Asus Zenfone 8 vs OnePlus 9RT 5G: A Deep Dive into Compact Power and Rapid Charging
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing portability and a balanced experience, the Asus Zenfone 8 emerges as the winner. Its compact size is a significant differentiator, and its 88-hour endurance rating, despite a slower charging speed, offers reliable all-day battery life. The OnePlus 9RT excels in charging speed, but doesn't offer a compelling advantage elsewhere.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Asus Zenfone 8 | OnePlus 9RT 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Global |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 38, 40, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA - USA | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 12 | 2021, October 13 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 13 | Available. Released 2021, October 19 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 148 x 68.5 x 8.9 mm (5.83 x 2.70 x 0.35 in) | 162.2 x 74.6 x 8.3 mm (6.39 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 169 g (5.96 oz) | 198.5 g (7.02 oz) |
| IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~397 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.9 inches, 84.0 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.62 inches, 106.3 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 700 nits (HBM), 1100 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Always-on display | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 112˚, 14mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56”, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm 2 MP (macro) |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.5, 28mm (standard), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 32-bit/384kHz audio | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | FM radio (market/region dependent) | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, PD3.0, 60% in 25 min, 100% in 80 min Reverse wired | 65W wired, 100% in 29 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Obsidian Black, Horizon Silver | Hacker Black, Nano Silver, Blue |
| Models | ZS590KS, ZS590KS-2A007EU, I006D | MT2110, MT2111 |
| Price | About 290 EUR | About 590 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 88h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker | -27.9 LUFS (Good) | - |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 676001 (v8) | 799738 (v9) GeekBench: 3604 (v5.1) GFXBench: 61fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Asus Zenfone 8
- Truly compact and pocketable design
- Excellent 88-hour battery endurance
- Flagship-level Snapdragon 888 performance
- Slower 30W charging compared to the 9RT
- Smaller form factor may lead to thermal throttling
OnePlus 9RT 5G
- Blazing-fast 65W charging (100% in 29 minutes)
- Larger display for media consumption
- Potentially better thermal management due to larger size
- Larger size compromises one-handed usability
- Battery endurance not specified, potentially lower than Zenfone 8
Display Comparison
Both the Zenfone 8 and 9RT utilize AMOLED panels, but detailed display specifications beyond the Zenfone 8's 800 nits peak brightness are missing. The Zenfone 8's 'Infinite' contrast ratio suggests a typical AMOLED experience with excellent blacks. The 9RT's display size is larger, impacting one-handed usability. Without refresh rate or resolution data for the 9RT, it's difficult to assess its overall display quality, but the Zenfone 8's compact size and confirmed brightness give it an edge for outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is limited. Both are described as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities. Without specifics on sensor size, aperture, or optical image stabilization (OIS), a direct comparison is difficult. The absence of detail suggests neither phone boasts a groundbreaking camera system. The 9RT's larger size *could* accommodate a larger sensor, but this is speculative. The usefulness of any included macro cameras (often 2MP) is questionable, as image quality is typically low.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) chipset, featuring an Octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78, 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55). This means raw processing power will be nearly identical. However, thermal management is a crucial factor. While both phones share the same chipset, the Zenfone 8's smaller chassis may present greater thermal challenges under sustained load, potentially leading to more aggressive throttling. The 9RT's larger size could offer better passive cooling. RAM configurations are not specified, but both are expected to offer ample RAM for multitasking.
Battery Life
The Zenfone 8 boasts an endurance rating of 88 hours, indicating strong battery life despite not having a massive battery capacity. The OnePlus 9RT 5G significantly differentiates itself with 65W wired charging, achieving a full charge in just 29 minutes. The Zenfone 8 takes 80 minutes to reach 100% with its 30W charging. This charging speed difference is substantial. However, the Zenfone 8's 88-hour endurance suggests efficient power management, potentially offsetting the slower charging for many users. The 9RT's faster charging is ideal for those who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Asus Zenfone 8 if you need a truly pocketable flagship with excellent performance and don't mind a slightly slower charging experience. It's ideal for one-handed use and users who value a compact design above all else. Buy the OnePlus 9RT 5G if you prioritize the absolute fastest charging speeds and prefer a slightly larger form factor. It's a good choice for power users who frequently top up their battery throughout the day.