Zenfone 9 to ASUS Zenfone 10: 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 ASUS Zenfone 10 is 1 year newer than the Zenfone 9, and the BeastScore drops from 82.8 to 81.2. The biggest improvements: camera rated 4 points higher, display rated 6 points higher, newer snapdragon 8 gen 2 chipset (replaces snapdragon 8+ gen 1). Trade-offs to know: performance rated 15 points lower, 8 gb less ram.
What you gain with the ASUS Zenfone 10
- Camera rated 4 points higher
- Display rated 6 points higher
- Newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset (replaces Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
- Smoother display (+24Hz refresh rate)
What you give up
- Performance rated 15 points lower
- 8 GB less RAM
Head-to-head
| Spec | Zenfone 9 | ASUS Zenfone 10 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore (overall) | 82.8 | 81.2 | −1.6 |
| Performance score | 95 | 80 | −15 (16%) |
| Camera score | 84 | 88 | +4 (5%) |
| Battery score | 70 | 70 | No real change |
| Display score | 86 | 92 | +6 (7%) |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | New generation chip |
| Battery capacity | 4,300 mAh | 4,300 mAh | No real change |
| Wired charging | 30W | 30W | No real change |
| Screen size | 5.9" | 5.9" | No real change |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | +24Hz (20%) |
| Peak brightness | 1,100 nits | 1,100 nits | No real change |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP | No real change |
| RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | −8 GB (50%) |
| Weight | 169 g | 172 g | No real change |
| Launch price | $699 | $699 | No real change |
Upgrade if…
- Photo quality is a priority for you
- 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
Zenfone 9 to ASUS Zenfone 10: Common Questions
Is it worth upgrading from the Zenfone 9 to the ASUS Zenfone 10?
Maybe — worth it only if the new features matter to you. The ASUS Zenfone 10 is 1 year newer than the Zenfone 9, and the BeastScore drops from 82.8 to 81.2. The biggest improvements: camera rated 4 points higher, display rated 6 points higher, newer snapdragon 8 gen 2 chipset (replaces snapdragon 8+ gen 1). Trade-offs to know: performance rated 15 points lower, 8 gb less ram.
What is the biggest difference between the Zenfone 9 and ASUS Zenfone 10?
Camera rated 4 points higher: 84 on the Zenfone 9 vs 88 on the ASUS Zenfone 10.
Does the ASUS Zenfone 10 have a bigger battery than the Zenfone 9?
No — both have about the same battery capacity (4,300 mAh vs 4,300 mAh).
Who should upgrade to the ASUS Zenfone 10?
Upgrade if: Photo quality is a priority for you; 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.