If you are looking to change your phone, but prefer small formats, here are two smartphones on sale, the iPhone 13 mini and the Asus Zenfone 9, which represent the best in this area. However, between Android and Apple, which to choose? We will try to answer it in this comparison.
Asus Zenfone 9 VS iPhone 13 Mini // Source : frandroid.com
Nowadays, it is more common to find on the market, large format phones with screens of 6 to 7 inches. For aficionados of compact smartphones, it is not easy to find what you are looking for. There are still some references, which are likely to please you. We have unearthed two interesting models for you, one from Apple with the iPhone 13 Mini and the other from Asus with the Zenfone 9.
These are very good smartphones that have obtained the score of 8/10. A note that we attribute to Aroged, when the qualities of the product make it a good deal for almost all user profiles. They are not without faults, but the assets are so numerous that these flats are not prohibitive. It remains to be seen which of the two best meets your needs and which experience appeals to you the most between iPhone or Android? We will try to enlighten you in your choice through this comparison.
Smartphones on sale
Successful finishes on a small format
Whether it’s the iPhone 13 Mini or the Asus Zenfone 9, lovers of compact smartphones will be delighted. Their small size brings a good dose of comfort of use. Being the last existing model of the Californian firm, the 13 Mini will please small hands with its dimensions of 64.2 × 131.5 × 7.65 mm and its featherweight of 140 g. In the Zenfone 9, even with larger dimensions (68.1 × 146.5 × 9.1 mm), it slips easily into your pocket and is absolutely not noticeable thanks to its featherweight of 169 g. Aesthetically, in one as in the other, the finishes are neat with flat edges on the sides, for better grip in the hand. On the back, the two competitors reveal two photo sensors.
Source: Chloé Pertuis – Aroged
Source : Aroged – Brandon Lopes
The configuration of the iPhone 13 Mini is as follows, a 12-megapixel wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle while the most premium of its generation adds a 12-megapixel telephoto lens with x3 optical zoom and the famous LiDAR sensor. Despite this, it offers good shots whose sensors are 92% larger than the previous generation, with the aim of capturing more light, and therefore displaying more details. For the Zenfone 9, we are entitled to a main sensor of 50 megapixels and an ultra wide-angle of 12 megapixels. Far from being a bad photophone, it is difficult to praise its merits on its photographic performance too behind. The sensors are correct, but nothing more.
Notch or punch? iOS or Android?
Once turned on, the display experience is not the same for the two manufacturers. On one, there is a small punch located at the top left, and the other has a notch in the middle. Apple has also been much criticized for this rather unsightly notch for some and some. Nevertheless, those equipped with an iPhone with the TouchID button, the front of the 13 Mini will be more pleasing to the eye with its thin borders. Its 5.4-inch OLED Super Retina XDR screen offers excellent contrasts and vivid colors. That of the Zenfone 9 is also of high quality Amoled and FHD +, but offers a larger surface with its diagonal of 5.9 inches. Added to this is an adaptive refresh rate of 120 Hz for smooth everyday browsing. We would have liked to find a refresh rate higher than 60 Hz on the Apple phone, but it is exclusive to the Pro model.
Source: Chloé Pertuis – Aroged
In terms of user experience, you have either iOS 16 or Android 13 with Asus’ ZenUI interface. For people who already have a device from the Curpertino company, you will not be out of place. Apple masters its OS to perfection: a fluid interface, very comprehensive and easy to learn. Released under iOS 15, it now runs under iOS 16. Enough to take advantage of the brand’s latest software innovations. The Zenfone 9 relies on the Android-based ZenUI home interface. It is inspired by the Pixel interface, both in terms of design and the ergonomics of the parameters. Overall, the software experience is extremely fluid, with clear and neat animations. There are however some bugs to note, especially in terms of notifications, or limited customization. Nothing prohibitive, however by switching to Android 13, the Zenfone 9 takes a hit in terms of autonomy.
Powerful and durable enough to last a day
For its two small phones, performance has not been neglected. As for the Zenfone 9, we are entitled to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, a powerful chip from Qualcomm. Everything runs smoothly, whether it’s multitasking, browsing your favorite apps or playing demanding games. The only downside concerns the heating which occurs quickly on Fortnite after a few minutes of play. With its A15 Bionic chip, the 13 Mini is able to handle any type of task without slowing down. Of course, the user experience is perfectly fluid under the latest version of iOS.
Generally, compact smartphones are not known for their endurance, since they cannot accommodate a very large battery. They include a battery:
2 438 mAh for iPhone 13 Mini
4 300 mAh for the Asus Zenfone 9
With a smaller accumulator for the Apple phone, the Asus one seems to be more enduring. However, the two rivals manage to offer a similar autonomy. For the iPhone 13 Mini, if its predecessor was disappointing on this point, this version corrects this defect by providing a larger battery. More reassuring than before, it easily manages to last the day. In the context of more intensive use, the battery may well require a short pit stop from time to time during the day.
And, the Zenfone 9 then? It too has a bigger battery and does better than the Zenfone 8. It can last a day and a half effortlessly. Even with heavy and intense use, the device will not let you down in the middle of the day. We also appreciate the presence of a 30 W charger which allows you to go from 9% to 57% in 30 minutes. A decent result all the same, especially since the iPhone offers a slower charge (20 W). And, if you are used to using an induction charger, it is compatible with wireless charging unlike the Zenfone 9 which does not take advantage of it.
iPhone 13 Mini or Asus Zenfone 9, which one to choose?
A difficult choice? It is true that the qualities are not lacking on either side. Especially since each offers a successful software experience, but there are differences to take into account.
If you are a user used to Apple, then going for the iPhone 13 Mini will be the most judicious. The ecosystem makes it so easy to connect devices and the manufacturer is renowned for offering software monitoring for 5 years. Then this model comes to erase one of the main faults of its predecessor, by offering better autonomy, but is confined to a slow charge. For its small size, it happens to be a good photophone, and a powerful device.
Where to buy
Apple iPhone 13 mini at the best price?
The Zenfone 9 will rather appeal to those who are more comfortable with Android, and who prefer a customizable interface. It has advantages that should not be overlooked, such as its 120 Hz refresh rate, which is not found on the iPhone 13 Mini. For anyone looking for a small high-end smartphone that is both very powerful and durable, the Asus Zenfone 9 is a smartphone to consider. Between its day and a half of use and a processor capable of running everything, it does better than some of its competitors. On the other hand, it will not be necessary to be too fussy on the photo, it lacks versatility and does not shine on this point.
Where to buy
Asus Zenfone 9 at the best price?
It is therefore difficult to decide for you since, depending on the profile, only one of the small details mentioned here could tip the scales in one direction or the other.
To go further, you can find our complete and detailed reviews in:
The other compact smartphones to discover
If the smartphone from Asus or the Apple brand has not convinced you, there are other compact models. To discover them, we invite you to consult now our guide to the best 5 to 6 inch phones in 2023.
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