Asus Zenfone 10 vs Zenfone 9: Must you improve?

• Asus / Pocket-lint

  Asus Zenfone 10

  Editor’s Selection

  The Zenfone 10 delivers flagship efficiency, has an important show and digital camera, however squeezes it into a snug one-handed, compact type. Does it stack as much as the Zenfone 9?

  Execs

  • Compact and sensible design
  • Flagship pace and efficiency
  • Not too costly

  Cons

  • Funky rear texture
  • Ultrawide digital camera could possibly be higher
  • Small display is not for everybody

• 

  Asus / Pocket-lint

  Asus Zenfone 9

  Price conserving

  The Zenfone 9 is a small compact cellphone that delivers steallr efficiency. It’ll quickly get replaced by the Zenfone 10, although. Which begs the query: is the brand new one a worthy improve?

  Execs

  • Compact construct
  • Nice efficiency
  • 3.5mm headphone jack

  Cons

  • Software program bloat
  • No telephoto digital camera
  • Small display will not be everybody

Compact smartphones are fading away as folks transfer to bigger shows, however there are just a few good small telephones on the market, and the Asus Zenfone sequence is among the many greatest. The Zenfone 9 acquired a lot reward on launch and is now changed by the newer, extra highly effective Zenfone 10. We reviewed the Zenfone 9 when it got here out and liked it, and we have already gotten our palms on the Zenfone 10 and reviewed it with comparable ranges of reward. This begs the query: do you have to improve to the Asus Zenfone 10? If you do not have a Zenfone but, is the Zenfone 9 nonetheless price choosing up, or do you have to spring for the newer mannequin?

Worth, specs, and availability

Proper now, we’re in an in-between section for the Zenfone, with final yr’s Zenfone 9 on the best way out and this yr’s Zenfone 10 not accessible all over the place. The Zenfone 9 sells for $699.99 immediately from Asus within the US and £619.99 within the UK. The Zenfone 10 hasn’t launched in North America but, however it’s accessible within the UK for £749.99 (its MSRP is £819.99, nevertheless it’s cheaper in the course of the launch window).

• 	Asus Zenfone 10	Asus Zenfone 9
  SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
  Show	5.92-inch, 2400 x 1080, 144Hz	5.9-inch, 2400 x 1080, 120Hz
  Battery	4300mAh	4300mAh
  Working System	Android 13	Android 12
  Entrance digital camera	32MP	12MP
  Rear cameras	50MP major, 13MP ultra-wide	50MP major, 12MP ultra-wide
  Dimensions	146.5 x 68.1 x 9.4mm, 172g	146.5 x 68.1 x 9.1mm, 169g
  Colours	Starry Blue, Midnight Black, Aurora Inexperienced, Eclipse Pink, Comet White	Midnight Black, Moonlight White, Starry Blue
  IP Score	IP68	IP68
  RAM and Storage	As much as 16GB RAM, as much as 512GB storage	As much as 16GB RAM, as much as 256GB storage
  GPU	Adreno 740	Adreno 730

Design

Asus Zenfone 10 versus Asus Zenfone 9: these small smartphones are comparable when it comes to feel and appear. Asus made some clever modifications to the Zenfone 10, however the similarities are noticeable if you take a look at the 2 units side-by-side.

Each telephones function distinguished cameras on the again, which might be probably the most divisive side. They each have a textured again that will not be for everybody however makes the cellphone stand out in the crowded market.

The factor that makes the Zenfone 9 and 10 stand out is the bodily measurement. They not make many small telephones, particularly ones with flagship efficiency. Fortunately, the scale of the telephones hasn’t modified a lot, with the Zenfone 9 coming in at 146.5 x 68.1 x 9.1mm and 169g. The Zenfone 10 is 146.5 x 68.1 x 9.4mm and 176g. The newer mannequin is simply marginally thicker and heavier, nevertheless it’s not a large enough distinction to really feel when utilizing both cellphone.

The Zenfone 9 and 10 supply Gorilla Glass Victus glass and an IP68 dust and waterproofing ranking, so you possibly can depend on the telephones providing strong sturdiness no matter which you resolve to purchase. They each function a plastic again and aluminum sides, which is customary for telephones on this worth vary.

The underside of each telephones contains a 3.5mm headphone jack, one other rarity in fashionable smartphones, with the Sony Xperia phones being a number of the solely others to supply the function.

Show

Each Asus Zenfone fashions function a smaller show than you may discover on most smartphones, however that is the commerce off required to create a cellphone with a small type issue. The Zenfone 10 has a 5.91-inch AMOLED show, whereas the Zenfone 9 contains a 5.9-inch AMOLED display. Each units function an 2400 x 1080 pixel decision, which leads to a 445ppi pixel density – a determine that’s properly above common for an FHD+ show. Additionally they look extra vibrant than different telephones with the identical decision.

Essentially the most important replace between the 2 Zenphone fashions comes all the way down to the refresh rate: the Asus Zenfone 10 has a 144Hz refresh price in comparison with the Asus Zenfone 9’s 120Hz. Each are quick, however the further pace supplied by the Zenfone 10 does make a slight distinction.

You will not discover a distinction in brightness between the 2 telephones, as they each include 1100nits of peak brightness.

{Hardware} and specs

The Asus Zenfone 10 has an improve to the processor that could be a noticeable efficiency improve. It contains a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor in comparison with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 discovered within the Asus Zenfone 9. If you happen to’re a stickler for efficiency, you’ll discover the additional pace supplied by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in comparison with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. Within the Zenfone 9, you possibly can go all the way down to as little as 6GB of RAM and as much as as a lot as 16GB. Within the Zenfone 10, the utmost RAM is similar at 16GB, however you possibly can solely go as little as 8GB. If you happen to’re involved about efficiency, you may wish to get one of many 16GB fashions, as the additional reminiscence will vastly enhance multitasking in your cellphone.

Storage on the 2 telephones is similar on the low finish, with each bottoming out at 128GB. Nevertheless, on the upper finish of the dimensions, you possibly can rise up to 512GB of house within the newer Zenfone 10, whereas the Zenfone 9 solely presents as much as 256GB of house. If you happen to retailer a mess of photographs, movies, music, and apps regionally, this could possibly be the final word decider, since you possibly can solely get the additional house within the newer mannequin.

Battery life between each telephones must be comparable, as they provide 4300mAh batteries. There could possibly be a slight distinction because of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 effectivity in comparison with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, however we would not anticipate huge lifespan variations. Each units assist charging speeds of 30W, so you will not discover a distinction in how briskly the 2 refill.

The Zenfone 9 comes with Android 12 out of the field, whereas the Zenfone 10 launches with Android 13. Having one OS model newer means you may get yet one more OS model sooner or later, so if you happen to wish to have the most recent Android model in your cellphone, you may wish to choose up the newer Zenfone 10, although the Zenfone 9 also needs to see an improve.

Cameras

Telephone producers push issues ahead yearly with their cameras, although Asus stored the modifications moderately small. The Zenfone 9 contains a 50-megapixel, f/1.9 aperture major lens, as does the Zenfone 10. Whereas the primary lens stays unchanged, the ultra-wide digital camera has seen a slight improve, with the Zenfone 10 providing a 12-megapixel, f/2.2 shooter in comparison with the Zenfone 9’s 12-megapixel, f/2.2 digital camera. Neither cellphone options any telephoto zoom lens, which is disappointing but in addition anticipated for a comparatively reasonably priced gadget.

Essentially the most distinguished improve involves the front-facing digital camera, 32-megapixel on the Zenfone 10 and 12-megapixel on the Zenfone 9. If you happen to like taking selfies, this alone makes shopping for the newer mannequin price it. One other cool function each telephones supply is gimbal-like six-axis stabilisation, which creates smoother movies and higher night time photographs.

Moreover the numerous improve to the selfie digital camera, Asus did not change an excessive amount of, so the cameras will not be an enormous figuring out issue during which cellphone you select to take residence. There are some tweaks and upgrades, however for probably the most half, they’re minor.

Which is best for you?

Many upgrades from the Asus Zenfone 9 to Zenfone 10 are modest, however if you add them up collectively, you get a barely higher cellphone. If you happen to’re the sort who appears like they’re lacking out by not having the most recent and best, you may wish to spring for the Zenfone 10.

Asus / Pocket-lint

Asus Zenfone 10

Editor’s Selection

If you happen to do not already personal a Zenfone 9, the value between the telephones is shut sufficient that we will simply suggest getting the newer Zenfone 10. Between the higher selfie digital camera, newer chip, and expanded storage choices, it is a strong improve.

Nevertheless, if yow will discover a superb deal on the Zenfone 9, it is nonetheless price getting because it performs properly, has nice cameras, and comes with the identical svelte type issue that the Zenfone sequence is thought for. If you happen to personal an Asus Zenfone 9, it isn’t price grabbing the newer mannequin. The modifications are good, however there’s not sufficient to justify spending the cash if you happen to personal the same mannequin.

Asus / Pocket-lint

Asus Zenfone 9

Price conserving

Whereas the Asus Zenfone 10 has some good upgrades, there’s is not sufficient to justify changing a Zenfone 9. If you happen to already personal this unbelievable cellphone, you are higher off sticking with it than spending the cash on the newer one.