1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 148 x 68.5 x 8.9 mm | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | Zenfone 8 is more compact, better for one-hand use; Poco M5s has a larger screen but is less pocketable. |
| Weight | 169g | 178.8g | Zenfone 8 is slightly lighter, more comfortable for long periods of holding. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.9" | 6.43" | Poco M5s has a larger screen, better for media consumption; Zenfone 8 more pocket friendly. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp visuals, no noticeable difference in clarity. |
| PPI | 446 | 409 | Zenfone 8 has slightly crisper text and images due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both displays offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | Zenfone 8's 120Hz display offers much smoother scrolling, gaming and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1100 nits | Both are equally visible under bright outdoor conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Zenfone 8's Snapdragon 888 offers significantly faster processing, better for gaming and heavy multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 891,700 | 418,627 | Zenfone 8 provides a much smoother and faster overall experience, especially for demanding applications. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G76 MC4 | Zenfone 8 has a higher performing GPU, providing better graphical performance in games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" | 64MP, f/1.9, 1/2" | Zenfone 8 has a slightly wider aperture and larger sensor, offering better low-light performance and image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.45, 1/2.93" | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.06" | Xiaomi Poco M5s has slightly higher resolution, and a wider aperture. Zenfone 8 has a slightly bigger sensor which could result in better low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | Asus Zenfone 8 includes a wide-angle lens in the dual camera, while Xiaomi includes a dedicated wide-angle lens along with depth and macro lenses as a triple camera. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@120fps | 4K@30fps | Zenfone 8 records much higher resolution videos, more versatile for video recording. |
| DxOMark Score | 116 (Mobile) | - | Zenfone 8 has a superior tested camera performance for photo and video. |
| Camera Features | OIS, PDAF, RAW, 8K Video, Dual Camera | Quad Camera, Night Mode | Zenfone 8 has advanced features like OIS, PDAF, and RAW, offering greater control over photography; Xiaomi Poco M5s has multiple cameras for different purposes. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Poco M5s offers better battery life, more suitable for long days without charging. |
| Charging | 30W | 33W | Poco M5s charges slightly faster. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Poco M5s can be used to charge other devices in a pinch. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 12 | Xiaomi Poco M5s ships with a slightly newer OS, but Zenfone 8 is upgradable to a newer OS. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | 802.11ac | Zenfone 8 offers faster wireless speeds, lower latency, and better performance on congested networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | Zenfone 8 has a newer, more efficient Bluetooth version, which could be important for audio devices. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 64GB/128GB/256GB | Xiaomi Poco M5s offers 64GB option, both offer the same maximum storage. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB/12GB/16GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | Asus offers more RAM, which helps with heavy multitasking and demanding games. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Noise Cancellation, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Asus Zenfone 8 provides a slightly better experience for audio recordings and clearer calls due to 3 microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Poco M5s has a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 3 | Asus Zenfone 8 has superior screen protection from scratches and drops. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides significantly higher performance for gaming, multitasking, and overall app speed. This is noticeable in daily usage, especially for demanding applications.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate results in a much more fluid and responsive user experience, making scrolling and animations feel smoother.
- Better Camera Quality: While both have 64MP main cameras, the Zenfone 8 has a larger sensor and wider aperture leading to better low light performance. It also records higher resolution video in 8k up to 24 fps and 4k up to 120 fps and has additional features like Optical Image Stabilization (OIS).
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports WiFi 6, which offers faster speeds and lower latency and Bluetooth 5.2.
- Premium Build: Features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, the most scratch and drop resistant version offered by Corning, providing more durable screen protection.
- Better Audio: 3 microphones and noise cancellation microphone allows for better audio capture quality and clearer calls.
Xiaomi Poco M5s Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery offers extended battery life, making it a reliable option for heavy users who don’t want to charge frequently.
- Larger Display: The 6.43" screen is better for media consumption, browsing, and gaming.
- Reverse Charging: Ability to charge other devices is a useful convenience feature.
- Additional Camera Lenses: Dedicated wide-angle, macro, and depth lenses offer more creative photography options.
- Side-mounted fingerprint: A more convenient and ergonomic biometric unlock sensor.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Asus Zenfone 8 trades battery life and some additional camera flexibility (dedicated macro, depth) for significantly higher performance, smoother display, and better build.
- The Xiaomi Poco M5s trades processing power, display smoothness and high-end camera capabilities for longer battery life, larger screen, and more versatile camera features and better ergonomics with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Asus Zenfone 8 Ideal Users:
- Gamers: The high-performance chipset and 120Hz display make it ideal for mobile gaming.
- Power Users: Those who need fast processing for multitasking and demanding apps will appreciate the Snapdragon 888.
- Photography Enthusiasts: The higher quality camera sensor with OIS and 8K recording will benefit those who prioritize capturing high quality images and video.
- Users Who Value Smoothness: The 120Hz refresh rate is great for people sensitive to screen smoothness.
- Those Who Prioritize Compact Design: The smaller, more portable nature of the phone is also a draw.
Xiaomi Poco M5s Ideal Users:
- Media Consumers: The larger screen is well-suited for watching videos and browsing.
- Users on a Budget: A strong mid-range phone that offers great value for the price.
- Users Who Prioritize Battery Life: The larger battery makes it a reliable all-day phone.
- Casual Photographers: The additional camera lenses offer creative options for everyday photography.
Specific Use Cases:
- Asus Zenfone 8: Mobile gaming, fast-paced multitasking, content creation, high-quality video recording, portable and comfortable for one hand usage.
- Xiaomi Poco M5s: Long commutes, media consumption on the go, everyday photography with various perspectives, backup power bank.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize performance or battery life? If performance, go for the Asus Zenfone 8. If battery life is more important, choose the Xiaomi Poco M5s.
- How important is camera quality and specific features? If you need higher quality images/video, 8K, OIS, or RAW capabilities, choose the Asus Zenfone 8. If multiple camera lenses and a dedicated night mode is more appealing, the Poco M5s is better.
- What display experience do you prefer? If you value a smooth and responsive 120Hz display, the Zenfone 8 is better. If a larger screen for more immersive media consumption, the Poco M5s is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent gamer or power user, needs the best processing performance: Asus Zenfone 8.
- Scenario 2: Wants a reliable phone for everyday use, with emphasis on battery life: Xiaomi Poco M5s.
- Scenario 3: Enjoys photography and video creation, seeks advanced features and quality: Asus Zenfone 8.
- Scenario 4: Values a large display and various camera lenses for creative purposes: Xiaomi Poco M5s.
- Scenario 5: Wants a compact phone, easy to use with one hand: Asus Zenfone 8.
My Choice
I would choose the Asus Zenfone 8.
My reasoning is based on the following: I prioritize performance, a smoother display experience, and higher quality camera capabilities. While I acknowledge the benefit of the larger battery offered by the Xiaomi Poco M5s, the significant performance advantage provided by the Snapdragon 888 and 120Hz display of the Zenfone 8 outweigh that consideration. The better video quality and capabilities offered by the Asus also align more with my personal use case of wanting a powerful all-round device. Finally, the compact size of the Zenfone is also more appealing. Therefore, for my needs, the Asus Zenfone 8 is the more suitable device.
