Asus Zenfone 9

The Asus Zenfone 9, launched on July 28, 2022, is a flagship smartphone that has quickly captured the attention of tech enthusiasts with its impressive specifications and stylish design. Priced at Rs. 149,999, this device offers a compelling blend of cutting-edge features, top-notch build quality, and a powerful camera system. In this review, we delve into the key aspects of the Asus Zenfone 9 to help you make an informed decision.

Design and Build

The Asus Zenfone 9 boasts a sleek and premium design, with dimensions measuring 146.5 x 68.1 x 9.1 mm and a weight of 169 g. The device features a glass front with Gorilla Glass Victus for added durability, a plastic back, and an aluminum frame, ensuring a sophisticated look and a sturdy build. The inclusion of an IP68 dust/water-resistant rating adds an extra layer of protection, allowing the device to withstand immersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes.

Display

The smartphone sports a vibrant 5.9-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support, delivering an immersive viewing experience with rich colors and sharp details. The 1100 nits peak brightness ensures visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. The 1080 x 2400 pixel resolution and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection further enhance the display’s quality, making it a delight for multimedia consumption.

Processor

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and running on Android 12 (upgradeable to Android 13), the Zenfone 9 guarantees swift and responsive performance. The octa-core CPU, comprising a high-performance Cortex-X2 core, efficient Cortex-A710 cores, and power-saving Cortex-A510 cores, is complemented by the Adreno 730 GPU, ensuring smooth multitasking and an enhanced gaming experience.

Memory and Storage

The device offers multiple configurations with internal storage options of 128GB or 256GB paired with 6GB, 8GB, or 16GB of RAM, utilizing UFS 3.1 technology for faster data access. Unfortunately, there is no option for expandable storage via a card slot.

Camera 

One of the standout features of the Zenfone 9 is its camera setup. The dual rear camera system comprises a 50MP wide lens with multi-directional PDAF and gimbal OIS, and a 12MP ultrawide lens with Dual Pixel PDAF. This combination enables stunning photography with features like LED flash, HDR, and panorama. The device supports impressive video recording capabilities, including 8K at 24fps and 4K at various frame rates, along with gyro-EIS and HDR support. The 12MP front camera ensures sharp and detailed selfies, supporting 4K video recording at 30fps.

Audio and Connectivity

With stereo speakers and a 3.5mm audio jack, the Zenfone 9 provides an excellent audio experience. The device supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, and USB Type-C with OTG functionality. The inclusion of advanced positioning technologies like GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, and NavIC further enhances its connectivity options.

Battery and Charging

The Zenfone 9 is equipped with a non-removable Li-Po 4300mAh battery, supporting 30W wired charging with PD3.0, PPS, and QC4. Additionally, it features 5W reverse wired charging, providing users with a convenient power-sharing option.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Asus Zenfone 9 stands out as a flagship smartphone offering a premium design, powerful performance, and a versatile camera system. While the absence of expandable storage might be a drawback for some users, the device’s overall feature set, including the impressive display, robust build, and advanced connectivity options, make it a compelling choice for those seeking a high-end smartphone experience. With its competitive pricing and a range of color options including Starry Blue, Moonlight White, Sunset Red, and Midnight Black, the Asus Zenfone 9 is certainly worth considering for users looking for a device that balances style and substance.