Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. These are both flagship-level devices, but they approach the high-end smartphone market from slightly different angles. I'll break it down with a keen eye on real-world impact and provide you with actionable insights.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed table comparing the specs, with a focus on how these translate to your daily use:
| Feature | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.1 × 75.5 × 8.5 mm, 205g | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm, 224g | The Mate 50 Pro is slightly smaller and lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use. The Zenfone is larger and heavier. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are traditional smartphones, not foldable. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.74" | 6.78" | Virtually the same size, both offer a large viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1212 x 2616 | 1080 x 2400 | Mate 50 Pro has a sharper display with more detail. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 428 | 388 | Mate 50 Pro's display will look slightly crisper, especially with text and high-resolution images. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer rich colors and deep blacks; virtually the same quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Zenfone offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Zenfone 11 Ultra provides significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a newer and more powerful processor, resulting in faster app loading and smoother gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,022,043 | 1,532,000 | Zenfone 11 Ultra scores 50% higher, offering noticeable speed improvements. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 750 | Zenfone 11 Ultra’s better GPU handles demanding graphics tasks more efficiently. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4700mAh | 5500mAh | Zenfone 11 Ultra’s larger battery should offer noticeably longer battery life. |
| Charging | 66W fast charging, 50W wireless, 7.5W reverse wireless | 65W fast charging, 15W wireless, 10W reverse wired | Mate 50 Pro has a slight edge in wired and faster wireless charging speeds. Zenfone has faster wired reverse charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 50MP, f/1.4, Sony IMX766 | 50MP, f/1.9, Sony IMX890 | Mate 50 Pro's wider aperture (f/1.4) is better for low-light photography and creating shallower depth of field. |
| Selfie Lens | 13MP, f/2.4 | 32MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2", Omnivision OV32C | Zenfone 11 Ultra's higher resolution should provide better detail in selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.5, Omnivision OV64B | 32MP, f/2.4 | Mate 50 Pro offers higher resolution but Zenfone 11 Ultra has wider aperture and no sensor detail. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, Sony IMX688 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Both have almost identical performance here, with the Zenfone 11 Ultra having 1.12 µm pixel size |
| Video Resolution | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers 8K recording for high-resolution footage. |
| DxOMark Mobile | 149 (Photo 152, Video 141) | 125 (Photo 131, Video 115) | Mate 50 Pro is superior in photo and video quality |
| DxOMark Selfie | 145 (Photo 147, Video 143) | Not Tested | Mate 50 Pro has a strong selfie camera. |
| Features | OIS, Laser AF, O. Zoom, Manual Focus, Dual Front Camera, Night Mode | OIS, Gimbal, Cont. AF, 8k Video | Mate 50 Pro has more camera features for advanced users, Zenfone 11 Ultra has stabilization features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | - | Android 14 | Zenfone 11 Ultra runs on a modern Android OS. The Mate 50 Pro has no OS information in the specs, which is a cause for concern. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Zenfone 11 Ultra supports the latest standard, offering faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 LE | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a newer version with better efficiency. |
| GPS | Full suite | Full suite | Both have a comprehensive suite of GPS tech, with the Zenfone 11 Ultra having an additional GPS, Beidou, Galileo system. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM cards. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 256/512GB | 256/512GB | Both offer ample storage, same options. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12/16GB | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers significantly more RAM, improving multitasking and app performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports microSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Zenfone 11 Ultra has better audio recording and playback quality with extra microphones and features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Both offer similar fingerprint sensor technology. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Barometer, Proximity, Gyro, Accelerometer, Compass | Proximity, Gyro, Accelerometer, Compass | Mate 50 Pro has an additional barometer sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei Mate 50 Pro:
- Strengths: Exceptional camera performance, as proven by its high DxOMark score, great for low light with variable aperture, faster wireless charging. Also has more camera features for advanced users, along with the barometer, making it great for those who need that feature.
- Competitive Advantages: The Mate 50 Pro takes the lead in camera quality, particularly in photo and video, and also has a better selfie camera according to DxOMark.
- Trade-offs/Limitations: Lacks 5G connectivity and has an older chipset compared to Zenfone 11 Ultra. The OS is also a huge question mark with the specs.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Strengths: Superior performance with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a brighter display, more RAM, significantly larger battery, and the newest Wi-Fi standard. Improved audio recording quality and playback.
- Competitive Advantages: The Zenfone 11 Ultra wins on processing power, battery life, and overall responsiveness. The 144Hz display with high brightness makes it a strong choice for gaming and media consumption.
- Trade-offs/Limitations: Its camera isn't as highly rated as the Mate 50 Pro. Lacks some advanced camera features present on the Huawei, and its camera performance is not as good according to DxOMark, also it is slightly heavier and bulkier.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei Mate 50 Pro:
- Best For: Photography enthusiasts, users who prioritize camera quality above all else. Those that require the extra sensors such as the barometer for work, health or hobbies, and don't mind not having 5G.
- Use Cases: Professional photography, capturing high-quality videos, excellent low-light performance.
- Recommendation: If you're after top-notch imaging and don’t mind the older processor, this is a strong contender.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Best For: Power users, gamers, people who prioritize smooth performance, long battery life, and excellent screen brightness and speed.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, demanding applications, extended use on the go, excellent performance even in bright environments.
- Recommendation: If you need raw power, a superior display, long-lasting battery, and want the newest technology, the Zenfone is the superior choice.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to ask yourself:
- How important is camera quality? If this is your top priority and the lack of 5G does not concern you, go for the Huawei. If you want solid camera performance but prioritize other features, the Zenfone is fine.
- Do you need maximum performance and battery life? If yes, the Zenfone 11 Ultra, with its more modern chipset, more RAM, and larger battery, will be a better pick.
- Do you use your phone outdoors a lot? If bright sunlight is a frequent factor for you, the Zenfone's 2500 nits display will offer a much better viewing experience.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- The Photography Enthusiast: The Huawei Mate 50 Pro is the superior choice. Its higher-rated camera system, along with unique features like the variable aperture and advanced OIS, will deliver exceptional photo and video quality.
- The Power User & Mobile Gamer: The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra wins in this category, with its superior processing power, more RAM, faster refresh rate, and much brighter screen. The newer chipset and bigger battery will provide a smoother, longer-lasting experience.
- The Everyday User: The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is a solid all-around choice. Its brighter screen, longer battery life, and great performance will be more relevant for daily use.
- The Tech Enthusiast: Again, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra comes out on top thanks to newer technologies like the Wi-Fi 7 standard and Bluetooth 5.4 LE.
My Choice:
Personally, I would choose the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. While the camera performance on the Huawei is undeniably impressive, the Zenfone 11 Ultra offers a more well-rounded experience for my personal needs. The significantly superior processing power, better screen brightness, and longer battery life are more compelling for my use case, which includes daily multitasking, some mobile gaming, and outdoor use. The newer connectivity options also make it a more future-proof device. While the camera on the Zenfone is not as good as the Mate 50 Pro, it is still good enough for everyday use and the trade-off is worth the superior performance in other aspects. Additionally, the lack of OS information on the Huawei is a huge red flag for me. I need to know that my phone will be running the latest version of Android with no issues.
