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Updated January 10, 2024·
If a high-quality camera is a priority, you may lean towards the Asus Zenfone 9 as it offers slightly better overall camera capabilities, including the ability to shoot 8K video. However, if you prefer a larger screen and an iOS experience, the Apple iPhone 12 is the better choice. Keep in mind that the iPhone 12 has a higher peak screen brightness, which can be beneficial in bright environments. The iPhone 12 is also generally lighter than the Zenfone 9. On the other hand, the Zenfone 9 boasts longer battery life, but it comes with a higher price tag compared to the iPhone 12. Ultimately, the decision may come down to the operating system preference and whether you're willing to spend a bit more for the extra features offered by the Zenfone 9, such as an 8K video recording and enhanced battery life. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 12
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good display quality
Advantages of the Asus Zenfone 9
- Good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
6.2
The Apple iPhone 12 has good overall camera quality, while the Asus Zenfone 9 has only fair overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 12 offers a stronger overall photography experience than the Asus Zenfone 9, with a particularly noticeable advantage in selfie quality, photos software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance. While the Zenfone 9's selfie quality is fair, it falls short in key areas such as software experience, dynamic range, and low light capabilities, which are pivotal for capturing high-quality images.
Photo Quality
7.1
6.0
The Apple iPhone 12 takes good photos, while the Asus Zenfone 9 takes only fair photos.
The Apple iPhone 12 produces better selfies due to a higher quality selfie camera, while the Asus Zenfone 9 falls short in selfie performance. Additionally, the iPhone 12 benefits from superior photo software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance, all of which contribute to its good photo quality, whereas the Zenfone 9 has poorer performance in these areas.
Video Quality
7.2
6.4
The Apple iPhone 12 takes good videos, while the Asus Zenfone 9 takes only fair videos.
The Apple iPhone 12 produces better videos than the Asus Zenfone 9 largely due to its superior video stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance. Additionally, while both phones offer high-quality microphones, the iPhone 12's video software experience is notably better, contributing to its ability to capture higher quality videos compared to the Zenfone 9.
Battery
6.2 Hours
7.8 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 has 6.2 hours of battery life. The Asus Zenfone 9 has 7.8 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Asus Zenfone 9 is 5.9 inches.
Cost
$600
$700
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Apple iPhone 12 has a price of $600 and the Asus Zenfone 9 costs $700.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 and the Asus Zenfone 9 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 | Asus Zenfone 9 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$600 | $700 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Asus | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 23, 2020 | September 15, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 5.9" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 445 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | SD8+G1 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 6/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.2 Hours | 7.8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2815 mAh | 4300 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.78" x 2.81" | 5.77" x 2.68" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.78 oz | 5.96 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6e | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 89 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Side | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Blue, Purple, Green, White, Black, Red | Sunset Red, Starry Blue | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 12
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Pocket-lint
Stuart Miles | March 2022
"The iPhone 12 offers many of the important things that you want from the iPhone: a decent camera, 5G, great screen, fast processor. For the group of people who want a new iPhone without the price tag of the iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 13 range, this is a great choice. There's no settling for second best with this smartphone."
Asus Zenfone 9
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Robert Triggs | March 2023
"The Asus Zenfone 9 is a compact device that still packs more than enough power under the hood. It's compact size, Bluetooth and audio features (including a headphone jack!), and hardware gestures combine to offer a package that does enough differently to warrant your attention."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 or the Asus Zenfone 9
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
About ASUS
Asus is a well-known player in the mobile world, and in the past few years it has been known for covering specific niches in the smartphone market. Their Zenfone line of devices appeal to small phone enthusiasts, by providing very well-rounded and capable phones at a package that is not too large to operate with one hand – something hard to find in modern Android smartphones. Conversely, their ROG line of devices cater to mobile gamers, by providing a slew of hardware and software features, specifically tailored to enhance the mobile gaming experience. Additionally, Asus is one of the only manufacturers left that continues to include headphone jacks in their lineup of phones, a feature that has become exceedingly rare in today's market.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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