Asus Snapdragon Insiders vs. Motorola ThinkPhone: The Ultimate Showdown

The Snapdragon Insiders program and Motorola's ThinkPhone have brought exciting new contenders to the smartphone arena. Both boast powerful Snapdragon processors, but cater to different user priorities. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which device deserves your attention.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Motorola ThinkPhone edges out the Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders thanks to its superior chipset (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1), brighter display, and slightly faster charging. While the Asus offers impressive 65W charging, the ThinkPhone's overall package provides a more compelling experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders Motorola ThinkPhone
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - ROW
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 48, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66 - ROW
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - ROW
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - China
Launch
Announced2021, July 082023, January 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, August 31Available. Released 2023, January 29
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), aramid fibre back, aluminum frame
Dimensions173.2 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm (6.82 x 3.04 x 0.38 in)158.8 x 74.4 x 8.3 mm (6.25 x 2.93 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight210 g (7.41 oz)188.5 g (6.67 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.3m MIL-STD-810H compliant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)P-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+
 Always-on display-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 730
OSAndroid 11Android 13, upgradable to Android 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal512GB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), PDAF, 3x optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 112˚, 14mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.5", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, AF Auxiliary lens
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 4K@30fps HDR10, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single24 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 0.7µm - ROW model 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.0µm - PRC model
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 Snapdragon Sound Technology 32-bit/384kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (North America only)
 Illuminated Snapdragon fireball icon on the back-
Battery
Charging65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 50% in 30 min, 100% in 50 min68W wired 15W wireless
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMidnight blueCarbon Black
ModelsI007DXT2309-2
PriceAbout 1270 EUR€ 249.79
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 116h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -21.6 LUFS (Excellent)
Performance- AnTuTu: 1081805 (v9) GeekBench: 4207 (v5.1) GFXBench: 90fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders

  • Fast 65W Charging
  • Snapdragon 888 Performance
  • Potential for Software Customization (Snapdragon Insiders)

  • Older Snapdragon Chipset
  • Missing Display Brightness Specs
  • Unspecified Camera Details

Motorola ThinkPhone

  • Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Chipset
  • Bright 1069 nits Display
  • Exceptional Battery Life (116h Endurance)
  • 68W Wired & 15W Wireless Charging

  • 'Infinite' Contrast Ratio is Nominal
  • Camera Details Unavailable
  • Potential for Motorola's Software Bloat (though ThinkPhone aims for clean Android)

Display Comparison

The Motorola ThinkPhone takes the display crown with a measured peak brightness of 1069 nits, significantly brighter than the Asus. While the Asus display is likely good, specific brightness figures are unavailable. The ThinkPhone's 'infinite' contrast ratio suggests excellent image quality, though this is a nominal value. Both phones likely offer vibrant colors and sharp resolution, but the ThinkPhone's brightness advantage is noticeable in outdoor conditions.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are missing. Assuming both offer standard camera setups (wide, ultrawide, potentially telephoto), the Motorola ThinkPhone's newer processor and potentially improved image processing algorithms could give it a slight edge in image quality, especially in low light. Further testing would be needed to confirm.

Performance

The Motorola ThinkPhone's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset is a clear winner over the Asus's Snapdragon 888. The 8+ Gen 1 offers improved CPU and GPU performance, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster gaming, and better overall responsiveness. While the Asus is still a capable performer, the ThinkPhone provides a noticeable performance boost.

Battery Life

The Motorola ThinkPhone boasts an impressive endurance rating of 116 hours, suggesting exceptional battery life. The Asus's charging speed (65W) is faster, allowing for quicker top-ups, but the ThinkPhone's larger battery capacity likely provides longer usage between charges.

Buying Guide

The Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders is ideal for enthusiasts who prioritize raw performance and enjoy tinkering with software and firmware updates. The Motorola ThinkPhone is a great choice for users seeking a well-rounded experience with a focus on battery life, a vibrant display, and a clean Android experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What is the Snapdragon Insiders program?
Snapdragon Insiders is a program that provides early access to software updates and features for Snapdragon-powered devices, often allowing for more customization and experimentation.
❓ Is the Motorola ThinkPhone's 'infinite' contrast ratio a real measurement?
No, 'infinite' contrast ratio is a nominal value often used to indicate a very high contrast ratio. Actual contrast ratio measurements are typically expressed in a numerical value.