Asus Zenfone 9 vs Xiaomi Poco F5: The Ultimate Showdown

The smartphone market is brimming with options, making it tough to choose. Today, we pit two compelling contenders against each other: the Asus Zenfone 9, known for its compact size and premium features, and the Xiaomi Poco F5, offering impressive specs at an aggressive price. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges victorious.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Poco F5 offers significantly faster charging and a brighter display, while the Zenfone 9 boasts a flagship Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. Ultimately, the Poco F5 provides better value, but the Zenfone 9's compact form factor and premium feel appeal to a specific audience.

PHONES
Phone Names Asus Zenfone 9 Xiaomi Poco F5
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 - A version1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 77, 78 - A version1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat20 2000/211 Mbps, 5G 4.5/0.9 GbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 - C version-
Launch
Announced2022, July 282023, May 09
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, September 15Available. Released 2023, May
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions146.5 x 68.1 x 9.1 mm (5.77 x 2.68 x 0.36 in)161.1 x 75 x 7.9 mm (6.34 x 2.95 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight169 g (5.96 oz)181 g (6.38 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~445 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size5.9 inches, 84.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1100 nits (peak)AMOLED, 68B colors, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 120Hz, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak)
 Always-on display-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x2.91 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.49 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM7475-AB Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 725
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 14Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, gimbal OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 113° (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps; gyro-EIS, HDR4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Single12 MP, f/2.5, 28mm (standard), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC4 5W reverse wired67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 46 min
TypeLi-Po 4300 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsStarry Blue, Moonlight White, Sunset Red, Midnight BlackBlack, Blue, White
ModelsAI2202-1A006EU, AI2202, AI2202_B23049PCD8G, 23049PCD8I
Price£ 619.99€ 202.76 / $ 289.99 / ₹ 23,790
SAR-1.09 W/kg (head)     1.08 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.99 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 108h Endurance rating 118h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -26.7 LUFS (Good) -24.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 1083092 (v9) GeekBench: 4338 (v5.1) GFXBench: 89fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Asus Zenfone 9

  • Compact and pocketable
  • Flagship Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset
  • Premium build quality
  • Excellent performance

  • Slower charging speed
  • Smaller battery capacity
  • Higher price point

Xiaomi Poco F5

  • Exceptional value for money
  • Bright and vibrant display
  • Fast 67W charging
  • Good battery life

  • Mid-range Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset
  • Less premium build quality
  • Potentially less refined camera processing

Display Comparison

The Poco F5 takes the lead in display brightness, measuring 963 nits compared to the Zenfone 9's 831 nits. Both offer excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal), but the Poco F5's higher brightness makes it more usable outdoors. Both utilize AMOLED panels, promising vibrant colors and deep blacks.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed camera comparisons require more in-depth testing. Generally, the Zenfone 9's flagship chipset often translates to better image processing and low-light performance. The Poco F5's camera is still very good, especially considering its price point. Expect both to capture decent photos and videos in various conditions.

Performance

The Zenfone 9 holds a clear advantage here. It's powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, a flagship chipset, while the Poco F5 uses the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2. While the 7+ Gen 2 is a capable mid-range chip, the 8+ Gen 1 offers noticeably faster performance in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. Expect smoother multitasking and quicker app loading on the Zenfone 9.

Battery Life

The Poco F5 demonstrates a slightly better endurance rating (118h vs 108h), suggesting marginally better battery life in real-world usage. However, the Poco F5's 67W charging is a game-changer, fully charging the phone in just 46 minutes, compared to the Zenfone 9's 30W charging.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Asus Zenfone 9? Users prioritizing a compact, premium build, and flagship performance in a smaller package. Who should buy the Xiaomi Poco F5? Those seeking exceptional value, a vibrant display, and fast charging without breaking the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Asus Zenfone 9 is the better choice for gaming due to its flagship Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, which offers superior performance and smoother frame rates.
❓ Is the Zenfone 9 worth the extra money?
If you prioritize a compact size, premium build, and flagship performance, then the Zenfone 9 is worth the investment. However, if value is your primary concern, the Poco F5 offers a compelling alternative.