1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Xiaomi Poco X4 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 148 x 68.5 x 8.9 mm | 163.6 x 74.3 x 8.9 mm | Zenfone 8 is significantly more compact and pocketable; Poco X4 GT is larger and may be less comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 169g | 200g | Zenfone 8 is much lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. Poco X4 GT is heavier, potentially causing fatigue during prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.9" | 6.6" | Poco X4 GT offers a larger display for immersive media consumption and gaming. Zenfone 8 is more compact, better for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2460 | Both offer similar sharpness, pixel density differences are minor and barely noticeable. |
| PPI | 446 | 407 | Zenfone 8 has slightly sharper display, though the difference is minor. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Zenfone 8 provides superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency for dark themes. Poco X4 GT has an IPS LCD panel which has less contrast, worse blacks and less vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Poco X4 GT offers slightly smoother scrolling and animation but difference is not very noticeable. Both are high refresh rate and provide great experience. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Zenfone 8 display is significantly brighter, allowing for better outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight. Poco X4 GT brightness is not specified. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G | MediaTek Dimensity 8100 | Snapdragon 888 is powerful, excellent for gaming and heavy tasks. Dimensity 8100 is also a powerful chip, but is not as good as the Snapdragon 888. |
| AnTuTu Score | 891,700 | 820,061 | Zenfone 8 has better performance, especially in gaming, thanks to its superior chipset. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G610 MC6 | Adreno 660 is better for gaming purposes. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP f/1.8, 1/1.7" sensor | 64MP f/1.89, 1/1.72" sensor | Zenfone 8's slightly larger sensor and wider aperture potentially capture slightly better images in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP f/2.45, 1/2.93" sensor | 16MP f/2.45, 1/3.06" sensor | Poco X4 GT's higher megapixel count might offer slightly more detail, while Zenfone 8's larger sensor size captures better photos in low-light conditions. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP f/2.2, 1/2.55" | 8MP f/2.2 | Zenfone 8 has wider angle lens on the back while the Poco X4 GT has a separate wide angle camera. Both offer wide field of view, but Zenfone 8 has better details. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP f/2.4 | Poco X4 GT offers macro photography capabilities with a dedicated lens. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, 4K@120fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Zenfone 8 excels in video recording, offering up to 8K resolution. Poco X4 GT has 4k but at lower frame rate. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5080mAh | Poco X4 GT has a significantly larger battery, potentially providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging | 67W fast charging | Poco X4 GT charges much faster, minimizing charging downtime. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages:
- Compact Design: Significantly smaller and lighter, making it very pocketable and comfortable for one-handed use.
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology with higher brightness provides vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and excellent outdoor visibility.
- Better Performance: Offers slightly better processing power thanks to Snapdragon 888, especially in heavy tasks and gaming.
- Superior Camera: More advanced video recording capabilities including 8K and 4K@120fps. It also has better quality main sensor and selfie camera with a wider field of view from its dedicated wide-angle lens.
- More Advanced GPS: Better location accuracy from additional GPS support.
- Better Audio Quality: Includes 3 microphones and noise cancellation, offering higher quality audio playback, clearer calls, better audio separation and immersion, better voice capture.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for superior screen protection.
Xiaomi Poco X4 GT Advantages:
- Larger Display: Offers a larger display for immersive media consumption, gaming, and multi-tasking.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Slightly smoother animations and scrolling due to the 144Hz display.
- Longer Battery Life: Larger battery capacity should provide longer battery life throughout the day.
- Faster Charging: 67W fast charging allows for significantly faster charging speeds.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- Newer Bluetooth version: Newer bluetooth version will offer better connectivity with supported devices.
Trade-offs:
- Zenfone 8: Smaller battery with slower charging.
- Poco X4 GT: Larger and heavier, which can be less comfortable for some users. It also has IPS LCD instead of AMOLED, worse camera quality and slower processor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Asus Zenfone 8 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a compact and lightweight phone that's easy to use with one hand and fits comfortably in their pocket.
- Users who value display quality, especially for watching videos or browsing.
- Users who value superior performance, especially for gaming or running demanding applications.
- Users who value superior camera quality, especially for video recording and want a high-quality main and selfie camera.
- Users who want best audio quality from their phone.
Use Cases for Zenfone 8:
- Content Creators: High-quality video recording with up to 8K resolution.
- Frequent Commuters/Travelers: Compact size, great performance, and good display for media consumption on the go.
- Users with Small Hands: Comfortable for one-handed use.
- Gamers: Good performance and high-quality display in a small package.
- Video Callers: Clearer calls with noise cancelling microphones.
Xiaomi Poco X4 GT Ideal User:
- Users who prefer a large display for immersive gaming, media consumption and multi-tasking.
- Users who prioritize longer battery life and faster charging.
- Users who want a device with good overall performance at a value price point.
- Users who do not mind using a large and heavy device.
Use Cases for Poco X4 GT:
- Gamers: Larger display and a higher refresh rate make for an immersive gaming experience.
- Heavy Media Consumers: Larger display provides a better experience for videos and movies.
- Users who don't like charging often: Large battery and fast charging to minimize downtime.
- Budget-conscious: Users looking for good value performance and features.
Price-to-Value:
- The Zenfone 8 is positioned as a premium compact device, which comes with a higher price tag.
- The Poco X4 GT focuses on delivering good performance and features at a more affordable price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize a compact and lightweight phone or a larger display? (This will guide you towards either Zenfone 8 or Poco X4 GT)
- What is more important to you: display quality or battery life? (Zenfone 8 excels at display quality, Poco X4 GT has a much larger battery)
- Do you want a better camera and video or are you happy with a decent camera with a dedicated macro lens? (Zenfone 8 has better camera quality for both photo and video while the Poco X4 GT has a dedicated macro lens)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual user who wants a compact and powerful phone with an excellent display and camera. Choose the Asus Zenfone 8.
- Scenario 2: Heavy user who prioritizes a large display, long battery life, and fast charging at a lower price. Choose the Xiaomi Poco X4 GT.
- Scenario 3: User with small hands who prioritize a good camera. Choose the Asus Zenfone 8.
- Scenario 4: User who prioritizes video recording quality, and wants to shoot videos with their phone. Choose the Asus Zenfone 8.
Personal Choice
If I had to choose, I would personally go for the Asus Zenfone 8. Although the Xiaomi Poco X4 GT offers a larger screen, longer battery, and faster charging, the Zenfone 8 wins in terms of its compact form factor which fits perfectly into my hands, its far superior AMOLED display, its better camera system which I value more, and its higher quality audio. As a user who values these features, the Zenfone 8 provides a more enjoyable and versatile experience, and it fits my daily needs perfectly. The superior processing power and video recording quality are also attractive to me.
