1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Xiaomi 11T Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Size | 148 × 68.5 × 8.9 mm | 164.1 × 76.9 × 8.8 mm | Asus is more compact, better for one-handed use; Xiaomi is larger, better for media consumption. |
| Weight | 169g | 204g | Asus is significantly lighter, more comfortable for long usage and pocketable. Xiaomi is heavier, feels more substantial |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.9" | 6.67" | Xiaomi offers a larger viewing area for immersive experiences, better for media and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer Full HD+ sharpness; however, the smaller screen of the Asus leads to a sharper image due to higher pixel density |
| Pixel Density | 446 ppi | 395 ppi | Asus has noticeably sharper text and images due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both provide vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1000 nits | Asus has slightly better visibility under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Both offer flagship-level performance for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 891,700 | 863,489 | Both provide similar real-world performance; difference is negligible. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 | Both provide identical graphical performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", 0.8µm | 108MP, f/1.75, 1/1.52", 0.7µm | Xiaomi has higher resolution and a slightly larger sensor, potentially better low-light performance and detail. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.45, 1/2.93", 1.22µm | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.0µm | Xiaomi offers higher resolution for selfies, Asus has a larger sensor size. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm (Combined with macro) | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | Xiaomi offers a dedicated wide angle lens. Asus has a combined ultrawide and macro lens. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.12µm | Xiaomi offers a dedicated macro lens. |
| Video | Up to 8K@120fps, HDR, EIS | Up to 8K@30fps, HDR, EIS | Asus has higher video framerate options for higher quality and slow motion capture; however, the Xiaomi can shoot 8k at 30fps |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 116 (Photo 120, Video 118) | 108 (Photo 110, Video 126) | Asus excels in photo quality, while Xiaomi is better in video according to DxoMark. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | N/A | 121 (Photo 111, Video 137) | Xiaomi offers superior selfie video, but Asus isn't tested |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Xiaomi has a significantly larger battery, offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 30W | 120W | Xiaomi offers much faster charging, allowing for quicker top-ups. |
| Other | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Both receive latest Android versions. |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both offer similar internal storage options, both lack expandable storage. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB/12GB/16GB | 8GB/12GB | Asus offers the option for up to 16GB RAM for extreme multitasking. |
| Audio | Stereo speakers, Hi-Res, 3 mics | Stereo speakers, Hi-Res, Dolby Atmos, 2 mics | Asus has 1 more microphone which offers better audio in calls and clearer sound capture. Xiaomi has better audio enhancements through Dolby Atmos support. |
| Security | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi has a more convenient fingerprint sensor on the side. |
| Connectivity | Wide variety of Wifi and GPS | Wide variety of Wifi and GPS | Both offer very similar connectivity features, but the Asus supports more GPS satellite systems. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages:
- Compact Size & Lightweight: More comfortable for one-handed use and pocket-friendly.
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density provides a crisper visual experience.
- Brighter Display: Slightly better visibility in direct sunlight.
- More RAM Options: Up to 16GB of RAM for superior multitasking.
- Better Audio Recording: 3 microphones & noise cancellation for higher sound quality.
- Superior Photo Quality: According to DxOMark
- More GPS Features More satellite systems are supported for more accuracy.
Xiaomi 11T Pro Advantages:
- Larger Display: Better for media consumption, gaming, and multi-window usage.
- Larger Battery: Significantly longer battery life for all-day usage.
- Faster Charging: 120W fast charging dramatically reduces charging times.
- Dedicated Wide Angle & Macro Cameras: Adds versatility to photography.
- Better Video Recording According to DxOMark, the Xiaomi takes higher quality videos.
- More Advanced Fingerprint Sensor: A side-mounted fingerprint reader makes for a more convenient experience.
Trade-offs:
- Asus Zenfone 8: Trade-offs include a smaller display, smaller battery, and slower charging for its compact size and higher pixel density.
- Xiaomi 11T Pro: Trade-offs include a larger, heavier build for its bigger screen, bigger battery, faster charging, and the addition of dedicated wide-angle and macro cameras.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Asus Zenfone 8 Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize one-handed usage and pocketability.
- Those who prefer a sharp, vibrant display for reading and content consumption.
- Users who value top performance and require high RAM for multitasking or gaming.
- Users who want a device with good photo capabilities and higher quality audio capture.
Use Cases:
- Comfortable daily driver for users with smaller hands.
- Excellent for casual gaming and media consumption due to higher pixel density.
- Ideal for users who often take photos or use their phone to capture audio.
- Great for users who need a lot of RAM for multitasking.
Xiaomi 11T Pro Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize a large display for immersive experiences.
- Those who need all-day battery life without frequent charging.
- Users who want the fastest charging speeds available.
- Those who require a versatile camera setup with dedicated lenses.
- Users who prefer a more convenient fingerprint sensor placement.
Use Cases:
- Ideal for watching videos, playing games, and browsing the web on a larger display.
- Great for power users who need long battery life for all-day use.
- Suitable for photographers who want diverse camera options (wide-angle & macro).
- Ideal for users who want fast charging to minimize downtime.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do I prioritize a compact phone or a larger display?
- Is battery life or charging speed more important to me?
- What kind of camera features do I need or prefer?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Frequent Traveler: If you're always on the go and need a phone that fits easily in your pocket, the Asus Zenfone 8 is the more suitable choice due to its smaller size and lighter weight.
Scenario 2: Media Enthusiast: If you primarily use your phone for watching videos and playing games, the Xiaomi 11T Pro with its larger screen and longer battery life would be a better option.
Scenario 3: Professional Photographer: The Xiaomi 11T Pro would be a better choice due to the dedicated wide angle and macro lenses, giving more versatility to your shots. Although, the Asus Zenfone has a better photo quality score.
Scenario 4: Power User: If you require lots of RAM for heavy multitasking then the Asus Zenfone 8 is the better choice due to the 16GB option.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would personally pick the Xiaomi 11T Pro. While the Asus Zenfone 8's compact size and slightly sharper display are appealing, the larger battery and significantly faster charging of the 11T Pro are more important to my daily needs. I also value having the dedicated wide-angle and macro cameras for more versatile photography. Although, the better photo quality of the Zenfone is appealing, but ultimately, the benefits of a larger screen, better battery life, and faster charging outweigh that benefit, which makes the 11T Pro a better fit for my specific use case. The slightly heavier size and larger build are a compromise I am willing to make for those advantages.
