ASUSZenfone 8 5G Dual ZS590KS 256GB 12GB RAM Factory Unlocked (GSM Only) International Version - Silver

I'm an avid Zenfone user for a several years, from the 3 Max and 3 Deluxe through the Zenfone Max Plus and 6GB Max Pro M1 to the Zenfone 4 Pro.I skipped owning the 5z since it wasn't much faster then my 4 Pro while the flip camera scared me away from the $900+ MSRP Zenfone 6 and 7/7 Pro....I also owned the Zenfone 8 Flip for 3 months after receiving it by seller error in place of this one.It was an awesome camera phone but also had certain drawbacks...The Zenfone 8 is the perfect sweet spot, it picks up everywhere the Zenfone 8 Flip omitted....not to mention it's the very first Asus to finally be IP68 rated👌The screen is much smaller then the 6.67" Samsung unit in the 8 Flip but once you start using it you won't notice it, this phone's footprint is also much smaller then my old broken 3 Deluxe and 4 Pro.Here are the biggest pros:-world's smallest Snapdragon 888/Adreno660 device;-full T-Mobile 3G/4G/5G compatibility (check my Simple Mobile broadband class LTE speeds in the screenshot) along with support for VoLTE and VoWIFI service (8 Flip didn't have the latter);-3.5mm audio jack👍✅;-gorgeous 1100-nit 120Hz Samsung FHD+ Super AMOLED screen edge-edge measuring 5.9";-384Khz/32-bit Hi-Res Surround Sound audio with 2 loud speakers, music on Asus noise canceling earbuds sounds just incredible;-three Sony picture processors: front no-notch in-screen IMX663 12MP 4K@30, rear main IMX686 64MP 8K@24, 4K@60 and wide-angle IMX363 12MP 4K@60fps, I liked the camera on the 8 Flip more but this one definitely is above average;-first ever Asus phone with a water/dust-proof IP68 rating👌;-choice of RAM memory: 8, 12 and 16GB (Asus always undercuts RAM, 8GB has 7260MB);-great battery life, 5-6hrs of straight gaming or 10+ of video or web surfing won't kill it all the way, at 4000mAh it's not huge but does the job well, charging from 2% takes 90mins on Ultra Steady Charge and 70mins on Quick Charge 4.0;-great WiFi connectivity and reverse compatibility, I use an old Sysco WRT54G WiFi 3 router along with my Asus RT-AC1200GE MU-MIMO WiFi 5 router with ZERO issues or glitches, connection is instant and stable;-Asus ZenUI performance/gaming software (Game Genie, Power Master, Audio Wizard) allow you to increase or reduce phone's performance with a simple swipe and 2 clicks;-ultra high gaming performance, games CAN be played @ 120fps while this device NEVER gets hotter then 42°C, only 5°C more then the larger 8 Flip;-small compact size and comes with its own factory case, which you don't have to take off to access the SIM tray👍;Here are the cons:-after using the Zenfone 8 Flip the standard 8 looks bland and like any other boring smartphone today, its satin finish is not as polished and attractive as the 8 Flip;-the main camera sensor IMX686 has too much light sensitivity and sometimes created glare where the one in the 8 Flip didn't;-finally, no SD card slot (I'm willing to give that up with a PC grade storage of 256GB in a phone this small, this actually makes more sense here then big 8 Flip dropping the more important audio jack);Overall it's an amazing phone and exactly what I wanted, I'm sick of phones getting bigger and bigger, progress used to mean smaller and smaller, Zenfone 8 understands that while also doesn't really feel much smaller 👌It has everything I could ask for, it even has an FM Radio damn it.....it's a PERFECT ALL-ROUNDER despite its average looks, 5-stars !

Albeit a tad smaller than my previous Asus 5+ Lite, it is way faster and the battery is excellent depending on what your doing. Using something like Waze causes all phones battery to work hard, so monitor it with those type apps. The display is crisp and the Android 11 is slick. The only thing is the Wallpaper option, there's not a link like the previous one with a big display of available downloads...it's very limited. But that doesn't prevent you from going outside to a 3rd party source.As for the transfer from the other phone, it was seamless, even the folders loaded as I had them. I only had one 3rd party app that wouldn't transfer. The Storage is grand, I was originally concerned because there was no extra storage SD slot. But with 256G, and after transfer, I only used 16%. So lots more room for pics and music.The screen is very prompt to the touch and the finger print and facial recognition features work quick and flawlessly. Picture quality is great, exceptional detail and very quick focus. Though I haven't tried any night shots yet.My only complaint at this time, after a few days of use, is the power button. It is quick to the touch and I haven't mastered not bumping it and shutting off my screen. To think, on previous phones I complained about this not being sensitive enough. In time I should be retrained not to hit it. Though, probably, it should of been built with a delay push turn on/shut off button so you don't bump it like I have been.Overall, I am extremely happy with this phone and can recommend it highly, especially if you like Asus equipment.