Compact smartphones are a rarity today. With the Zenfone 9, Asus offers such a model, which also convinces in terms of equipment.
Asus introduced the Zenfone 9. The new smartphone is as small as its predecessor, but has angular contours, a metal frame and two circular camera eyes. Measuring less than 6 inches, it is currently one of the most compact Android smartphones on the market.
Design and display of the Asus Zenfone 9
The Asus Zenfone 9 offers a modern AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, the diagonal of which is just 5.9 inches. Asus has retained the matte, non-slip glass back that is familiar from the Zenfone 8, as well as the water and dust-proof housing (IP68) with jack socket in the newcomer. What is new, however, is the side-mounted multifunction button with fingerprint sensor. In combination with the Zen UI 9 user interface, it should enable comfortable operation of the smartphone with one hand. Asus uses Android 12 for the system itself.
Along with the Zenfone 9, Asus is also introducing a modular case and stand system called Connex. With the Smart Backpack Mount, which is also optional, the smartphone for filming and taking photos on the go can be attached to the shoulder strap of a backpack using a magnetic holder with a safety cable.
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performance at a high level
With the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, Asus relies on the currently most powerful processor from Qualcomm. There is also a choice of 8 or 16 GB of RAM and 128 GB or 256 GB of internal UFS 3.1 storage. The Snapdragon 888 chip still used in the predecessor tended to generate a lot of heat when the device was used intensively. Asus has apparently learned a lesson from this: instead of so-called heat pipes, the new Zenfone 9 now uses a vapor chamber and a heat spreader made of copper, graphite plates and conductive paste.
There is a dual camera on the back. The main sensor has a resolution of 50 megapixels, with Asus relying on the Sony IMX 766 sensor. With the help of the six-axis hybrid gimbal, this can compensate for shifts of up to 3 degrees so that action-packed shots do not blur. Electronic image stabilization is also used at the same time. The second sensor is a 12-megapixel ultra-wide angle. The front camera also has a resolution of 12 megapixels.
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Scope of delivery and prices of the Asus Zenfone 9
A 30 watt fast charging adapter for the 4300 mAh battery is included in the scope of delivery. Prices for the Zenfone 9 start at 799 euros. In return, buyers get the version with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, optionally in the colors white, blue, black and red. The smartphone with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage is only available in white or black for 849 euros. And for buyers of the largest variant with 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage for 899 euros, the Zenfone 9 is always black. According to Asus, all models will be available from August 12th.