1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a breakdown of the key specifications for the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max and the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra, along with a practical interpretation of their differences:
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.4 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | Asus is slightly taller and thicker, iPhone is slightly wider. Zenfone has a larger overall volume. Marginal impact on handling. |
| Weight | 228g | 224g | Virtually identical weight, both feel substantial in hand. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Negligible difference in screen size; both offer an immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1284x2778 | 1080x2400 | iPhone has a noticeably sharper display with greater detail. Text and images appear crisper. |
| PPI | 458 | 388 | iPhone's higher pixel density makes images and text appear sharper. More noticeable to users with keen vision. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. Negligible difference in image quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Zenfone offers dramatically smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming. Noticeably fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 2500 nits | Zenfone has significantly better outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight. Easier to see the screen in harsh lighting. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Zenfone has a more modern, faster processor. It will have better performance in demanding tasks and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,121,803 | 1,532,000 | Zenfone is significantly faster. Expect snappier performance, quicker app loading, and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 750 | Zenfone has a more powerful GPU. Better gaming performance with higher frame rates and smoother visuals. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1.70µm, Sony IMX603 | 50MP, f/1.9, 1.00µm, 1/1.56" Sony IMX890 | Zenfone captures more detailed images with its higher resolution sensor. iPhone's wider aperture might perform slightly better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2, Sony IMX514 | 32MP, f/2.5, 0.70µm, 1/3.2" Omnivision OV32C | Zenfone captures higher resolution selfies, while the iPhone's wider aperture may perform better in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.00µm, 1/3.4" Sony IMX590 | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.70µm | Zenfone has a higher resolution telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4, 1.40µm, 1/2.55" Sony IMX372 | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Asus has a slightly wider aperture with lower resolution. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps HDR | Up to 8K@24fps HDR | Zenfone supports higher resolution video recording (8K) for those who need it. Both offer 4K recording. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | Main: 131 Photo: 131 Video: 130 | Main: 125 Photo: 131 Video: 115 | iPhone has slightly better overall performance, especially in video; Photo performance is identical. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | Main: 132 Photo: 127 Video: 140 | N/A | iPhone offers excellent performance in Selfies. |
| Features | Optical zoom, Ultra stable video, Manual focus, Night Mode | 8K Video, Digital image stabilization, Gimbal, PDAF Omnidericional | Each offers unique features; iPhone focused on optics and stability, Zenfone on advanced video and autofocus. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3687mAh | 5500mAh | Zenfone has a significantly larger battery for much better battery life. Expect longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging | 65W fast charging | Zenfone charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | 15W wireless, 10W reverse | iPhone's MagSafe ecosystem is convenient. Zenfone offers reverse wired charging for other devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density (458 PPI vs 388 PPI) result in a crisper, more detailed viewing experience.
- Better Video Recording (DxOMark): Based on DxOMark, iPhone has better video recording performance compared to the Asus.
- Optimized Software Ecosystem: iOS is known for its smooth performance, excellent app support, and strong ecosystem integration.
- MagSafe ecosystem: Convenient magnetic accessory attachment and wireless charging.
- Better Selfie Camera (DxOMark): Based on DxOMark, iPhone has better selfie camera performance
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 144Hz refresh rate offers a much more fluid visual experience compared to the iPhone's 60Hz.
- Brighter Display: 2500 nits brightness compared to 1200 nits on the iPhone, offering significantly better outdoor visibility.
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset offers significantly faster performance in demanding tasks, and benchmarks suggest superior performance over the A14 chip
- Much Larger Battery: 5500mAh vs 3687mAh on the iPhone, promising longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging vs 20W on the iPhone, drastically reducing charge time.
- More Versatile Video Features: Offers 8K video recording, digital image stabilization, and a gimbal feature.
- More modern connectivity: Supports the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards for faster speeds and improved performance.
Trade-offs:
- The iPhone trades slightly less smooth animations and a lower peak brightness for a sharper display and a mature operating system.
- The Zenfone trades slightly less sharp display for significantly more modern technology, longer battery life, faster charging and a much faster chipset.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Ideal Users:
- Ecosystem Enthusiasts: Users deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem.
- Content Consumers: Those who prioritize a very crisp, detailed display for viewing photos and videos.
- Those who prioritize camera for selfies and video: Users who rely on smartphone camera for photography and video.
- Users looking for good video recording: Users who are looking for good, stable and reliable video recording on their phones.
- Users who prioritize software stability and support: iOS provides a consistent experience and timely updates.
- Users who need the MagSafe ecosystem: for convenient wireless charging and accessories.
Use Cases:
- Seamless integration with other Apple devices.
- Viewing high-resolution photos and videos.
- Content creation where software optimization is key.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Ideal Users:
- Gamers: Prioritizing smooth animations and fast performance.
- Heavy Users: Those needing all-day battery life and quick charging.
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Those who need a bright display for visibility in sunlight.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who need versatile camera features.
- Power Users: Who require the latest and greatest performance and connectivity.
- Users who need a large battery with fast charging: Users who are always on the go and need the phone to last long and charge very fast.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and high-performance tasks.
- Outdoor use with high visibility.
- Extensive use throughout the day without needing to recharge.
- Video content creators who utilize advanced stabilization and high resolution recording.
Price-to-Value:
The Zenfone 11 Ultra offers more modern technology at a potentially similar price point. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is older and might be priced lower now, offering decent value in that aspect.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions buyers should consider:
What is my primary use case?
- Prioritize iPhone for media consumption, optimized software experience and better video recording capabilities.
- Prioritize Zenfone for gaming, high-performance tasks, and long battery life.
How important is screen smoothness vs sharpness?
- If you value sharpness, the iPhone might be better.
- If you value fluidity, the Zenfone's 144Hz display is far superior.
Which OS Ecosystem is preferred?
- If you are deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, stick with the iPhone.
- If you prefer Android, the Zenfone is the better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Mobile Gamer: Choose the Zenfone 11 Ultra for the faster refresh rate, better performance, and longer battery life.
- Outdoor Photographer: Choose the Zenfone 11 Ultra for the higher display brightness and better battery.
- Apple Ecosystem User: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro Max for the seamless software and hardware integration, and better video recording.
- Power User: Choose the Zenfone 11 Ultra for superior performance, battery, and faster charging.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. My primary use case is that of a power user who needs the best performance, the longest battery life, and a bright display. The Zenfone offers the latest performance and has an exceptional screen with its 144Hz refresh rate, superior performance and a massive battery which is essential for me. The slightly less sharp display is a trade-off I'm willing to make, especially considering the significant improvements in other areas. I also prefer the Android operating system over iOS.
