Thursday, July 28th 2022

ASUS Reveals the All-New Zenfone 9

ASUS today revealed the all-new Zenfone 9 smartphone at a virtual launch event. Zenfone 9 is a totally redesigned compact 5.9-inch device with high performance and exciting new features. Powered by the latest flagship Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Mobile Platform, it's the most powerful Zenfone ever released. This latest generation Zenfone 9 has been totally redesigned to give it a premium, sleek look and feel, with four eye-catching new colors, a tactile new high-grip texture, and IP68 certification. The modern design features a massively upgraded dual-camera system with a 50 MP Sony IMX 766 main camera featuring a new 6-Axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer, electronic image stabilization (EIS) and ultrafast autofocus technology for sharp, shake-free photos and videos. There's also a 12 MP IMX 363 ultrawide camera, and a 12 MP IMX 663 punch-hole front camera for crystal clear selfies and video chats.

As Zenfone 9 fits perfectly in one hand, the ASUS ZenUI 9 (Android 12) interface has been optimized for one-handed use. There's also the unique ASUS ZenTouch, a multifunction side-mounted power button incorporating a fingerprint sensor for hassle-free unlocking and support for convenient gesture controls. The new Connex Case accessory allows users to attach the Connex Card Holder or Connex Smart Stand, and there's also a new Smart Backpack Mount for safely attaching Zenfone 9 to a backpack's strap.
Compact Size. Big Possibilities.
The 5.9-inch Zenfone 9 is incredibly compact, and incredibly powerful. It's powered by the flagship Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Mobile Platform, with up to 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 256 GB of UFS 3.1 ROM storage to deliver smooth and responsive performance, for any task.

Zenfone 9 also runs cooler—and faster—than ever, with a totally revamped cooling system. It now uses a high-tech vapor chamber instead of heat pipes, and there's an advanced heheatspreaderhat uses copper, graphite sheets and thermal paste.

With its upgraded 4300 mAh battery and power-efficient components, Zenfone 9 lasts longer than ever. It charges quickly too, thanks to its powerful 30-watt HyperCharge adaptor and fast-charge technology.

The advanced 120 Hz AMOLED display offers incredible Delta E < 1 color accuracy and ultra-smooth scrolling, along with a wide 115% sRGB and cinema-grade 112% DCI-P3 color gamuts for ultravivid colors in any conditions. Collaboration with leading visual-processing company Pixelworks brings the excellent visuals even further with world-beating color accuracy. The gorgeous display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, so it shrugs off unexpected knocks and scratches to keep it looking good for longer.

Big on personality
We've created four eye-catching new colors for Zenfone 9: cool Moonlight White, exciting Sunset Red, gorgeous Starry Blue and classy Midnight Black. The feel of the phone is truly amazing, thanks to a newly-developed textured surface material that's really tough and comfortable yet grippy. This advanced material additionally helps reduce the weight of the back cover by 36% compared to the previous-generation Zenfone.

For worry-free use indoors and outdoors, Zenfone 9 is also IP68 certified for protection against dust and water ingress.

Big on photography
Zenfone 9 has a massively upgraded 50 MP Sony IMX766 main camera that lets users take perfect photos in even the darkest places. The brand-new 6-Axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer keeps everything blur-free and shake-free, even when the camera is moving. This fantastic new gimbal OIS monitors Zenfone 9's every movement, in every direction, and uses that information to adjust the whole camera module in real time. It can compensate for shifts of up to +/- 3 °, so it can help smooth out even the wildest action, without optical distortion or 'ghosting'. Combined with the ultrafast autofocus technology—which focuses quickly and reacts smoothly to changes—and new EIS anti-shake algorithms, Zenfone 9 delivers super-smooth, professional-looking action shots, whatever the subject.

There's a new Light Trail (Beta) mode in addition to the Night, Pro, Panorama, Slow Motion and Timelapse modes, so users can be sure of perfect shots and video under any conditions.

Audio recording is taken to the next level in Zenfone 9. Audio HDR lets users capture every sound from the quietest to the loudest, just like the human ear. 3D Surround captures breathtakingly accurate spatial sound in natural-sounding high fidelity. And outdoors, the Wind Noise Reduction feature captures crystal-clear recordings in less-than-ideal conditions. Zenfone 9 is still equipped with a standard 3.5 mm audio jack, so users don't need to worry if they don't have wireless headphones.

Zenfone 9's hand-friendly size and lightweight design make it effortless to use for any task, anywhere.

The new side-mounted ZenTouch multi-function power button makes everything easy—with just one hand! As well as one-touch unlocking with the built-in fingerprint sensor, it allows users to swipe their thumb up, down or double-click for different functions including voice-to-text, open notifications, refresh a web page, move to the top/bottom of the page, and media control.

The latest ASUS ZenUI 9 interface for Android 12 is better than ever, and has been fully optimized for one-handed use. The camera tool panel allows easier navigation of basic phone settings, and there's also an Edge tool that lets users find their favorite apps easier. A double-tap on the back can be configured to take a screenshot, open the camera, illuminate the flashlight, turn on the sound recorder, open Google Assistant, or control media playback. There's also a zoom bar scale that makes zooming in and out faster and easier.

New smart accessories
Zenfone 9 is the first phone to use our brand-new Connex modular case system. Users can start with the Connex Case, and clip Connex accessories to the pegboard-like lower half—there's a Connex Smart Stand with a kickstand that launches an app or game of your choice when you open it, and there's also a Connex Card Holder for business cards.

The Smart Backpack Mount secures Zenfone 9 to a backpack shoulder strap at the perfect height and angle for use as an action camera. Users can pop their phone in or out of the magnetic holder in just a second—there's a safety cord too—and just like Zenfone 9 it's optimized for single-handed use.

Source: ASUS
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35 Comments on ASUS Reveals the All-New Zenfone 9

#26
Tomorrow
DristunDidn't quite understand what you tried to say here, sorry. By the way - I currently do own a Galaxy S10e, but it's 3.5 years old at this point and I don't even consider it a flagship device anymore. And it's still bigger than I want - I'd happily plump a 1000$ for an android flagship that's the size of iphone mini or old xperia compacts but nobody wants to make one, lol.
Just some data to check on the dimensions. I too own S10e. I used Z3 Compact and then X Compact. I would love smaller one does not compromise on performance. Unfortunately it looks like the smallest screen they can use is the 5,9" Samsung one and this largely dictates the dimensions. There is the 5,4" on the Iphone 13 Mini but it may well be Apple exclusive.
Dr. DroMy Galaxy S10+ Exy version is practically worthless these days. It's a laggy mess that resembles a low end phone and it's practically abandoned now.
How is it worthless? Im using S10e and it's running Android 12 tho it came with Android 9. And it's not laggy by any measure.
Posted on Reply
#27
usul1978
brutlernDisappointing. A new gimmick for the camera. That's it. Why would I want to upgrade from my Zenfone 8?
I might upgrade from 8 to 9 because my zenfone 8 gets too hot ingame. It seems they learnt from their mistakes and put a better cooling solution in there.

But even with a better cooling chamber, it may run hotter because of the more powerful chip in there...Sigh...
Posted on Reply
#28
TheLostSwede
News Editor
usul1978I might upgrade from 8 to 9 because my zenfone 8 gets too hot ingame. It seems they learnt from their mistakes and put a better cooling solution in there.

But even with a better cooling chamber, it may run hotter because of the more powerful chip in there...Sigh...
Actually, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is meant to run cooler than the Snapdragon 888 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.

www.gsmarena.com/asus_zenfone_9-review-2455.php
Posted on Reply
#29
Dr. Dro
usul1978I might upgrade from 8 to 9 because my zenfone 8 gets too hot ingame. It seems they learnt from their mistakes and put a better cooling solution in there.

But even with a better cooling chamber, it may run hotter because of the more powerful chip in there...Sigh...
I can relate, I'm not really a mobile gamer, with a singular exception: I play NieR Re[in]carnation with an actual devotion, I love that game so much, if my pfp didn't give it away... my Exynos 9820 Galaxy S10+ flares up like a supernova and I actually have to run it on medium (which sets the rendering resolution to half), on top of already running the phone at half resolution because of performance concerns, and even then it can't keep the 30 fps target. Sometimes it gets so hot, that it gets temperature shutdowns - it feels like the phone is about to combust any moment now.

Ideally I want a phone that can run that game like butter, has a great camera and gets a few years of updates so when the time to replace it comes, it's still usable for some time to come. Looks like only Apple can deliver that right now, unfortunately.
Posted on Reply
#30
Darksaber
Senior Editor & Case Reviewer
TheLostSwedeAsus only has a very light skin on Android, most things are vanilla. My 6 had zero bloatware.
How do you know the 9 will only get two years of updates?
Yea, more of a personal preference, as I have been on Google devices for a few generations now. Currently on the Pixel 5. I like getting the latest Android ASAP etc. vs. waiting months to get it for non-Google Android devices. The Zenphone 9 is what I wish Google would have made (+ wireless charging).

A few reviewers mentioned the 2 year support statement from Asus.
Posted on Reply
#31
Veseleil
TheLostSwedeI don't get wireless charging. It's inefficient and slow. Is it really that hard to plug in a cable?
I'd say it's too hard for some people to remember to plug in a cable. Wireless charging love comes from there i guess. And we all hate cables, more or less anyway.
Posted on Reply
#32
TheLostSwede
News Editor
DarksaberYea, more of a personal preference, as I have been on Google devices for a few generations now. Currently on the Pixel 5. I like getting the latest Android ASAP etc. vs. waiting months to get it for non-Google Android devices. The Zenphone 9 is what I wish Google would have made (+ wireless charging).

A few reviewers mentioned the 2 year support statement from Asus.
My ZenFone 6 got the security updates quite timely, but everything else was obviously slower than with a Pixel phone.
The two years of updates things really needs to be increased to three though, for all phones.
VeseleiloI'd say it's too hard for some people to remember to plug in a cable. Wireless charging love comes from there i guess. And we all hate cables, more or less anyway.
I still use wired headphones...
Posted on Reply
#33
Veseleil
TheLostSwedeI still use wired headphones...
Me too. I can't imagine Hi-Fi audio without cables.
Posted on Reply
#34
trsttte
DarksaberYea, more of a personal preference, as I have been on Google devices for a few generations now. Currently on the Pixel 5. I like getting the latest Android ASAP etc. vs. waiting months to get it for non-Google Android devices. The Zenphone 9 is what I wish Google would have made (+ wireless charging).

A few reviewers mentioned the 2 year support statement from Asus.
I think the Pixel 5 was a very happy accident. I love mine and don't see myself using anything bigger so I hope for the Pixel 8 or whatever it ends up called Google takes their head out of the sand and does something similar instead of the current duo of large and even larger pro
Posted on Reply
#35
Apocalypsee
The unbelivably huge camera at the back looks weird af, and specwise theres nothing much to be happy about. I also looking for small phones, I still got working Xperia Z3 compact mint color, too bad no phones going to be that small. Maybe I will buy the new Xperia 10 mark IV or older Zenfone 8, or Xiaomi 12. Not much to choose from.
Posted on Reply
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