Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 Pro vs. Asus Zenfone 8
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus Zenfone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 148 × 68.5 × 8.9 mm | OnePlus 9 Pro is significantly larger and taller, harder to use single-handedly. Asus Zenfone 8 is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 197g | 169g | Asus Zenfone 8 is noticeably lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Asus Zenfone 8 offers superior scratch and shatter resistance for daily use. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus Zenfone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 5.9" | OnePlus 9 Pro provides a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming. Asus Zenfone 8 is more suitable for those preferring smaller phones. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1080x2400 | OnePlus 9 Pro offers sharper visuals, especially noticeable for fine text and detailed images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 525 | 446 | OnePlus 9 Pro's display will appear crisper, better for reading and detail-oriented tasks. |
| Technology | Unspecified | AMOLED | Asus Zenfone 8 has better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. AMOLED is also more power-efficient for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1100 nits | OnePlus 9 Pro is more readable in bright outdoor conditions. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus Zenfone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Both offer flagship-level performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 891,700 | Both phones perform virtually identically in benchmarks, negligible difference in daily use. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 | Both have the same graphics capabilities, excellent for mobile gaming. |
| RAM | 8 GB or 12 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB or 12 GB or 16 GB | Asus Zenfone 8 offers higher RAM options, enabling smoother multitasking and handling more background apps. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus Zenfone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 64MP | Asus Zenfone 8 captures more detailed images in good lighting. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.43" | 1/1.7" | OnePlus 9 Pro has a larger sensor, leading to better low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 12MP | OnePlus 9 Pro captures slightly higher-resolution selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.13" | 1/2.93" | Asus Zenfone 8's selfie camera has a larger sensor for better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | Yes (8MP) | No | OnePlus 9 Pro offers optical zoom for close-up shots without digital artifacts. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes (50MP) | No | OnePlus 9 Pro captures ultrawide landscape photos with more detail. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | No | Yes (12MP) | Asus Zenfone 8 can capture wide-angle and close-up macro shots. |
| Black & White Lens | Yes (2MP) | No | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated black and white sensor for artistic shots. |
| Video Recording | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps, HDR, EIS | 8K@24fps, 4K@120fps, HDR, EIS | Both record high-quality videos; OnePlus has a slight edge in 8k recording framerate. |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile: 122, Photo: 124, Video: 118 | Mobile: 116, Photo: 120, Video: 118 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a higher overall camera score, performing better in photo tests. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus Zenfone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4000mAh | OnePlus 9 Pro typically offers longer battery life, especially for heavy users. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9 Pro charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 50W Wireless charging, Reverse wireless charging | None | OnePlus 9 Pro is more convenient for charging other devices and wire-free charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Larger, Higher-Resolution Display: Provides a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming.
- Superior Camera System: Telephoto, wide-angle, and B&W lenses offer more versatility, along with a higher DXOMark score.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: Significantly quicker charging speeds and wireless options improve convenience.
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life for all-day usage.
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages:
- Compact Size: More pocketable and easier to handle with one hand.
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use.
- Superior Screen Protection: Greater durability with Gorilla Glass Victus.
- Macro Lens: For extreme close-up photography.
- Higher RAM options: up to 16 GB, better for heavy multitasking and gaming.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 Pro has a larger display but lacks the compactness of the Asus Zenfone 8.
- Asus Zenfone 8 offers a more versatile macro lens but lacks the telephoto and ultrawide options of the OnePlus 9 Pro.
- OnePlus 9 Pro has faster charging but the Asus Zenfone 8 has a more durable display.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro Ideal User:
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Those who watch a lot of videos, play games, and prefer a large, high-resolution display.
- Photography Lovers: Users who want a versatile camera system with zoom, ultrawide, and black & white capabilities, along with high photo quality and features.
- Power Users: Those who need fast charging and all-day battery life.
- Users who prioritize premium display quality: Users that are looking for crisp display with high brightness and refresh rate.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and TV shows on the go.
- Gaming with detailed graphics and high refresh rate.
- Taking diverse photos in various situations, including portraits, landscapes, and close-ups.
- Long days with heavy phone usage, requiring fast charging.
Asus Zenfone 8 Ideal User:
- One-Handed Users: Those who prefer a compact and lightweight phone for single-handed use.
- Practical Users: Users who prioritize durability and a good-quality display.
- Macro Photography Enthusiasts: Those interested in taking extreme close-up shots.
- Users who prioritize RAM: Users that are looking for heavy multitasking and gaming.
Use Cases:
- Easy pocketability and comfortable single-handed usage.
- Taking detailed close-up macro shots.
- Reliable daily usage with good screen protection.
- Smooth multitasking on heavy apps.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Do you prioritize a large display and a versatile camera system, or a compact, one-handed phone? Your answer will heavily influence whether the OnePlus 9 Pro or Asus Zenfone 8 is more appropriate.
- How important is battery life and charging speed to you? If long battery life and super-fast charging are essential, the OnePlus 9 Pro is preferable.
- Do you need a telephoto and ultrawide lens, or a macro lens? This depends on your photography preferences, OnePlus 9 Pro has telephoto and ultrawide while Asus Zenfone 8 offers macro lens.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For heavy media consumption and photography: Choose the OnePlus 9 Pro for its large, vibrant display, versatile camera system, and faster charging.
- For those who prefer a compact, pocketable phone with a macro lens: Select the Asus Zenfone 8 for its smaller size, lighter weight, and robust build.
- For users that prioritize performance over everything: Select the Asus Zenfone 8 for its higher RAM options.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally pick the OnePlus 9 Pro.
Here's why:
- Display: As someone who consumes a lot of media and games, the larger, higher-resolution display of the OnePlus 9 Pro would be a more enjoyable experience.
- Camera Versatility: I value having telephoto and ultrawide lenses for diverse shooting scenarios. The better DXOMark score also indicates superior overall photo quality.
- Charging Speed: The significantly faster charging speed and wireless charging options would be a major convenience for my daily usage.
- Overall Experience: While the Asus Zenfone 8 has its merits, particularly in terms of size, the larger display, more versatile camera setup, and superior charging capabilities of the OnePlus 9 Pro would make a more compelling and versatile device for my needs.
While the Asus Zenfone 8 is appealing for its compact size and stronger screen protection, the benefits of the OnePlus 9 Pro's display, camera, and charging speed outweigh those for me. It's a better match for my usage habits even with the compromises in compactness and build quality.
