1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus Zenfone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 148 × 68.5 × 8.9 mm | OnePlus 9R is noticeably larger and less pocketable. Asus Zenfone 8 is more compact and easier to handle with one hand. |
| Weight | 189g | 169g | Asus Zenfone 8 is lighter, making it more comfortable for long use. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus Zenfone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 5.9" | OnePlus 9R offers a larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. Asus Zenfone 8 is more compact and easier to use with one hand. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both deliver crisp images. |
| Pixel Density | 402 PPI | 446 PPI | Asus Zenfone 8 has a slightly sharper display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both provide vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits (Unspecified) | 1100 nits | Asus Zenfone 8 screen is significantly brighter, making it much better for outdoor use in sunlight. OnePlus 9R's brightness is not specified, which is a significant unknown. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus Zenfone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 (7 nm) | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Asus Zenfone 8 has a more powerful processor, resulting in better overall performance and efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 891,700 | Asus Zenfone 8 has a marginally better benchmark score, indicating slightly faster speeds for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 660 | Asus Zenfone 8's GPU is more powerful, providing smoother gaming experiences. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus Zenfone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 64MP | Asus Zenfone 8 captures more detailed images. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | OnePlus 9R has a slightly wider aperture which can allow more light in, slightly better in low-light conditions. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.7" | Asus Zenfone 8 has a larger sensor, capable of capturing more light and detail, especially in low light conditions. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 12MP | OnePlus 9R captures more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.4 | f/2.45 | OnePlus 9R has a negligibly wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.13" | 1/2.93" | Asus Zenfone 8 has a slightly larger sensor, better low light performance for selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes (16MP) | No | OnePlus 9R can capture wider shots. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | Yes (2MP) | No | OnePlus 9R can produce portrait shots with more background blur, a dedicated sensor. |
| Macro Lens | Yes (5MP) | No | OnePlus 9R can take close up photos of small objects. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | No | Yes (12MP) | Asus Zenfone 8 offers wide-angle and macro capabilities through a single lens. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Asus Zenfone 8 is capable of higher-resolution video recording and more slow-motion video options. |
| DXOMark Score | Not Tested | 116 (Overall) | Asus Zenfone 8 has been tested and performs well in camera quality. OnePlus 9R does not have available score. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus Zenfone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4000mAh | OnePlus 9R has a larger battery, which should provide longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9R charges significantly faster. |
Other
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus Zenfone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Operating System | Android 10 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | Asus Zenfone 8 starts with a newer version of Android. Both are upgradable to Android 13. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Asus Zenfone 8 uses a more recent version of Bluetooth. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards for fast and reliable connections. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1,B2), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System, QZSS (L1+L5) | Asus Zenfone 8 supports more satellite systems for enhanced location accuracy. |
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both offer the same storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 6GB/8GB/12GB/16GB | Asus Zenfone 8 offers more RAM variants including 16GB, which is better for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Asus Zenfone 8 has a slight edge with Hi-Res Audio and 3 microphones, potentially better audio quality overall. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Asus Zenfone 8 has better screen protection, enhancing its durability. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Larger Display: Better for media consumption, gaming, and multi-tasking (6.55" vs 5.9").
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life for extended use (4500 mAh vs 4000 mAh).
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster charging speeds (65W vs 30W).
- Dedicated Additional Cameras: Features dedicated ultrawide, macro and depth sensors.
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages:
- Compact Size and Lighter: Easier to handle and more pocketable (148 × 68.5 × 8.9 mm, 169g).
- Higher Peak Brightness: Much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight (1100 nits vs. unspecified).
- More Powerful Processor: Better overall performance (Snapdragon 888 vs 870).
- More Powerful GPU: Better gaming performance (Adreno 660 vs Adreno 650).
- Better Camera Sensor: Captures more light and detail due to larger camera sensors, with better scores for photo and video.
- 8K Video Recording: Capable of higher-resolution videos and slow-motion recording capabilities.
- More RAM Options: Up to 16GB of RAM for intensive multitasking.
- Enhanced Audio: Hi-Res Audio, 3 microphones, offers potentially better overall audio quality.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for enhanced durability.
- More Advanced GPS More satellite support.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9R: Sacrifices one-hand usability, some performance, and outdoor visibility for a larger screen, better battery capacity, faster charging speeds and additional cameras.
- Asus Zenfone 8: Sacrifices battery life, charging speeds, and dedicated ultrawide, macro and depth cameras, for a more compact form factor, superior processor, better outdoor visibility, better main camera quality and better audio.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R Ideal Users:
- Media Consumers: Those who watch a lot of videos or stream content.
- Gamers: Users who want a large display for gaming and good battery life for long sessions.
- Users Needing Fast Charging: Those who frequently need to quickly charge their phone.
- Users who enjoy photography: With 4 cameras to choose from.
Asus Zenfone 8 Ideal Users:
- Users who value compactness and one-handed operation: Those who want a smaller, lighter, and more pocketable phone.
- Performance Seekers: Gamers and power users who need a top-tier processor and GPU, who don't necessarily need the biggest screen.
- Outdoor Users: Those who spend time outdoors and need a bright screen for visibility in sunlight.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize main camera quality over having multiple lens options.
- Audio Enthusiasts: Who want excellent audio quality, both playback and voice capture.
Use Cases:
- OnePlus 9R:
- Binge-watching shows on the go, long gaming sessions, power users on the go.
- Asus Zenfone 8:
- Everyday use with easy one-handed operation, professional-grade photography on the go, outdoor use, use cases involving superior audio needs such as video calls, listening to music.
Price-to-Value:
- The price-to-value ratio depends on user priorities. If display size, battery life, fast charging, and additional cameras are top priorities, OnePlus 9R provides excellent value. If performance, compact size, main camera quality, audio quality, and outdoor visibility are the priority, Asus Zenfone 8 is the better choice despite sacrificing battery size, charging speeds, and additional camera lens options.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize screen size and long battery life, or a compact, one-handed design?
- Is top-tier performance and gaming a must, or is good performance sufficient?
- Is camera quality important or are additional camera lens options more important?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Commuter/Frequent Traveler:
- Recommendation: Asus Zenfone 8 due to its compact size, light weight, better screen in the sun and advanced GPS.
- Scenario 2: Home Entertainment/Gaming:
- Recommendation: OnePlus 9R due to the large screen and long battery life if the display and battery life are the priorities, or the Asus Zenfone 8 if the most powerful performance is the priority.
- Scenario 3: Photography:
- Recommendation: Asus Zenfone 8 if main camera quality and video is the priority, or the OnePlus 9R if additional lens options are more important.
My Choice
I would choose the Asus Zenfone 8. While the OnePlus 9R has a larger screen and battery, my priority is a compact phone with excellent performance, a great main camera, and a bright screen for outdoor use. The Asus Zenfone 8's superior chipset, GPU, better screen quality, more RAM options, better audio, and more advanced GPS make it a better fit for my needs. The 8K video is a nice-to-have, and the compact size is a significant advantage for portability and one-handed use. The Asus Zenfone 8's better main camera sensor and better audio are also significant factors that make it a better fit for my daily usage.
