
The Asus Zenfone 8 was a non-descript compact Android flagship, a one-of-a-kind gadget since the remainder of its competitors was simply bigger. Many drew parallels stating how this was the iPhone mini for Android customers. It included an honest digicam, a flagship processor, and a comparatively clear Android expertise with Zen UI.
With a tool that did many issues proper, it was clear that we might anticipate to see a successor, and immediately the Asus Zenfone 9 was made official. Many of the gadget’s options leaked in a promotional video earlier in July, however with the finer particulars now obtainable, allow us to have a look at what’s on provide.

Asus Zenfone 9
The Compact Flagship
The Zenfone 9 options inside {hardware} corresponding to any flagship launched in 2022, however it options the key-selling level of being a compact gadget. In the event you have been in search of a small cellphone that does issues higher or equal to most choices available on the market, this can be a cellphone to maintain your eyes on.
Design

Whereas its predecessor sported a plain and easy look, the Zenfone 9 ships with a big divergence; the square-slab design and the digicam lenses are most noticeable. Asus even determined to discard the glass sandwich design in favor of a polymer materials for the again that arrives in 4 totally different colour choices and helps scale back the cellphone’s weight. Asus states the change brings a 36% discount.
Zenfone 9 weighs in at 169g whereas sporting a fairly sized 5.9-inch AMOLED show, a considerably bigger digicam system with a gimbal system, and a 4300mAh battery.
Sadly, together with the change in design, Asus determined to dispose of the under-screen fingerprint scanner on the Zenfone 9. The biometric element is embedded within the energy button and supplies gesture-based controls for the consumer interface.
However arriving on the record of options which have caught round this yr, the show nonetheless has Gorilla Glass Victus safety, the IP68 score is maintained, and alongside the highest edge, you will see that the three.5mm headphone jack. The quantity rockers are above the facility button with the USB-C port adorning the underside.
Total, it appears just like the Zenfone 8 from final yr, whose solely defining issue was the compact measurement, has a brand new look that ought to make it stand out available in the market.
Show

Leaping into the weeds concerning the show, like its predecessor, Zenfone 9 will characteristic a 5.9-inch FHD+ AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh fee, and Samsung continues to make it. The panel was described as vibrant and nice to view the final time; that continues to be the case this yr.
The panel has a rated most brightness of 1100 nits, with colour accuracy calibrated at two totally different brightness ranges. Any such calibration permits the show to have a low Delta-E worth. The panel even helps All the time-on expertise and requirements like HDR 10 and HDR10+. And as talked about earlier, the show is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus.
Be aware: A low Delta-E worth means the show has higher colour accuracy.
Efficiency

Like with the ROG Cellphone 6, Asus has chosen to ship the Zenfone 9 with the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen. Utilizing this chipset means the compact cellphone is in line to be one of many few powerhouse units that comes with wonderful effectivity. Qualcomm stated the brand new processor was 10% extra highly effective and 30% extra environment friendly than its predecessor, which is certain to have an effect on a cellphone with a smaller-than-average battery in 2022 positively.
Zenfone 9 will ship with a minimal of 8GB of RAM or bounce on to 16GB. As for inside storage, the bottom unit will provide 128GB with an choice to improve to 256GB — each UFS3.1.
Digital camera

The digicam {hardware} on Zenfone 9 sees a notable set of adjustments from its predecessor. Changing the 64MP Sony IMX 686 from final yr is the brand new widespread child on the block, the 50MP f/1.9 Sony IMX 766. The digicam ships with OIS and a 6-axis gimbal stabilization system to boost the expertise additional. The second digicam is a 12MP Sony IMX 363 with an aperture of f/2.2 and a 113-degree discipline of view, whereas the entrance digicam — housed in a hole-punch — is a 12MP Sony IMX 663 with f/2.4 and a 76.5-degree discipline of view and autofocus.
The digicam comes with different smarts, like a Mild Path Seize characteristic (at present in Beta) and a Professional mode that gives sufficient customizability to seize nice photographs. To see how the digicam fares look ahead to future content material surrounding the Zenfone 9 on Pocketnow.
Battery

Amongst the opposite constructive adjustments, Asus has additionally elevated the battery measurement on Zenfone 9. The encased cell extends from 4000 mAh to 4300 mAh on Zenfone 9. The OEM additionally continues to take care of help for 30W charging. And like final yr, the Zenfone 9 presents software-based options like a cost limiter, scheduled charging, and regular charging, every of which can assist protect the well being of the cell inside.
Asus ships a 30W adapter within the field with Zenfone 9.
Pricing and Availability

For pricing, the Asus Zenfone 8 began at $629 for its base 8GB + 128GB variant in North America. With the upgrades this yr, the Zenfone 9 is barely costlier and can begin at $699 in america. However for what it’s value, the gadget is exclusive and does stand to supply an excellent expertise.
Iterating on the SKUs we talked about earlier, you should purchase variants that characteristic 8GB of RAM or 16GB of RAM, bundled with 128GB or 256GB of storage. The precise combos offered will range by area.
SKU | North America | Europe |
---|---|---|
8GB + 128GB | $699 | €799 |
8GB + 256GB | NA | €849 |
16GB + 256GB | NA | €899 |
As for availability, the gadget is at present obtainable for pre-order on a few of Asus’ European web sites, with deliveries set to occur in August. Different areas, together with North America, nonetheless lack official particulars.
Technical Specs
Class | Asus Zenfone 9 |
---|---|
Dimensions | 146.5 x 68.1 x 9.1 mm |
Weight | 169g |
Show | 5.9-inch FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED Show 1100 nits peak brightness HDR 10 and HDR10+ Certification Delta-E Gorilla Glass Victus |
Processor | Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 |
RAM | 8GB or 16GB |
Inner Storage | 128GB or 256GB |
Battery | 4300mAh 30W Quick Charging |
Working System | Android 12 |
Rear Digital camera | 50MP Sony IMX766, 1/1.56″ massive sensor, 1.0µm pixel measurement, f/1.9 aperture, 6-Axis Hybrid Gimbal 12MP Sony IMX363, 1/2.55″ sensor, 1.4 µm pixel measurement, f/2.2 aperture, 113 -degree discipline of view |
Entrance Digital camera | 12MP Sony IMX663, 1/2.93″ sensor, f/2.45 aperture |
Video Functionality (Rear) | 8K at 24fps, 4K at 30fps/60fps, 1080p at 30fps/60fps with Hyper Regular Gradual Movement: 4K at 120fps, 1080p at 240fps, 720p at 480fps |
Video Functionality (Entrance) | 4k at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps |
Connectivity | WiFi 6/6E Bluetooth 5.2 NFC |
Audio system | Twin-stereo audio system with Dirac HD Sound |
Colours | White, Black, Crimson, and Blue |
What’s within the field | Documentation Ejector Pin USB Energy adapter USB-C to USB-C Cable Cellphone case |