Released around the same timeframe, the Xiaomi Mi 9T and Asus Zenfone 6 represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they take distinctly different approaches. The Mi 9T focuses on a balanced feature set and aggressive pricing, while the Zenfone 6 prioritizes raw processing power and a unique camera implementation.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a bright, usable display, the Asus Zenfone 6 ZS630KL emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 855 chipset and 112-hour endurance rating provide a noticeable advantage in demanding tasks and longevity, despite a slightly lower peak display brightness.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - A version |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - A version |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 28, 38, 39, 41, 46 - C version |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, June 12. Released 2019, June 12 | 2019, May 16. Released 2019, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 156.7 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.35 in) | 159.1 x 75.4 x 9.2 mm (6.26 x 2.97 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, HDR | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730 (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, ZenUI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.0 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.4, 11mm (ultrawide) |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, auto panorama (motorized rotation) |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 53mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom
13 MP, f/2.4, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS (except @240/480fps) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | Motorized flip-up main camera module |
| Features | HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, auto panorama (motorized rotation) |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS (except @240/480fps) |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio
| 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired
10W reverse wired, QC4 |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 624 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 33 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Carbon black, Red flame, Glacier blue | Midnight Black, Twilight Silver |
| Models | M1903F10G | ASUS_I01WD, ZS630KL, I01WD |
| Price | About 460 EUR | About 500 EUR |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 1.34 W/kg (head) 1.51 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -93.8dB |
Noise -85.8dB / Crosstalk -76.2dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 100h |
Endurance rating 112h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1201:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-25.3 LUFS (Very good) |
-25.7 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 211915 (v7), 257146 (v8)
GeekBench: 6863 (v4.4), 1703 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 361679 (v7), 447774 (v8)
GeekBench: 10721 (v4.4), 2609 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 36fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Mi 9T
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- More affordable price point
- Sleek design and comfortable in-hand feel
- Less powerful Snapdragon 730 chipset
- Shorter battery life compared to Zenfone 6
- Lacks reverse wireless charging
Asus Zenfone 6 ZS630KL
- Flagship-level Snapdragon 855 performance
- Longer battery life with 112-hour endurance
- Versatile flip camera design
- Lower peak display brightness
- Potentially higher price tag
- Larger size and weight
Display Comparison
The Asus Zenfone 6’s display, while registering a lower peak brightness of 455 nits compared to the Mi 9T’s 646 nits, boasts a significantly higher contrast ratio of 1201:1 versus the Mi 9T’s infinite (nominal) ratio. This translates to deeper blacks and a more visually striking image, particularly in darker environments. While the Mi 9T excels in outdoor visibility due to its higher brightness, the Zenfone 6’s superior contrast enhances overall image quality. Both displays lack information regarding refresh rates, suggesting standard 60Hz panels, common for this era.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but details are limited. The Zenfone 6’s standout feature is its flip camera, offering versatility without a notch or punch-hole. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively assess image quality. However, the Snapdragon 855’s image signal processor (ISP) is more advanced than the 730’s, suggesting superior image processing capabilities on the Zenfone 6, particularly in low-light conditions. The absence of details on OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) makes a direct comparison challenging, but the Zenfone 6’s more powerful chipset likely supports more sophisticated stabilization algorithms.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Zenfone 6’s Snapdragon 855 (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Mi 9T’s Snapdragon 730 (8nm). The 855 features a more powerful Kryo 485 CPU configuration (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.78 GHz) compared to the 730’s Kryo 470 (2x2.2 GHz + 6x1.8 GHz). This translates to significantly faster application loading times, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance on the Zenfone 6. The 7nm process node of the 855 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling during extended gaming sessions. While both phones likely utilize LPDDR4X RAM, the 855’s superior architecture will still yield a noticeable performance advantage.
Battery Life
The Asus Zenfone 6 edges out the Xiaomi Mi 9T in battery endurance, achieving a rating of 112 hours versus 100 hours. This 12-hour advantage, despite both phones featuring 18W wired charging, suggests a more efficient combination of battery capacity and power management. The Zenfone 6 also includes 10W reverse wired charging with Quick Charge 4 support, a feature absent on the Mi 9T, allowing it to charge other devices. While both offer similar charging speeds, the Zenfone 6’s longer endurance and added reverse charging functionality provide greater flexibility.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Mi 9T if you need a reliable daily driver with a vibrant display and are on a tighter budget. It’s ideal for users who primarily browse, consume media, and engage in casual gaming. Buy the Asus Zenfone 6 ZS630KL if you prioritize performance for gaming, multitasking, or photography, and value the added convenience of features like Quick Charge 4 and reverse wireless charging. It’s the better option for power users and those who demand more from their smartphone.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 855 in the Zenfone 6 experience significant thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 855 is a powerful chipset, it was known to run warm under sustained load. However, the Zenfone 6’s larger chassis and potentially more effective cooling solution (details are limited in the provided data) likely mitigate throttling better than some other 855 implementations. Users should expect some performance reduction after extended gaming, but it shouldn’t be debilitating.
❓ How useful is the flip camera mechanism on the Zenfone 6 in real-world scenarios?
The flip camera offers significant versatility, allowing for high-quality selfies using the main camera sensors and eliminating the need for a notch or punch-hole display. It also enables unique shooting angles and perspectives. However, the mechanism’s durability is a potential concern, and users should exercise caution to avoid damage.
❓ Is the 18W charging on both phones considered slow by today's standards?
Yes, 18W charging is relatively slow compared to the 30W, 65W, or even 120W charging technologies available on newer smartphones. Both phones will take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to fully charge from 0 to 100%. The Zenfone 6’s Quick Charge 4 support offers slightly faster charging speeds with compatible chargers.
