Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Honor 70 and the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. This should give a clear picture of what each phone brings to the table, beyond just the specs on paper.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Honor 70 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-06-02 | 2024-04-14 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra is significantly newer, with access to more modern features and software. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are traditional smartphones; no foldables here. |
| Dimensions | 161.4 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm | 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm | The Zenfone 11 Ultra is larger and thicker, which might impact one-handed use and pocketability. |
| Weight | 178g | 224g | The Honor 70 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.78" | The Zenfone 11 Ultra offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive content consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both offer sharp visuals for daily use. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 388 PPI | Both have similar pixel density, providing comparable sharpness and detail. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | The Zenfone 11 Ultra's higher refresh rate provides a smoother experience, especially for gaming and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | The Zenfone 11 Ultra's dramatically higher brightness makes it far more usable outdoors in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) | The Zenfone 11 Ultra's high-end chipset means significantly faster performance, better gaming, and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 1,532,000 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has significantly higher benchmark scores, offering better performance and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 750 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has a superior GPU, resulting in better graphics and gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 54MP (f/1.9, 1/1.49", IMX800) | 50MP (f/1.9, 1/1.56", IMX890) | The Honor 70 has a higher resolution sensor, but the Zenfone 11 Ultra has newer tech, potentially better image quality overall. |
| Front Camera | 32MP (f/2.4, 1/3.2", OV32C) | 32MP (f/2.5, 1/3.2", OV32C) | The Honor 70 has a slightly wider aperture, potentially better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP (f/2.4) | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has a dedicated Telephoto lens for zoom capabilities, while the Honor 70 lacks a telephoto camera. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP (f/2.2) | 13MP (f/2.2) | The Honor 70 has a higher resolution wide-angle lens. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | None | The Honor 70 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS | 8K@24fps with HDR, EIS and other modes | The Zenfone 11 Ultra offers far superior video capabilities, with higher resolutions and advanced recording modes including HDR. |
| DXOMARK Score (Mobile) | 115 | 125 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra scores higher overall. |
| DXOMARK Score (Photo) | 115 | 131 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra performs better in photo tests. |
| DXOMARK Score (Video) | 129 | 115 | The Honor 70 performs better in video tests. |
| Camera Features | Ultra stable video, Night Mode | OIS, Gimbal, Continuous Autofocus | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has significantly better video features, including stabilization and autofocus. Honor 70 has a more basic camera experience, but is still good. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5500mAh | The Zenfone 11 Ultra should offer longer battery life due to its larger capacity. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Both support fast charging, with similar speeds. |
| Additional Battery Features | Reverse charging | 15W Wireless Charging, 10W reverse wired | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has wireless charging, whereas Honor 70 has reverse charging. |
| Software & Storage | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 | Android 14 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra ships with a newer Android version and will receive more future updates. |
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 256/512 GB | Both offer ample storage for most users. |
| RAM | 6/8/12 GB | 12/16 GB | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has the newest standard, providing faster speeds and better performance. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | Bluetooth 5.4 LE | The Zenfone 11 Ultra uses a newer version of Bluetooth, potentially better connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo and more | The Zenfone 11 Ultra uses more sattelite systems for more accurate location tracking. |
| Other | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has a slight edge in audio quality. |
| Security | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both have basic biometric security. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has superior screen protection against scratches and breakage. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint Sensor | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint Sensor, Gravity, Hall | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has a more comprehensive sensor suite. |
2. Key Insights
Honor 70 Strengths:
- Lighter and more compact: Easier to handle and pocket-friendly.
- Higher Resolution Wide and Main Camera: A Higher resolution sensor on both wide and main camera, for crisp pictures.
- Macro Camera: A dedicated macro lens for close-up shots.
- Slightly Faster Charging: 66W versus 65W.
- Cheaper Price: Usually, it's more affordable.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Strengths:
- Significantly More Powerful: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset provides a major performance boost, especially in gaming.
- Brighter Display: The 2500 nits brightness is a game-changer for outdoor visibility.
- Higher Refresh Rate: The 144Hz display offers smoother visuals.
- Superior Video Capabilities: 8K recording with advanced stabilization features.
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life for all-day use.
- Wireless Charging: Added convenience of wireless charging, while also having wired reverse charging.
- Newer OS and updates: Comes with a newer version of Android and is expected to receive more OS updates.
- More RAM: A choice between 12GB or 16GB of RAM, better for multitasking.
- Telephoto Lens: Better zoom capabilities with a dedicated telephoto lens.
- Newer Standards: Newer WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 standard for better speeds and connectivity.
- Better build quality Gorilla Glass Victus 2 screen protection for extra protection.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Honor 70: The older processor and screen tech mean less powerful performance, especially compared to Zenfone 11 Ultra. It also lacks a telephoto lens and wireless charging. It has an unknown screen protection.
- Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra: Larger size and weight may not suit everyone. It does not have a macro lens. It's also a more expensive device. It does not have reverse wireless charging.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Honor 70 is ideal for:
- Budget-conscious users: Those who want a good all-around phone without breaking the bank.
- Users who prefer lighter phones: Comfortable handling is a priority.
- Casual users: Those who don't need the absolute best performance, video quality or gaming experience, but want a phone that's good.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those that want to do macro photography.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is ideal for:
- Power users: Gamers, multitaskers, and anyone needing maximum performance.
- Content creators: Those who need top-notch video recording and editing capabilities.
- Outdoor users: Those who need a very bright screen for visibility in sunlight.
- Users who prioritize longevity: They will appreciate the newer chipset and operating system and better build quality that will make the phone last longer.
- Users that like to consume media: The big bright and smooth screen, along with stereo speakers, create an amazing media experience.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to consider before choosing between the Honor 70 and Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- How important is performance and gaming to you? If you need the best performance for gaming and heavy multitasking, the Zenfone 11 Ultra is the clear winner. If you are fine with medium performance, the Honor 70 will work.
- Do you prioritize a lighter and more compact phone, or a bigger screen and battery? If you prefer a light phone, the Honor 70 fits that bill. If you like bigger screens with a high capacity battery, the Zenfone 11 Ultra should be your choice.
- Do you often record videos? If you do and it needs to be high-quality, the Zenfone 11 Ultra is the better choice with its 8K recording and better video stabilisation capabilities. If you rarely record videos or you don't care about video stabilisation or high resolutions, both will be adequate.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the casual user on a budget: The Honor 70 provides good value with decent cameras, a nice screen, and is comfortable to hold. It will handle everyday tasks smoothly.
- For the avid gamer/power user: The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the obvious choice due to its high-end processor, superior GPU, and higher refresh rate screen.
- For content creators needing superior video: The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra with its 8K video capabilities, OIS and better video stabilization would be more ideal than the Honor 70.
- For the outdoor user: The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra wins hands down with its super bright screen that's easily visible in broad daylight.
What I would choose and why:
Personally, I would choose the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. While I appreciate the lighter weight and more compact design of the Honor 70, the raw performance and future-proofing of the Zenfone 11 Ultra are too compelling to ignore. As someone who often juggles multiple apps and enjoys high-fidelity mobile gaming, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor is a game changer. The brighter display and superior video recording also align better with my personal usage needs and preferences. Although the Zenfone is bigger and heavier, it's a trade-off I'm willing to make for the enhanced experience that it provides. Additionally, the newer OS, build quality, wireless charging, and better connectivity options make the Zenfone a better long-term investment in my eyes.
