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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a lower price and prefer iOS, the Apple iPhone SE (2022) is a solid choice with a midrange cost, good battery life, and effective camera capabilities for photos and videos. However, for better battery life, a higher-quality camera system, and a larger OLED display with a higher refresh rate, the Asus Zenfone 9, although more expensive, would be advantageous. The Zenfone 9's screen will likely offer a better viewing experience, and its camera may take higher quality pictures and videos. Additionally, the Zenfone 9 has a headphone jack and front-facing speakers, which are absent on the iPhone SE. Keep in mind that the iPhone SE has iOS, whereas the Zenfone 9 runs on Android, which may affect your choice depending on your preferred ecosystem. 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 SE (2022)
- Very good performance
Advantages of the Asus Zenfone 9
- Good battery life
- Good display quality
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.7
6.2
The Asus Zenfone 9 has only fair overall camera quality, while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) has poor overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has fair selfie camera quality likely due to a decent balance of software and hardware features, making it suitable for regular selfie photos, whereas the Asus Zenfone 9, which also has fair selfie camera quality, might offer a similar performance but could be hindered by other factors such as photo software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance. When considering camera versatility, aspects like resolution and low light performance, both phones share similar ratings, but your preferences for operating systems and other camera features should also inform your decision.
Battery
4.9 Hours
7.8 Hours
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has 4.9 hours of battery life. The Asus Zenfone 9 has 7.8 hours of battery life.
Cost
$429
$700
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has a price of $429 and the Asus Zenfone 9 costs $700.
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Key similarities
Photo Quality
5.5
6.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Asus Zenfone 9 to have only fair photos, while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) takes poor photos.
The iPhone SE (2022) is noted to have a fair selfie quality, meaning its front-facing camera produces acceptable photos for most users, while the Asus Zenfone 9 is described as having fair selfie quality as well; however, the Zenfone 9's lower ranking in camera versatility suggests fewer options in shooting modes and camera angles compared to other phones.
Video Quality
6.6
6.4
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) and Asus Zenfone 9 both have only fair videos.
Both the Apple iPhone SE (2022) and the Asus Zenfone 9 have fair video capabilities, which include video resolutions and frame rates that deliver adequate detail and fluidity for casual use. However, users looking for more professional video features might find them lacking in software experience, video stabilization, dynamic range, and low-light performance; although both phones provide acceptable microphone quality for clear audio capture.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has a screen size of 4.7 inches and the Asus Zenfone 9 is 5.9 inches.
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How the Apple iPhone SE (2022) and the Asus Zenfone 9 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone SE (2022) | Asus Zenfone 9 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$429 | $700 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Asus | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 18, 2022 | September 15, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 4.7" | 5.9" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1334 x 750 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 326 | 445 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A15 | 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 | 5.8/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.6/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 4.9 Hours | 7.8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2018 mAh | 4300 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 7.5 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.45" x 2.65" | 5.77" x 2.68" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.08 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)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 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 | Fingerprint sensor: Front | Fingerprint sensor: Side | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Midnight, Starlight, Red | Sunset Red, Starry Blue | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Ars Technica
Samuel Axon | March 2022
"Thanks to the inclusion of the A15 chip, the SE is likely to be supported for years to come. That makes it the best deal in smartphones today for folks who just want something simple and don't care about the frills. The iPhone SE is a great deal if you're more interested in the basics than the latest flashy features.. It's also a great option for people who prefer to use their phones one-handed—a dying breed, we know."
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 SE (2022) 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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Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
108,600
Recommendations made
61,540
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
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Phones Expert
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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