{"id":14330,"date":"2022-07-07T18:30:03","date_gmt":"2022-07-07T18:30:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techmagazines.net\/asus-leaked-zenfone-9-video-shows-fun-gimmicks-like-a-scroll-key-and-shoulder-mount\/"},"modified":"2022-07-07T18:30:03","modified_gmt":"2022-07-07T18:30:03","slug":"asus-leaked-zenfone-9-video-shows-fun-gimmicks-like-a-scroll-key-and-shoulder-mount","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.techmagazines.net\/asus-leaked-zenfone-9-video-shows-fun-gimmicks-like-a-scroll-key-and-shoulder-mount\/","title":{"rendered":"Asus\u2019 leaked Zenfone 9 video shows fun gimmicks like a scroll key and shoulder mount"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

[ad_1]
\n<\/p>\n

\n

Asus accidentally leaked a promo video for its apparently upcoming Zenfone 9 on its YouTube channel, and the phone\u2019s got some very interesting quirks and features, to borrow a phrase (via XDA<\/em>, TechGoing<\/em>). Perhaps the most interesting (at least for the people who could take or leave a headphone jack) is what Asus has done with the side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which the video labels as the \u201csmart key\u201d: it shows a creepy CGI hand swiping through a webpage by sliding its finger along the side of the phone.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not exactly unusual to have some sort of gesture built into the fingerprint reader \u2014 phones like Samsung\u2019s Galaxy Z Flip \/ Fold 3 let you bring down the notification shade with a similar swipe. (And those phones are far from the first to do it; I remember that feature from my Pixel 2.) But using it to actually scroll through content feels like a fun throwback to the age where phones had physical dials or roller balls for scrolling. Will Asus\u2019 version, which it calls \u201cZenTouch,\u201d be an RSI disaster or a gimmick you use once before turning it off forever? Perhaps. But will it feel rad as hell that one time you try it? I\u2019d bet yes.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

ASUS Zenfone 9
Snapdragon 8+ Gen1
8 + 128 \/ 8 + 256 GB \/ 16 + 256 GB
– 5.9-inch 120Hz screen
– 4300 mAh dual battery
– Sony IMX766 rear main Camera – ZenTouch
– 3.5mm audio port
– IP68 level waterproof
– Red, black, blue
\u20ac800-900 pic.twitter.com\/5mEn8rsKxw<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 SnoopyTech (@_snoopytech_) July 7, 2022<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

Fun side button aside, the Zenfone 9 seems like a very interesting gadget. According to Twitter user SnoopyTech<\/a> (who\u2019s had some accurate leaks before), the phone will have a 5.9-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and will be powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chip that Asus put in its gaming-focused ROG Phone 6. They also say the phone will cost between 800 and 900 euros, around $850 to $950 US. That\u2019s a fair bit higher than the $699 starting price for the previous-gen Zenfone 8, which my colleague Allison Johnson called \u201cfantastic\u201d in her review.<\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\"Image<\/p>\n

<\/source><\/picture>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Plus, it comes in fun colors.<\/em><\/figcaption>Image: SnoopyTech<\/cite><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

We\u2019ll have to wait for an official announcement and hands-on to see if that price jump is justified (or if it\u2019s even accurate), but the video does indicate at least a few improvements that could help justify the added cost. The battery has gotten a bit bigger compared to the Zenphone 8, which had a 4,000mAh cell that provided \u201cjust okay\u201d runtime. The video also says that the phone\u2019s two cameras are \u201cmassively upgraded\u201d and shows that the main one features a \u201c6-axis hybrid gimbal stabilizer.\u201d It then shows that feature being used with a truly whacky accessory called the smart backpack mount, which looks like it\u2019s trying to emulate a piece of gear that professional videographers use to hoist heavy cameras all day \u2014 but for a phone.<\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\"
\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Quick question: what??<\/em><\/figcaption>Gif: SnoopyTech<\/cite><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

Accessories aside (there\u2019s also a seemingly modular phone case that you can connect a kickstand \/ wallet to), this preview actually gets me excited to see the Zenfone 9 officially revealed. Sure, it\u2019s not the iPhone Mini clone running Android that some people want, but it seems like it\u2019ll continue the Zenfone tradition of being a compact-ish but high-end Android phone with a few fun features thrown in to keep things interesting. And a headphone jack \u2014 I cannot get enough of the headphone jack.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n