ASUS ZenFone 8 to Zenfone 9: Is It Worth Upgrading?
A plain-English look at what actually changes, 1 year apart.
Maybe — worth it only if the new features matter to you
The Zenfone 9 is 1 year newer than the ASUS ZenFone 8, and the BeastScore rises from 81.2 to 82.8. The biggest improvements: performance rated 15 points higher, newer snapdragon 8+ gen 1 chipset (replaces snapdragon 888), 300 mah bigger battery. Trade-offs to know: camera rated 4 points lower, lower-resolution main camera (−14 mp).
What you gain with the Zenfone 9
- Performance rated 15 points higher
- Newer Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset (replaces Snapdragon 888)
- 300 mAh bigger battery
- 300 nits brighter peak display
- 8 GB more RAM
What you give up
- Camera rated 4 points lower
- Lower-resolution main camera (−14 MP)
- Launched $100 more expensive
Head-to-head
| Spec | ASUS ZenFone 8 | Zenfone 9 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore (overall) | 81.2 | 82.8 | +1.6 |
| Performance score | 80 | 95 | +15 (19%) |
| Camera score | 88 | 84 | −4 (5%) |
| Battery score | 70 | 70 | No real change |
| Display score | 86 | 86 | No real change |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | New generation chip |
| Battery capacity | 4,000 mAh | 4,300 mAh | +300 mAh (8%) |
| Wired charging | 30W | 30W | No real change |
| Screen size | 5.9" | 5.9" | No real change |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | No real change |
| Peak brightness | 800 nits | 1,100 nits | +300 nits (38%) |
| Main camera | 64 MP | 50 MP | −14 MP (22%) |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | +8 GB (100%) |
| Weight | 169 g | 169 g | No real change |
| Launch price | $599 | $699 | +$100 (17%) |
Upgrade if…
- You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day
- You play demanding games or want the newest on-device AI features
- You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen
ASUS ZenFone 8 to Zenfone 9: Common Questions
Is it worth upgrading from the ASUS ZenFone 8 to the Zenfone 9?
Maybe — worth it only if the new features matter to you. The Zenfone 9 is 1 year newer than the ASUS ZenFone 8, and the BeastScore rises from 81.2 to 82.8. The biggest improvements: performance rated 15 points higher, newer snapdragon 8+ gen 1 chipset (replaces snapdragon 888), 300 mah bigger battery. Trade-offs to know: camera rated 4 points lower, lower-resolution main camera (−14 mp).
What is the biggest difference between the ASUS ZenFone 8 and Zenfone 9?
Performance rated 15 points higher: 80 on the ASUS ZenFone 8 vs 95 on the Zenfone 9.
Does the Zenfone 9 have a bigger battery than the ASUS ZenFone 8?
The Zenfone 9 has a 4,300 mAh battery versus 4,000 mAh on the ASUS ZenFone 8 (+300 mAh (8%)).
Who should upgrade to the Zenfone 9?
Upgrade if: You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day; You play demanding games or want the newest on-device AI features; You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen.