1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Xiaomi Poco F4 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 148 x 68.5 x 8.9 mm | 162.5 x 76.7 x 8.5 mm | Zenfone 8 is significantly more compact and easier for one-handed use; F4 GT is larger, providing a more immersive display. |
| Weight | 169g | 210g | Zenfone 8 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.9" | 6.67" | F4 GT provides a larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. Zenfone 8 is more pocketable and suitable for one-handed operation. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same Full HD+ resolution, providing crisp images. |
| Pixel Density | 446 PPI | 395 PPI | Zenfone 8 will have a sharper, more detailed display due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Zenfone 8 is much better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight; the Poco F4 GT brightness spec is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) | F4 GT's newer chipset offers a performance advantage, resulting in faster app loading, better gaming performance, and better overall responsiveness. |
| AnTuTu Score | 891,700 | 1,178,365 | The F4 GT shows notably higher benchmark scores indicating superior performance across the board. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | F4 GT's GPU is more powerful, leading to better graphics in gaming and GPU-intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4700mAh | F4 GT will likely offer longer battery life due to its higher capacity. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 120W Fast Charging | F4 GT charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Battery type difference may have minor charging and longevity implications but is generally not a key difference for most users. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 64MP | Both offer similar main sensor resolution. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.73 | F4 GT's slightly wider aperture should allow slightly better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.7" | 1/1.7" | Both share the same sensor size |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 12MP | 20MP | F4 GT's higher resolution front camera captures more detailed selfies |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.4 | F4 GT's slightly wider aperture results in better low-light selfies |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.93" | 1/2" | F4 GT's larger sensor captures more light, enhancing the quality of selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | No | 8MP | F4 GT provides a wider field of view for landscape and group shots. |
| Macro Lens | No | 2MP | F4 GT allows for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12MP | No | Zenfone 8 offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for more versatile photography |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Zenfone 8 is able to record higher resolution videos than the F4 GT |
| Video Stabilization | Yes | No | Zenfone 8 offers EIS and OIS for more stable videos; F4 GT lacks OIS. |
| DxOMark Score | 116 | N/A | Zenfone 8 camera performance is measured while F4 GT lacks an official score. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| Operating System | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | F4 GT comes with a more recent version of Android out of the box. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both have the same WiFi capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 (with aptX, LDAC) | Bluetooth 5.2 (with LDAC) | Zenfone 8 offers more advanced Bluetooth audio codecs for improved audio quality. |
| GPS | Dual-band GPS + more | Dual-band GPS | Zenfone 8 uses more satellite systems, offering potentially higher location accuracy. |
| Storage & Audio | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both phones provide same storage options. |
| RAM | 6/8/12/16 GB | 8/12 GB | Zenfone 8 offers up to 16GB RAM, which is advantageous for heavy multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | Both phones provide high-quality audio with stereo speakers. |
| Audio Features | Noise cancellation mic | Dolby Atmos | Zenfone 8 offers a noise-cancelling mic, while the F4 GT features Dolby Atmos enhancement for spatial audio. |
| Security & Build | |||
| Security | Basic Fingerprint | Side-mounted Fingerprint | F4 GT features a more convenient side-mounted sensor than the Zenfone 8. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Both phones have similar screen protection. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Both phones provide a comprehensive range of sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages:
- Compact Size and Light Weight: Easier to handle and pocket, better for one-handed use.
- Higher Pixel Density: Sharper display with more detail.
- Significantly Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): More stable photos and videos.
- Advanced Video Recording Capabilities: Supports 8K recording.
- More Extensive Bluetooth Codec Support: Better audio quality for wireless headphones.
- Wider array of satellite systems for GPS: Better location accuracy
Xiaomi Poco F4 GT Advantages:
- Larger Display: More immersive experience for gaming and media.
- More Powerful Chipset: Better overall performance for gaming and demanding applications.
- Larger Battery: Likely longer battery life.
- Much Faster Charging: 120W charging minimizes downtime.
- Dedicated Wide-Angle and Macro Lenses: More versatile photography options.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Detailed selfie capture.
- Dolby Atmos Audio: Enhanced spatial audio experience.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient and fast unlocking experience.
- Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor: Potentially faster and more reliable proximity detection
Trade-offs:
- The Asus Zenfone 8 sacrifices battery capacity and charging speed for a compact design and higher pixel density.
- The Xiaomi Poco F4 GT sacrifices compactness and potentially camera stabilization for a larger screen, higher performance, and faster charging.
- The Asus Zenfone 8 lacks dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses.
- The Xiaomi Poco F4 GT is larger and heavier, making one-handed use more difficult.
- The Xiaomi Poco F4 GT has a missing brightness specification.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Asus Zenfone 8 Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize portability and one-handed use: The compact design is ideal for those who prefer a smaller phone.
- Users who want a sharp and bright display: The higher pixel density and high brightness is excellent for viewing text and media outdoors.
- Users who want advanced video recording: The 8K recording capabilities and optical image stabilization make it good for content creators.
- Users who want the best possible wireless audio experience: Support for advanced Bluetooth codecs will please audiophiles.
- Users who want better location accuracy: Support for multiple satellite systems will provide better location precision.
Use Cases:
* Commuting and navigating with one hand
* Professional videography and content creation
* Reading eBooks on the go
* Listening to music with audiophile-grade wireless headphones
Xiaomi Poco F4 GT Ideal Users:
- Mobile Gamers: The powerful chipset, larger display, and fast charging are ideal for gaming.
- Media Consumers: The large display and Dolby Atmos audio provide an immersive experience.
- Users who prioritize long battery life and fast charging: The larger battery and 120W charging ensure a full day’s usage.
- Users who need a versatile camera setup: The inclusion of dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses provides extra versatility.
- Users who want a more modern design: The side-mounted fingerprint sensor feels more convenient to use
Use Cases:
* Playing graphics-intensive mobile games
* Watching videos and movies
* Traveling and needing all-day battery life
* General photography with versatility.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Without specific pricing information, it's difficult to comment on which offers the better price-to-value ratio. However, generally speaking, the F4 GT may be more competitive in performance focused segments while the Zenfone 8 might be slightly more focused on offering high quality features in a compact form factor.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your priority: portability or immersive experience? If you need a compact phone for one-handed use, choose the Zenfone 8. If you want a large display for media and gaming, choose the Poco F4 GT.
- Is battery life and fast charging more important, or camera features and video capabilities? If you value battery life and fast charging, choose the Poco F4 GT. If you want more camera versatility and high-quality video capabilities, choose the Zenfone 8.
- Are you willing to sacrifice one hand usability for better gaming performance? If you are comfortable with a larger phone for the best performance in games and other intensive applications, then the Poco F4 GT is the obvious choice, but if you do not value that as much then the Zenfone 8 is a solid option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Casual User: If you're a general user who does a mix of web browsing, social media, and occasional gaming, and you do not need to capture a lot of video, the Asus Zenfone 8 will be better due to its compact size.
Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer: If you play demanding mobile games, the Xiaomi Poco F4 GT will be better because it has the newer and better performing chipset, more RAM, larger display and larger battery.
Scenario 3: Content Creator: If you record a lot of high-quality video content, the Asus Zenfone 8 might be better due to 8K video recording and better video stabilization.
Scenario 4: Photography Enthusiast: If you want a versatile camera setup, the Xiaomi Poco F4 GT might be better as it provides more lens options.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would lean towards the Xiaomi Poco F4 GT. While the Asus Zenfone 8 has a few compelling advantages such as a compact size, slightly sharper display, and better video recording capabilities, the Poco F4 GT's superior overall performance, larger display, much faster charging, and larger battery capacity make it a more compelling option for me personally.
I also value the inclusion of additional camera lenses on the Poco F4 GT, and while the Zenfone 8 has slightly better video performance, I tend to take more pictures than videos, thus the wide-angle lens is far more useful to me than 8K video recording and OIS.
While the Zenfone 8's compact size is attractive, the real-world advantage of better performance and faster charging on the Poco F4 GT is much more substantial and will affect my daily usage far more frequently. Finally, although I don't game regularly on my smartphone, having the option to play resource-intensive mobile games on the Poco F4 GT without any compromises is a big plus.
