Review Summary
Expert Rating3.5/5
Design★★★★★★★★★★ Display★★★★★★★★★★ Software★★★★★★★★★★ Camera★★★★★★★★★★ Performance★★★★★★★★★★ Battery★★★★★★★★★★
Pros
- Compact form factor
- Capable performer
- Main sensor clicks good photos
- Excellent audio setup
Cons
- Sub-par battery life
- Heats up quickly when running games
- Selfie camera not the best
A no-compromise, compact Android flagship has been a long-time coming, at least in India. We’ve seen brands fiddle with the idea of a pint-sized powerhouse before, however, the ventures haven’t exactly panned out in favour of the product. There is no denying that there is, in fact, an audience for compact smartphones in the country. On that note, ASUS wants to have a go at the segment with the 8Z smartphone, which is the smallest Android phone to be backed by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 processor. I have spent some time testing the device and here’s why I feel that the company might be onto something here.
Table of Contents
Verdict
The Asus 8z has a lot going for it, and the handset’s compact footprint sets it apart from the herd of other high-performance flagships. That said, there are some inherent downsides to using a pint-sized phone and buyers opting for the handset will have to contend with the phone’s sub-par battery life, among other things.
Design
The ASUS 8z is simply put, the most comfortable phone I’ve used to date. More importantly, the device is a testament to ASUS’ versatility too. You see, after launching what many consider to be the bulkiest Snapdragon 888 phone in the form of the ROG Phone 5, the company did a complete 180 by announcing the 8z which, for all intents and purposes, is a miniaturised flagship. That’s not all, as not only did ASUS manage to bring the 8z’s footprint down, but the company tweaked its design to make the smartphone’s small form factor stand out that much more.
For one, the ASUS 8z ships with a curvy back that helps grip the phone better. The button placement on the 8z deserves a mention too and both, the volume rocker as well as the power button were well within my thumb’s reach. And, despite employing premium materials for the handset’s design, the 8z tips the scales at just 169 grams too. Suffice it to say, after years of using phones with massive screens, the 8z’s petite frame comes across as a breath of fresh air.
Ergonomics aside, I was quite happy with the 8z’s aesthetics as well. The back of the phone, for instance, employs a frosted glass finish that feels velvety to the touch – so much so, I used the phone without a case for the longest time. The fact that the handset features Corning’s Gorilla Glass v3 on the back and Gorilla Glass Victus on the front bolstered my confidence that much more. Of course, it’s always advisable to safeguard your smartphone purchase with a protective case. Thankfully, ASUS bundles a rather stylish one with the retail packaging of the 8z, which is nice.
