Smartphone Comparison: Motorola One 5G Ace vs. Asus Zenfone 8
1. Specifications Comparison
Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Asus Zenfone 8 | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Design | |||
Dimensions | 166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm | 148 x 68.5 x 8.9 mm | Zenfone 8 is more compact and easier to handle with one hand, Ace is bulkier. |
Weight | 212g | 169g | Zenfone 8 is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
Display | |||
Size | 6.7" | 5.9" | Ace offers a larger screen for more immersive media consumption. |
Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have the same sharpness, but PPI difference matters. |
PPI | 393 | 446 | Zenfone 8 has a noticeably sharper display, better for text and image clarity. |
Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Zenfone 8 boasts superior contrast, color vibrancy, and power efficiency, especially with dark themes. |
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Zenfone 8 provides much smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing responsiveness. |
Brightness | 0 nits | 1100 nits | Zenfone 8 is significantly more viewable in bright sunlight, while Ace's brightness is unknown. |
Performance | |||
Chipset | Snapdragon 750G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Zenfone 8 has a much faster processor, offering better overall performance, including gaming. |
AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 891,700 | Zenfone 8 scores much higher in benchmarks, indicating superior performance. |
GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 660 | Zenfone 8's superior GPU delivers better graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
Battery | |||
Capacity | 5000mAh | 4000mAh | Ace should have longer battery life due to larger capacity but depends on optimization. |
Charging | 15W | 30W | Zenfone 8 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
Charging Tech | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | N/A, but Li-Polymer is generally more efficient |
In-box charger | 10W rapid charger | No in-box charger mention | Motorola includes a charger in-box, Asus does not specify if one is included. |
Camera | |||
Rear Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" Sony IMX686 | Zenfone 8 captures more detailed images due to higher resolution, but aperture difference not very noticeable |
Front Camera | 16MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.45, 1/2.93" Sony IMX663 | Ace has a slightly higher MP count, but Zenfone 8 has slightly larger pixels. |
Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | None | Ace has a dedicated wide-angle lens. |
Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Ace has a dedicated macro lens. |
Wide Angle + Macro | None | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" Sony IMX363 | Zenfone 8 has a combined wide-angle and macro lens. |
Video | 4K@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60/120fps | Zenfone 8 can record much higher quality video, offering more flexibility for content creation. |
Stabilization | EIS, No | HDR, EIS | Zenfone has HDR video stabilization options |
Slow-motion | Yes, 60 fps | Yes, 480fps | Zenfone 8 has superior slow-motion recording capability. |
DXOMark | Not tested | Mobile 116, Photo 120, Video 118 | Zenfone 8 has a higher score, indicating overall better camera performance |
Camera Features | Triple, PDAF, LAF, Night Mode | Dual, OIS, PDAF | Ace has a dedicated night mode and a triple camera setup; Zenfone has OIS, and supports 8K Video. |
Software | |||
OS | Android 10 | Android 11, upgradeable to 13 | Zenfone 8 offers a newer OS out of the box and a guarantee of updates. |
Connectivity | |||
WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Zenfone 8 supports the latest WiFi standard, providing faster and more reliable connections. |
Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Zenfone 8 supports newer Bluetooth, better power efficiency, and codec support. |
GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Zenfone 8 supports more systems, resulting in more accurate location tracking. |
SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Zenfone 8 supports two SIM cards, beneficial for users with multiple numbers. |
Storage | |||
Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | Zenfone 8 offers a larger storage option, suitable for users with large media libraries. |
RAM | 4GB/6GB | 6GB/8GB/12GB/16GB | Zenfone 8 has more RAM options, enhancing multitasking performance and reducing lag. |
Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards, limiting expandable storage. |
Audio | |||
Quality | 2 microphones | Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, 3 microphones | Zenfone 8 offers superior audio capabilities, with better quality and clearer sound with noise cancellation. |
Security | |||
Features | Rear-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint | Both devices offer basic fingerprint security. |
Build Quality | |||
Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Zenfone 8 has superior screen protection. |
Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, Hall | Zenfone 8 features more sensors for an enhanced user experience and better gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Larger Display: The 6.7" screen is better for media consumption and users who prefer larger text and interface elements.
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery potentially offers longer battery life, suitable for users who prioritize endurance.
- Dedicated Wide and Macro Lens: Offers more versatility when taking different kind of photos.
- In-box Charger: Includes a 10W charger, saving a little money.
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages:
- Compact Size: Significantly smaller and lighter, making it easier to handle and carry.
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate, resulting in a better visual experience (sharper, more vibrant, smoother).
- Much Faster Performance: Snapdragon 888 chipset provides significantly higher performance for all tasks including gaming.
- Faster Charging: 30W charging reduces downtime.
- Better Camera Quality: Superior video, as well as higher image quality overall based on DXOMark results.
- Latest Software: Ships with Android 11, upgradeable to Android 13.
- Better connectivity: Supports more modern standards for bluetooth and wifi.
- Better Audio: Stereo Speakers and better quality microphones.
- Better Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus Screen protection.
- Dual SIM: Dual SIM capability, which can be great for certain users.
Trade-offs:
- Motorola One 5G Ace: Trades performance, display quality, and portability for a slightly larger screen and potentially longer battery life.
- Asus Zenfone 8: Trades battery capacity and lacks dedicated macro or telephoto lenses for a smaller size, much better display and performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola One 5G Ace is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize a large screen for media consumption, reading, or accessibility purposes.
- Budget-conscious buyers who need long battery life and are willing to compromise on performance.
- Users who want a macro lens and a wide angle lens without a big trade off.
- Users who prefer larger devices and dont prioritize portability.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos.
- Browsing social media and reading articles.
- Everyday casual use where high performance isn't needed.
Asus Zenfone 8 is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize performance, gaming, and smooth, high-quality visuals.
- Those who want a compact device that's easy to handle and carry.
- Users who prefer to take photos and videos that look professional.
- Those who want the latest software and connectivity features.
- Those who prioritize audio quality.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphics-intensive mobile games.
- Capturing high-resolution photos and videos.
- Multitasking between demanding apps.
- General daily use, with a focus on efficiency and quality.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Motorola One 5G Ace is likely more budget-friendly and offers better value for users who prioritize battery and screen size.
- The Asus Zenfone 8 is pricier but justifies this with better performance, display quality, and camera quality, making it a better value for performance-focused users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Size Preference: Do you prefer a large-screen phone or something compact and portable?
- Performance Needs: Do you prioritize top-tier performance and gaming, or is moderate performance adequate?
- Primary Use: Will your phone primarily be used for casual media consumption, or will you be gaming and performing intensive tasks?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual user who values a large screen and long battery life - Choose the Motorola One 5G Ace.
- Scenario 2: Performance-focused user who wants a compact phone and great performance: - Choose the Asus Zenfone 8.
- Scenario 3: User looking for the best possible display quality and camera performance: - Choose the Asus Zenfone 8.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Asus Zenfone 8. Despite the smaller screen and battery, its significantly better display, vastly superior performance, and better camera quality far outweigh the benefits of a larger battery and screen. The compact size and the latest connectivity are also extremely compelling. As a power user who prioritizes performance, smoothness, and image quality, the Zenfone 8 offers a much better experience overall. The lack of a dedicated telephoto lens is a minor trade-off, as the overall image quality of the Zenfone 8 is still superior. The faster charging is also a key feature for me, considering my usage patterns.