1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 148 × 68.5 × 8.9 mm | 160.5 × 75.7 × 6.8 mm | Zenfone 8 is more compact & pocketable, 11 Lite 5G NE is slimmer but larger overall. |
| Weight | 169g | 158g | 11 Lite 5G NE is slightly lighter, which may be more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (screen), material not specified | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (screen), material not specified | Zenfone 8 offers better scratch & drop resistance on the screen. |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | 11 Lite 5G NE offers a more convenient and potentially faster access using side-mounted sensor. |
Display
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 5.9" | 6.55" | 11 Lite 5G NE provides a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming. Zenfone 8 is more compact for easier one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both provide a detailed viewing experience. |
| PPI | 446 | 402 | Zenfone 8 has a slightly sharper display, but the difference may be negligible to most users. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Zenfone 8 offers smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Zenfone 8 provides significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 | Snapdragon 778G | Zenfone 8 is significantly faster, handles demanding tasks & games with ease. |
| AnTuTu Score | 891,700 | 589,200 | Zenfone 8 offers notably better performance in benchmarks, better app loading, better multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 642L | Zenfone 8 has more powerful graphics, ideal for mobile gaming. |
| RAM | 6/8/12/16 GB | 6/8 GB | Zenfone 8 is better suited for heavy multitasking and demanding apps, especially with 12GB or 16GB configurations. |
Camera
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" sensor, Sony IMX686 | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/1.97" sensor, Samsung GW3 | Zenfone 8's larger sensor may capture more light & detail, especially in low-light; 11 Lite 5G NE has wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.45, 1/2.93" sensor, Sony IMX663 | 20MP, f/2.24, 1/3.4" sensor, Samsung S5K3T2 | 11 Lite 5G NE offers higher resolution selfies, Zenfone 8 has larger sensor and better light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX363 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Zenfone 8 has wider angle lens, but 11 Lite 5G NE has an additional, albeit lower quality, dedicated wide-angle lens. |
| Macro Lens | Not present | 5MP, f/2.4 | 11 Lite 5G NE offers dedicated macro shots |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, 4K@120fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Zenfone 8 is capable of higher resolution and frame rate video, making it better for video recording. |
| Stabilisation | EIS & OIS | EIS | Zenfone 8 provides more advanced video stabilization. |
| Slow-Motion | 480fps | 960fps | 11 Lite 5G NE has a better slow-motion recording. |
| DXOMark Score | 116 (Mobile) | Not Available | Zenfone 8 has a DxOMark score, indicating better image quality. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, OIS, RAW, Dual Camera | Triple camera, Night Mode | Zenfone 8 caters to more advanced users with OIS, 8K Video & RAW support. 11 Lite 5G NE offers a more versatile camera system due to its additional cameras & Night Mode. |
Battery
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4250mAh | 11 Lite 5G NE offers slightly longer battery life in regular use. |
| Charging | 30W | 33W | 11 Lite 5G NE charges slightly faster. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages
- Superior Performance: Snapdragon 888 chipset provides significantly higher performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Better Display: Higher refresh rate (120Hz), significantly higher brightness (1100 nits) for smooth visuals and excellent outdoor visibility.
- Advanced Camera Features: Supports 8K video recording, optical image stabilization (OIS), RAW capture, and better performing main sensor.
- Higher RAM Options: Up to 16GB of RAM for heavy multitasking.
- Better Audio Quality: Noise cancellation microphone and 3 microphones.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for enhanced durability.
- Compact Design: Smaller form factor, better for one-handed use.
- Better Video Recording: Supports higher resolution video up to 8k.
Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE Advantages
- Larger Display: 6.55" screen offers a more immersive viewing experience for media and gaming.
- Slimmer and Lighter Design: Easier to carry and handle for long periods.
- Slightly Larger Battery: Offers marginally better battery life.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient for unlocking the phone.
- Macro and Wide-Angle Lens: Offers a versatile triple camera setup for diverse photography needs.
- Slightly Faster Charging: 33W charging, faster charging than 30W on Zenfone 8.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 20MP selfie camera for detailed selfies.
- Night Mode: Dedicated night mode for better low-light photography.
Trade-offs
- Asus Zenfone 8 trades versatility in camera lenses for better performance, screen quality and video recording.
- Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE trades performance and screen quality for larger display, lighter build, battery and a more versatile camera system.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Asus Zenfone 8 - Ideal User
- Power Users: Users who prioritize performance for gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Those who need a bright screen for clear visibility in sunlight.
- Content Creators: Users who want to capture high-quality 8K video footage and utilize RAW photography options.
- Users Preferring a Smaller Phone: Those who appreciate a more compact and pocketable device for one-handed use.
Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE - Ideal User
- Casual Users: Those who need a reliable phone for everyday use, social media, and media consumption.
- Media Consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos and playing casual games on a larger display.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who want a good-value phone with a versatile camera system.
- Users Preferring a Larger Phone: Users who are comfortable with a larger form factor.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize camera versatility and the option of a macro and wide-angle lens.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- Performance vs. Versatility: Do you prioritize top-tier performance and a high-quality display, or do you prefer camera versatility and a more user-friendly device?
- Size and Ergonomics: Do you prefer a smaller, more pocketable phone, or a larger screen for immersive media consumption?
- Specific Camera Needs: Do you need the highest possible video quality or do you value versatile lenses?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Gaming/Heavy Use: If you need a phone for heavy gaming or demanding apps, the Asus Zenfone 8 is the superior choice due to its flagship performance and better display.
- Everyday Use/Photography: If your focus is on everyday usage, media consumption, and versatile camera capabilities, the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE is more suitable.
- Outdoor Visibility: If you use your phone often in direct sunlight, the Asus Zenfone 8's much brighter display makes it the better choice.
- Content Creation: If you require professional level video capture, the Asus Zenfone 8's 8k recording capabilities, better video stabilization and RAW capture are superior.
My Choice
I would choose the Asus Zenfone 8. My primary use case involves demanding applications, some gaming, and content consumption. The Zenfone 8's superior performance, high refresh rate and much brighter display, and better video capabilities make it a clear winner for me. While I appreciate the versatility of the 11 Lite 5G NE camera system, the performance gap is too significant to overlook. The more compact design is also a plus for me. Though the lack of a macro lens is a downside, the superior performance and display are more critical for my personal preferences.
