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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offers a more premium experience with superior camera capabilities, including better photo and video quality, and a higher megapixel count across various lenses. It also has a larger screen with a higher resolution, higher peak brightness, and a variable refresh rate, which could provide a better viewing experience. However, it is more expensive and larger in size, which might not be preferred if you are looking for something more compact. On the other hand, the Asus Zenfone 9 is less expensive, offers a solid camera performance, and is more compact with a smaller screen and lighter weight. It has a plastic back as opposed to the glass back of the Samsung, which might be more durable but less premium-feeling. The battery life of the Zenfone is shorter, and it does not support wireless charging. If budget and one-handed usability are your main concerns, the Zenfone 9 could be the better choice, but if you prioritize camera quality, screen features, and battery life, and don't mind the larger size and higher price, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the better option. 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 Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Best in class for taking photos
- Very good for recording videos
- Best in class battery life
- Best in class display quality
- Excellent performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
6.2
9.2
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has excellent overall camera quality, while the Asus Zenfone 9 has only fair overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offers an excellent overall camera experience with versatile features such as better low light performance, dynamic range, and a superior selfie camera, while the Asus Zenfone 9 lags behind, particularly in areas like dynamic range and low light capabilities in both photo and video, as well as having a lower selfie camera quality.
Photo Quality
6.0
9.5
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes best in class photos, while the Asus Zenfone 9 takes only fair photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra outshines the Asus Zenfone 9 in photo taking capabilities, with the former excelling in photo software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance. Additionally, the Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts a higher selfie score and greater camera versatility, making it a superior choice for photography enthusiasts.
Video Quality
6.4
8.0
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes very good videos, while the Asus Zenfone 9 takes only fair videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra delivers excellent videos due to its higher video software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and mic quality, all of which are significantly better than the Asus Zenfone 9. While the Zenfone 9 provides a fair video experience, it is outperformed by the Galaxy S23 Ultra across these important video capture metrics.
Battery
7.8 Hours
10.4 Hours
The Asus Zenfone 9 has 7.8 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has 10.4 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Asus Zenfone 9 has a screen size of 5.9 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
Cost
$700
$1,140
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Asus Zenfone 9 has a price of $700 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra costs $1,140.
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How the Asus Zenfone 9 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus Zenfone 9 | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$700 | $1,140 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Asus | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 15, 2022 | February 17, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 5.9" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3088 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 445 | 501 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD8+G1 | SD8G2 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.5/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 200 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.8 Hours | 10.4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4300 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.77" x 2.68" | 6.43" x 3.07" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.96 oz | 8.25 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.3 | |
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/mmWave)1, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 270 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Side | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Sunset Red, Starry Blue | Green, Phantom Black, Cream, Lavender, Graphite | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
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."
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Ryan Haines | March 2023
"The Galaxy S23 Ultra doesn’t just want a place at the top right now; it expects to stay there. Samsung’s excellent update commitment and connectivity standards will keep its flagship feeling fresh for years to come, and the high-end materials will put up with more than their share of wear and tear. It might be more than most users need in terms of size, power, and cost, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a glaring weakness."
Get a great deal on the Asus Zenfone 9 or the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
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 Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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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
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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.
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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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