Google Pixel 7 Pro Leak Shows Punchhole Camera, S22 Ultra-Like Display

Google Pixel 7 Pro Leak Shows Punchhole Camera, S22 Ultra-Like Display

A new leak gives us what could be a first look at the Google Pixel 7 Pro, the rumored successor to the acclaimed Pixel 6 Pro. On Wednesday, reliable leaker @OnLeaks tweeted that he sent renders of the upcoming phone to Indian tech site Smartprix. 

With a curved OLED display around 6.8 inches, the rumored design resembles that of Samsung's new Galaxy S22 Ultra. The images show a punchhole front camera and three back cameras. 

Read More: Google Pixel 6 Vs. 6 Pro Vs. Pixel 5 Vs. 5A

The rumor from Smartprix puts the Pixel Pro 7's thickness at 8.7mm, which is just below the S22 Ultra's 8.9mm and above the iPhone 13 Pro's 7.65mm. However, the back cameras are shown lined up on a protruding bump, which would technically bring the phone's thickness to 11.2mm. 

For now, the specs are still rumored and Google has yet to confirm the phone. It could be announced in October, when Google typically announces its new Pixels.

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

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Iphone upcoming phones 2022 verizon wireless new phones 2022 new samsung phones 2022 verizon best verizon cell phones 2022 verizon and new phones new verizon phones coming out new phones at verizon new phones by verizon new verizon phones coming soon verizon latest news and rumors verizon cell phones new best new verizon phones coming out

New and Rumored Verizon Phones in 2022: iPhone SE, Pixel 6A And More

New and Rumored Verizon Phones in 2022: iPhone SE, Pixel 6A And More

Choosing a new phone upgrade is hardly ever simple. In the world of technology there's always something new around the corner, but with Verizon and AT&T embracing 36-month installment plans, the phone you upgrade to will likely be the one you use for the next several years. So, trying to figure out when is the "best time" to upgrade can be tricky. 

Here are some of the phones you'll want to keep an eye out for this year and when we think they might arrive, based on past trends and rumors. 

Read more: What to Know About Switching Carriers in 2022

The Galaxy S22 Ultra, left, S22 Plus and S22, right.

Richard Peterson/CNET

Samsung Galaxy S22

Samsung's latest Galaxy S phones are usually the first major phones of the year in the US, and for 2022 this trend holds true. The latest Galaxy phones boast the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, improved cameras and, at least on the S22 Ultra, a slot for Samsung's S Pen stylus. All three phones will also work with all of Verizon's 5G networks. 

When are they coming out? The new Galaxy phones hit stores on Feb. 25. Prices start at $800 for the regular Galaxy S22, $1,000 for the S22 Plus and $1,200 for the S22 Ultra.

The new iPhone SE features a similar design to the current iPhone SE, above. 

Angela Lang/CNET

Apple iPhone SE 

Apple's budget iPhone has received a fresh 2022 upgrade. Well, kind of fresh. The new model features a nearly identical design to the second-generation iPhone SE (which itself is similar to the iPhone 8) -- which means yes to a home button and big bezels, but no to Face ID or a larger screen -- but now packs in support for low-band and midband 5G networks. The new SE also runs on Apple's A15 processor, the same chip found in the iPhone 13, and has better battery life.

The new iPhone SE does not support millimeter-wave 5G. It will, however, work with Verizon's more widely available C-band 5G network that operates on midband spectrum. You can read more about the different names and flavors of 5G here.

When is it coming out? Apple's newest iPhone SE is available for preorder on March 11 and will go on sale on March 18. Prices start at $429 for a 64GB model.

The rumored Pixel 6A. 

OnLeaks/91Mobiles

Pixel 6A

Like Apple, Google also is rumored to be working on a new, more affordable version of its Pixel line. A successor to last year's Pixel 5A, according to 9to5Google the Pixel 6A will include Google's Tensor chip and two rear cameras: a 12.2-megapixel main shooter and 12-megapixel ultrawide lens. An 8-megapixel camera will be found on the front. 

A report from OnLeaks and 91Mobiles revealed that the phone will have a similar look to the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, including the camera bar along the top of the back of the phone. The 6.2-inch screen will have a fingerprint reader inside the display. 

When is it coming out? Google generally does its Pixel A-series updates in the summer, with the Pixel 5A being announced in August last year and the Pixel 4A line the year before. That said, it is possible the phone might show up at the company's annual Google I/O developer event, which is where the Pixel 3A made its debut back in 2019. 

Samsung's Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3. 

Lexy Savvides/CNET

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Z Fold 4

Samsung has been consistent with updating its foldable phones every summer. While rumors are pretty thin on what to expect for 2022 if you are a fan of foldable devices these are two to keep an eye on. Korean news site The Elec reports that the Z Fold 4 will follow the S22 Ultra's lead and include a slot for an S Pen stylus.

When are they coming out? Samsung has used its end-of-summer launch to roll out updates to its Z line of phones in the past, so if that trend holds true these could arrive in August or September. Last year's Z series was announced in August. 

An early iPhone 14 render from Jon Prosser, designed by Ian Zelbo.

Jon Prosser

iPhone 14

Whereas the iPhone SE 3 is seemingly imminent, the next major iPhone update isn't slated to hit until the fall. Among the many rumored changes and improvements for this year's flagship line of iPhones include the regular upgrades to the processor and camera with the Pro and Pro Max possibly getting 48-megapixel rear shooters, up from 12 megapixels that have been found on previous iPhones. 

Potentially the biggest change in the iPhone 14, however, could be in the front camera placement for the 14 Pro and Pro Max. Rumors suggest Apple might finally ditch the notch and go with a hole or pill-shaped cutout instead. 

When are they coming out? Apple generally announces its major iPhone upgrades in September. 

Google's rumored Pixel foldable is rumored to be similar in design to Oppo's Find N, above. 

Eli Blumenthal/CNET

Google Pixel 7, 7 Pro and Pixel Notepad

Google is rumored to be working on a few big Pixel upgrades this year, including successors to the Pixel 6 line and a new foldable Pixel. According to 9to5Google, the Pixel 7 line will sport a second-generation version of Google's custom Tensor processor as well as an updated Samsung modem for connecting to cellular networks. A recent leak from OnLeaks and SmartPrix appears to show the design of the 7 Pro, which is similar to last year's Pixel 6 Pro styling.

The rumored Pixel 7 Pro. 

OnLeaks/Smartprix

The outlet has also reported that the company is working on a foldable Pixel that it says may be called the Pixel Notepad. Not much is known about this device, though it is expected to run on Google's Tensor chip. 9to5Google also says the price could be more affordable than the $1,800 Samsung charges for the Z Fold 3, and that its design could be more like Oppo's Find N. 

When are they coming out? Google has traditionally done its big Pixel updates in October. Analyst Ross Young has tweeted that the foldable phone, in particular, may arrive in October. 

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Best Laptop for 2022: The 15 Laptops We Recommend

Best Laptop for 2022: The 15 Laptops We Recommend

Choosing a new laptop, whether it's for work, home or going back to school, isn't an easy decision, but CNET's list of the best laptops for 2022 is a great place to start with our top picks across brands, operating systems, budgets and categories. Many of the models from 2021 have been updated for 2022 with the latest chips from Intel and AMD, and Apple's new M2 chips, too.   

Our top laptop choice for most people is the updated Apple MacBook Air M2. It offers a great combination of everything we look for when we're testing: reliable everyday performance, long battery life and a design that works for a broad range of users. The latest MacBook Air starts at $1,199, which is why we still recommend the 2020 MacBook Air M1 as a lower-cost alternative to the newest Air model, as it's still an all-around excellent laptop. For those looking for a more value-oriented option, Acer's Swift 3 is our current recommendation. Well-configured older versions are available for under $550, while new models start under $800, and fully loaded with an OLED display it's right around $1,200.

At CNET, our laptop experts have collective decades of experience testing and reviewing laptops, covering everything from performance to price to battery life. This hand-curated list covers the best laptops across various sizes, styles and costs, including laptop computers running on Windows, MacOS and Chrome.

If you want more laptop brands and options for a particular category, we also have specialized lists you can look at, including the best gaming laptops, best 15-inch laptops, best two-in-ones and best Chromebooks, as well as the best laptops for college students, designers and the best MacBook Pro alternatives. If you need to stay as low as possible on the price of a new laptop computer, check out our best budget laptop and best budget gaming laptop picks.

This best laptop list is updated periodically with new models we've tested and reviewed. If you need advice on whether a particular type of laptop or two-in-one is right for you, jump to our laptop FAQ at the bottom of the list.

James Martin/CNET

Thanks to a new design, a larger display (13.6 inches versus the previous 13.3 inches), a faster M2 chip and a long-awaited upgrade to a higher-res webcam, the 2022 version of the MacBook Air remains our top choice for the most universally useful laptop in Apple's lineup, with one caveat. At $1,199, the $200 increase over the traditional $999 MacBook Air starting price is a disappointment. That's why you'll still find the M1 version of the Air retains a spot on our best laptop list. Still, we like everything else about it and is our first choice if you're considering an Air and don't mind spending more.

Read our Apple MacBook Air M2 review.

Josh Goldman/CNET

Available with either AMD Ryzen or Intel Core processors, this 14-inch laptop gives you more screen to work on than 13-inch laptops, but is still incredibly lightweight -- less than 3 pounds. The bigger display is nice, too, covering 100% sRGB color gamut (better than you typically find at its starting price under $700). It also has a backlit keyboard, a fingerprint reader and USB Type-C and HDMI ports, too. The 2022 version of the Swift 3 falls just under $1,000 with 12th-gen Intel Core i-series CPUs. But the 2021 models are still widely available for less than $600. 

Sarah Tew/CNET

The Dell XPS 13 is a perennial favorite for its size, weight and performance and just overall good looks. In 2020, Dell made the laptop even smaller, while making the laptop screen larger and increasing performance for both CPU and graphics-intensive tasks. For 2022, it made the XPS 13 even smaller and lighter, kept its sub-$999 starting price the same and dropped in the latest 12th-gen Intel processors.

While we haven't had a chance to test the new model yet, we expect it to be a strong Windows alternative to the MacBook Air. Also, if you want to save money, the 2021 XPS 13 with 11th-gen Intel chips is available for less now.

This thin, 3-pound convertible is a solid choice for anyone who needs a laptop for office or schoolwork. The all-metal chassis gives it a premium look and feel, and it has a comfortable keyboard and a responsive, smooth precision touchpad. Though it's light on extra features compared to its premium linemate, the Yoga 9i, it does have one of Lenovo's sliding shutters for its webcam that gives you privacy when you want it. And it has a long battery life to boot at 12 hours, 45 minutes in our tests. The latest version with 12th-gen Intel processors starts at $999 (although you can find it on sale for less). The 2021 models are still available, too, at reduced prices.  

Josh Goldman/CNET

Acer's Spin 513 is an update of sorts to one of the best Chromebooks from 2021, the Spin 713. It's a two-in-one convertible Chromebook with a 13.5-inch display that has a 3:2 aspect ratio. The extra vertical space means less scrolling when you're working. The screen size is also close to that of letter-size paper, making it comfortable for notetaking in tablet mode with a USI pen. Compared to the 713, it drops a couple of noncritical features like an HDMI output in favor of a more affordable price. It has amazing battery life, though, and a sturdy fanless design, making it silent -- perfect for quiet classrooms, meetings, lectures or video calls.

Joshua Goldman/CNET

Lenovo launched the Yoga line 10 years ago with Windows 8 and now, with Windows 11, the flexibility of the design has only gotten better. The company's flagship 14-inch Yoga 9i Gen 7 has an updated look with comfortable, rounded edges and 12th-gen Intel processors that give it a big multicore performance jump. A beautiful OLED display and improved audio make it excellent for work, video conferences and entertainment. Lenovo includes an active pen and a laptop sleeve to complete the premium package. 

The powerful speakers do add some vibration to the palm rests when turned up and Lenovo has cluttered the laptop with pitches for optional services and software. But, overall, the latest Yoga 9i is the two-in-one convertible laptop to beat. Unfortunately, its availability is limited at the moment so you might have to wait to buy one.

Read our Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 7 review.

Dan Ackerman/CNET

New Apple silicon, new display, new design and all the ports we've been asking for: The latest 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro is the best Pro ever. The combination of the larger MacBook Pro's hardware and MacOS extracts the maximum performance from the components while delivering excellent battery life. The new mini-LED high-resolution display is gorgeous. And if an HDMI output and SD card reader were on your shortlist for features, you'll find those here too.

You pay for it, though: Base price for the 16-inch model of this premium laptop is $2,499.

Read our Apple MacBook Pro review.

Josh Goldman/CNET

There are plenty of 15.6-inch laptops, but 16-inch models like the Dell Inspiron 16 Plus are something of a rarity. The 16-inch display is a great size since the laptop is barely bigger than a 15.6-inch model, but you get more room for work and a roomier keyboard and touchpad along with it. For this Inspiron, Dell packed in performance parts including Nvidia discrete graphics (though it's nearly half the price if you go with Intel integrated graphics) and the display covers 100% sRGB and 81% AdobeRGB color gamuts, which is good enough if you're getting started with creating web content. Also, the laptop has a more premium fit and finish than we're used to seeing in the Inspiron line.

Read our Dell Inspiron 16 Plus review.

Dan Ackerman/CNET

Although this Microsoft Surface laptop is not the Surface Laptop, the Surface Pro continues to hit all the right notes if you're looking for a do-it-all Windows tablet that doubles as a Windows laptop. Microsoft recently overhauled it for the Surface Pro 8, which has a larger 13-inch display, 11th-gen Intel Core processors and two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports. The Surface Pro 7 is still around for the time being at a discount, and an updated version called the Surface Pro 7 Plus will stay in the lineup, so you'll still be able to get the classic Pro design but with new processors.

Read our Surface Pro 8 review.

Sarah Tew/CNET

There's a lot to love with the Razer Blade 14, which incorporates one of the fastest mobile CPUs available (for now, at least), the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX, and top-end mobile graphics with the GeForce RTX 3070 or 3080. Its display can go pixel-to-pixel with the MacBook's. And its high-quality build is up there with the best MacBooks but, like an Apple, it's not necessarily the best laptop deal, even compared to other premium laptops.

Read our Razer Blade 14 review.

HP

HP's Victus 16 is a surprisingly robust and powerful gaming laptop that keeps up with the latest games at a more affordable price. Compared to HP's high-end Omen gaming laptop line, the Victus is more of an all-purpose laptop but still configured for gaming with a price starting at less than $1,000. HP offers several configurations with graphics chip options ranging from Nvidia's entry-level GeForce GTX 1650 up to a midrange RTX 3060 or AMD Radeon RX 6500M.

Read our HP Victus 16 review.

James Martin/CNET

The XPS 17 combines the same slim, premium design of its 13-inch linemate but with increased performance possibilities. It can be configured with up to a 12th-gen Intel Core i9 processor, 64GB of memory and a 6GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics chip. The best part: Dell trimmed up the chassis so much that you get a 17-inch display in a body that's the size of an older 15-inch laptop. You're getting a lot of power and a big screen in the smallest possible package. 

Dell XPS 17 review.

Laptop FAQs

How much does a good laptop cost?

Setting a budget is a good place to start when shopping for the best laptop for yourself. The good news is you can get a nice-looking, lightweight laptop with excellent battery life at prices under $500. If you're shopping for a laptop around $500 or less, check out our top picks here, as well as more specific buying advice for that price range.

Higher-end components like Intel Core i-series and AMD Ryzen processors and premium design touches like thin-display bezels and aluminum or magnesium bodies have made their way to laptops priced between $500 and $1,000. You can also find touchscreens and two-in-one designs that can be used as a tablet or a laptop -- and a couple other positions in between. In this price range, you'll also find faster memory and ssd storage -- and more of it -- to improve performance. 

Above $1,000 is where you'll find premium laptops and two-in-ones. If you're looking for the fastest performance, the best battery life, the slimmest, lightest designs and top-notch display quality with an adequate screen size, expect to spend at least $1,000. 

Which is better, MacOS or Windows?

Deciding between MacOS and Windows laptop for many people will come down to personal preference and budget. Apple's base model laptop, the M1 MacBook Air, starts at $999. You can sometimes find it discounted or you can get educational pricing from Apple and other retailers. But, in general, it'll be at least $1,000 for a new MacBook, and the prices just go up from there. 

For the money, though, you're getting great hardware top to bottom, inside and out. Apple recently moved to using its own processors, which resulted in across-the-board performance improvements compared to older Intel-based models. But, the company's most powerful laptop, the 16-inch MacBook Pro, still hasn't been updated to Apple silicon. 

But, again, that great hardware comes at a price. Also, you're limited to just Apple laptops. With Windows and Chromebooks (more on these below), you get an amazing variety of devices at a wide range of prices. 

Software between the two is plentiful, so unless you need to run something that's only available on one platform or the other, you should be fine to go with either. Gaming is definitely an advantage for a Windows laptop, though.

MacOS is also considered to be easier and safer to use than Windows, especially for people who want their computers to get out of the way so they can get things done. Over the years, though, Microsoft has done its best to follow suit and, with Windows 11 here, it's trying to remove any barriers. Also, while Macs might have a reputation for being safer, with the popularity of the iPhone and iPad helping to drive Mac sales, they've become bigger targets for malware.

Are Chromebooks worth it?

Yes, they are, but they're not for everyone. Google's Chrome OS has come a long way in the past 10 years and Chromebooks -- laptops that run on Chrome OS -- are great for people who do most of their work in a web browser or using mobile apps. They are secure, simple and, more often than not, a bargain. What they can't do is natively run Windows or Mac software. 

What's the best laptop for home, travel or both?

The pandemic changed how and where a lot of people work. The small, ultraportable laptops valued by people who regularly traveled may have suddenly become woefully inadequate for working from home. Or maybe instead of needing long battery life, you'd rather have a bigger display with more graphics power for gaming.

If you're going to be working on a laptop and don't need more mobility than moving it from room to room, consider a 15.6-inch laptop or larger. In general, a bigger screen makes life easier for work and is more enjoyable for entertainment, and also is better if you're using it as an extended display with an external monitor. It typically means you're getting more ports, too, so connecting an external display or storage or a keyboard and mouse are easier without requiring a hub or dock. 

For travel, stay with 13- or 14-inch laptops or two-in-ones. They'll be the lightest and smallest while still delivering excellent battery life. What's nice is that PC-makers are moving away from 16:9 widescreens toward 16:10- or 3:2-ratio displays, which gives you more vertical screen space for work without significantly increasing the footprint. These models usually don't have discrete graphics or powerful processors, though that's not always the case.

Which laptop is best for gaming or creating?

You can play games and create content on any laptop. That said, what games you play and what content you create -- and the speed at which you do them -- is going vary greatly depending on the components inside the laptop. 

For casual browser-based games or using streaming-game services like Google Stadia, Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming, you don't need a powerful gaming laptop. And similarly, if you're just trimming video clips, cropping photos or live-streaming video from your webcam, you can get by with a modestly priced laptop or Chromebook with integrated graphics. 

For anything more demanding, you'll need to invest more money for discrete graphics like Nvidia's RTX 30-series GPUs. Increased system memory of 16GB or more, having a speedy SSD for storage and a faster processor such as an Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 will all help you get things moving faster, too. 

The other piece you'll want to consider is the display. For gaming, look for screens with a high refresh rate of 120Hz or faster so games look smoother while playing. For content creation, look for displays that cover 100% sRGB color space. 

How we test computers

The review process for laptops, desktops, tablets and other computer-like devices consists of two parts: performance testing under controlled conditions in the CNET Labs and extensive hands-on use by our expert reviewers. This includes evaluating a device's aesthetics, ergonomics and features. A final review verdict is a combination of both those objective and subjective judgments. 

The list of benchmarking software we use changes over time as the devices we test evolve. The most important core tests we're currently running on every compatible computer include: Primate Labs Geekbench 5, Cinebench R23, PCMark 10 and 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra. 

A more detailed description of each benchmark and how we use it can be found in our How We Test Computers page. 

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ZenFone 8 review: Asus' small but mighty phone hits the mark

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ZenFone 8 review: Asus' small but mighty phone hits the mark

Asus is betting a small phone will make a big impact. It bills its new midrange ZenFone 8 as the "ultimate compact Android phone." The ZenFone 8 has a crisp 5.9-inch AMOLED display, respectable battery life, dependable cameras, stereo speakers, and powerful internals that by some measures rivals the $1,200 Galaxy S21 Ultra's performance. All this is crammed into a lightweight and slender chassis, making it one of the most compact 5G phones around. 

Based on my experience with the ZenFone 8, Asus delivered on exactly what it set out to do, guided by its design mantra of creating something that's "big on performance, compact in size." The ZenFone 8 is clear about what it is and what it is not.

Like

• Crisp and responsive display
• Stereo speakers
• Lightweight and slender design
• IP rating for water and dust resistance

Don't Like

• No expandable storage
• No zoom capability on 64-megapixel lens
• Phone gets hot
• No telephoto lens

But the ZenFone 8 doesn't have everything. Asus removed the microSD slot for expandable storage in the ZenFone 8. Last year's ZenFone 7 lineup had expandable storage up to 2TB. There's no support for wireless charging, either, and it's not as petite as the iPhone 12 Mini.

ZenFone 8, which has been launched in Europe, starts at 599 euros (roughly $730, £510, AU$930). A US rollout is in the cards too, where pricing is expected to be somewhere between $599 and $799. US prices have not yet been finalized, however.

Asus

ZenFone 8's safe and durable design

Remember the ZenFone 7 and 7 Pro? The two phones, released by Asus last year, made headlines for their cool camera module that flipped over the top of the phone.

Compared to Asus' bold effort last year with the ZenFone 7 lineup, the ZenFone 8 feels like an especially safe play, even though I recognize the effort Asus made to make a slender yet powerful phone. To be clear, Asus didn't get rid of the cool flipping camera entirely -- the ZenFone 8 Flip has an upgraded version. That device will likely not see a US release, however, and I was sent the base version for review.

This year, the camera bump does not flip. Like many phones, it's in a fixed position on the upper left corner of the device, housing two lenses, a flashlight and a microphone. There's also some subtle Asus branding slapped onto the device's frosted glass rear.

On the front, you'll find a crisp 5.9-inch AMOLED screen with relatively chunky bezels for a phone in 2021, and an inconspicuous punch-hole camera on the upper right. On the right side, there's a volume rocker and a power button that can be customized to access system features and apps. I left mine on default settings, which launches Google Assistant when you double press the power button. On the bottom there's a dual-SIM card slot, a notification light and a headphone jack.

When I reflect on this phone, another word that comes to mind is durability. ZenFone 8's IP68 rating means its water and dust proof. Plus, this phone relies on the most resilient Gorilla Glass Victus shielding from Corning, to protect it from shattering when dropped. 

ZenFone 8's impressive display

The ZenFone 8 has a flat 5.92-inch OLED panel from Samsung. I was able to use it in various lighting scenarios thanks in part to its high peak brightness of 1,110 nits. In addition, it has full HD plus resolution (2,400x1,080 pixels) and 120Hz display, which can be dialed back to 90Hz or 60Hz to preserve battery life. Most phones have refresh rates of 60Hz, which means the screen refreshes 60 times in a second. 120Hz displays can look a lot smoother when scrolling through webpages by comparison. That's the same speed seen across Samsung's latest Galaxy S21 lineup, including the $1,200 (£1,149, AU$1,849) Galaxy S21 Ultra, as well as Xiaomi's superluxe flagship, the Mi 11 Ultra.

The display was also ultra-responsive, with a 240HZ touch-sampling rate and 1-millisecond response time. There's also an in-screen fingerprint reader. Taking all this into consideration, the ZenFone 8 has a fantastic display for its price range. And even though it's not a WQHD display, I think it's one of the ZenFone 8's most attractive features.

The ZenFone 8 features a dual rear camera system.

Sareena Dayaram/CNET

ZenFone 8's dependable dual cameras

The ZenFone 8 rear camera module consists of a 64-megapixel main sensor and a 12MP ultrawide sensor. That's one less than last year's pricier models, which featured a third telephoto lens. In front, there's a 12-megapixel selfie shooter. The ZenFone 8's main camera relies on Sony's IMX 686 sensor, the same one used in last year's ZenFone 7 and 7 Pro and several budget Xiaomi phones.

In general, the camera produced solid images whether I was clicking away in bright, indoor, and even dark environments. Because there's no telephoto camera on this device, all of its zoom is digital, and that digital zoom maxes out at 8x zoom. Note also that there's no zoom capability when you're taking 64-megapixel photos. The ZenFone 8 also shoots 8K video.

On the spectrum of smartphone cameras, this isn't the best camera I've ever used (not even close) nor is it the best phone camera for its price range. But I think that's forgivable, because the camera isn't the main selling point of the ZenFone 8, nor is it marketed to be. And as I said earlier, my pictures were respectable in most lighting environments. Here are the cameras in action.

Ultrawide example shot.

Sareena Dayaram/CNET

Default mode.

Sareena Dayaram/CNET

8x zoom images tend to turn out blurry on the ZenFone 8.

Sareena Dayaram/CNET

Another 8x zoom example.

Sareena Dayaram/CNET

Taken on default settings.

Sareena Dayaram/CNET

The ZenFone 8 did a good job of brightening up images taken at night. Here's a photo of Hong Kong's iconic skyline.

Sareena Dayaram/CNET

Taken on a cloudy day on a Hong Kong hiking trail.

Sareena Dayaram/CNET

The ZenFone 8 captured the depth of field well in this close-up shot of my dog's stuffed toy.

Sareena Dayaram/CNET

The selfie camera whitened me, and isn't an accurate reflection of what I look like in person. The iPhone XS Max photo below this does a better job of capturing true-to-life colors.

Sareena Dayaram/CNET

Taken with 2018's iPhone XS Max. Notice how much warmer it is than the image above. It's also much more color accurate.

Sareena Dayaram/CNET

Battery care tools extends battery longevity

The ZenFone 8's battery lasted me roughly 25 to 26 hours of what I'd describe as medium use. That means I didn't use the phone for power-intensive games. I used it for things like reading the news or emails, making a few short phone and video calls, scrolling through my social media feeds, taking photos and uploading them to the cloud, watching YouTube videos, scrolling through my social media feeds again and running one benchmark test.

I'd expect less than a day's worth of battery life when you're gaming or using the phone for more extensive tasks. But if you want the charge to last longer, you can take advantage of a suite of battery care tools tucked away in the settings menu. 

ZenFone 8 has five system modes that lets you optimize battery life depending on your needs. For demanding tasks, you can crank the system all the way up to High Performance Mode. When juice is running low, the phone intelligently switches to "ultra durable" mode to preserve as much power as possible. In that setting, the device switches to dark mode. When I was running on 1% battery life, the phone lasted me some 30 minutes, before it died. And if you can even fine-tune system performance yourself on Advance mode, and increase the system performance for things like CPU, GPU and RAM performance.

When I eventually ran out of juice, I used the bundled 30-watt charger to replenish the 4,000-mAh battery. It took about an hour and 20 minutes to hit a full charge, but within an hour I'd hit 90%, and within just 30 minutes the battery refilled more than halfway.

The ZenFone 8's power button can be customized to do tasks like firing up Google Docs or opening an app of your choice.

Sareena Dayaram/CNET

Blazing fast performance

Powering the ZenFone 5 is the top-of-the-line Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chip, along with 12GB of RAM, or 16GB in the most expensive model with 256GB of storage. The pricier Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra also has 16GB RAM.

But this isn't just about the numbers. When I put the ZenFone 8 through its paces, it was peppy and fast, and handled everything I threw at it without a hitch. In 3D Mark benchmark tests, it performed somewhere between the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 12 lineup, signaling this phone is nothing short of a powerhouse. I wasn't able to get an overall score for 3D Slingshot Unlimited, which didn't output an overall score because the phone was apparently "too powerful." 

One thing to note: When I ran those tests, the phone got quite hot, and I noticed the same issue when charging the phone.

ZenFone 8 specs

	ZenFone 8
Display size, resolution	5.92-inch OLED; FHD+ (2,400x1,080 pixels)
Pixel density	445ppi
Dimensions (Millimeters)	148x68.5x8.9 mm
Weight ( Grams)	169g; 5.96 oz
Mobile software	Android 11
Camera	64-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)
Front-facing camera	12-megapixel
Video capture	8K
Processor	Snapdragon 888
Storage	128GB, 256GB
RAM	8GB, 16GB
Special features	IP68 rating, 5G, 120Hz display, 30-watt in-box charger, dual SIM, linear stereo speaker
Battery	4,000 mAh
Fingerprint reader	In-display
Connector	USB-C
Headphone jack	Yes
Price off-contract	599 euros (approx $720, £520, AU$930)

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