Smartphone Comparison: Asus Zenfone 8 vs. Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-05-13 | 2023-05-01 | The Poco F5 Pro is significantly newer, potentially offering better software support and newer features. |
| Dimensions | 148 x 68.5 x 8.9 mm | 162.8 x 75.4 x 8.6 mm | Zenfone 8 is more compact, better for one-handed use. Poco F5 Pro is larger, offering a bigger screen but less portability. |
| Weight | 169g | 204g | Zenfone 8 is much lighter, making it more comfortable for long usage sessions and easier to carry. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.9" | 6.67" | Poco F5 Pro offers a significantly larger screen for immersive media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3200 | Poco F5 Pro has a sharper display, resulting in clearer text, images, and videos. |
| PPI | 446 | 526 | Poco F5 Pro has a higher pixel density, resulting in a more detailed and crisper viewing experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, typical of AMOLED screens. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1400 nits | Poco F5 Pro is much brighter, offering better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Poco F5 Pro's newer chipset offers faster performance, better power efficiency for daily tasks, gaming, and heavy applications. |
| Antutu Score | 891,700 | 1,317,798 | Poco F5 Pro is considerably faster in benchmarks, resulting in smoother and faster performance overall. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | Poco F5 Pro's newer GPU provides better graphics performance for demanding games and graphic-intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5160mAh | Poco F5 Pro has a larger battery, potentially offering significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging, 30W Wireless | Poco F5 Pro charges much faster and also has wireless charging capabilities. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX686 | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Omnivision OV64B | Zenfone 8 has a larger sensor which often means better low-light performance, while the Poco F5 Pro has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.45, 1/2.93", Sony IMX663 | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", Omnivision | Poco F5 Pro has higher resolution selfie camera, though Zenfone 8 has a slightly larger sensor. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" | Zenfone 8 has a wider angle lens while the Poco F5 Pro has a dedicated lens |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | Poco F5 Pro has a dedicated macro lens which could be useful for close up shots while the Zenfone 8 relies on the wide-angle lens for macro shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@120fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both record high-resolution video but Zenfone 8 can record at a higher FPS. |
| DxoMark Score | 116 (Mobile) | Not tested | Zenfone 8 has a professional camera evaluation that is currently unavailable for the Poco F5 Pro. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 | Poco F5 Pro ships with a newer Android version, potentially offering a more modern experience. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Poco F5 Pro offers a more recent Bluetooth version, potentially better efficiency and more features. |
| GPS | Includes NavIC | Standard GPS options | The Zenfone 8 has a wider array of navigation satellite system than the Poco F5 Pro. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | Poco F5 Pro has a higher storage option for users with large media libraries or app collections. |
| RAM | 6/8/12/16 GB | 8/12 GB | Zenfone 8 offers more RAM, potentially better for multitasking (at its max configuration) |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards, limiting storage capacity. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res, 3 mics, noise cancellation | Hi-Res, Dolby Atmos | Zenfone 8 may offer better call quality while Poco F5 Pro is likely to offer better sound output. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer similar fingerprint sensor tech for security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 5 | Zenfone 8 screen is more resistant to scratches and falls. |
| Sensors | Gravity, Hall, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity | Zenfone 8 includes Gravity, Hall sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages:
- Compact and Lightweight: Significantly smaller and lighter, making it more pocketable and comfortable for one-handed use.
- Superior Screen Protection: Utilizes Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, offering better scratch and shatter resistance.
- More Ram: Offers higher Ram of up to 16GB.
- Better Audio Quality: Provides Hi-Res audio, a noise cancellation microphone, and 3 microphones.
- Wider Angle Lens: Offers a wider angle lens for wider field of view for photos.
- Navigation: Has NavIC GPS for more accurate tracking in specific regions.
Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro Advantages:
- Newer Technology: Launched much later, with a more recent processor and features.
- Larger and Higher Resolution Display: Provides a more immersive viewing experience with better clarity.
- Significantly Better Performance: Offers much faster processing power and graphics capabilities.
- Larger Battery Capacity: Provides longer battery life, minimizing the need for frequent charging.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: Significantly faster wired charging and convenient wireless charging.
- Higher Storage: Offers up to 512 GB of internal storage.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens that offers better close up photos than the ZenFone.
- Latest Software: Ships with Android 13 out of the box.
- Bluetooth 5.3: A newer version of Bluetooth with better efficiency.
Trade-offs:
- Zenfone 8: Trades screen size and performance for compact design and potentially better call quality.
- Poco F5 Pro: Trades portability for larger screen and more features.
- Poco F5 Pro Lacks some of the audio recording features that the Zenfone 8 has.
- Poco F5 Pro Lacks some of the navigation options that the Zenfone 8 has.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Asus Zenfone 8:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize portability, one-handed use, and a compact phone. They might also be interested in slightly better audio quality and recording features.
- Use Cases:
- Users who use their phones for calls and quick browsing on the go.
- People who prefer a smaller phone that easily fits in pockets.
- Individuals who value more navigation tracking systems.
- Price-to-Value: A good value for those seeking a powerful yet compact phone with advanced audio features.
Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro:
- Ideal User: Users who value performance, a large immersive screen, and the latest technology features and battery life.
- Use Cases:
- Gamers who need smooth performance and a great display.
- Users who watch videos and consume media on their phone.
- Power users who multitask and require longer battery life.
- Price-to-Value: A strong option for a flagship-level experience at a competitive price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Do you prioritize size and portability or screen size and features? If compact is key, Zenfone 8 wins. If a large screen and features are essential, the Poco F5 Pro is better.
- What is more important: Battery life or fast charging? Poco F5 Pro offers both larger battery and faster charging.
- How important is the latest and best performance and features? The Poco F5 Pro will offer superior performance due to its updated chipset.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: One-Handed User: If you are looking for a truly one-hand friendly phone that is also powerful and offers good audio, the Asus Zenfone 8 is the better choice.
Scenario 2: Gaming and Media: If you want a gaming-oriented phone with a large display and long battery, choose the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro.
Scenario 3: All-Around Flagship: If you need a flagship experience with the latest tech (performance, display, battery, charging) at a good price, the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro is better.
My Choice
Given the provided information, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro.
Reasoning:
While the Asus Zenfone 8 has its strengths, particularly its compact size and superior audio recording options, the Poco F5 Pro offers a more compelling overall package for my typical usage. The larger, higher-resolution screen is a significant advantage for media consumption and productivity. I also value the much faster processing power, superior battery life, and rapid charging capabilities, especially since I often travel and do not have ready access to charging. The newer software and latest features make the Poco F5 Pro a more future-proof option. While the compact size of the Zenfone 8 is tempting, the enhancements in performance and overall modern experience with the Poco F5 Pro make it a better choice for me personally.
