This is the first time that we here in Malaysia to experience this ASUS flippy camera diddly thing. That is because of the ASUS Zenfone 5z back in 2018. Ever since then, ASUS was the only one who made phones with a flip camera.
So, the latest iteration – the Zenfone 8 Flip, how is it? Let us share our experience with you after using it for quite some time.
Firstly, I’m only going to focus on a few things that are unique to the Zenfone 8 Flip when compared to the Zenfone 8. Other parts are pretty much identical to the Zenfone 8 – like its software and performance.
So, check out our review of the Zenfone 8 to learn about those instead.
The phone looks pretty similar to its predecessors with a glossy curved back, and I really wish they’ve used the same type of matte finish like the Zenfone 8.
The main highlight of the Zenfone 8 Flip is – of course – in its name. Flip. Within this camera module, we have a total of 3 different cameras – an ultrawide angle camera, a main wide angle camera, and another telephoto.
This entire triple-camera module is hinged at the top of the phone and controlled via a motor. And essentially, you can use it in whatever angle you want from fully closed at 0° to completely open at 180°.
The camera app is also made to cater to this, so you hold the volume buttons to slowly make the camera go up or down and stop whenever you want – or you can also save a total of 3 different “favorite” angles that you can instantly tap and select.
There are some other weird features too – like taking panorama shots don’t require you to do anything – just stay still and hold it, then it’ll take the shot for you.
There’s also “motion tracking” which is essentially object tracking and it works… okay-ly but it’s weird.
Overall picture quality that comes out of the ASUS Zenfone 8 Flip is actually pretty good out of all the 3 cameras. To have a look at all the pictures taken by the ASUS Zenfone 8 Flip, watch our video at the top of this review.
But, ASUS highlighted to us multiple times that the Zenfone 8 Flip is the successor of the Zenfone 7, not the Zenfone 7 Pro. It’s an important distinction because the Zenfone 8 Flip doesn’t have OIS. It only has EIS.
What this essentially means that even if you’re using the rear-facing cameras to record the video, it’s going to either be shaky or looks weird because EIS is stabilized via software and it can have some weird artifacts like warping.
This really broke my heart. If the Zenfone 8 Flip has OIS for the main camera, it’ll be perfect for travels – both photography and vlogging.
And because this camera can rotate to become the selfie camera, there’s no need for a dedicated front-facing camera! That means no notch, no punch hole or whatever. It’s an uninterrupted 6.67-inch AMOLED display with 2400×1080 pixels in resolution, and it runs up to 90Hz refresh rate.
It’s weird that the ASUS Zenfone 8 compact comes with a 120Hz refresh rate screen but the ASUS Zenfone 8 Flip only has 90Hz. Then again, I don’t really care about smartphone refresh rates.
Other than that, we’ll also need to highlight the battery about the Zenfone 8 Flip. It’s a 5,000mAh battery and it’ll last for a day, I’d say. Keep in mind that our battery life test is done while locking it at 90Hz refresh rate. ASUS does have an option to let the software itself dictate when to use 60Hz and when to use 90Hz.
There’s also a 30W charger in the box that supports USB-PD as well – which is great. However, as for the charging time, what we’re showing here is probably not something that you’ll be getting. We got this by literally disabling all battery protection options.
We highly recommend you turn on the Steady Charging feature that is built into ZenUI to prolong your battery’s health.
And as a quick mention – the performance is going to be the same as any other phone with the Snapdragon 888 chipset. It’s gonna run hot, of course.
Should you buy the ASUS Zenfone 8 Flip?
And finally, the price at RM2999. Oof, I think it’s a pretty okay price but the price gap between the Zenfone 8 Flip and the compact Zenfone 8 is quite justifiable – just that I think ASUS placed too many eggs into the Zenfone 8 basket.
It’s still a good phone as it is right now – but having OIS could bring the ASUS Zenfone 8 Flip to perfection. I’m very salty that the fact that there’s no OIS.
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