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Updated January 10, 2024·
If having a top-tier camera is important for you, the Asus Zenfone 9 provides better overall photo and video quality, including features like RAW output and HDR video, which are absent on the Motorola Edge (2021). However, the Motorola Edge (2021) offers a slightly longer battery life and a larger screen than the Zenfone 9, which may be preferable if you consume a lot of media or play games. Both devices have similar storage capacity and the same operating system, but the Edge (2021) generally costs less. Therefore, if budget is a concern and you can compromise on camera capabilities, Motorola Edge (2021) might be a more suitable choice. 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 Asus Zenfone 9
- The Asus Zenfone 9 has no clear advantages over the Motorola Edge (2021).
Advantages of the Motorola Edge (2021)
- Very good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
6.2
5.2
The Asus Zenfone 9 has only fair overall camera quality, while the Motorola Edge (2021) has poor overall camera quality.
The Asus Zenfone 9 has a fair selfie camera but lacks in photos dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility, affecting overall image quality. The Motorola Edge (2021) falls short with a poor selfie camera, complemented by subpar performance across dynamic range, low light, and versatility, leading to a less satisfactory camera experience.
Photo Quality
6.0
5.3
The Asus Zenfone 9 takes only fair photos, while the Motorola Edge (2021) takes poor photos.
The Asus Zenfone 9 and the Motorola Edge (2021) take poor photos partly because their selfie cameras have low-quality performance. Additionally, both phones struggle with dynamic range and low light performance, and they offer a limited camera versatility, which impacts the overall photo-taking experience.
Video Quality
6.4
4.7
The Asus Zenfone 9 takes only fair videos, while the Motorola Edge (2021) takes poor videos.
The Asus Zenfone 9 produces fair videos due to its good video stabilization, dynamic range, and especially its microphone quality, which outperforms the Motorola Edge (2021). The Motorola Edge, on the other hand, struggles with video dynamic range and stabilization, leading to poorer video quality and a less robust microphone performance compared to the Zenfone 9.
Battery
7.8 Hours
8.7 Hours
The Asus Zenfone 9 has 7.8 hours of battery life. The Motorola Edge (2021) has 8.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Asus Zenfone 9 has a screen size of 5.9 inches and the Motorola Edge (2021) is 6.8 inches.
Cost
$700
$600
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Asus Zenfone 9 has a price of $700 and the Motorola Edge (2021) costs $600.
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How the Asus Zenfone 9 and the Motorola Edge (2021) compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus Zenfone 9 | Motorola Edge (2021) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$700 | $600 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Asus | Motorola | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 15, 2022 | September 2, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 5.9" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2460 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 445 | 395 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | LCD | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD8+G1 | SD778G | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.5/10 | 4.7/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 108 megapixels | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.8 Hours | 8.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4300 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.77" x 2.68" | 6.65" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.96 oz | 7.05 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | No | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 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, 89 | (SA/NSA/Sub6)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Side | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Sunset Red, Starry Blue | Nebula Blue | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Asus Zenfone 9
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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."
Motorola Edge (2021)
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Philip Michaels | October 2021
"If you've overlooked Motorola's higher-end phones in the past, the Motorola Edge 5G UW does a very good job at trying to regain your attention. Improvements to the main camera impress. I'm also impressed by how quickly the phone recharges. It's the affordability that ultimately wins the day for the Motorola Edge. this phone offers enough premium features to put it at the forefront of midrange options."
Get a great deal on the Asus Zenfone 9 or the Motorola Edge (2021)
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.
About Motorola
Motorola, a well-known name in the smartphone world, has a long-standing legacy in the industry, with a history dating back to the early days of mobile phones. The brand is mostly known for striking a balance between affordability and functionality, as well as providing a clean and straightforward interface with their software skin on top of Android. While they have traditionally been prominent in the budget and midrange categories, Motorola has also occasionally ventured into the high-end category for smartphones.
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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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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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