Though the iPhone 12 mini didn't make quite the splash Apple anticipated, there are plenty of people shopping for a smartphone that's both powerful and palm-sized. The Asus Zenfone 8 ($629.99) fills the small-phone gap for flagship enthusiasts who prefer Android. In addition to stuffing a lot of power in its small frame, the Zenfone 8 packs a crisp 120Hz OLED display, capable cameras, and incredible sound. But millimeter-wave and wireless charging, both found on the iPhone 12 mini, are missing here, as is any support for Verizon subscribers. That's why the powerful, flexible $450 Google Pixel 5a remains our Editors' Choice among midrange phones.Perfectly Pocketable The Zenfone 8 measures 5.8 by 2.7 by 0.3 inches (HWD) and weighs 6 ounces, which is a little larger than the iPhone 12 mini (5.2 by 2.5 by 0.3 inches) and about on par with the Google Pixel 5 (5.7 by 2.8 by 0.3 inches). The important thing is that it's easy to use with one hand. The Zenfone 8's design language is sophi...

With two impressive cameras, a top-notch chipset, and a compact build, the Asus Zenfone 8 is a top choice for small-phone fans.

Hand-friendly size; Powerful processor; Excellent onboard audio; Flagship-quality photos

Lacks wireless charging; Software updates aren't guaranteed; Does not work on Verizon's network

Pleasingly compact; Absolute powerhouse; Clean, satisfying ZenUI; Capable camera;

Mediocre battery life; Netflix stuttering; Not exactly attractive;

Asus has found a niche for the Zenfone 8 and I absolutely love it. If you’re after a smaller Android phone with top-tier specs that doesn’t break the bank then this device should tick all the boxes. It’s got a great screen, speaker and performance and is very smartly designed.

Great size for those who find Android phones big, Impressive speed, Lovely screen, Impressive value, If you find most Android phones too big, but aren’t willing to sacrifice performance, this is the phone for you.

Can get hot when gaming, No telephoto camera, No wireless charging, While the battery life is fine, you do get longer endurance with larger Android phones with bigger cells. The lack of any decent zoom skills on the camera is a shame too.

The Asus Zenfone 8 has nailed its particular niche: a small Android phone with top specs and a reasonable price. If that’s what you want, then look no further. But if you are searching for better camera or battery endurance, then you might want to consider an alternative such as the Samsung Galaxy...

Asus delivers a very compact and high-quality smartphone with the Zenfone 8. The system performance is very good, which is also reflected in a very smooth operation in everyday use. Besides very fast Wi-Fi and a bright AMOLED display, the new 5G mobile standard is also supported.

robust housing with IP68 certification, bright 120 Hz display, good performance, compact design, fast WLAN

short battery life, no DC dimming

Most of you are likely familiar with ASUS’ extensive line of PCs and related components, including ASUS’ ROG gaming products. You’ve probably also seen our ASUS ROG Phone 5 benchmarks , which showcase this incredibly fast gaming phone.

Did we mention it's small?, Premium build and materials, Beautiful display, Solid camera, Fantastic audio, Impressive performance, Almost stock Android

No wireless charging, Middling battery life, No telephoto shooter

Asus has built a steady presence in the mobile industry with help from its recent ROG Phone series . But it's been chasing a general audience (mostly in Asia) for much longer with its Zenfone lineup, attempting to please everyone and usually failing.

Size Smaller competent Android phones continue to be severely underrated and this entry puts even Sony's Compact lineup on notice., Display It's got excellent brightness and colors. 120Hz refresh is still rare at this price.

Software, again Some of the Asus customizations are annoying or unnecessary. Also, Asus’s track record on software updates is lagging., Camera Occasionally mediocre output on auto, especially in the selfie department.

The never ending quest for maximum screen to body ratio spawned some very interesting design solutions in the past few years. From the infamous notch to the pop-up camera, phone manufacturers are constantly pushing the limits to offer the mythical edge-to-edge display experience.

The ASUS Zenfone 8 is a dark horse in the flagship smartphone race for 2021, with flagship-grade specifications in a highly compact, one-handed form factor. This compact smartphone has a slew of top-shelf features – a 3.5mm audio jack, stereo speakers, a 120Hz AMOLED display and a top of the line...

Has a 3.5mm audio jack, Impressive specifications, Great stereo speakers, Excellent 120Hz refresh display, Good primary camera

No wireless charging, Obtuse refresh rate settings, No optical zoom camera

After a couple of generations making phones with flip-out cameras and increasingly large displays, Asus has taken the ZenFone 8 in a totally different direction: small.

Thoughtful compact design, Robust build quality and IP68 rating, Excellent Snapdragon 888 performance

Battery life is just okay, Only two major OS updates, No telephoto camera