The smartphone section of Asus is not much active as its other segments. Still, the Zenfone 8 and above models clearly show the brand has enough potential to make a bold impact in the global market. Though, the ROG series is still the global gaming smartphone leader.
The Zenfone 9, from last year, was highly appreciated for packing all the flagship specifications in a small form factor. They even managed to retain the 3.5mm audio jack and the camera outputs stood at the top 3 in MKBHD’s test. There are not all, Asus is one of the few brands that still provides a fast charging adapter and a case in the box, maintaining the Echo Friendly campaign. On the 29th of June, Asus globally launched its successor, Zenfone 10. They introduced it at the exact same price as what the Zenfone 9 was launched.
The base 8GB/128GB model costs 799€, the 8GB/256GB model costs 849€, and the highest 16GB/512GB model is available at 929€. Now obviously, there are many upgrades but what if you get the legendary Zenfoen 9 at a discounted price? Which one do you need to choose? So, here are all the differences between the Zenfone 9 and Zenfone 10.
Zenfone 9 VS Zenfone 10: Specifications
| Specification | Zenfone 9 | Zenfone 10 |
| Display | ||
| Screen SIze | 5.9-inch AMOLED | 5.9-inch AMOLED |
| Highest Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz |
| Resolution | 2400×1080 | 2400×1080 |
| PPI | 445ppi | 445ppi |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1100 nits |
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Performance & Memory | ||
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| Graphics | Adreno™ 730 | Adreno™ 740 |
| RAM Options | 8GB, 16GB | 8GB, 16GB |
| RAM Type | LPDDR5X | LPDDR5X |
| Storage Options | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB |
| Storage Type | UFS 3.1 | UFS 4.0 |
| Camera | ||
| Rear Camera | 50MP main (f/1.9, OIS, gimbal) + 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2) | 50MP main (f/1.9, OIS, gimbal 2.0) + 13MP ultrawide (f/2.2) |
| Main Sensor Brand | Sony® IMX766 | Sony® IMX766 |
| Front camera | 12MP (f/2.4) | 32MP (f/2.4) |
| Video Recording (Rear) | Up to 8K 24fps | Up to 8K 24fps |
| Video Recording (Front) | Front Camera | FHD/30fps or HD/30fps |
| Power Features | ||
| Battery | 4300mAh | 4300mAh |
| Charging | 30W wired | 30W wired, 15W wireless |
| Network & Wireless Tech | ||
| Network | 5G | 5G |
| WiFi | 6 | 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Software | ||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13 |
| Updates | 2 Android, 2 years Security Patch | 2 Android, 3 years Security Patch |
| Other | ||
| Dimensions | 146.5 x 68.1 x 9.1 mm | 146.5 x 68.1 x 9.4 mm |
| Weight | 169g | 172g |
| Colors | Midnight Black, Moonlight White, Sunset Red, Starry Blue | Midnight Black, Comet White, Eclipse Red, Aurora Green, Starry Blue |
| Fingerprint | Side Mounted | Side Mounted |
Other than the above, the 3.5mm audio jack and IP68 certification are common for both phones. There is a minor change in the backside material, though, it’s not that eye-catching. Both generations have support for dual physical nano-SIMs. You can play with the customizable power button in any of these two phones, where the fingerprint sensor is also mounted.
Zenfone 9 VS Zenfone 10: The Final Answer
Now coming to the actual question – should you buy the Zenforn 9 if you get it at a discounted price and even if you can afford the Zenfone 10 easily?
No doubt, the Zenfone 10 is more powerful than its predecessor and there are many other improvements as well (Exmp. Gimbal 2.0). But, how much power of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 SoC this smartphone can utilize in day-to-day tasks within this small form factor? The Zenfone 9, on the other hand, has the perfect balance everywhere. The only compromise you need to do is the software update as only one major Android update and one year of security patch update are remaining.
So, to conclude, if you get the Zenfone 9 at a discounted price, you definitely go for it, over the latest Zenfone 10. It will not only save money but will not let you compromise on performance and experience.
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