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When it comes to smartphones, ASUS is one of the brands that has tried most in recent years to diversify its offer. Not only did it do this by diversifying its line up, but also by proposing functions that are not common to competitors. With the ZenFone 8 series, in fact, the user can choose between devices of different sizes, and if he points to the Flip, he will also have a single camera, for the front and the rear, able to rotate. We tested this last device. Here's what we think.
The ZenFone 8 Flip may look familiar, at least to those who have tested the previous model. The new smartphone is by no means a small or compact phone, like its 5.9-inch little brother ZenFone 8. Quite the contrary: it offers a thickness of 9.6 mm and a considerable weight of 230 grams .
ZenFone 8 Flip is a smartphone with a certainly refined aesthetic, which offers a combination of aluminum and glass, with a curvature on the back that helps in the grip.
Obviously, the main attraction of this 8 Flip is the flip-up camera system, which allows the trio of rear sensors to rotate and act as the front camera. It is an intriguing idea that Asus has been developing since ZenFone 6. It is an interesting system, both because completely eliminates the notch on the front , and because it provides excellent selfie photos. quality, the same as the rear compartment, which in fact is also the front one.
The camera module in “liquid metal “Sits flush inside the body, but there is still a bump in the camera, and with only Gorilla Glass 3 protecting it .
On the front it is a screen almost identical to that of the ZenFone 7. It is a panel FHD + AMOLED with a refresh rate of 90Hz , a touch sample rate of 200Hz, and a response time of 1ms. The refresh rate does not seem to stand out on this model, considering that ZenFone 8 offers a refresh rate of 120Hz .
Anyway, the panel is good, and it also offers support for HDR10 + content, with a maximum brightness of 500 nits , which in fact may not be as visible in direct sunlight.
There is an in-display fingerprint reader, which works well most of the time: combined with face unlock we never had a problem unlocking the device within moments.
Above and below the display are stereo speakers which are really great when it comes to playing multimedia content. There is no 3.5mm headphone input, which is really an oddity considering that on the little ZenFone it is present.
Technical specifications
ZenFone 8 Flip is equipped with the latest processor Snapdragon 888, flanked by 8 GB of RAM LPDDR5 . Obviously, in terms of reactivity, we are at the highest levels. Any application launched opens immediately, and more generally any touch on the screen immediately brings the user to the result. From scrolling social timelines, to multimedia playback, to starting games, everything is extremely fluid and lightning fast.
There is more than enough space to download your favorite apps and games, thanks to the configurations 128 or 256 GB UFS 3.1. Furthermore, if the internal space is not enough, there is the possibility to expand it further via the integrated microSD card slot.
Obviously, Snapdragon 888 means support for 5G . To complete the list of technical features also Dual Sim support, BT 5.2, Wi-Fi 6e and NFC.
Cameras
The use of the rotating camera system is of course the first standout feature of this smartphone. It is a system that will certainly appeal to selfie lovers.
The terminal offers a main camera Sony IMX686 from 64Mp with aperture f / 1.8 and Dual PD autofocus capable of recording videos up to , albeit with EIS and not OIS, which instead is available on the standard ZenFone 8 model. This sensor is paired with a 12Mp with f / 2.2 aperture 113-degree ultra-wide sensor and an 8Mp telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, offering multiple shooting modes, including 4K slow motion at 120 fps.
ZenFone 8 Flip takes great photos in a wide variety of scenarios. The colors of the images are generally very vivid, particularly saturated, but do not give up detail. Portrait photos are evidently good too, with precise clipping of the subjects against the background.
The main sensor seems to capture a lot of light, even in very dark environments. With this sensor you can get very good photos even in less than perfect lighting conditions, while if you switch to ultra-wide-angle and telephoto lenses, the best is obtained in better light conditions.
There are many shooting modes of the terminal, even if the main feature consists precisely in the overturning of the camera. It is possible to switch between front and rear with just one click, but it is possible to manually rotate the degree of overturning, so as to create truly creative shots.
The flip module itself has been redesigned for the ZenFone 8 Flip, and the company now claims it is tested for 300,000 spins, so over 150 spins per day for 5 years. The rotation speed is good, even in the unlocking phase, everything happens in a few moments.
We leave you to a series of shots taken with ZenFone 8 Flip, without any changes in post production:
Autonomous and recharging
Among others features, let's talk about battery. A board a 5000 mAh unit , which does not make you cry miracle. With a weight of 230 grams it was perhaps reasonable to expect something more. It does not even work miracles in duration, managing to offer the classic day of full use, arriving in the evening with a residual safety charge, but it does not allow you to face the second day as well.
As for charging, it supports 30W HyperCharge which , while fast, it is not the fastest in the business. ZenFone 8 Flip acquires 25% charge in the first 15 minutes, reaching 60% in about 35 minutes. Unfortunately, wireless charging is also absent.
Conclusions
The advantage of this Zenfone 8 Flip must be clearly wanted in his room. It is, in fact, a terminal suitable for those who love selfies, being able to count on unparalleled quality, considering that the front camera is, in reality, the rear camera. Of course, the weight and dimensions of the device do not make it one of the most portable. This is a compromise for those who want, however, top performance and an excellent screen.
At the moment on Amazon it is offered for 699 euros. You can buy it directly at this address.
