Asus Zenfone 3 (5.2 ZE520KL 32GB) vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950U)

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Side by side comparison between Asus Zenfone 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?

8/28/2017 11:00 PM, updated: 3/13/2023 9:26 AM

Compare Samsung Galaxy Note 8 X Asus Zenfone 3 (5.2 ZE520KL 32GB) 04Points

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

5.2"
IPS+

1080x1920

16
MP

8mp

3GB
RAM

Octa-core

2650
mAh

(Non removable)

31Points Samsung Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950U) Compare Asus Zenfone 3 X

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

6.3"
AMOLED

1440x2960

12.2
MP

8mp

6GB
RAM

Octa-core

3300
mAh

(Non removable)

What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950U)

The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!

4 Advantages Asus Zenfone 3 (5.2 ZE520KL 32GB)	vs	31 Advantages Samsung Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950U)
+144 grams (5.04 ounces)35% Lighter	vs	195 grams (6.83 ounces)
+7.7 millimeters (0.3 inches)12% Thinner	vs	8.6 millimeters (0.34 inches)
+2 slots (Dual-SIM) (hybrid slot/shares the same microSD slot)Advantage You can have more mobile carriers/operators on the same device.	vs	1 slot (Single-SIM) (dedicated slot)
+FM (RDS)Advantage The radio lets you listen to your songs and sports in general	vs	Not supported
2GHz 64bit Octa-core (14nm)	vs	+2.35GHz 64bit Octa-core (10nm)17% More powerful processor, you can open your applications faster
3GB LPDDR3	vs	+6GB LPDDR4X100% More RAM memory. Typically more responsive and better for multitasking.
32GB (24GB available)	vs	+64GB (53GB available)121% More internal storage for applications and files
eMMC 5.1	vs	+UFS 2.1Advantage Fastest write and read storage.
Until 256GB microSD, microSDXC	vs	+Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC3 times More external storage for files using memory cards
TFT Super IPS+	vs	+Super AMOLEDAdvantage Super AMOLED display is brighter and more vivid
Not supported	vs	+HDR10Advantage The HDR10 display provides vibrant colors and more details
1080x1920 pixels	vs	+1440x2960 pixels106% Higher resolution screen
424 PPI	vs	+522 PPI23% Crisper display of text, images and videos because it has more pixels per inch (ppi)
5.2"	vs	+6.3"21% Larger screen
(back) 16MP	vs	+(dual camera) 12.2MP + 12MP52% Higher resolution main camera
Only digital zoom	vs	+Digital and optical zoomAdvantage The zoom allows for better focus and approach to take pictures
Not supported	vs	+BSI sensorAdvantage The BSI sensor allows the entry of more light generating photos with more detail and brightness
f/2.0 (aperture)	vs	+f/1.7 (aperture)18% Diaphragm opening (Aperture) of the camera which has the smallest F number takes photos with better light exposure.
(front) 8MP	vs	+(dual front camera) 8MP + 2MP25% Higher resolution secondary camera to take pictures and selfies
(front) Full HD (1920x1080)	vs	+(front) 2K UHD (2560x1440)78% More image quality for recording videos with the secondary camera
Android 8.0 Oreo	vs	+Android 9.0 PieAdvantage Android 9.0 Pie is newer and safer
(4G LTE) 150 Mbps	vs	+(4G LTE-A) 1024 Mbps6 times Faster for surfing the internet and download files
Not supported	vs	+ANT+Advantage Sensors help you use the device
Not supported	vs	+BarometerAdvantage Sensors help you use the device
Not supported	vs	+Face unlock 2DAdvantage Sensors help you use the device
Not supported	vs	+Heart rateAdvantage Sensors help you use the device
Not supported	vs	+Iris scannerAdvantage Sensors help you use the device
Not supported	vs	+SpO2Advantage Sensors help you use the device
2650 mAh	vs	+3300 mAh25% Battery - higher amperage (mAh) allows more device usage time, but it also depends on the hardware and use
10W	vs	+15W50% More power (watts) to charge the battery faster. Sometimes, the charger that comes with the device doesn't have the same power supported by the device. Check before you buy it.
Not supported	vs	+Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA)Advantage Wireless charging is another way to charge the battery.
4.2 + A2DP	vs	+5.0 + A2DP/LEAdvantage Bluetooth 5.0 + A2DP/LE is newer and faster
Not supported	vs	+NFCAdvantage NFC allows you to make payments by approach quickly and securely
USB 2.0 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go	vs	+USB 3.1 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-GoAdvantage Newer and faster USB version for transferring photos, mp3 or data.
Not supported	vs	+IP68 certifiedAdvantage Protection against water allows you talk to your friends in the rain, for example

28 Common items in both devices

Aluminum body, glass front, plastic back / Aluminum frame, glass front/back

60Hz

16 million

Dual-LED flash

LDAF/PDAF: laser/phase detection autofocus / PDAF on back camera and autofocus front camera

OIS (4-axis): Optical stabilization / OIS: Optical stabilization

HDR photo on both cameras / HDR photo/video on both cameras

+21 specs and more in the table below

Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.

Highlight differences

📱 Model features
	Asus Zenfone 3 (5.2 ZE520KL 32GB)	Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950U)
Change model		Choose the model
Model	Zenfone 3 (5.2 ZE520KL 32GB)	Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950U)
Other model names	Zenfone 3 ZE520KL 3GB/32GB 5.2" Dual-SIM	Galaxy Note8 N950U1 (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile), Samsung Baikal
Country or region available	(Global, International), Brazil, China, Philippines, India	USA
Brand	Asus	Samsung
Release date	7/12/2016	9/1/2017, Announced: 8/23/2017
Depth	7.7 millimeters (0.3 inches)	8.6 millimeters (0.34 inches)
Size (width x height)	73.98 x 146.87 millimeters (2.91 x 5.78 in)	74.8 x 162.5 millimeters (2.94 x 6.4 in)
Weight	144 grams (5.04 ounces)	195 grams (6.83 ounces)
Build, materials	Aluminum body, glass front, plastic back	Aluminum frame, glass front/back
Protection against water and others	Not supported	IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant
📲 Display
	Asus Zenfone 3 (5.2 ZE520KL 32GB)	Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950U)
Display type	TFT Super IPS+	Super AMOLED
Screen size	5.2" inches	6.3" inches
Screen-to-body ratio	~68.6% (screen-to-body ratio)	~82.9% (screen-to-body ratio)
Display resolution	1080x1920 pixels (16:9)	1440x2960 pixels (18.5:9)
Touchscreen	Capacitive Multitouch 10-points	Capacitive Multitouch 10-points
Pixel density (dot pitch)	424 PPI	522 PPI
Colors	16 million	16 million
Scratch-resistant glass	Gorilla Glass 3	Gorilla Glass 5
Refresh rate	60Hz	60Hz
Display features	2.5D glass	HDR10 Always-On Display
🤖 Operating System
	Asus Zenfone 3 (5.2 ZE520KL 32GB)	Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950U)
System version	Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow	Android 7.1.1 Nougat
Firmware update	Android 8.0 Oreo	Android 9.0 Pie
User Interface	ZenUI 3.0	Grace UX UI
⚙️ Processor
	Asus Zenfone 3 (5.2 ZE520KL 32GB)	Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950U)
Chipset	64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 (MSM8953) (14nm)	64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (MSM8998) (10nm)
CPU	Octa-core, 1 processor: 8x 2GHz ARM Cortex-A53 (Octa-core)	Octa-core, 2 processors: 4x 2.35GHz Kryo 280 (Quad-core) 4x 1.9GHz Kryo 280 (Quad-core)
GPU graphical controller	Qualcomm Adreno 506 (650MHz)	Qualcomm Adreno 540 (670-710MHz)
Performance (benchmark)	feature not registered	AnTuTu: 206130 (v8) Geekbench: 6750 (v4.4) GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)
💽 Memory and storage
	Asus Zenfone 3 (5.2 ZE520KL 32GB)	Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950U)
RAM memory	3GB LPDDR3	6GB LPDDR4X
Internal storage	32GB (24GB available) eMMC 5.1	64GB (53GB available) UFS 2.1
External storage	Until 256GB microSD, microSDXC (hybrid slot/shares the same SIM-2 slot)	Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC (dedicated slot)
📶 Mobile networks
	Asus Zenfone 3 (5.2 ZE520KL 32GB)	Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950U)
Dual-SIM	Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card (hybrid slot/shares the same microSD slot)	Not supported
SIM card	2 slots (Dual-SIM) micro-SIM (3FF) and nano-SIM (4FF)	1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF)
Maximum Download / Upload	150/50 Mbps	1024/150 Mbps
Network technology	2G, 3G, 4G	2G, 3G, 4G
Frequency, bands	Expand band details Collapse details
GSM MHz band	Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900	Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 2G network	GSM 850/900/1800/1900	CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 3G network	Global: UMTS 850/900/1900/2100 India: UMTS 850/900/2100 Brazil: UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100
Primary 4G network	LTE Cat4 Global: LTE (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20) India: LTE (1, 3, 5, 8) TD-LTE (40) Brazil: LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17, 28)	LTE Cat16 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 66, 252, 255) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41)
Primary 5G network	Not supported	Not supported
Primary data network	GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE	GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A
Secondary 2G network	GSM 850/900/1800/1900	Not supported
Secondary 3G network	Global: UMTS 850/900/1900/2100 India: UMTS 850/900/2100 Brazil: UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100	Not supported
Secondary 4G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary data network	GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+	Not supported
📷 Camera
	Asus Zenfone 3 (5.2 ZE520KL 32GB)	Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950U)
Back camera (main camera)	16 megapixels	(dual camera) 12.2 megapixels 12MP telephoto f/2.452mm1/3.6"1.0µmAF2x-optical-zoom
Main camera resolution	4608x3456 pixels	4032x3024 pixels
Video recording (primary)	4K UHD (3840x2160) 30 fps	4K UHD (3840x2160) 30 fps
Flash	Dual-LED flash	Dual-LED flash
Focal aperture	f/2.0 (aperture)	f/1.7 (aperture)
Focal length	feature not registered	26mm (lens)
Sensor size	feature not registered	1/2.55" inches
Pixel size	feature not registered	1.4µm pixel
Autofocus	LDAF/PDAF: laser/phase detection autofocus	PDAF on back camera and autofocus front camera
Touch focus	Supported	Supported
Image stabilization	OIS (4-axis): Optical stabilization	OIS: Optical stabilization
Zoom	Only digital zoom	Digital and optical zoom
Face/smile detection	Face detection, Smile detection	Face detection, Smile detection
BSI sensor	Not supported	Supported
HDR	HDR photo on both cameras	HDR photo/video on both cameras
Camera extras	4K@30fps 1080p@30/60fps	feature not registered
📸 Front camera
	Asus Zenfone 3 (5.2 ZE520KL 32GB)	Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950U)
Front camera (secondary)	8 megapixels	(dual front camera) 8 megapixels 2MP irisscanner
Front camera resolution	3264x2448 pixels	3264x2448 pixels
Video recording (secondary)	Full HD (1920x1080)	2K UHD (2560x1440)
Front flash	Not supported	Not supported
Focal aperture	f/2.0 (aperture)	f/1.7 (aperture)
Focal length	feature not registered	25mm (lens)
Sensor size	feature not registered	1/3.6" inches
Pixel size	feature not registered	1.22µm pixel
🔉 Sound and multimedia
	Asus Zenfone 3 (5.2 ZE520KL 32GB)	Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950U)
Loudspeaker	Mono sound (not stereo) 24-bit/192kHz	Mono sound (not stereo) 32-bit/384kHz
Active noise cancellation	2 microphones or more	2 microphones or more
Radio	FM (RDS)	Not supported
TV	Not supported	Not supported
Video formats	MP4, H.264, H.263	MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, DivX, XviD
Audio formats	MP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC	MP3, OGG, eAAC+, FLAC
🔌 Connectivity
	Asus Zenfone 3 (5.2 ZE520KL 32GB)	Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950U)
USB	USB 2.0 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go	USB 3.1 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go
Audio output	3.5mm jack	3.5mm jack
TV output	USB Type-C (reversible)	USB Type-C (reversible)
Bluetooth	4.2 + A2DP	5.0 + A2DP/LE
WiFi	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) WiFi Direct, hotspot	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot
DLNA	Not supported	Not supported
GPS	A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, BeiDou	A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou
NFC	Not supported	Supported
Infrared port	Not supported	Not supported
🧭 Sensors
	Asus Zenfone 3 (5.2 ZE520KL 32GB)	Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950U)
Sensors	Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Compass Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor	Accelerometer Ambient light sensor ANT+ Barometer Compass Face unlock 2D Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted) Gyroscope Hall effect Heart rate Iris scanner Proximity sensor SpO2
Vibrating alert	Supported	Supported
🔋 Battery
	Asus Zenfone 3 (5.2 ZE520KL 32GB)	Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950U)
Battery type	Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable)	Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable)
Battery capacity	2650 mAh	3300 mAh
Charger, watts	10W (5V/2A) Wired charging	15W Wired fast charging Quick Charge 2
Inductive / wireless charging	Not supported	Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA)
Talk time autonomy	feature not registered	22 hours
Standby	feature not registered	feature not registered
➕ Other features
	Asus Zenfone 3 (5.2 ZE520KL 32GB)	Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950U)
Call control	Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands	Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands
Messaging	SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail	SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail
Hands-free calling	Supported	Supported
Video calling	Supported	Supported
Ringtones	Polyphonic and customized	Polyphonic and customized
Web browser	HTML, XHTML, HTML5	HTML, XHTML, HTML5
Antenna	Internal antenna	Internal antenna
Qwerty physical keyboard	Not supported	Not supported
Miscellaneous	• Colors: Sapphire Black, Moonlight White, Shimmer Gold	• Colors: Black, Blue, Gold, Orchid Gray • Samsung DeX (desktop experience) • Curved edge screen • Corning Gorilla Glass 5 back panel • Samsung Gear VR compatible • Samsung Pay
☢️ Radiation rate
	Asus Zenfone 3 (5.2 ZE520KL 32GB)	Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950U)
SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.)	feature not registered	feature not registered
SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.)	feature not registered	feature not registered