ASUS Zenfone 8 Review: It might fit in your pocket!

Most Android handsets tend to have 6.5-inch or so displays at a minimum these days. Whether you're looking in the budget space, midrange, or high-end, it can be tricky to find a smaller device. This is seemingly a response to market demand - many of us love bigger screens. Of course, not everyone does.

If you're in the latter category, ASUS's latest handset could be the right choice for you. With a display measuring in at 5.9 inches, it's one of the smallest Android phones on the market. It isn't quite as diminutive as the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini, but the Zenfone 8 nonetheless represents a step in a different direction.

The smaller size makes the Zenfone 8 the kind of phone you can easily use in one hand, whether you're banging out a message, or mindlessly scrolling through social. Importantly, it doesn't feel cramped if you want to use two hands to type just that little bit faster. The Zenfone 8 is also a lot more pocketable than most phones on the market. It's not a device you have to adapt to or find weird ways to contort your hands when maneuvering around the screen.

Despite its smaller stature, the Zenfone 8 isn't compromising on power. Inside you'll still find a Snapdragon 888 processor, the chipset that powers the vast majority of high-end Android phones, ranging from the OPPO Find X3 Pro to Samsung's newly announced Galaxy Z Fold 3. The overall experience is fast and snappy. There's also a 120Hz refresh rate display for smoother motion, and the screen itself is rather lovely.

You get most other bells and whistles too. 5G is naturally included (although on my review unit, it was disabled out of the box, you'll need to manually enable it). The phone itself is rated IP68 for water resistance. And hey, there's even an actual honest-to-goodness 3.5mm headphone jack. The only key omission is wireless charging. Considering the $999 price point, that's not too bad.

Battery life is a tad disappointing, however; I found I could only get between three to four hours of screen time per charge, which represents a maximum of a day per charge with light to moderate usage. Heavier users will definitely find themselves in need of a top-up throughout the day. I had typically demanding features 5G and the 120Hz display set to "automatic" while testing, which means these features only turned on when required, which ideally, should benefit battery life. Disabling them entirely is always an option if you're looking to eek a little more charge out of the Zenfone 8, but you really shouldn't have to disable key features to get adequate battery performance.

I would have also liked to see a little more camera prowess from the Zenfone 8. On the back you'll find a 64MP primary lens and a 16MP ultra-wide lens, and both provide passable results in most conditions, but a step down from the quality you'd get on a top-tier Apple or Samsung device. High contrast situations can lead to blowout, and photos taken in dimmer (not necessarily dark) environments can look flat. The Zenfone 8 still does a good job when it comes to photography, I just wouldn't call it great.

ASUS Zenfone 8 - Final Thoughts

With the Zenfone 8, ASUS has delivered a smaller handset that still feels high-end. It doesn't skimp on features or performance, and fills a gap in the market that few others are addressing. However, mediocre battery life and a just "good" camera configuration make it hard to recommend outside of those looking for a smaller Android flagship device. At around $799, these issues would have been easier to brush aside, but at $999, the value isn't quite there compared to the competition.

ASUS Zenfone 8 camera samples

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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