Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Motorola Edge 20 Pro and the Asus Zenfone 10. On paper, these are two very different phones, and their specs tell a story about different design philosophies and target audiences. Let's unpack it all.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table focusing on practical implications for users:
| Feature | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Asus Zenfone 10 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163 × 76 × 8 mm | 146.5 × 68.1 × 9.4 mm | Edge 20 Pro is significantly larger and thinner; Zenfone 10 is smaller, thicker and more pocketable. |
| Weight | 190g | 172g | Zenfone 10 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use, especially one-handed. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 5.92" | Edge 20 Pro offers a larger screen, better for media consumption; Zenfone 10 is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp visuals at Full HD+. |
| Pixel Density | 385 ppi | 445 ppi | Zenfone 10's display is notably sharper, making text and images appear crisper. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colours and deep blacks, with the potential for slightly better power efficiency on AMOLED (Zenfone) |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 144Hz | Both deliver incredibly smooth scrolling and animations, ideal for gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1100 nits | Zenfone 10 display is vastly brighter, significantly improving visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Zenfone 10 has a much more powerful and efficient processor, excelling in demanding tasks and gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 813,800 | 1,532,000 | The Zenfone 10 demonstrates substantially better benchmark performance, translating to faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 740 | Zenfone 10 has a significantly faster GPU, resulting in superior graphics for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.9 | 50MP, f/1.9 | Edge 20 Pro’s higher resolution offers more detail, but the Zenfone 10 has larger pixels for better low-light performance. |
| Main Sensor Size | 1/1.52" | 1/1.56" | The Edge 20 Pro boasts a slightly larger main sensor size, potentially for greater light-gathering capability |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.3 | 32MP, f/2.5 | Edge 20 Pro has a slightly wider aperture, potentially allowing more light for better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/3.4 | N/A | Edge 20 Pro offers 3x optical zoom. |
| Wide-Angle/Macro | 16MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Edge 20 Pro offers slightly higher resolution wide-angle lens. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both offer 8K video capture; Zenfone 10 has added stabilisation. |
| Stabilisation | EIS | HDR, EIS, Gimbal | The Zenfone 10 features advanced stabilization, offering smoother video recording, especially while moving. |
| Camera Features | Optical Zoom, Triple | OIS, Gimbal, Dual | Zenfone 10 has superior stabilization features with a gimbal. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4300mAh | Edge 20 Pro has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 30W Fast | 30W Fast | Both support 30W fast charging. |
| Wireless Charging | No | 15W | The Zenfone 10 offers the convenience of wireless charging. |
| Reverse Charging | Yes, Wired | Yes, Wired and 5W | Both phones support reverse charging, allowing them to charge other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | The Zenfone 10 has a more recent Android version, with more up-to-date features and security patches and a planned upgrade to Android 15. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Zenfone 10 has the latest Wi-Fi technology, resulting in better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.3 | Zenfone 10 has a newer version of Bluetooth with increased speed and efficiency and new features. |
| GPS | Yes | Yes, with QZSS and NavIC | Zenfone 10 has a better and more accurate GPS system |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Zenfone 10 offers a 512GB option for users requiring more storage, otherwise, they both come with options for 128GB and 256GB |
| RAM | 12GB | 8GB/16GB | Zenfone 10 offers more RAM at 16GB, which is better for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Zenfone 10 has better audio features, including stereo speakers, Hi-Res audio and noise cancellation. |
| Security | |||
| Biometric | Side Fingerprint | Side Fingerprint | Both phones offer basic biometric security using a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus | Zenfone 10 offers superior screen protection from scratches and accidental damage. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, Hall | Zenfone 10 has additional sensors such as Gravity and Hall that are beneficial for gaming and advanced features. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge 20 Pro:
- Strengths: Larger display, more camera resolution, telephoto lens, slightly larger battery, reverse charging.
- Competitive Advantages: Good for users who prioritize a large screen for media consumption, prefer optical zoom capability, and want a phone that can wirelessly charge other devices (reverse charging).
- Trade-offs: Older processor, less sharp display, lower brightness, older Android version, basic audio quality, larger and heavier design.
Asus Zenfone 10:
- Strengths: Significantly more powerful processor, sharper and brighter display, newer Android version, superior stabilization, wireless charging, more RAM option, better audio quality, more compact design and better screen protection.
- Competitive Advantages: Designed for users who need top-tier performance, a compact size and a focus on overall user experience
- Trade-offs: Smaller display, slightly smaller battery, no telephoto lens, and a slightly higher price point.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge 20 Pro:
- Best Suited For: Users who enjoy media consumption, need a larger screen, value the telephoto lens and want a phone that can reverse charge other devices.
- Use Cases: Watching videos, browsing the web, capturing zoomed photos, and occasional reverse charging for other devices.
- Price-to-Value: Good if you can find it at a reduced price. At its original retail price, it isn't as compelling compared to the Zenfone 10.
Asus Zenfone 10:
- Best Suited For: Users who prioritize performance, want a compact phone with excellent display quality, and who need a good all rounder.
- Use Cases: Gaming, demanding applications, consuming media on the go, professional photography/videography, and wireless charging.
- Price-to-Value: Excellent value due to its high-end processor and advanced features, with good value for its current price.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help decide between the two:
"How much do I value size and portability?"
- If a large screen is a must, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro wins; if portability is key, the Asus Zenfone 10 is the clear choice.
"What is my priority – processing power or a large screen?"
- If peak performance is required, the Zenfone 10 is the way to go. If you need a large screen above all else, the Motorola is good.
"Which features are more important to me?"
- If wireless charging, advanced stabilisation features, higher display brightness, high quality audio and cutting edge performance is paramount, go for the Zenfone 10. If you need a telephoto lens and reverse wireless charging is essential, the Edge 20 Pro may be for you.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Media Enthusiast: If you mostly watch videos and browse the web, the Edge 20 Pro with its larger screen may seem appealing, but the Zenfone 10's brighter, crisper display and better audio with stereo speakers offers better user experience.
- The Gamer: Go with the Zenfone 10, due to its superior processor and GPU. The Zenfone 10 also offers additional sensors useful for gaming.
- The Photographer/Videographer: The Zenfone 10 is better with its advanced stabilization and better low light performance for standard photos and video.
- The On-the-Go User: The Zenfone 10 is a better fit thanks to its compact design and light weight.
- The Cost Conscientious user: If you can find the Edge 20 Pro at a reduced price, it may be worth considering.
What I would choose and why
For me, the Asus Zenfone 10 is the clear winner. I value a phone that's powerful, pocketable, has a great display, and takes quality pictures and videos, as well as wireless charging. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset is a significant upgrade, making the phone feel snappy and responsive, and the superior stabilization for photos and videos, combined with the high-quality audio experience make a big difference. Also, with it's compact size, I can comfortably use it with one hand. While the Edge 20 Pro has its charms, it feels dated compared to the Zenfone 10. The Zenfone 10's strengths align perfectly with my needs and the premium experience it offers is something that I cannot pass up.
