For lovers of compact phones the JB HIFI deal is back.
Great little phone, and VolTE/VoWIFI works with a hack.
5.9" compact, pocket size design for ultimate portability and effortless one-hand operation
5nm Qualcomm® SDM888 5G Mobile Platform with 8GB RAM
120Hz Samsung AMOLED display for ultra-smooth image scrolling and blur-free videos
Audio Jack!!!!!
Hacks .. those days are over for me
The buts:
- SD888 might overheat and drains battery like a champ. Heat might also lead to shorter battery lifespan.
- Battery life already not ideal due to small size (4000Mah), powerful CPU and 120Hz screen. 4-5 hours Screen On Time?
- Not the best haptics (vibration)
- Inaccurate fingerprint reader
- Ok-ish camera.
- Android 13 will be its last OS update
- Only one year left of security updates (supported for 2 years and launched in May 2021).
The boons not normally mentioned:
- Almost stock Android, no bloatware.
- Dual band GPS for pin point accuracy (much more accurate for CBD or forest usage)
It was one of my top choices (smaller than usual, 120hz, Amoled, dual band GPS, stock android, headphone jack, clean software…) and I'm still tempted, but at this point I'm not sure if just waiting for the Pixel 6a would be a more sensible choice (far better update policy -5 years left vs 1, and more Android updates- and likely easier to resell, but larger, worse screen, no headphone jack, no dual-band gps..).
Wasn't that long ago that 4000mAh batteries were the upper limit, now it's small?
5000 has been standard on some xiaomi ranges for a long time from memory
The number in isolation means nothing.
A 4000mAh battery with an older CPU and a 60Hz screen might last a lot longer than the same battery with a flagship CPU and a 120Hz screen. If that flagship CPU is also an SP888 notorious for overheating and being power inefficient…
What matters here is 4-5 hours of Screen-On time, and that's without 5G and limitting refresh rate to 60hz. The best reports I've seen are 6 hours SoT for light users.
I mean, it's not unuseable, more than enough if you use your phone for day to day tasks and not for gaming and such, but it's definitely not great.
I'd be far more concerned about software/security updates than battery. Unless you just don't care about security, it means you are paying 600 bucks for a phone that you'll be able to use for only 1 more year. You can always use custom ROMs, but it's still a compromised solution (and one that is not even an option for most users).
Fair arguments, just surprising is all.
I remember having a 4000mAh battery in my "next phone" wishlist a few years back. Not many handsets made it onto the list!
A phone you only use for 1 year because it stops getting updates?
Pfft sounds like you drink the planned obsolence kool aid.
I know this is going to sound bizarre but bear with me…. in 2021 with WFH I used my Android 9 backup phone for work for remote apps/authentication, voip etc yeah I know crazy.
@plmko: Not Operating System updates, that's more or less irrelevant. I'm talking about security updates.
It's kind of like driving a car without paying insurance. Sure, the functionality is the same, and you might never have problems, but you are taking a risk.
The Asus has 1 year left of security updates, a Pixel 6a will launch next month with 5 years. It's a matter of preference. If you care more about specs and are willing to disregard the security risks, the Asus is a more premium phone with features the Pixel lacks (most importantly screen and dual-band gps), but if software support matters to you, the Pixel is miles ahead. You will also be able to resell it better to those people who "drink the planned obsolence kool aid".
"Clean software".. What a description lol
Close to stock Android and no bloatware applications as you see in most other brands.
I wonder how much it really costs to keep supporting a phone with security and OS updates. It can't be that much can it? Heaps of people do it for various custom ROMS for nothing in their spare time.
Isn't that stuff for the most part hardware independent too?
You missed the major issue many people have reported - ramdumps. Also worth noting that Zenfone 9 should be getting announced soon.
I didn't. I am aware of it, it's just that it's not common at all, it seems that it only happened with the earlier batches and apparently it's been months since someone complained about it.
Reddit users pointed out that, for some reason, it seems that most the reported cases are also in Singapore.
If you plan to put a screen protector on it, you can forget about the fingerprint scanner.
Also it's 120hz for some reason feels stuttery compared to Pixel 4's 90hz.
Not 100% sure, but I believe the Zenfone 8 has adaptative refresh rate (so it jumps from 60 to 90 to 120Hz depending on the situation), maybe you are using it at 60Hz.
Or maybe it's just system performance.
Nah I pinned it at 120. Still doesn't feel smooth.
@HigoChumbo: Possibly, I think Zenfone 8 is supposed to have higher touch sampling too. But I just free Pixel 4 is smoother for some reason. Note I also had the performance setting cranked up in case you were wondering.
Only one year left of security updates (supported for 2 years and launched in May 2021)
If OS and security updates are vital to your purchasing decision, then for Android, choose Google phones.
That said, this is not a phone you will keep using for 5 years I reckon. The phone doesn't have a big screen (in today's standard) so cannot expect a large battery either. This is not a top end flagship, the price is a good indication and Asus did cut corners here and there. It is meant to be a cost effective SD888 phone from Asus.
Some other factors to consider: no VoLTE (or perhaps needing a hack), USB 2.0 without alt-mode (no HDMI out). Its dual SIM and recording features are interesting. SD888 and 120Hz display (albeit not adaptive) are the main enticing features.
choose Google phones.
Samsung flagships overtook the Pixel line on SW support, with 4 years upgrades + 5 years security from this year's releases onwards (compared to Google's 3 + 4).
Got to laugh that in this post the SD888 is seen was as potential downside and in the s21 FE deal everyone is "…Australia got screwed by not getting thr SD888 version"
Isn't the problem that both chips are manufactured by Samsung and not TSMC?
888 and 8gen1 manufactured by Samsung. The performance is not ideal, high temperature and power consumption.
With the Snapdragon 888 will it have longer support (i.e. 3 OS update)?
https://www.gsmarena.com/snapdrgaon_888_phones_will_be_eligi…
128 is gone?
Have this, battery life is shocking as to be expected, 35w or so fast charging was kind of neat and worked well.
Bought it while my iPhone was being repaired, and have gone back to the iPhone.
The rear camera glass smashed on me for some reason, despite the phone always being in a case and only used in office environments. Cannot work it out, replacing it is on my to do list.
Overall probably something I shouldn’t have purchased, and I didn’t find the performance all that special with the 888 when it came to gaming, could just be poor optimization on the games I do play though.
Display is nice, speakers are too. Probably not a bad phone.
Shocking bad or shocking good?
Bad.
I normally don’t put my iphone on charge until 3-4pm, the Zenfone is needing a top off by lunch time, if not just shortly after.
You do get a 120hz display though, and i’m comparing it to a 60hz phone. I think if it was capped at 60hz to compare apples with apples it would be fairer.
Xda users seem to think battery life is great
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/battery-life-and-optimiza…
Hi Op, can you find any great phones with gorilla glass under $300?
Not sure if it had gorilla glass but check out the tcl that went for 200 a day or two ago
I can get you a gorilla for under $300 by 3 o'clock today
New or used?
I have been using this phone for 6 months now. As someone who is generally careful with phones (e. G. I keep phone in different pocket to keys), the glass is really prone to scratching. None of the phones I've had previously have scratched this bad so soon either. The glass on the camera is already cracked and I haven't had any significant drops. I was sold on the build quality of the phone but I can't say I'm impressed with the durability to date.
thanks for the tip I was thinking of getting this phone but now having second thoughts. hard to find a good compact size phone
S22 is pretty compact, in fact I'd probably prefer the shape of the S22 over the Zenfone 8.
G. I keep phone in different pocket to keys
who would have thought.
You'd be surprised…
I second this.
Very poor build quality.
Yeah the comments I saw about this being an engineers phone… I don't know what kind of engineer they had in mind.
I should also say that this thing pocket dials like crazy. I think a software update moderated this but in the first 3 months, I'd be whiskers away from dialing emergency number everytime I took my phone out of the pocket to check.
I've said a lot of negatives. What's good about the phone? It's compact which is rare, it has a 3.5mm jack, AMOLED screen is great, dual sim.
Does this phone have 2 physical sim slots? And do these still have auto recording in built feature.
It's because of these two features alone that I keep getting zenfone for my dad but the one he has now is getting old
Zenfone 8 have dual SIM and auto recording
I have this phone and its great.. no problems. Fast and just the right size
No VoLTE … Effectively a grey import .. pass
Not sure why you were begged - VoLTE (Telstra at least) not happening…
https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/388llq1r?p=20#r713145…
VoLTE worked out of the box for me with Vodafone, WiFi calling worked after enabling through some dial codes and internal menu. This was before the Android 12 update, not sure how it is now.
Meh, not a bad phone, purchased one when it was $599 in Jan this year.
Only gripe I had was that it felt like a dummy phone, build quality isn't great.
The Galaxy A52S is better value if you don't mind the Violet colour.
Depends on what you value.
For me the virtual proximity sensing of the budget Samsungs is a deal breaker, not to mention adding bloatware, losing dual-band gps, getting cheaper materials, worse CPU, worse screen…
Wow, this has wifi 6E!
I assume you can reduce the screen refresh rate to improve battery life also. This is a bit tempting
I believe it can jump between 60-90-120hz.
for fans of 'compact' phones the s22 is about 2mm shorter and 2mm wider
both kinda still too big though in my opinion
Should I replace my S22 with this? Kind of annoyed by the 3700 mah battery
Seems like a terrible move, specially considering the battery size is almost the same. Also:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/battery-life-and-optimiza…
S22's actual battery size is 3590 mah, which is still less than zenfone 8's 3835 mah.
I insist, making that downgrade to an older phone just for 245mah extra sounds like a terrible move to me.
If you are indeed so eager to replace your 4 month old phone, I'd say wait at least until Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 phones start popping up in the upcoming weeks/months. It's still technically the same CPU the non-aussie S22 has (SD 8 Gen1 non-plus version) just manufactured by TSMC instead of Samsung, but they are meant to be more power efficient, so maybe a model with a larger battery will make the battery life difference large enough to make the swap somewhat reasonable.
@HigoChumbo: Yeah I think it's a downgrade too. Good call, I'll wait till early next year to see what new Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 phones pop up.
In the meantime, I'll just carry around my powerbank haha
Bought this phone around January this year. Specs are great but the phone is not made for it. I've had to tone it down to 75% CPU and GPU because it overheats super easy. I've also capped it at 60fps to prevent it from turning into an oven.
Battery life is an issue but the latest update has improved it greatly.
I use it for everyday use and to play games and even at 50% CPU I manage to hold 60fps on games like codm and ML.
It's a good phone if you want to size down from the big boy phones but if the full specs are what attract you, you will be disappointed.
How easy is it to switch on VoLTE with Optus or Telstra?