Asus Zenfone 8 smartphone

Photo: ROC-C.Z via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Asus

Asus Zenfone 8

May 13, 2021 8/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The Asus Zenfone 8 is a compact Android flagship smartphone known for its powerful performance in a small form factor. It features a high-refresh-rate AMOLED display, a capable dual-camera system, and a premium build, appealing to users who prefer a smaller device without compromising on power. [1, 6, 7]
Display5.9" 120Hz AMOLED
ChipsetSnapdragon 888 5G
Main Camera64MP Dual Camera with OIS
Battery4000mAh, 30W Fast Charging
Starting from $399

💰 Asus Zenfone 8 Price

The Asus Zenfone 8 lowest price is $399, based on current retailer listings.

📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1100 nits (peak)
Size5.9 inches, 84.6 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density)
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus
Features1ms response time, 240Hz touch sampling rate

Platform

ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPUAdreno 660

Memory

RAM Options6GB, 8GB, 16GB LPDDR5
Storage Options128GB, 256GB UFS 3.1
Card SlotNo

Main Camera

Dual64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS (Sony IMX686); 12 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF (Sony IMX363)
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panorama
Video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, EIS

Selfie Camera

Single12 MP, f/2.5, 28mm (standard), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF (Sony IMX663)
FeaturesHDR
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, EIS

Battery

TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable
Charging30W wired, PD3.0, QC4 (60% in 25 min, 100% in 80 min advertised), 10W reverse wired

Body

Dimensions148 x 68.5 x 8.9 mm (5.83 x 2.70 x 0.35 in)
Weight169 g (5.96 oz)
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Water & Dust ResistanceIP68 dust/water resistant

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1/B1c/B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
NFCYes
RadioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Launch

AnnouncedMay 12, 2021
StatusReleased May 13, 2021
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13, ZenUI 8

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Excellent flagship performance in a compact size [1, 7]
  • Vibrant and smooth 120Hz AMOLED display [1, 3]
  • Capable dual-camera system [1, 7]
  • IP68 dust and water resistance
  • Includes a 3.5mm headphone jack and stereo speakers [19, 25]

Cons

  • No wireless charging [1, 10]
  • No microSD card slot for expandable storage [2]
  • Lacks a dedicated telephoto lens [10]
  • Limited carrier support in some regions (e.g., no Verizon support at launch) [1]
  • Some users reported potential motherboard issues after extended use [28]
★ Our Verdict

The Asus Zenfone 8 earns a strong rating for delivering flagship performance and a premium experience in a rare compact design, though it has some notable omissions like wireless charging and a telephoto lens. [1, 5]

The Asus Zenfone 8 is an excellent choice for users seeking a powerful Android phone in a compact form factor, a rarity in today's market. Its Snapdragon 888 processor still delivers strong performance for most tasks and gaming, complemented by a vibrant 120Hz AMOLED display. However, potential buyers should be aware of its limitations, including the absence of wireless charging, a microSD card slot for expandable storage, and a dedicated telephoto camera. While it boasts a 3.5mm headphone jack and IP68 water resistance, some users have reported potential motherboard issues after extended use, so checking warranty status and seller reputation is advisable for used devices. Consider it if a small, high-performance Android phone is a priority and you can overlook the missing features. [1, 2, 10, 28]

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • Asus Zenfone 8 smartphone
  • 30W power adapter
  • USB-C to USB-C cable
  • SIM ejector tool
  • Documentation (warranty card, user guide)
  • Bumper case

ASUS typically offers a standard limited warranty, often 12 to 24 months from the date of purchase, which can be verified using the device's IMEI number. [13, 23, 24]

❓ Questions & Answers

When was the Asus Zenfone 8 released?

The Asus Zenfone 8 was officially released on May 13, 2021. [2, 9]

Does the Asus Zenfone 8 have a headphone jack?

Yes, the Asus Zenfone 8 notably includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature often absent in modern flagship smartphones. [19, 25]

Is the Asus Zenfone 8 water resistant?

Yes, the Asus Zenfone 8 features an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning it can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. [21]

What processor does the Asus Zenfone 8 use?

The Asus Zenfone 8 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G Mobile Platform, a flagship-level chipset from its release year. [2, 4, 5]

Does the Asus Zenfone 8 support wireless charging?

No, the Asus Zenfone 8 does not support wireless charging. It relies on 30W wired fast charging. [1, 10]

What are the main camera specifications of the Asus Zenfone 8?

The main camera setup on the Asus Zenfone 8 consists of a 64MP wide-angle lens with OIS (Sony IMX686) and a 12MP ultrawide lens (Sony IMX363). [2, 4, 25]