Sharp Aquos Wish vs. Asus Zenfone 9: A Clash of Titans

The smartphone market is brimming with options, but choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Today, we pit the budget-friendly Sharp Aquos Wish against the compact powerhouse, the Asus Zenfone 9. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which device emerges victorious.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Asus Zenfone 9 is the clear winner, offering significantly superior performance, a brighter display, and a more advanced camera system. While the Aquos Wish provides a more affordable entry point, the Zenfone 9's premium features justify its higher price for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Sharp Aquos wish Asus Zenfone 9
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 38, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 - A version
5G bands1, 3, 7, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 77, 78 - A version
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat20 2000/211 Mbps, 5G 4.5/0.9 Gbps
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, January 192022, July 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, January 21Available. Released 2022, September 15
Body
BuildPlastic body, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions147 x 71 x 8.9 mm (5.79 x 2.80 x 0.35 in)146.5 x 68.1 x 9.1 mm (5.77 x 2.68 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight162 g (5.71 oz)169 g (5.96 oz)
 IPX5/IP6X/IPX7 water/dust resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) MIL-STD-810G compliantIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~295 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~445 ppi density)
Size5.7 inches, 81.1 cm2 (~77.7% screen-to-body ratio)5.9 inches, 84.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1100 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 730
OSAndroid 11Android 12, upgradable to Android 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal64GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual-50 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 flashLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single13 MP, (wide), AF-
Video1080p@30fps8K@24fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps; gyro-EIS, HDR
Selfie camera
Single8 MP12 MP, f/2.5, 28mm (standard), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging-30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC4 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Ion 3730 mAhLi-Po 4300 mAh
Misc
ColorsSpring Bud Green, Foggy BlackStarry Blue, Moonlight White, Sunset Red, Midnight Black
Models-AI2202-1A006EU, AI2202, AI2202_B
PriceAbout 230 EUR£ 619.99
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 108h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.7 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 1083092 (v9) GeekBench: 4338 (v5.1) GFXBench: 89fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sharp Aquos wish

  • Affordable
  • 5G Connectivity
  • Decent Battery Life (108h endurance)

  • Lower Performance
  • Less Bright Display
  • Basic Camera System
  • Missing Display Specs

Asus Zenfone 9

  • High Performance (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
  • Bright Display (831 nits)
  • Excellent Camera
  • Fast Charging (30W)
  • Compact Size

  • Higher Price
  • Potentially Smaller Battery Capacity (though endurance is excellent)

Display Comparison

The Asus Zenfone 9 boasts a significantly brighter display at 831 nits (measured) compared to the Aquos Wish, offering better visibility in sunlight. While the Aquos Wish's display is adequate, the Zenfone 9's contrast ratio (infinite nominal) provides a more immersive viewing experience. The Zenfone 9 likely has a higher resolution as well, though specific details are missing for the Aquos Wish.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer photo and video capabilities, the Zenfone 9's camera system is expected to be far superior. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 includes a more advanced image signal processor (ISP), enabling better image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) are missing for both, but the Zenfone 9's hardware advantage is undeniable.

Performance

The Zenfone 9's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the Aquos Wish's Snapdragon 480 5G. The Zenfone 9's CPU, featuring a Cortex-X2 prime core, delivers significantly faster processing speeds and smoother multitasking. Gaming and demanding applications will perform noticeably better on the Zenfone 9.

Battery Life

Both phones are reported to have an endurance rating of 108 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the Zenfone 9 also supports 30W wired charging and 5W reverse wired charging, offering faster charging speeds and the ability to charge other devices.

Buying Guide

The Sharp Aquos Wish is ideal for budget-conscious users who prioritize affordability and basic smartphone functionality. The Asus Zenfone 9 is perfect for those seeking a compact, powerful phone with a top-tier camera and performance, willing to invest a bit more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Sharp Aquos Wish a good budget phone?
Yes, the Aquos Wish offers good value for its price, providing 5G connectivity and decent battery life. However, be aware of its limitations in performance and camera quality.
❓ Is the Asus Zenfone 9 worth the extra money?
If you prioritize performance, camera quality, and a compact design, the Zenfone 9 is definitely worth the investment. It offers a flagship experience in a smaller form factor.