Launch report · Asus
Asus Zenfone 9: The 5.9" compact flagship — SD8+ Gen 1 with gimbal OIS.
SpecEagle Editorial·Jul 2022·$699·Score 80/100
Zenfone 9 put SD8+ Gen 1, gimbal OIS and IP68 in a 5.9" / 169 g body with a headphone jack. A compact-flagship cult favourite.
Key specs at launch
Display
5.9" AMOLED 120 Hz
Chipset
Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
Memory
8 GB · 128 GB
Main cam
50 MP · f/1.9
Battery
4,300 mAh
Weight
169 g
What stands out
- Genuinely compact 5.9" flagship.
- Gimbal OIS main camera.
- SD8+ Gen 1 + IP68.
- Headphone jack returned.
What to watch
- No telephoto.
- 30 W charging slow.
- Only 2 OS updates.
- No wireless charging.
The phone it has to beat
Nubia Red Magic 9 Pro
$649 · score 89/100