Smartphone Comparison: Asus Zenfone 8 vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-05-13 | 2023-04-26 | Redmi Note 12S is newer by almost 2 years, potentially offering longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 148 × 68.5 × 8.9 mm | 159.9 × 73.9 × 8.1 mm | Zenfone 8 is more compact, better for one-handed use, Redmi Note 12S is larger but slimmer. |
| Weight | 169g | 176g | Zenfone 8 is slightly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.9" | 6.43" | Redmi Note 12S has a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same level of detail, resulting in a sharp image. |
| Pixel Density | 446 PPI | 409 PPI | Zenfone 8 has a slightly sharper display due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks typical of AMOLED. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Zenfone 8 has a smoother display, better for gaming and fast scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1000 nits | Zenfone 8 is slightly brighter, making it more visible in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Mediatek Helio G96 (12 nm) | Zenfone 8 has a much more powerful processor, suitable for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 891,700 | 412,400 | Zenfone 8 offers significantly faster performance, better for multitasking and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Zenfone 8's GPU is significantly more powerful, resulting in better graphics for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", 0.80µm | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.52", 0.70µm | Redmi Note 12S has a higher resolution main sensor and a larger sensor size, potentially capturing more details. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.45, 1/2.93", 1.22µm | 16MP, f/2.4 | Redmi Note 12S has a slightly higher resolution selfie camera and wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | 8MP, f/2.2 | Redmi Note 12S offers dedicated Wide Angle while Zenfone 8 has a Wide Angle + Macro lens. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Redmi Note 12S offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots while Zenfone 8 does not. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, 4K@120fps | 1080p@30fps | Zenfone 8 offers much higher video recording capabilities (up to 8K), better for professional content creators. |
| DxOMark | Main: 116, Photo: 120, Video: 118 | Not Tested | Zenfone 8 has a known camera performance benchmark. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Redmi Note 12S has a significantly larger battery, likely providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 30W | 33W | Redmi Note 12S has slightly faster charging, although the difference might be minimal. |
| Reverse Charging | No | Yes | Redmi Note 12S can be used as a power bank, charging other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 | Redmi Note 12S comes with a more recent Android version out-of-the-box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 5 | Zenfone 8 offers faster WiFi speeds and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 | Both have the same version, but Zenfone 8 has additional codecs that improves audio quality. |
| GPS | More Satellite Systems | Standard GPS | Zenfone 8 offers superior location accuracy using more satellite systems. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | Up to 256GB | Up to 256GB | Both phones offer the same maximum internal storage, but the Note 12S also comes with 64 GB variant. |
| RAM | Up to 16GB | Up to 8GB | Zenfone 8 offers significantly more RAM, better for heavy multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, 3 microphones | Hi-Res Audio | Zenfone 8 offers superior audio quality with a noise cancellation mic and more mics and audio codecs. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S offers more advanced biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Zenfone 8 has significantly better scratch and drop resistance for screen protection. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset and Adreno 660 GPU provide significantly higher processing and graphics power, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate and higher pixel density make the display feel smoother and sharper.
- Better Camera System: While the Redmi Note 12S has a higher resolution main sensor, the Zenfone 8 offers superior video recording capabilities (up to 8K), along with OIS, resulting in higher quality video and photo capture. It also has a better rated camera system as per DxOMark.
- Premium Audio: The presence of a noise-cancelling microphone, 3 microphones, and higher quality audio codecs enhance the audio experience.
- Advanced Connectivity: WiFi 6 provides faster wifi speeds and the more comprehensive GPS system provides superior location accuracy.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers significantly improved scratch and drop resistance compared to Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
- More RAM: Having up to 16GB of RAM offers superior multitasking and gaming performance.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Advantages:
- Larger Display: The 6.43" screen is better for media consumption, web browsing, and multitasking.
- Bigger Battery: A 5000mAh battery offers longer battery life, ideal for users who need all-day power.
- Reverse Charging: The ability to reverse charge other devices adds versatility.
- More versatile camera system: Wide Angle and Macro lenses offer more flexibility in taking photos and videos.
- Newer Android OS: Comes with Android 13 out-of-the-box, with a potential for slightly longer software support.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Zenfone 8 prioritizes performance, camera capabilities, and display quality over battery life and screen size. It also costs more and is older.
- The Redmi Note 12S prioritizes battery life, screen size and a more recent OS, while sacrificing performance and advanced features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Asus Zenfone 8:
- Gamers: Need top-tier performance and a smooth display for a better gaming experience.
- Content Creators: Value high-quality video recording and photo capabilities, advanced features, and better audio.
- Power Users: Need fast performance for multitasking, demanding apps, and heavy workloads.
- Users Who Value a Compact Design: Prefer a smaller, more pocketable phone.
- Users Who Value a Superior Screen: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus gives better screen protection.
Ideal Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming.
- Shooting professional-grade videos.
- Demanding multitasking and productivity.
- Using graphically intensive applications.
- Heavy usage throughout the day.
Ideal Users for Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S:
- Casual Users: Need a reliable phone for daily tasks, media consumption, and basic photography.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Seek good value for the price, prioritizing battery life and screen size.
- Users Who Prioritize Battery Life: Want a phone that lasts all day without needing frequent recharges.
- Users who like larger screens: Prefer a larger screen for media consumption.
- Users who prefer flexibility in photography: The inclusion of dedicated wide and macro lens offers more flexibility.
Ideal Use Cases:
- Social media browsing and casual web surfing.
- Watching movies and streaming videos.
- Everyday photography and capturing memories.
- Extended battery life for all-day usage.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Zenfone 8 offers high performance and camera capabilities but at a premium, and being an older phone, might be less value.
- The Redmi Note 12S offers a more budget-friendly option with a good balance of features for everyday use, potentially a better value option.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is my priority – performance or battery life? If high performance is needed, the Zenfone 8 is ideal. If long battery life is more important, the Redmi Note 12S wins.
- What is my primary use case – media consumption, gaming, or professional work? The Redmi Note 12S is ideal for media consumption while the Zenfone 8 would be better for gaming or professional work.
- What is my budget, and am I willing to sacrifice some features to save money? The Redmi Note 12S is more budget-friendly.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For a user who wants the best possible performance for gaming and content creation, with professional quality video recording: The Asus Zenfone 8 is the superior choice, despite being older and more expensive and having lower battery capacity.
- For a user who wants a reliable phone with good battery life for everyday use and media consumption and is on a budget: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is the better option, as it is more affordable, has better battery life, and a newer OS.
- For a user who values portability: The Asus Zenfone 8 is the better option due to its smaller size.
- For a user who values a larger screen: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is the better option due to its larger screen.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose between the two, I would go for the Asus Zenfone 8, even though it is the older device. My priority is performance and camera capabilities, which the Zenfone 8 wins in. I am also very much in favor of the more compact design. While the Redmi Note 12S has a bigger battery and a larger screen, which are both great for media consumption, the Zenfone 8's superior performance, advanced camera features, superior display and audio quality better align with my requirements. Although, the value of the Zenfone 8 is lower now that it's an older device. I also prefer the better screen protection and better build quality. It is also worth mentioning that I do not prioritize battery life as I always have access to power.
