Smartphone Comparison: Asus Zenfone 8 vs. Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 148 × 68.5 × 8.9 mm, 169g | 161.1 × 75 × 8 mm, 179g | Zenfone 8 is more compact and lighter, better for one-handed use and portability. Poco M6 Pro is larger and slightly heavier, offering a bigger screen at the cost of handling. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.9" | 6.67" | Poco M6 Pro has a larger display, better for media consumption and gaming. Zenfone 8's smaller size makes it more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have the same resolution; no difference in basic image clarity. |
| PPI | 446 | 395 | Zenfone 8 has a sharper display; text and images appear clearer, especially noticeable with small text. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations; great for gaming and general use. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1800 nits | Poco M6 Pro is significantly brighter, much better for outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 Ultra | Zenfone 8 offers flagship-level performance; faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. Poco M6 Pro is adequate for daily use but not as powerful. |
| AnTuTu Score | 891,700 | 450,000 | Zenfone 8 has much better performance overall; substantial improvement over the Poco M6 Pro in benchmarks which translates to faster real-world performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Zenfone 8's GPU is significantly more powerful, making it suitable for graphically intensive games and applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Poco M6 Pro has much larger battery, potentially longer battery life, especially useful for heavy users. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Poco M6 Pro charges much faster, reducing time spent plugged into the wall. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX686, 0.80µm | 64MP f/1.79, 1/2", Omnivision OV64B, 0.70µm | Zenfone 8 has larger sensor for better low-light performance. Poco M6 Pro has a slightly wider aperture for potentially better light gathering, but smaller sensor might not fully utilize it. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP f/2.45, 1/2.93", Sony IMX663, 1.22µm | 16MP 1/3.06", Omnivision OV16A1Q, 1.00µm | Zenfone 8 has larger pixel size for potentially better low-light selfies. Poco M6 Pro has higher resolution, may result in sharper detail in good lighting. |
| Portrait Camera | N/A | 2MP f/2.45 1/5", Omnivision OV02B10, 1.75 µm | Poco M6 Pro has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photos. |
| Wide/Macro Camera | 12MP f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX363, 1.40µm | 8MP f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355, 1.14µm | Zenfone 8's wide/macro camera has higher resolution and larger sensor, potentially better image quality. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K @ 24fps, 4K @ up to 120fps | Up to 1080p @ 60fps | Zenfone 8 offers far better video recording capabilities, including 8K and high frame rate 4K. Poco M6 Pro's video capabilities are more limited. |
| DXOMark | 116 Mobile Score, Photo: 120, Video: 118 | N/A | Zenfone 8 provides an objective benchmark indicating better camera performance, though DXOMark is not the only factor for camera assessment. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 | Poco M6 Pro has a newer version of Android out of the box, potentially offering access to newer features and updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | Zenfone 8 supports newer Wi-Fi standard for potentially faster speeds and better performance. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), Galileo (E1+E5a) more | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Asus Zenfone 8 provides more precise positioning due to support for more satellite systems. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Poco M6 Pro offers up to 512GB of storage for users needing more space. |
| RAM | 6/8/12/16 GB | 6/8/12 GB | Zenfone 8 offers up to 16GB RAM for more demanding multi-tasking or applications, although 12GB is plenty for most users. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage so choose based on available internal storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, 3 mics, Noise cancellation, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Zenfone 8 has more microphones and noise cancellation. Poco M6 Pro offers Dolby Atmos support for more immersive audio. Zenfone 8 offers a slight edge in audio recording. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer standard fingerprint sensor for biometric unlock, with no apparent difference between them. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Zenfone 8 has the more durable screen protection of the two. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Zenfone 8 features a proximity sensor while Poco M6 Pro has Ultrasonic proximity virtual. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides superior processing power, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density (446 PPI) leads to clearer text and images.
- Superior Camera Capabilities: Higher video recording resolution (up to 8K), better sensor in main and wide cameras, and additional camera features (such as RAW).
- Better Wi-Fi: Supports the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard for faster speeds.
- More Precise GPS: Supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
- More durable screen: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides better protection than Gorilla Glass 5
Practical Implications:
- The Zenfone 8 is a better choice for users who prioritize performance, camera quality, and overall premium feel. Its compact design can be a significant advantage for some.
- The faster chipset makes the device a better gaming phone and suitable for demanding apps.
- Superior video recording capabilities will be favored by content creators.
- The sharper screen is especially noticeable when reading small text or viewing detailed images.
Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro Advantages:
- Larger Display: The 6.67" screen is better for media consumption and gaming.
- Significantly Better Battery Life: The 5000 mAh battery offers extended usage time.
- Faster Charging: 67W charging allows for much quicker replenishment of the battery.
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 13.
- More Internal Storage Option: Comes with 512 GB variant
- Portrait mode (depth) camera: Has dedicated depth sensor for portrait photos.
Practical Implications:
- The Poco M6 Pro is a better choice for users who prioritize battery life, a larger screen, and faster charging.
- It will be well-suited for users who consume a lot of video content and those who need a device to last through a full day of heavy usage.
- The faster charging is a major advantage for users constantly on the go.
- Has dedicated depth sensor for better portrait photos.
Significant Trade-Offs:
- Performance vs. Battery Life: Zenfone 8 offers much better performance, but the Poco M6 Pro offers much better battery life.
- Compactness vs. Screen Size: Zenfone 8 is more compact, but the Poco M6 Pro has a larger screen.
- Camera Quality vs. Battery Life: Zenfone 8 has superior camera capabilities, but the Poco M6 Pro has better battery life.
- Software Updates: While the Zenfone 8 can update to Android 13, the Poco M6 Pro has this version out-of-the-box which may mean a longer software support life.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Asus Zenfone 8:
- Power User: Someone who needs top-tier performance for gaming, heavy multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Content Creator: Needs the best video recording and camera capabilities.
- Compact Phone Enthusiast: Prefers a smaller, more portable device.
- Users who prefer a sharper display: Those who enjoy viewing detailed images or reading small text.
- Users who need very precise location tracking: Those using navigation, mapping or fitness tracking.
Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming (with better performance and graphics).
- Video recording for professional or enthusiast content creation.
- General use where fast performance is critical.
- Users who appreciate high-quality display.
Ideal User for Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro:
- Casual User: Needs a reliable phone for daily use, web browsing, and social media.
- Heavy Media Consumer: Watches a lot of videos and plays casual games.
- Battery Life Prioritizer: Needs a phone that can last a full day (or more) without needing to be recharged.
- Price-Conscious Buyer: Looking for good features at a more affordable price.
- Users who prefer large displays: Those who enjoy media consumption and gaming on a bigger screen.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and TV shows.
- Browsing the internet and using social media.
- Playing less graphically intensive mobile games.
- Daily usage for those who prioritize battery life.
Price-to-Value: The Zenfone 8 was a flagship device at launch so if bought second-hand would be at a significantly lower price now but still has more powerful hardware, while the Poco M6 Pro is a more modern mid-range device. The price-to-value will vary greatly based on your budget and if buying second-hand.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is more important, performance or battery life? If performance is crucial, the Zenfone 8 is the better choice. If long battery life is a must, the Poco M6 Pro wins.
- How important is camera quality and capabilities? For professional-grade video recording and more flexibility, the Zenfone 8 is a clear winner. For everyday photos, the Poco M6 Pro is acceptable.
- What is your preferred phone size? If you prefer a compact and easily portable device, the Zenfone 8 is better. For those who enjoy bigger screens for media consumption the Poco M6 Pro is the ideal choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gaming and Performance: If you are a serious gamer and demand the best performance, the Asus Zenfone 8 is the superior option.
- Scenario 2: All-Day Battery Life: If you need a phone that can easily last a full day of heavy use without needing to be recharged, the Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Media Consumption: The Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro, with its larger screen and long battery life, is preferable for extended video watching and casual gaming.
- Scenario 4: Photography & Video: If you are a content creator or prioritize high-quality camera recording, the Asus Zenfone 8 will give more flexibility.
- Scenario 5: Small compact phone: If you are looking for a very small, pocketable phone, the Asus Zenfone 8 is the obvious choice.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Asus Zenfone 8. My primary needs are for a phone with top-tier performance, good camera capabilities, and a smaller form factor. The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides the power I need for gaming and multitasking, while the 8K video recording and better camera sensors provide flexibility for media. While the Poco M6 Pro has the longer battery life and faster charging and a larger screen which would be beneficial, they are not my highest priorities. The smaller size of the Zenfone 8 is a key advantage for portability and single-hand use. While the battery life is less than the Poco, the charging is still sufficient and the device has a much better performing CPU which is important for me.
