Asus Zenfone 6 ZS630KL vs Google Pixel 7a: A Head-to-Head Showdown

The smartphone landscape is constantly evolving, and choosing the right device can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting two compelling options against each other: the Asus Zenfone 6, a well-regarded older flagship, and the Google Pixel 7a, Google's mid-range champion. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges victorious.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Pixel 7a wins overall thanks to its superior camera, brighter display, and more modern software experience. However, the Zenfone 6 offers incredible battery life and a powerful Snapdragon 855 chipset at a potentially lower price, making it a strong contender for budget-conscious users.

PHONES
Phone Names Asus Zenfone 6 ZS630KL Google Pixel 7a
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - A versionHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - A version1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 - GWKK3, G0DZQ
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GWKK3
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 28, 38, 39, 41, 46 - C version1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GHL1X, G82U8
Launch
Announced2019, May 16. Released 2019, May2023, May 10
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2023, May 10
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions159.1 x 75.4 x 9.2 mm (6.26 x 2.97 x 0.36 in)152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)193.5 g (6.84 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, HDR10OLED, HDR, 90Hz
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 640Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, ZenUIAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 11mm (ultrawide)64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, auto panorama (motorized rotation)Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS (except @240/480fps)4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS
Selfie camera
DualMotorized flip-up main camera module-
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, auto panorama (motorized rotation)HDR, panorama
Single-13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS (except @240/480fps)4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired 10W reverse wired, QC418W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless
Stand-byUp to 624 h (3G)-
Talk timeUp to 33 h (3G)-
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4385 mAh
Misc
ColorsMidnight Black, Twilight SilverCharcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral
ModelsASUS_I01WD, ZS630KL, I01WDGWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8
PriceAbout 500 EUR€ 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980
Tests
Audio quality Noise -85.8dB / Crosstalk -76.2dB-
Battery life Endurance rating 112h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 1201:1 (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -25.7 LUFS (Very good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 361679 (v7), 447774 (v8) GeekBench: 10721 (v4.4), 2609 (v5.1) GFXBench: 36fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Asus Zenfone 6 ZS630KL

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Powerful Snapdragon 855 chipset
  • High contrast ratio display
  • Potentially lower price

  • Older device with potentially limited software updates
  • Less bright display
  • Less impressive camera compared to modern phones
  • Slower charging

Google Pixel 7a

  • Excellent camera with Google's computational photography
  • Bright and vibrant display
  • Modern Android experience with guaranteed updates
  • Smooth performance with Tensor G2
  • Wireless charging

  • Shorter battery life compared to Zenfone 6
  • Charging speed could be faster
  • Tensor G2 can sometimes exhibit thermal throttling

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7a boasts a significantly brighter display at 1070 nits compared to the Zenfone 6's 455 nits. While the Zenfone 6's contrast ratio is impressive (1201:1), the Pixel 7a's brightness makes it much more usable outdoors. Both offer excellent color accuracy, but the Pixel 7a's overall visual experience is superior.

Camera Comparison

This is where the Pixel 7a truly shines. Google's computational photography is unmatched, delivering consistently excellent image quality in various conditions. The Zenfone 6's camera is decent, but it lacks the Pixel 7a's dynamic range, detail, and overall image processing prowess. The Pixel 7a also offers superior video recording capabilities.

Performance

The Snapdragon 855 in the Zenfone 6 remains a capable chipset, but the Google Tensor G2 in the Pixel 7a offers a more modern architecture and improved AI capabilities. While both phones handle everyday tasks with ease, the Pixel 7a demonstrates smoother performance in demanding applications and gaming. The Tensor G2 also enables features like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur.

Battery Life

The Zenfone 6 takes the crown in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 112 hours, significantly higher than the Pixel 7a's 76 hours. This translates to significantly longer usage between charges for the Zenfone 6.

Buying Guide

The Asus Zenfone 6 is ideal for users prioritizing exceptional battery life and raw processing power on a budget. It's a great choice for those comfortable with an older device and potentially less frequent software updates. The Google Pixel 7a is perfect for those who value a top-tier camera, a vibrant display, and a clean, modern Android experience with guaranteed updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Zenfone 6 still worth buying in 2024?
If battery life and raw power are your top priorities and you can find it at a significantly reduced price, the Zenfone 6 remains a viable option. However, be aware of its age and potential lack of software updates.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Google Pixel 7a has significantly better software support, with guaranteed updates for several years. The Zenfone 6's software support is likely limited.