Asus Zenfone 9 vs Motorola Edge (2022) - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date September 15, 2022 September 22, 2022
Release Year 2022 2022

Physical

Volume 90.79 cm³ 95.51 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.49 "/g 3.88 "/g
Weight 169 g 170 g
Height 146.5 mm 160.9 mm
Width 68.1 mm 74.2 mm
Thickness 9.1 mm 8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Midnight Black
  • Starry Blue
  • Moonlight White
  • Sunset Red
  • Grey

Display

Screen Size 5.9 " 6.6 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 84.2 % 88.1 %
Pixel Density 445 PPI 399 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 144 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness 1100 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 123.53 mAh/in² 114.78 mAh/in²
Battery Density 47.36 mAh/cm³ 52.35 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4300 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) MediaTek Dimensity 1050 (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 730 Arm Mali-G610 MC3

Connectivity

USB Version N/A 2.0
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C, OTG USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 12 12
Maximum OS Version 14 13

Comparison Summary

Alright, let's dive deep into the nitty-gritty of the Asus Zenfone 9 and the Motorola Edge (2022). These two phones, while launched around the same time, are quite different beasts when you get under the hood. I'll break it all down for you, as if we were chatting over a cup of coffee, focusing on what really matters to you, the user.

1. Specifications Breakdown

FeatureAsus Zenfone 9Motorola Edge (2022)Real-World Implications
Design
Size146.5 × 68.1 × 9.1 mm160.9 × 74.2 × 8 mmZenfone 9 is noticeably more compact, ideal for one-handed use; Edge is larger, better for media consumption.
Weight169g170gBoth are virtually identical in weight, comfortable to carry around.
Display
Size5.9"6.6"Edge offers a more immersive viewing experience; Zenfone is more pocketable and easier to handle.
Resolution1080x24001080x2400Both provide a sharp picture with the same pixel count.
Pixel Density (PPI)445399Zenfone has a slightly sharper display; images look crisp.
TechnologyAMOLEDOLEDBoth deliver excellent color and contrast; negligible real-world difference.
Refresh Rate120Hz144HzEdge offers slightly smoother scrolling, especially in compatible apps and games.
Brightness1100 nits0 nitsZenfone 9 is significantly brighter, much easier to see outdoors in direct sunlight; Motorola's brightness is not specified, and thus is likely to struggle in sunlight.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Dimensity 1050 (6 nm)Zenfone 9 offers considerably faster processing and gaming performance, a top-tier chipset; Edge is mid-tier.
AnTuTu Score1,232,500522,375Zenfone 9 is much faster in general use; Edge is smoother for everyday tasks but will struggle with more demanding tasks like gaming or video editing
GPUAdreno 730Arm Mali-G610 MC3Zenfone 9's GPU excels in gaming and graphics-intensive tasks; Edge is suitable for less demanding graphic tasks
Camera
Main Camera50MP (Sony IMX766)50MP (Omnivision OV50A)Both have 50MP main cameras, slight differences in sensor tech but should produce similar quality photos.
Selfie Camera12MP (Sony IMX663)32MPEdge should provide higher detail for selfies; Zenfone has larger pixel size which helps in low light.
Wide Angle Lens12MP (Sony IMX363)13MPEdge provides wider field of view shots.
Macro LensN/A20MP (Omnivision OV24B1Q)Edge lets you take close-up macro shots; Zenfone does this with its wide-angle lens.
Video RecordingUp to 8K@24fpsUp to 4K@30fpsZenfone 9 offers higher-resolution video recording; both offer stabilization.
Camera FeaturesDual Camera, GimbalTriple CameraZenfone has a unique gimbal for enhanced video stability; Edge has a triple camera system with a wide lens and a macro.
Battery Life
Capacity4300mAh5000mAhEdge likely offers longer battery life due to a larger capacity; Zenfone still has good battery life.
Charging30W Fast Charging30W Fast ChargingBoth offer 30W fast charging; neither are leading in charging speed, but adequate.
Wireless ChargingNo15WEdge supports 15W wireless charging for more convenience.
Reverse ChargingNo5WEdge can charge other devices using reverse charging at 5W.
Software
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to 14Android 12, upgradable to 13Zenfone has a longer Android support timeframe than the Edge.
Connectivity
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6, MiMOWi-Fi 6Both feature excellent WiFi; Zenfone has MIMO for enhanced performance.
Bluetooth5.2, aptX, LDAC5.2Zenfone supports higher quality audio codecs.
GPSMore SatellitesGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, GalileoZenfone offers more accurate location tracking.
SIMDual Nano SIMDual Nano SIM + eSIMEdge provides more flexible options with eSIM support; Zenfone supports two Nano SIMs.
Storage
Internal128/256GB128/256GBBoth offer ample storage; neither is expandable.
RAM8/16GB6/8GBZenfone offers more RAM, resulting in better multitasking.
Expandable StorageNoNoNo storage expansion capabilities.
Audio
Audio QualityHi-Res AudioDolby AtmosBoth have good audio. Zenfone has Hi-Res and Motorola has Dolby Atmos.
Security
Fingerprint SensorSide-mountedBasic FingerprintAsus offers more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionGorilla Glass VictusGorilla Glass 3Zenfone provides superior screen protection.
Sensors
SensorsGravity, Hall, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, FingerprintAccelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Barometer, Proximity, FingerprintMotorola includes more sensors, useful for specific uses such as environmental sensing; Asus's Gravity and Hall sensors are useful for more gaming applications.

2. Key Insights

Asus Zenfone 9:

  • Strengths: A performance beast, compact design, excellent display brightness, superior video capabilities with a gimbal, higher RAM option, better screen protection, and longer Android update support.
  • Competitive Advantages: Its standout feature is the top-tier Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, ensuring a snappy, fluid experience for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps. The compact size makes it perfect for those who want a powerful phone that doesn't feel like a brick.
  • Trade-offs: Smaller battery than the Edge, no wireless charging, and limited camera setup compared to the Edge.

Motorola Edge (2022):

  • Strengths: Larger display, longer battery life, wireless charging, macro lens, and triple camera setup.
  • Competitive Advantages: The larger display and battery make it great for media consumption and everyday use. Wireless charging, reverse charging, and a triple-camera system are all valuable additions.
  • Trade-offs: Weaker chipset, lower display brightness, lower video recording capabilities, less RAM, and shorter android support timeframe.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

  • Asus Zenfone 9 is ideal for:

    • Power Users: Gamers and those who require top-tier performance.
    • One-Handed Fans: Users who prefer a compact, pocketable phone.
    • Video Creators: Anyone who needs high-quality video with advanced stabilization.
    • Long-Term Users: Those who appreciate the added software support with longer update availability.
  • Motorola Edge (2022) is ideal for:

    • Media Consumers: Those who want a large screen for watching videos and browsing.
    • Battery Life Priority: Users who need a long-lasting battery.
    • Wireless Charging Enthusiasts: Those who appreciate the convenience of wireless and reverse charging.
    • Everyday Users: People who need a reliable device with good features but don't require the absolute best performance.

4. Buying Decision Framework

Here are three practical questions to help you decide:

  1. Do you prioritize performance over all other factors? If yes, the Zenfone 9's powerhouse chipset is a clear winner.
  2. Is a large display and longer battery life essential? If so, the Motorola Edge is the better fit.
  3. How important are high-end video capabilities? The Zenfone 9's gimbal stabilization is a game-changer if you're a mobile videographer or heavily use the video features.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • The Gamer: Choose the Asus Zenfone 9 for its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor and Adreno 730 GPU.
  • The Movie Buff: The Motorola Edge offers a larger display with good contrast and colors, a bigger battery, and wireless charging for all-day enjoyment and convenience.
  • The Content Creator: The Asus Zenfone 9's 8K video recording, gimbal stabilization and higher video recording quality makes it the best for this user.
  • The Everyday User: The Motorola Edge strikes a good balance of features, with its larger display, great battery life, and decent mid-range performance for everyday tasks.

My Choice:

If I were buying a phone today, I would choose the Asus Zenfone 9. As someone who appreciates top-tier performance, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is very tempting, and the compact size is a massive advantage for day-to-day use. I also value video features and having the ability to capture high quality 8k footage is a big plus, along with the unique gimbal stabilization. Yes, the battery isn't as big as the Motorola, but with a focus on raw performance and a unique feature set, the Zenfone 9 wins in my book.

Alex Griffin
Alex Griffin

Technology analyst specializing in mobile devices and consumer electronics.

Core Expertise

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Consumer electronics evaluation
  • Technical specification interpretation
  • User experience insights

Professional Mission Empowering readers to make informed technology decisions by transforming intricate specifications into understandable, practical guidance.

Demystifying technology, one device at a time.