A Compact, Alternative Flagship - ASUS Zenfone 9 1 Month Review

[@CJYing]

Thanks for watching the video guys! The ASUS Zenfone 9 is a bit of a beast. Let us know what you think of the phone by dropping a comment below!

[@mrsmilie6817]

Is there any giveaway for this phone?

[@TheChiraagG]

Can't wait for the Zenfone 10 tbh. There will be wireless charging, a bigger battery (TBC, touted at 5000 mAH), faster wired charging (67W, TBC), still a 5.9" screen, a newer 6 axis stabilisation implementation (2.0 they call it), and they rumoured 200MP camera. It will be on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with UFS 4.0 instead of 3.1 (46% more efficient and 2 x faster). Keen on this one. Skipped the Zenfone 9, tempting as it was, but may have to go for the 10. My Oneplus 7T Pro is great on OxygenOS 11 but not keen on shifting to the ColorOS iterations from 12 onwards. This means I'm lagging on security fixes so that needs remedying. I also am hurting a bit at losing a completely clean screen with no punch-hole camera, but the Xperia 1 V is too pricey for what you get vs. the Zenfone options and tbh not as compact as I'd like - I'm used to bigger phones now but yearning for my smaller, lighter phone days. The Zenfone prospect seems to hit for me. It gives me vibes of my old beloved Nexus 5, but with way less flaws. I really enjoy the vanilla + useful QOL tweaks approach of old OxygenOS and it seems Zen UI is following that philosophy well, with OnePlus sadly moving away from that. The OnePlus 7T Pro is the one phone I've owned where I haven't felt frustrated by after 12 months and shifted away from after 18 months. It truly has been a peak time. But cameras are so-so (Google One's editing features in Photos helps!), my screen is now cracked and most importantly my battery life is now horrendous. Add to that the lack of security updates as it's EOL now (and my stubbornness to not want to move to OxygenOS 12), it seems my next upgrade is due, so roll on June 29th.

[@onlinem8158]

​@@TheChiraagG yes, i am excited too. Any idea if the Zenfone 10 will have side mounted fingerprint or in-display fingerprint sensor, coz that is something i am not able to confirm yet, internet is full of confusing answers about this. Let me know if you know about it coz that's gonna be a deal breaker for me tbh.😅

[@TheChiraagG]

@@onlinem8158 I have a feeling it'll still be on the side button. Why is it a deal breaker?

[@Oleh.Mykolayovych]

@@TheChiraagG😂

[@BadrKhiyat]

You can always change the fingerprint behavior in the settings to avoid accidental unlocks.

[@el_ibacache]

I've been waiting for a compact phone like this for a while now! It's very tempting to get, and unfortunately it feels like it's not getting the attention it deserves. I'm very excited that there's a better alternative to the S line that's not compromised on battery. I'd say the 2 year OS support is the only compromise, but other than that, is all positives. Great video sir!

[@CJYing]

Exactly my sentiments. Thanks for watching!

[@nate8932]

Such a great phone, same problems with the screen and back as in the video but i also got water-damage on my screen and had to send it in which is weird

[@CookieTrace]

I wouldn’t say its small… 14cm is pretty average.. i think it has a great personality

[@YuasBirds]

I plan on getting this, and about the pocket problems, I plan on using a wallet case with the phone, I'm guessing that'll probably curb the turning on in your pocket problems yeah?

[@kran-13jitto75]

The size is very handy and very difficult to find in the country. I want one like this in thailand.

[@znavot0]

WARNING: I have the Zenfone 9 and I must warn you before buying: There is a bug, since Zenfone 7 maybe, with the proximity sensors, it is a software issue, not hardware. basically the screen is being turned ON during calls or in the pocket, and from there the random touches can take you everywhere. ASUS has done nothing to fix it and just ignored the countless complaints by customers.

[@habarnam7373]

hey dude, my comment may be late but do you recommend this phone for daily use and also for gaming?

[@znavot0]

@@habarnam7373 I have Zenfone 9 as said. it is alright, battery is ok, not amazing. the bug I mentioned+ another bug that make the calls choppy for the othe side in like half of the calls, means that as a phone, it is not good. for games, I don't know, I play Solitaire...

[@jithro33]

Great review and you pointed out the most annoying behaviour i have with the phone. The accidatal unlocks, is there a toggle to enable the "tiny little buzz" at every unlock? for now it only buzzes by a failed unlock attempt.

[@superidol1536]

Follow the damn train, CJ !

[@ahmedshams8807]

Great take on it Ying. Completely agree with the fingerprint. Its sometimes annoying to be honest. With android 13, the phone feels smoother and for me battery life is also better on a13.

[@jupitercahyadi4745]

I believe this phone was launched in july last year, and currently im looking for a new phone and i have been showing interest particularly on this phone. So will this phone face a price down soon reaching its one year mark, or should i get it now? Thanks

[@katinasoutherland7693]

I'd wait if possible idk if you care about updates this only has one year left already

[@mydoppelganger8017]

let us wait until its price is down due to the launching of Zenfone 10...I want to grab this Zenfone 9

[@steel-r_ua]

Thanks for the review! Huh, at first I got an impression that power button is a sensor and it would easily turn off the screen if I touch it with any part of my skin.

[@optimisticIntrovert]

Great video brother. I love this phone but sadly it isn't available in India officially.

[@CJYing]

Sad times 🥲

[@pg-jq3jc]

Isnt fingerprint sensor on the side a hassle?

[@CJYing]

Side fingerprint sensor makes sense ergonomically, but only if it’s not too sensitive

[@pg-jq3jc]

@@CJYing did you find it practical or subpar to Samsung s22/23? Im considering this phone or s23 for next phone. I want a fast clean small top of the line android.

[@onlinem8158]

​​@@pg-jq3jc it's definitely a hassle. I am looking to buy in-display fingerprint sensor phone now coz of this pain. Hope zf10 wl have in-display fingerprint sensor!! 😊

[@jymhr]

Great long term review. New subscriber here.

[@CJYing]

Welcome! Thanks for watching 😁

[@Everythingallatonce07]

How do I get this in india ? It’s not launched here

[@VAMSHI_DHAR]

Not possible IND but you can from Singapore

[@MegaXtc11]

Aliexpress

[@MyAlterna]

My zenfone has been acting bizzare for a while now. Its unlock itself in the pocket, in the table,mand even ordering food online itself when in my pocket. There are many similar case in the zentalk forum

[@MyAlterna]

It also randomly unlocks itself in the table when it has incoming notification

[@alb.4089]

I have the same issue on mine. It's always emergency dialing as well. I turned off the double tap waking feature and it helped a bit but still happens time to time.

[@MyAlterna]

@@alb.4089 sad

[@NaymyoHtet-gt4pq]

Great review...

[@gattylink]

How do you compare this Asus with the Pixel 7A? Specially in terms of camera.

[@superidol1536]

In camera specs, Pixel 7A > Zenfone 9. You just can't compare the algorithms and the AI that Google has to what Asus has available.

[@matthewjutzen424]

​​@@superidol1536that's debatable, the colours are more natural with the Zenfone 9. Also has built in image stabilization.

[@iconicben]

Great video! Anyway, It's a SD 8+ gen 1.

[@marcoafro8234]

Hey just watched your videos! Looks refreshing after doing marathon on any review of this phone. Mine is on shipping actually so i really just making sure i'm not wrong picking. I like your review here, and your shot at the beach looks really amazing! Just one note though, i guess it's using Snapdragon 8+ gen 1 not just reguler 8 gen 1. Keep the good work man! Shout out from Indonesia!

[@CJYing]

Thanks for watching man! I think you’ll be happy with the phone :)

[@Robcadams1974]

How are the monthly security updates/patches?

[@SuhasGovindo]

Do u want to sell ur zenphone 9 I want to buy it

[@danieljablecki]

This or s23?

[@el_ibacache]

That's the question.

[@crazymonkey9260]

S23 in my opinion

[@katinasoutherland7693]

S23

[@ROGERDATTT]

Have both.. Size, fingerprint sensor = z9. Processor, camera = s23. Battery almost the same. Love the z9 but cant find a slim case like aramid fiber available.

[@danieljablecki]

@@ROGERDATTT stock case is bad?

[@claymoresteel]

Zenphone 9 a phone with patina

[@axon9023]

7:42 lmao

[@katinasoutherland7693]

Goddamn this is an awesome phone😂

[@oussama4629]

asus made what people need in a smartphone but users only want a huge shiny overpriced phone

[@cs3901]

No need to use the Lords name in vain so much.

[@LenjingSaroh]

Please giveaway me. I am a student and I can't afford new phone. I been using Asus Zenfone pro max 1 for 6 yrs.

[@thinkognito344]

no SD card is a no no

[@mrsmilie6817]

It has been my dream phone, just dream phone🥲.