Okay, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Apple iPhone 13 Pro and the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. I'll break down the specs, give you the real-world implications, and help you figure out which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these two smartphones stack up, focusing on what matters in your day-to-day use:
| Feature | Apple iPhone 13 Pro | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7 mm | 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm | The Zenfone 11 Ultra is noticeably larger and bulkier, which may impact one-handed usability and pocketability. |
| Weight | 204g | 224g | The iPhone 13 Pro feels lighter in hand, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.78" | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking, while the iPhone is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1170 x 2532 | 1080 x 2400 | The iPhone 13 Pro offers slightly sharper details with a higher pixel density. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 460 | 388 | iPhone 13 Pro's display will look noticeably sharper. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both provide excellent contrast and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | The Zenfone 11 Ultra offers slightly smoother animations. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 2500 nits | The Zenfone 11 Ultra's screen is significantly brighter, much better for outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic (5nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) | The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Zenfone 11 Ultra is a newer and more powerful chip. However the A15 Bionic is still competitive. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,325,768 | 1,532,000 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra will likely handle demanding tasks and games more smoothly. |
| GPU | Apple (5-core) | Adreno 750 | Zenfone should handle graphics more powerfully. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.5, 1/1.66", 1.9µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | The Zenfone has more megapixels but a smaller pixel size. Apple's larger pixel size is a trade off that allows for better low light photos. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2, | 32MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2", 0.7µm | The Zenfone 11 Ultra packs a high resolution selfie camera. |
| Telephoto lens | 12MP, f/2.8, 1.0µm | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.7µm | Zenfone gives the telephoto a resolution boost, but trades off aperture. |
| Wide Angle lens | 12MP, f/1.8, 1.0µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Similar performance, but the wide angle of the Asus has larger pixel sizes. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | yes | No | iPhone 13 Pro has a dedicated ToF 3D sensor |
| Video Recording | 4K up to 60fps with HDR | 8K up to 24fps with HDR | The Zenfone 11 Ultra offers 8K video but the iPhone has strong stabilization. |
| DXOMARK (Mobile) | 141 | 125 | The iPhone 13 Pro has a notably higher camera score. |
| DXOMARK Photo | 140 | 131 | The iPhone 13 Pro takes superior photos overall |
| DXOMARK Video | 146 | 115 | The iPhone 13 Pro shows a superior video recording experience. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 3125 mAh | 5500 mAh | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has a much larger battery, likely leading to longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W | 65W | The Zenfone 11 Ultra charges much faster, reducing wait times. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W MagSafe / 7.5W Qi | 15W | Both offer wireless charging but the iPhone has the unique MagSafe. |
| Reverse Charging | No | 10W | Zenfone 11 ultra has reverse charging capablities |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 15 (upgradable to iOS 18) | Android 14 (upgradable to 16) | iOS provides a more closed ecosystem, while Android offers greater customisation options. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra supports newer and faster Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has the most current version of bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a more robust satellite positioning system |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | The iPhone has an eSIM slot, while Zenfone has two physical SIM card slots. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB | 256GB/512GB | Both provide sufficient storage options, but the iPhone goes up to 1TB. |
| RAM | 6GB | 12GB/16GB | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has much more RAM for better multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither have expandable storage, so choose carefully. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS/ DTS X | Hi-Res Audio | Both offer good quality audio, the iPhone has a broader ecosystem of audio enhancements. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Security Features | fingerprint sensor | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a fingerprint sensor for added security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has newer and improved screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, Hall | The Zenfone has a more comprehensive sensor list. |
2. Key Insights
Apple iPhone 13 Pro
- Strengths: The iPhone 13 Pro excels in its compact design, refined user experience with iOS, and a particularly strong camera system. Its display, while smaller, is incredibly sharp and color accurate. The A15 Bionic chip still holds up for speed and responsiveness.
- Competitive Advantages: Its unique MagSafe charging, excellent video recording quality, and overall software ecosystem are key advantages. The iPhone is also known for its long-term software updates and great build quality.
- Trade-offs/Limitations: Smaller display, lower refresh rate, lower brightness, smaller battery and slower charging speeds. Lack of expandable storage, physical dual SIM.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra
- Strengths: The Zenfone 11 Ultra stands out with its massive display, longer lasting battery, and much faster charging capabilities. The latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip provides top-tier performance.
- Competitive Advantages: The display's high brightness and refresh rate make it great for media consumption. The Zenfone also has very up to date connectivity with WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. The Zenfone is also better for gaming as it packs more RAM and has a more comprehensive sensor list.
- Trade-offs/Limitations: It is a physically larger phone, with a weaker camera system compared to the iPhone. The android OS is also not preferred by all.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Apple iPhone 13 Pro:
- Best For: Users already invested in the Apple ecosystem who value a compact, premium phone with excellent camera capabilities. Ideal for those who want a dependable phone with smooth performance and long-term software support.
- Use Cases: Great for everyday use, high quality photos and videos, seamless integration with Apple services, and those who prefer a pocketable device.
- Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Best For: Tech enthusiasts who prioritize performance, battery life, and a large screen for media consumption and gaming. Ideal for those who need a very fast device for heavy use or who prefer more customisation options.
- Use Cases: Excellent for gaming, extended media viewing, multitasking, and users who prefer Android with faster charging.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to ask yourself to make the right choice:
- What is your screen size preference? Do you want a pocketable device or a large screen for media and gaming?
- How important is the camera system? If photography is your top priority, the iPhone 13 Pro is superior. If you just want a solid camera, the Zenfone is fine.
- What is more important, battery life and charging speed, or the software experience? The Zenfone charges faster and lasts longer, but if you prefer Apple's ecosystem, you may prefer the iPhone.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Photographer/Videographer: The Apple iPhone 13 Pro's superior video recording capabilities and slightly better photo performance will make it the better choice.
- For the Power User/Gamer: The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra with its latest processor, large screen, impressive battery, fast charging and a more robust sensor list will provide the best experience.
- For the Everyday User: Both phones are great choices. It comes down to personal preference: if you prefer the iOS ecosystem, go for the iPhone. If you prefer android with more options, the Zenfone is the better choice.
- For the Budget Conscious: If price is a factor, consider the older iPhone 13 Pro, as it is likely to have decreased in price.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two, I would personally go for the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. Here's why:
As someone who appreciates raw power, the Zenfone 11 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and ample RAM is very tempting. The larger, brighter display is better for media consumption. I also appreciate the significantly larger battery and much faster charging. While the iPhone is a great phone, it does have an older chipset, less RAM, smaller battery and slower charging capabilities. The Zenfone also comes with a fingerprint scanner, a feature that is great for convenience.
While the iPhone has a very robust camera system, the Zenfone's camera is still great. As someone who enjoys the customisability of android, and someone who appreciates power, the Zenfone is the better choice for me.
Ultimately, both phones are excellent. It really comes down to understanding your specific needs and preferences.
