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InnoReviews

ASUS Zenfone 9 vs iPhone SE (3rd gen)

WINNER
ASUS Zenfone 9
46.1Inno Score
VS
A
38.3Inno Score
45.8Performance44
49.3Display21.3
42.6Camera31.9
39.8Battery27.7
60Features89.3
11 spec wins — ASUS Zenfone 96 spec wins — iPhone SE (3rd gen)

InnoReviews verdict

ASUS Zenfone 9 wins this phone face-off, 46.1 to 38.3, pulling ahead mainly in display (+28) and battery (+12). iPhone SE (3rd gen) still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the ASUS Zenfone 9

  • Stronger display score: 49 vs 21
  • Stronger camera score: 43 vs 32
  • Stronger battery score: 40 vs 28
  • 317% higher Main camera: 50 MP vs 12 MP
  • 113% higher capacity: 4,300 mAh vs 2,018 mAh

Reasons to pick the iPhone SE (3rd gen)

  • Stronger features score: 89 vs 60
  • 200% higher OS update pledge: 6 years vs 2 years
  • 20% lower thickness: 7.3 mm vs 9.1 mm
  • 17% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,100 vs 1,800
  • 15% lower weight: 144 g vs 169 g
  • Lower launch price: $429 vs $699

Display

Display comparison: ASUS Zenfone 9 versus iPhone SE (3rd gen)
SpecASUS Zenfone 9iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Screen size5.9 ″+26%4.7 ″
Panel typeAMOLEDRetina IPS LCD
Resolution2400x1080750x1334
Pixel density445 ppi+37%326 ppi
Refresh rate120 Hz+100%60 Hz
Peak brightness1,100 nits+76%625 nits
Screen-to-body—65.4 %

Performance

Performance comparison: ASUS Zenfone 9 versus iPhone SE (3rd gen)
SpecASUS Zenfone 9iPhone SE (3rd gen)
ChipsetSnapdragon 8+ Gen 1Apple A15 Bionic
AnTuTu 101,300,000+46%Top 31%890,000Top 59%
Geekbench 6 (single)1,800Top 40%2,100+17%Top 27%
Geekbench 6 (multi)4,600Top 40%5,200+13%Top 32%
RAM (max)8 GB+100%4 GB
Storage options128GB / 256GB64/128/256GB
Storage typeUFS 3.1NVMe

Camera

Camera comparison: ASUS Zenfone 9 versus iPhone SE (3rd gen)
SpecASUS Zenfone 9iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Main camera50 MP+317%12 MP
Main aperturef/1.9f/1.8
Ultra-wide12 MP—
Optical zoom—1 x
Max video8K@24fps4K@60fps
Front camera12 MP+71%7 MP
OISYesYes

Battery

Battery comparison: ASUS Zenfone 9 versus iPhone SE (3rd gen)
SpecASUS Zenfone 9iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Capacity4,300 mAh+113%2,018 mAh
Wired charging30 W+50%20 W
Wireless charging—8 W
Active use endurance—7 h

Design

Design comparison: ASUS Zenfone 9 versus iPhone SE (3rd gen)
SpecASUS Zenfone 9iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Weight169 g144 g+15%
Thickness9.1 mm7.3 mm+20%
IP ratingIP68IP67
Frame materialAluminumAluminum

Connectivity

Connectivity comparison: ASUS Zenfone 9 versus iPhone SE (3rd gen)
SpecASUS Zenfone 9iPhone SE (3rd gen)
5GYesYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6EWi-Fi 6
Bluetooth5.25.0
NFCYesYes
USBUSB-C 2.0Lightning
eSIMNoYes

Software

Software comparison: ASUS Zenfone 9 versus iPhone SE (3rd gen)
SpecASUS Zenfone 9iPhone SE (3rd gen)
OS at launchAndroid 12 (ZenUI)iOS 15
OS update pledge2 years6 years+200%

Audio

Audio comparison: ASUS Zenfone 9 versus iPhone SE (3rd gen)
SpecASUS Zenfone 9iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Stereo speakersYesYes
3.5mm jackYesNo

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