Essential Phone PH-1 vs Asus Zenfone 9 (256GB/8GB)

Share page: Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Share page:

Side by side comparison between Essential Phone PH-1 vs Asus Zenfone 9 phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?

11/14/2022 3:23 PM, updated: 6/5/2025 5:01 AM

Compare Asus Zenfone 9 X Essential Phone PH-1 05Points

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

5.71"
IPS

1312x2560

13
MP

8mp

4GB
RAM

Octa-core

3040
mAh

(Non removable)

27Points Asus Zenfone 9 (256GB/8GB) Compare Essential Phone PH-1 X

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

5.9"
AMOLED

1080x2400

50
MP

12mp

8GB
RAM

Octa-core

4300
mAh

(Non removable)

What's the better phone? Asus Zenfone 9 (256GB/8GB)

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!

5 Advantages Essential Phone PH-1	vs	27 Advantages Asus Zenfone 9 (256GB/8GB)
+7.8 millimeters (0.31 inches)17% Thinner	vs	9.1 millimeters (0.36 inches)
+Titanium frame, glass front, ceramic backAdvantage More resistant material	vs	Aluminum body, glass front, plastic back
+1312x2560 pixels30% Higher resolution screen	vs	1080x2400 pixels
+504 PPI13% Crisper display of text, images and videos because it has more pixels per inch (ppi)	vs	446 PPI
+BarometerAdvantage Sensors help you use the device	vs	Not supported
2.45GHz 64bit Octa-core (10nm)	vs	+3.19GHz 64bit Octa-core (4nm)28% More powerful processor, you can open your applications faster
4GB LPDDR4	vs	+8GB LPDDR5100% More RAM memory. Typically more responsive and better for multitasking.
128GB (114GB available)	vs	+256GB (230GB available)102% More internal storage for applications and files
UFS 2.1	vs	+UFS 3.1Advantage Fastest write and read storage.
185 grams (6.48 ounces)	vs	+169 grams (5.92 ounces)9% Lighter
LTPS IPS LCD	vs	+Super AMOLEDAdvantage Super AMOLED display is brighter and more vivid
Not supported	vs	+HDR10+Advantage The HDR10+ display provides vibrant colors and more details
60Hz	vs	+120Hz100% The display reproduces more frames per second because the frequency (Hertz) is higher, improves fluidity and tires your eyes less.
5.71"	vs	+5.9"3% Larger screen
(dual camera) 13MP + 13MP	vs	+(dual camera) 50MP + 12MP140% Higher resolution main camera
EIS: Digital stabilization	vs	+OIS: Optical stabilizationAdvantage Image stabilization prevents blurry photos and helps in recording motion video
Not supported	vs	+BSI sensorAdvantage The BSI sensor allows the entry of more light generating photos with more detail and brightness
1/3" inches	vs	+1/1.56" inches92% The larger sensor camera lets you take photos with better depth.
(front) 8MP	vs	+(front) 12MP50% Higher resolution secondary camera to take pictures and selfies
4K UHD (3840x2160)	vs	+8K UHD (7680x4320)3 times More image quality for recording videos with the primary camera
Android 10	vs	+Android 13Advantage Android 13 is newer and safer
4G LTE-A	vs	+5G SA/NSAAdvantage The 5G SA/NSA network is newer and faster
(4G LTE-A) 1024 Mbps	vs	+(5G SA/NSA) 2000 Mbps95% Faster for surfing the internet and download files
3040 mAh	vs	+4300 mAh41% Battery - higher amperage (mAh) allows more device usage time, but it also depends on the hardware and use
27W	vs	+30W11% 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.
1 slot (Single-SIM)	vs	+2 slots (Dual-SIM)Advantage You can have more mobile carriers/operators on the same device.
Mono sound with dual speakers	vs	+Stereo soundAdvantage Better sound quality for listening to music or clearer hands-free calls
Type-C jack with 3.5mm jack adapter	vs	+3.5mm jackAdvantage Headsets with 3.5mm Jack size are more common and easy to find in stores
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5]	vs	+802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6E/6]Advantage WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6E/6] is newer and faster
Not supported	vs	+DLNAAdvantage With DLNA technology you can access and play media files on TV, tablet or DLNA compatible device.
5.0 + A2DP/LE	vs	+5.2 + A2DP/LEAdvantage Bluetooth 5.2 + A2DP/LE is newer and faster
IP54 certified	vs	+IP68 certifiedAdvantage Protection against water allows you talk to your friends in the rain, for example

26 Common items in both devices

16 million

LED flash

Only digital zoom

LDAF/PDAF: laser/phase detection autofocus / PDAF: phase detection autofocus

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

f/1.9 (aperture)

(front) 4K UHD (3840x2160)

+19 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
	Essential Phone PH-1	Asus Zenfone 9 (256GB/8GB)
Change model		Choose the model
Model	Phone PH-1	Zenfone 9 (256GB/8GB)
Other model names	Essential PH-1 Unlocked	Zenfone 9z AI2202-1A028BR, AI2202-1A006EU, 90AI00C3-M000X0
Country or region available	(Europe), Canada, USA, Japan	(Global, International)
Brand	Essential	Asus
Release date	8/1/2017, Announced: 5/8/2017	9/15/2022, Announced: 7/28/2022
Depth	7.8 millimeters (0.31 inches)	9.1 millimeters (0.36 inches)
Size (width x height)	71.1 x 141.5 millimeters (2.8 x 5.57 in)	68.1 x 146.5 millimeters (2.68 x 5.77 in)
Weight	185 grams (6.48 ounces)	169 grams (5.92 ounces)
Build, materials	Titanium frame, glass front, ceramic back	Aluminum body, glass front, plastic back
Protection against water and others	IP54 certified: protection against dust and splashing	IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant
📲 Display
	Essential Phone PH-1	Asus Zenfone 9 (256GB/8GB)
Display type	LTPS IPS LCD	Super AMOLED
Screen size	5.71" inches	5.9" inches
Screen-to-body ratio	~84.9% (screen-to-body ratio)	~84.2% (screen-to-body ratio)
Display resolution	1312x2560 pixels	1080x2400 pixels (20:9)
Touchscreen	Capacitive Multitouch 10-points	Capacitive Multitouch 10-points
Pixel density (dot pitch)	504 PPI	446 PPI
Colors	16 million	16 million
Scratch-resistant glass	Gorilla Glass 5	Gorilla Glass Victus
Refresh rate	60Hz	120Hz
Display features	500nits[typ]	1100nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display
🤖 Operating System
	Essential Phone PH-1	Asus Zenfone 9 (256GB/8GB)
System version	Android 7.1 Nougat	Android 12
Firmware update	Android 10	Android 13
User Interface	feature not registered	ZenUI 9
⚙️ Processor
	Essential Phone PH-1	Asus Zenfone 9 (256GB/8GB)
Chipset	64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (MSM8998) (10nm)	64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (SM8475) (4nm)
CPU	Octa-core, 2 processors: 4x 2.45GHz Kryo 280 (Quad-core) 4x 1.9GHz Kryo 280 (Quad-core)	Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 3.19GHz ARM Cortex-X2 (Single-core) 3x 2.75GHz ARM Cortex-A710 (Triple-core) 4x 2GHz ARM Cortex-A510 (Quad-core)
GPU graphical controller	Qualcomm Adreno 540 (670-710MHz)	Qualcomm Adreno 730 (818MHz)
Performance (benchmark)	feature not registered	AnTuTu: 1083028 (v9) Geekbench: 4338 (v5.1) GFXBench: 89fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)
💽 Memory and storage
	Essential Phone PH-1	Asus Zenfone 9 (256GB/8GB)
RAM memory	4GB LPDDR4	8GB LPDDR5
Internal storage	128GB (114GB available) UFS 2.1	256GB (230GB available) UFS 3.1
External storage	Not supported	Not supported
📶 Mobile networks
	Essential Phone PH-1	Asus Zenfone 9 (256GB/8GB)
Dual-SIM	Not supported	Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card
SIM card	1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF)	2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF)
Maximum Download / Upload	1024/150 Mbps	2000/1024 Mbps
Network technology	2G, 3G, 4G	2G, 3G, 4G, 5G
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	CDMA 800, GSM 850/900/1800/1900	GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 3G network	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100	UMTS 800/850/900/1700/1900/2100
Primary 4G network	LTE Cat16 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 66) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43) VoLTE	LTE Cat20 VoLTE A version: LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42) B version: LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42) C version: LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
Primary 5G network	Not supported	A version: SA/NSA (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 77, 78) B version: SA/NSA (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78) C version: SA/NSA (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78)
Primary data network	GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A	GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA
Secondary 2G network	Not supported	GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Secondary 3G network	Not supported	UMTS 800/850/900/1700/1900/2100
Secondary 4G network	Not supported	LTE Cat20 VoLTE A version: LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42) B version: LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42) C version: LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
Secondary data network	Not supported	GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA
📷 Camera
	Essential Phone PH-1	Asus Zenfone 9 (256GB/8GB)
Back camera (main camera)	(dual camera) 13 megapixels 13MP mono f/1.91/3.1"PDAF/Laser	(dual camera) 50 megapixels 12MP ultrawide f/2.214.4mm113°1/2.93"1.4µmAF
Main camera resolution	4128x3096 pixels	8160x6120 pixels
Video recording (primary)	4K UHD (3840x2160) 30 fps	8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps
Flash	LED flash	LED flash
Focal aperture	f/1.9 (aperture)	f/1.9 (aperture)
Focal length	feature not registered	24mm (lens)
Sensor size	1/3" inches	1/1.56" inches
Pixel size	1.12µm pixel	1µm pixel
Autofocus	LDAF/PDAF: laser/phase detection autofocus	PDAF: phase detection autofocus
Touch focus	Supported	Supported
Image stabilization	EIS: Digital stabilization	OIS: Optical stabilization
Zoom	Only digital zoom	Only digital 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	feature not registered	4K@30/60/120fps 1080p@30/60/240fps 720p@480fps
📸 Front camera
	Essential Phone PH-1	Asus Zenfone 9 (256GB/8GB)
Front camera (secondary)	8 megapixels	12 megapixels
Front camera resolution	3264x2448 pixels	4000x3000 pixels
Video recording (secondary)	4K UHD (3840x2160)	4K UHD (3840x2160)
Front flash	Not supported	Not supported
Focal aperture	f/2.2 (aperture)	f/2.5 (aperture)
Focal length	feature not registered	27mm (lens)
Sensor size	feature not registered	1/2.93" inches
Pixel size	feature not registered	1.22µm pixel
🔉 Sound and multimedia
	Essential Phone PH-1	Asus Zenfone 9 (256GB/8GB)
Loudspeaker	Mono sound with dual speakers	Stereo sound 24-bit/192kHz
Active noise cancellation	2 microphones	2 microphones or more
Radio	Not supported	Not supported
TV	Not supported	Not supported
Video formats	MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD	MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV
Audio formats	MP3, WAV, OGG, eAAC+, FLAC	MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC
🔌 Connectivity
	Essential Phone PH-1	Asus Zenfone 9 (256GB/8GB)
USB	USB 2.0 Type-C reversible connector	USB 2.0 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go
Audio output	Type-C jack with 3.5mm jack adapter	3.5mm jack
TV output	Not supported	USB Type-C (reversible)
Bluetooth	5.0 + A2DP/LE	5.2 + A2DP/LE
WiFi	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6E/6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot
DLNA	Not supported	Supported
GPS	A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS	A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou, QZSS, NavIC
NFC	Supported	Supported
Infrared port	Not supported	Not supported
🧭 Sensors
	Essential Phone PH-1	Asus Zenfone 9 (256GB/8GB)
Sensors	Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock 2D Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor	Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Compass Face unlock 2D Fingerprint sensor (side-mounted) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor
Vibrating alert	Supported	Supported
🔋 Battery
	Essential Phone PH-1	Asus Zenfone 9 (256GB/8GB)
Battery type	Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable)	LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable)
Battery capacity	3040 mAh	4300 mAh
Charger, watts	27W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 2.0	30W Wired fast charging 5W Reverse charging by cable Quick Charge 4 USB Power Delivery 3.0
Inductive / wireless charging	Not supported	Not supported
Talk time autonomy	feature not registered	feature not registered
Standby	feature not registered	feature not registered
➕ Other features
	Essential Phone PH-1	Asus Zenfone 9 (256GB/8GB)
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: Black, White, Stellar Gray, Ocean Depths	• Colors: Black, Blue, Red, Silver
☢️ Radiation rate
	Essential Phone PH-1	Asus Zenfone 9 (256GB/8GB)
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