1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Xiaomi Poco X6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 148 × 68.5 × 8.9 mm | 161.2 × 74.3 × 8 mm | Zenfone 8 is significantly more compact and easier to handle one-handed. Poco X6 is taller and wider. Zenfone 8 is thicker. |
| Weight | 169g | 181g | Zenfone 8 is slightly lighter making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.9" | 6.67" | Poco X6 offers a larger display for more immersive media consumption and gaming. Zenfone 8 is more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1220x2712 | Poco X6 has a sharper image with significantly higher pixel count, resulting in more detail, clarity. |
| PPI | 446 | 446 | Both have identical pixel density, so sharpness at typical viewing distances is similar, despite resolution differences, given the display sizes. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1800 nits | Poco X6 is dramatically brighter, making it much more usable in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | Zenfone 8 has the more powerful chipset, generally resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 891,700 | 603,400 | Zenfone 8 benchmarks significantly higher, indicating better overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 710 | Zenfone 8's GPU provides higher graphical rendering capabilities, while Poco X6's GPU offers a more recent architecture, but lower raw performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5100mAh | Poco X6 should have significantly better battery life for typical use. |
| Charging | 30W | 67W | Poco X6 charges much faster, reducing waiting time. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", 0.8µm, Sony IMX686 | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm, OV64B | Zenfone 8’s larger sensor should offer better low light performance and detail, though Xiaomi has wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.45, 1/2.93", 1.22µm, Sony IMX663 | 16MP, 1/3.06", 1.0µm, OV16A1Q | Poco X6 has a higher resolution, while Zenfone 8 has a larger sensor, potentially giving slightly better low-light performance. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm, OV02B10 | Poco X6 offers a dedicated macro lens, which the Zenfone 8 lacks, for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm, Sony IMX363 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm, Sony IMX355 | Zenfone 8 offers higher resolution, a larger sensor and potentially better ultrawide images. |
| Video | Up to 8K 24fps with HDR and EIS | Up to 4K 30fps with EIS | Zenfone 8 offers much higher video resolution and frame rates. Both offer stabilization. |
| DxoMark | Main: 116, Photo: 120, Video: 118 | N/A | Zenfone 8 has been tested with DxoMark, scoring well, while Poco X6 is untested. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 (upgradable to 16) | Poco X6 runs a newer version of Android and gets longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | 802.11ac | Zenfone 8 supports the latest standard, which may result in faster and more stable connection speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE, AVRCP, HID, OPP, aptX, LDAC | 5.2 LE, A2DP, aptX, LDAC | Both have similar Bluetooth features, with minor variations that do not have a major practical impact for most users. |
| GPS | More satellite systems | Fewer satellite systems | Zenfone 8 has broader GPS support, enabling more precise location tracking, better for activities like navigation and gaming |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | Poco X6 offers up to 512GB storage, which is better for users with larger media libraries. |
| RAM | 6/8/12/16 GB | 8/12 GB | Zenfone 8 offers up to 16GB RAM, potentially better for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res, Stereo, Noise Cancelling, 3 Mics | Hi-Res, Stereo, Dolby Atmos | Zenfone 8 edges out slightly with Noise Cancellation and 3 microphones, while Poco X6 supports Dolby Atmos. Both will offer high quality playback with their stereo speakers |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Both offer the same basic fingerprint sensor technology. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Both share the same screen protection technology. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, Hall | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Both have comprehensive sensor sets. Zenfone 8 adds some proximity sensors. Poco X6 adds ultrasonic proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages:
- More Powerful Performance: The Snapdragon 888 offers higher CPU and GPU performance, resulting in faster apps, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
- Superior Camera System: Larger sensors and higher video recording resolutions give an edge in image and video quality. Specifically, the main camera, ultrawide and video.
- Wider GPS Support: Supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
- More RAM Options: Offers up to 16GB of RAM for heavier multitasking.
- Higher Quality Audio: The audio features, with noise cancelling and 3 microphones gives it an edge over the Poco X6
Practical Implications:
- The Zenfone 8 is better for users who prioritize performance, gaming, and camera quality.
- The more comprehensive GPS support makes it a better option for activities requiring accurate location.
Xiaomi Poco X6 Advantages:
- Significantly Larger Display: Provides a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming.
- Significantly Better Battery Life: The larger battery ensures longer usage without needing to charge.
- Faster Charging: 67W charging dramatically reduces charging times.
- Brighter Screen: Significantly more visible in outdoor and bright sunlight conditions.
- More Storage Options: Offers up to 512GB of storage for users who need a larger media library.
- Newer Android OS: Ships with a more recent version of Android and will receive further updates.
Practical Implications:
- The Poco X6 is ideal for users who prioritize battery life, a large display, and rapid charging capabilities.
- The brighter screen makes it better suited to outdoor use.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Performance vs. Battery & Display: The Zenfone 8 offers superior performance but compromises on battery life, display size, and brightness compared to the Poco X6.
- Camera Quality vs. Convenience: The Zenfone 8's camera hardware offers potentially better quality but lacks the additional macro lens of the Poco X6.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Asus Zenfone 8:
- Ideal User: Gamers, content creators, and users who prioritize performance and camera quality.
- Use Cases:
- Playing demanding mobile games at high settings.
- Capturing high-quality photos and 8K videos.
- Multitasking between multiple apps.
- Using it for navigation.
- Price-to-Value: Older flagship model so may be available at a lower cost.
Xiaomi Poco X6:
- Ideal User: Media consumers, casual gamers, and users who need long battery life and a large screen.
- Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos.
- Playing casual games.
- Browsing social media.
- Extensive outdoor use
- Users who prefer longer lasting battery and faster charging.
- Price-to-Value: Excellent mid-range offering with good value for money.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize raw performance and camera quality, or battery life, display size, and brightness?
- Is one-handed usability important to you, or do you prefer a larger screen for media consumption?
- How important is rapid charging to your daily use case?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Performance-Focused User
- Recommendation: Asus Zenfone 8
- Reasoning: The Zenfone 8's more powerful chipset, superior camera, and more ram give a clear edge for performance-heavy users.
- Scenario 2: Media and Battery-Focused User
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco X6
- Reasoning: The larger, brighter display and the better battery life of the Poco X6 are ideal for media consumption. Faster charging is also a great benefit.
- Scenario 3: Balance-Seeking User
- Recommendation: Depends on exact trade-off.
- If performance is the slightly more important focus, then the Zenfone 8 is the choice.
- If battery, display, and charging is more important, then Poco X6 is the better choice.
- Recommendation: Depends on exact trade-off.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco X6. While the Zenfone 8 has an undeniably more powerful processor and a more robust camera on paper, the practical benefits of the Poco X6 align more closely with my daily usage. As a user who consumes a lot of media, the larger, brighter screen is a significant advantage, and I value the much better battery life that the Poco X6 offers. The significantly faster charging is also a huge win for convenience. While I would enjoy the Zenfone's camera capabilities and higher power, the day-to-day benefits of the Poco X6 are more compelling for my specific use case.
I will note that if I was someone who did a lot of gaming or video editing on my phone, I would choose the Zenfone 8 without hesitation, but those are not my use cases.
