Smartphone Comparison: Asus Zenfone 8 vs. Xiaomi Redmi A3x
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Xiaomi Redmi A3x | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 148 × 68.5 × 8.9 mm | 168.4 × 76.3 × 8.3 mm | Zenfone 8 is significantly more compact and easier to handle with one hand; A3x is larger and may be more cumbersome for some users. |
| Weight | 169g | 193g | Zenfone 8 is lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. The A3x feels heavier in the hand. |
Display
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Xiaomi Redmi A3x | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 5.9" | 6.71" | A3x offers a larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming; Zenfone 8's smaller size is more pocketable and better for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1650 | Zenfone 8 has a much sharper and clearer display, resulting in better text readability, image quality and overall user experience. |
| PPI | 446 | 268 | Zenfone 8's higher pixel density produces crisper visuals with finer details. The A3x display appears less sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Zenfone 8 has superior color accuracy, deeper blacks, and higher contrast, making content more engaging. A3x's LCD is less vibrant and has poorer contrast in comparison. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Zenfone 8 offers smoother scrolling and animations which enhances the user experience significantly. A3x feels less fluid. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Zenfone 8 is much better for outdoor use in bright sunlight; Xiaomi Redmi A3x is not ideal for bright environments due to missing brightness specification, potentially implying low brightness. |
Performance
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Xiaomi Redmi A3x | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Unisoc T603 (22 nm) | Zenfone 8 has significantly faster processing, better for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps; the A3x is slower and better suited for basic tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 891,700 | 239,000 | Zenfone 8 offers dramatically better overall performance. Expect a much faster and more fluid user experience than on the Xiaomi A3x |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G57 MP1 | Zenfone 8 will provide superior graphics processing for gaming and graphically intensive tasks. The A3x is limited to basic graphics performance. |
Battery
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Xiaomi Redmi A3x | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4000 mAh | 5000 mAh | A3x has a larger battery and, potentially longer battery life between charges, depending on usage and software optimization. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 10W Fast Charging | Zenfone 8 charges considerably faster, reducing the amount of time plugged into a charger. The A3x takes much longer to charge. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer batteries generally offer better energy density and are more durable than Li-Ion batteries in the long term, potentially leading to a slightly longer battery lifespan in the Zenfone 8. |
Camera
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Xiaomi Redmi A3x | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP (f/1.8, 1/1.7", 0.80µm, Sony IMX686) | 8MP (f/2.2) | Zenfone 8 captures much more detailed photos, especially in good lighting. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 12MP (f/2.45, 1/2.93", 1.22µm, Sony IMX663) | 5MP (f/2.2) | Zenfone 8 takes higher quality and more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12MP (f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm, Sony IMX363) | Not Available | Zenfone 8 offers more versatile shooting options with its wide-angle and macro capabilities that aren't available on the Redmi A3x. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps (with HDR, EIS) , 4K@30/60/120fps(with HDR, EIS), 1080p@30/60/240fps(with HDR,EIS) with 720p@480fps with HDR, EIS | 1080p@30fps | Zenfone 8 captures significantly better video quality and has more versatile video recording capabilities with high resolution support and multiple slow motion and video recording modes. |
| DXOMARK Score | Main: 116, Photo: 120, Video: 118 | Not available | Zenfone 8 has a substantially superior camera system based on professional camera testing scores; the Redmi A3x does not have any available camera performance data to compare. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital Zoom, Digital Image Stabilization, OIS, PDAF, RAW | Digital zoom, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, HDR, Face detection | Zenfone 8's camera is more advanced with features like OIS, PDAF, 8k video and RAW format. The Xiaomi A3x does offer a Manual Focus which is missing on the Zenfone 8. |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Xiaomi Redmi A3x | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 (upgradable to 16) | A3x ships with a more recent version of Android, possibly with newer features and security enhancements and will be getting more future android updates. |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Display, MIMO | 802.11ac, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Hotspot | Zenfone 8 supports Wi-Fi 6, which has higher transfer speeds, lower latency, and better performance in congested environments and additionally supports MIMO, for more consistent wireless connection speeds |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 (LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC, AVRCP, HID, OPP) | Bluetooth 4.2 (LE, SBC, AAC, A2DP, EDR) | Zenfone 8 has more up to date Bluetooth standard. It also offers higher audio quality and lower power consumption due to newer codec and version support. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), A-GPS, GLONASS (L1), Beidou (B1, B2), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1 + L5), NavIC System | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | Zenfone 8 has more accurate location tracking, especially in challenging environments, due to its support for more global navigation satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both phones can use two SIM cards, enabling users to have multiple phone numbers or service plans. |
Storage and Audio
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Xiaomi Redmi A3x | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256GB | 64 GB or 128 GB | Zenfone 8 offers more storage for apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 6 GB/ 8 GB / 12 GB / 16 GB | 3 GB / 4 GB | Zenfone 8 provides smoother multitasking, and is able to run more apps simultaneously, and is less likely to have lags. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device allows for storage expansion using external microSD cards. |
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation mic, 3 Mics | Basic audio features | Zenfone 8 offers higher quality audio, better noise cancellation for clearer calls, and an immersive audio experience due to the stereo speakers and 3 microphone setup. |
Security, Build and Sensors
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Xiaomi Redmi A3x | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Security Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The side-mounted fingerprint sensor on the Redmi A3x is a modern security option. The Zenfone 8, has a basic fingerprint sensor. |
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 3 | Zenfone 8's screen is much more scratch and shatter resistant. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Accelerometer, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | The Zenfone 8 provides more sensor options, providing better user interaction within the OS, such as enhanced motion detection, as well as higher-accuracy proximity sensing; the A3x has a virtual proximity sensor which is lower accuracy. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages:
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution, pixel density, and AMOLED technology provide a much more vibrant and clear viewing experience, particularly noticeable in video and image viewing and outdoor use.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset delivers dramatically better speed and responsiveness, making the Zenfone 8 far better for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Much Better Camera System: The Zenfone 8's camera system offers higher resolution sensors, superior image quality, OIS, and much better video recording capabilities with 8k and high frame rate recording.
- Advanced Audio: Offers premium audio features including Hi-Res audio, stereo speakers, and noise cancellation with its 3 microphones.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging is significantly faster than the 10W charging on the A3x.
- Better Connectivity: Supports newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards, with significantly faster speeds, more reliability and more supported codecs.
- Premium Build: Gorilla Glass Victus offers better durability for screen protection.
- Enhanced Sensor Suite: Contains much more sensors allowing for a more robust and accurate usage.
Xiaomi Redmi A3x Advantages:
- Larger Display: The bigger screen is advantageous for media consumption and gaming, although the lower quality is worth keeping in mind.
- Larger Battery: A 5000mAh battery may offer longer battery life, although actual endurance depends heavily on software optimizations, display brightness and other usage characteristics.
- More Recent Android OS: Comes with Android 14, with potential for more Android upgrades.
- Modern Fingerprint Sensor: The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is a more advanced option, although the Zenfone 8 still has a fingerprint sensor.
Trade-offs:
- Zenfone 8: The smaller screen and battery are a trade-off for superior performance and camera quality.
- Xiaomi Redmi A3x: A large screen and battery comes at the expense of a very low resolution display, inferior cameras and very low performance which could limit usage in some scenarios.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Asus Zenfone 8:
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, photographers, and anyone who values performance, image quality, and a premium user experience.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming with high frame rates and detailed graphics.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Demanding multitasking and app usage.
- Viewing multimedia content with exceptional clarity and colour accuracy.
- Usage in bright outdoor conditions due to its high brightness display.
Xiaomi Redmi A3x:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who need a basic smartphone for general use and media consumption.
- Use Cases:
- Basic social media browsing and messaging.
- Casual web browsing and video streaming.
- Users who prioritize battery life and screen size over performance or camera quality.
- Users on a tight budget and need the most affordable option.
- Price-to-Value Ratio: The Redmi A3x is designed to be a very affordable smartphone with basic functionality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: Do you need a powerful phone for demanding apps, gaming, or professional tasks, or will basic functionality suffice?
- Display Quality: Is a vibrant, sharp, and bright display important for your viewing experience, or is a larger but lower quality display adequate?
- Camera Importance: Do you take a lot of photos or videos, and if so, do you need high quality features or will basic camera functionality work?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Performance & Camera Focused:
- Recommendation: Choose the Asus Zenfone 8. Its superior performance, display, camera, and features justify the higher cost for users who prioritize these aspects.
- Scenario 2: Budget & Basic Use:
- Recommendation: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi A3x. If your primary need is a large screen, longer battery and a very low price, the A3x offers a budget option.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Needs:
- Recommendation: The Asus Zenfone 8 is the better option of the two, the increase in cost is worth it for the vast improvements in performance, display and cameras.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Asus Zenfone 8. While it's older, it is significantly superior in almost every way that matters to me. The difference in performance is night and day, the AMOLED display is much better than an LCD screen, the camera system is far more advanced and capable, and the build quality with the Gorilla Glass Victus is much more premium, making it worth it to me. Even if the A3x has a larger battery, the vastly superior processor on the Zenfone 8 will make it a far more pleasant user experience.
