Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom Vs Huawei Mate 9 – Zoom Comparison!

Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom Vs Huawei Mate 9 – Zoom Comparison!

The Huawei has introduced the "hybrid zoom" technology with the Leica dual camera powered Mate 9, a technique that has the ability to produce up to 2x lossless zoom via software with a promise of optical zoom like results. Asus recently came up with the dual cam enabled ZenFone 3 Zoom, a handset with even greater up to 2.3x real optical zoom designed to challenge the flagships like Mate 9 and iPhone 7 Plus.

Who got it better?

So let's check how the new Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom fare with the Huawei Mate 9 in terms of zooming capability alone. Here's how they look against each other.


Disclaimer: All images are described based on our subjective opinions and experiences.

Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom Vs Huawei Mate 9 – Zoom Comparison!

Specs	ZenFone 3 Zoom	Huawei Mate 9
Back Camera:	12 MP f/1.7 Sony IMX362 w/ 25 mm wide angle lens + 12 MP Sony f/2.8 w/ 56 mm lens for 2.3x optical zoom w/ Tri-tech AF, 4 Axis OIS, 3 Axis EIS, 4K video recording and dual tone LED flash	20 MP f/2.2 monochrome sensor + 12 MP f/2.2 RGB sensor w/ 4-in-1 Hybrid AF, OIS, 2x zoom, and dual tone LED flash

Scene 1 – Daylight 2x Zoom

Daylight 2x zoom – Zen 3 Zoom left, Mate 9 right

On this daylight scene, both handled the situation well. The Mate 9 was a little bit exposed and the ZenFone 3 Zoom is a tad better in production and sharper as well. Zen 3 Zoom – 1 point

Scene 2 – Indoor 2x Zoom

Indoor 2x zoom – Zen 3 Zoom left, Mate 9 right

For this scene, Mate 9 got the colors and exposure better. Dyanmic range is also more refined and details are sharper on the Mate 9 against Zen 3 Zoom. Mate 9 – 1 point

Scene 3 – Lowlight 2x Zoom

Lowlight 2x zoom – Zen 3 Zoom left, Mate 9 right

Screen refresh rate on the Zen 3 Zoom is more visible. On the other hand, Mate 9 got it better. Text on Mate 9 is also more readable. Mate 9 – 2 points


Scene 4 – Daylight 2.3x Zoom

Daylight 2.3x zoom – Zen 3 Zoom left, Mate 9 right

On this daylight scene at 2.3x zoom, I liked the Zen 3 Zoom again better. It is a tad sharper than the Huawei's offering. Zen 3 Zoom – 2 points

Scene 5 – Indoor 2.3x Zoom

Indoor 2.3x zoom – Zen 3 Zoom left, Mate 9 right

On this scene, both performed decently. Dynamic range and details are about the same as well. Zen 3 Zoom is just slightly grainier. Mate 9 – 3 points

Scene 6 – Lowlight 2.3x Zoom

Lowlight 2.3x zoom – Zen 3 Zoom left, Mate 9 right

Sharpness of edges are about the same. However, Zen 3 Zoom is darker and and text on Mate 9 is slightly more readable. Mate 9 – 4 points

Verdict

The score is 4 to 2 in favor to Huawei's current local flagship. It got exposure and details better in indoor and lowlight conditions. However, the Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom is a tad better in daylight and can compete with a flagship beast in Zooming considering the expected price difference. Both did well!

Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom Vs Huawei Mate 9 – Zoom Comparison!
Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom Vs Huawei Mate 9 – Zoom Comparison!