Android cellphones that have high performance but have a tiny body can be counted as such. Asus Zenfone 9 is one that exists on the market.
Repeating the previous generation formula, Zenfone 9 is still made with compact dimensions combined with high specifications.
Of course Asus provides a number of improvements. But does all that make Zenfone 9 worth considering as a daily driver? The answer is in the following brief review:
Design
Zenfone 9 is so sturdy when seen and held. Being compact makes it so easy to operate with one hand and put in a jeans pocket.
In terms of dimensions, the Zenfone 9 is actually not much different from the iPhone 14 or the Galaxy S22. The difference is, the body is not that wide but slightly thicker than its two competitors.
Likewise when compared to the Zenfone 8. But Asus has refreshed the display so that the Zenfone 9 is fresher.
There are no more curved body edges replaced with flat edges, so it feels more modern. The cover material is also different, Asus no longer installs a layer of glass.
Instead, it uses a polymer composite material with a matte finish that makes it comfortable in the hand. It's just that the coating is easy to leave scratches and fade.
Asus installed special touch buttons on the side of the body to facilitate one-handed use. Had tried for a while but in the end we disabled it because it didn't really need an increase in dimensions that weren't that big, fingers could still easily reach menus on the screen.
Most importantly Zenfone 9 has pocketed IP68. Makes you worry when using this cellphone in the rain.
Screen
Zenfone 9 has a 5.9 inch stretch with Full HD + resolution and is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus. The screen uses an AMOLED panel that supports HDR, presents rich and sharp colors, it's fun to enjoy video content from movie streaming platforms.
The refresh rate of 120 Hz provides a very smooth experience when scrolling through content. Touch sampling rate of 240 Hz makes playing games feel responsive.
The brightness of the Zenfone 9 is high, so using this phone outdoors is no problem. The screen remains clear even under the hot sun.
Although given stereo speakers, the resulting sound quality is standard. But what makes it interesting is that the Zenfone 9 is supported by Dirac audio technology, Qualcomm aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive, Dirac, LDAC, and AAC, so that Hi-Res quality sound can be enjoyed when using earphones connected to Bluetooth.
performance
Asus supports the Zenfone 9 with the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset combined with 16 GB of RAM. This combination makes playing heavy games like Genshin Impact or editing videos for social media run smoothly.
This result is in line with our benchmark results. In the Zenfone 9 Geekbench test, the single-core score was 1,315 and the multi-core was 4,206.
It's just that this phone is very easy to heat. Even though it is not used to open heavy applications, for example watching video content on TikTok.
Battery
Having a 4,300 mAh battery makes Zenfone 9 usable for a long time. With a 120 Hz screen and adaptive brightness, we just recharged this phone after 12 hours of use.
Unfortunately, when competitors are already providing 65W support, Asus is still providing a 30W fast charger. It took 1 hour and 15 minutes to make the Zenfone 9 battery full 0-100%.
Zen UI
When the Zenfone 9 was launched, it still ran Zen UI based on Android 12. But last December, it got the Android 13 update.
Compared to other user interfaces, Zen UI is similar to the plain Android OS installed on the Pixel. Only a few default applications and it is quite useful.
It's just different from the Galaxy S22 and iPhone 14, support for updating the Zenfone 9 operating system is no more than 3 years. Maybe Asus should consider this.
Camera
Asus still maintains a two-camera configuration like the Zenfone 8. However, the embedded sensor is updated. The composition is still two cameras, but that's enough for everyday needs.
The Asus Zenfone 9 is equipped with a 50 MP main camera with Sony IMX 766, using Quad Bayer technology to produce 16MP photos. The lack of a dedicated zoom lens is made up for with lossless 2x digital zoom capability.
The gimbal camera system on the Asus Zenfone 9 features six-axis stabilization, which should keep the 1/56 inch sensor steady. This system works very well during video but can also help with long exposure shots.
The second camera uses the same 1/2.55" Sony IMX363 sensor as the Zenfone 8 with F2.2 aperture and 113˚ FOV. It can also do macro shooting up to 4cm.
Finally, the front camera, which is a combination Sony IMX663 / f/2.45 1/2.93 inch 1/2.93 inch lens also uses dual PDAF, and is capable of recording up to 4K video.
The Zenfone 9 camera is capable of producing good photos, including in difficult lighting conditions.
Our Opinion
If you are looking for a cellphone with a large screen, the Zenfone 9 is not the right choice. Because this Rp. 8 million cellphone is intended for those who want a compact device in their hands.
But Zenfone 9 doesn't just sell its tiny design, the specifications it brings are high. So that it provides fast performance for various needs.
Zenfone 9 still has a 3.5 mm audio jack. The fingerprint sensor is fast and accurate. The battery and camera performance is also satisfactory.
No doubt this phone is easy to heat when used. The final consideration is that the OS update promised by Asus is not as long as its competitors.