increased pixel count. |
| PPI | 446 | 449 | Both have very sharp displays with negligible differences in pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and fluid animations for enhanced user experience. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Asus Zenfone 8 has a significantly brighter display for better visibility in direct sunlight. The Xperia 5 IV's brightness is unknown. |
Performance
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Xperia 5 IV has a newer, more efficient chipset, offering better overall performance and power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 891,700 | 1,021,542 | Xperia 5 IV demonstrates a noticeably better benchmark score, translating to faster app loading and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | Xperia 5 IV's GPU provides superior graphics processing, which will be better for graphically intensive games and applications. |
| RAM | 6/8/12/16 GB | 8 GB | Asus offers more RAM options (up to 16GB) for enhanced multitasking capabilities, while Sony has only 8 GB version. |
Camera
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 12MP | Zenfone 8 captures more detailed images with its higher resolution sensor, but the image quality is also based on the processing and image sensor itself. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.7 | Xperia 5 IV's wider aperture allows for slightly better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.7" | 1/1.7" | Similar sensor sizes suggest that they would have comparable low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80µm | 1.80µm | Xperia 5 IV's larger pixel size captures more light per pixel, improving low-light image quality. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP (f/2.4) | Xperia 5 IV offers optical zoom capabilities not found on the Zenfone 8. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP (f/2.2) | 12MP (f/2.2) | Both phones offers an ultra-wide angle lens. |
| Front Camera Resolution | 12MP | 12MP | Both have the same selfie resolution |
| Front Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.0 | Xperia 5 IV's wider aperture allows for better low-light selfies. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@up to 120fps | 4K@up to 120fps | Zenfone 8 can record in 8K, making it more suited to those who want to capture high-resolution content. Both have excellent slow motion capabilities. |
| Camera DxOMark | 116 (overall) | 119 (overall) | Xperia 5 IV scores slightly higher for photos, but Zenfone 8 has slightly better video results. |
Battery
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Xperia 5 IV has a significantly larger battery, potentially offering much better battery life for all day usage. |
| Charging Speed | 30W | 30W | Both phones offer identical fast charging speeds. |
| Additional Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Xperia 5 IV offers additional battery management and sharing capabilities. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages
- More Compact Design: Its smaller size makes it more comfortable to use one-handed and easier to carry in pockets.
- Higher Resolution Video Recording: 8K video recording for those who need the highest possible quality.
- Brighter Display: Superior outdoor visibility thanks to higher maximum brightness.
- More RAM Options: Up to 16GB of RAM for more demanding users who require heavy multitasking.
- Potentially Better Audio Capture: Noise cancellation microphones and a 3 mic array.
Sony Xperia 5 IV Advantages
- Newer, More Efficient Chipset: Superior performance and power efficiency thanks to the newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
- Larger Battery: Significantly longer battery life for all-day use.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers optical zoom capabilities, enhancing versatility in photography.
- Bypass and Reverse Charging: Smart battery features for better management and additional flexibility.
- Better Low Light Performance: Larger pixel size in main camera and wider apertures in both front and main camera offer better low light photos.
Trade-offs
- Zenfone 8: Sacrifices some battery life and overall performance for a more compact form factor and potentially better video recording.
- Xperia 5 IV: Larger size may not be ideal for those with smaller hands or who prefer compact phones and the display is not as bright as the Zenfone 8.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Asus Zenfone 8
- Users Prioritizing Compactness: Those who want a powerful phone that fits easily into pockets and is comfortable for one-handed use.
- Users Focusing on Video Recording: Content creators and enthusiasts needing 8K video recording capabilities.
- Users Who Need Better Screen Visibility Outdoors: Those who often use their phone in bright sunlight conditions.
- Multitaskers: Users who want options for high RAM and need to run multiple apps at the same time.
- Gamers: Users who require fast frame rates on a smaller, more comfortable screen.
Ideal User for Sony Xperia 5 IV
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Individuals who need a phone that will last all day on a single charge without needing to be recharged.
- Users Who Need Versatile Cameras: Photography enthusiasts who want a variety of lenses for different scenarios, including a telephoto lens with optical zoom.
- Users who require better low-light photography: Users who need better aperture and bigger pixel size for better low-light capture.
- Users needing additional battery features: Those who need bypass charging for longer periods of use and reverse charging for accessories.
- Users who prioritize the latest features and performance: Users who need a phone with the latest processor and GPU.
Use Cases
- Asus Zenfone 8: Ideal for on-the-go content creation, mobile gaming (especially in bright conditions), and users who want a powerful phone in a small package.
- Sony Xperia 5 IV: Ideal for all-day usage scenarios, travel photography, and users who require the latest performance and more battery life.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- Is Compact Size a Priority? If yes, the Asus Zenfone 8 is preferable. If not, both will be fine but the Xperia 5 IV is slightly larger.
- How Important is Battery Life? If all-day usage is a must, the Sony Xperia 5 IV is the better option.
- Do You Need a Telephoto Lens? If optical zoom is a requirement, the Sony Xperia 5 IV is the only option.
- Do you frequently use the phone outdoors? If yes, the Zenfone 8 has a much brighter display, which will make viewing the screen much more enjoyable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Daily Commuter & Light Content Creation: If you are someone who is on the go, the Zenfone 8 would be preferable with its smaller size and better outdoor visibility, but if you need all day battery, the Xperia 5 IV would be better.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast: The Sony Xperia 5 IV is better for its telephoto lens and overall camera flexibility.
- Scenario 3: Power User/Heavy Gamer: The Sony Xperia 5 IV, with its better chipset and battery, is better, but Zenfone 8 has more RAM available.
My Choice
I would choose the Sony Xperia 5 IV. While I appreciate the compactness and higher brightness of the Zenfone 8, the superior battery life, more advanced chipset, and the inclusion of the telephoto lens are more crucial for my personal needs. I often need a phone that will easily last all day without needing a charge, and the Xperia 5 IV fits the bill. The added bonus of bypass charging and reverse charging are features I would find useful. Though the Zenfone 8 may provide better audio capture, the additional features offered by the Xperia 5 IV is preferable for my use case. The slightly larger size does not deter me, as I do not prioritize the smallest possible form factor.
The superior camera system and the more modern chipset make it the more future-proof choice in the long run, making it worth the trade-off in size and display brightness.
