Okay, let's dive deep into the specs of the Motorola Edge 20 Pro and the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. I'll break it down like I'm explaining it to a friend over coffee – tech talk, but make it relatable.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-08-16 | 2024-04-14 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra is significantly newer, suggesting more current technology and potentially longer software support. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are typical smartphones; no foldables or other unique designs. |
| Dimensions | 163 x 76 x 8 mm | 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm | Similar in size, but the Zenfone is slightly thicker, which may make it feel more substantial in hand. |
| Weight | 190g | 224g | The Edge 20 Pro is significantly lighter (34g), making it more comfortable for extended use. The Zenfone is a bit heavier, which some might find more premium, but others might find tiring. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Both have large, immersive screens; the difference is negligible. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both offer sharp, Full HD+ visuals; great for daily use. |
| Pixel Density | 385 PPI | 388 PPI | Both have very similar pixel density, ensuring clear image quality. The small difference is not noticeable to the naked eye. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both are excellent technologies for vivid colors and deep blacks. Minimal visible difference. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 144Hz | Both offer super-smooth scrolling and animations; excellent for gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | The Zenfone has a significantly higher peak brightness, which means much better outdoor visibility, especially on sunny days. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Zenfone's chip is significantly newer and more powerful, leading to faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 813,800 | 1,532,000 | The Zenfone scores almost double the Edge 20 Pro, implying a night-and-day difference in performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 750 | The Zenfone's GPU is significantly more powerful, meaning better graphics rendering and gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5500mAh | The Zenfone has a noticeably larger battery, suggesting longer battery life. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | The Zenfone charges much faster; a huge convenience for those who need to top-up in a hurry. |
| Features | Reverse charging | 15W wireless, 10W reverse wired | The Zenfone offers wireless charging and faster reverse wired charging, which are practical for convenience. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP (f/1.9, 1/1.52") | 50MP (f/1.9, 1/1.56") | While the Motorola has higher resolution, the Asus has a larger pixel size, which can be more impactful for low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP (f/2.3) | 32MP (f/2.5, 1/3.2") | Both have a 32MP front camera, the Motorola has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP (f/3.4) | 32MP (f/2.4) | The Zenfone has a significantly higher resolution telephoto lens with a wider aperture, leading to much better zoomed photos and videos. |
| Wide Angle Lens | No | 13MP (f/2.2) | The Zenfone has an additional wide-angle lens for capturing broader scenes. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 16MP (f/2.2) | No | The Motorola has a wide-angle lens that also serves as a macro lens |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, various EIS | Up to 8K@24fps, various HDR/EIS | Both capture high-resolution video. Zenfone includes HDR and EIS on all modes up to 4k, and provides a wider range of slow-motion options. |
| DXOMark Score | N/A | 125 (Main), 131 (Photo), 115 (Video) | The Zenfone's camera performance has been independently tested, which means we have an objective data point that the Motorola is missing. |
| Features | Optical Zoom, Manual Focus | OIS, Gimbal, Continuous autofocus, PDAF, RAW | The Zenfone's additional features provide more stability, faster focus, and the ability to shoot in RAW for enhanced post-processing |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | The Zenfone has a newer OS with enhanced features and security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | The Zenfone supports faster, more efficient Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.4 LE | The Zenfone has the latest Bluetooth, with better performance and efficiency. |
| GPS | Standard GPS | Advanced GPS | The Zenfone supports a wider array of satellite systems, which means better accuracy, especially in urban areas. |
| Storage & Memory | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | The Zenfone provides more storage options at all levels |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12/16 GB | The Zenfone offers more RAM in the higher tier, helpful for heavy users. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, so choose your storage tier wisely. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic features | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation | The Zenfone offers better audio quality for music and calls, thanks to Hi-Res audio, stereo speakers, and noise cancellation. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Motorola offers a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | The Zenfone offers better screen protection from drops and scratches. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity, Gravity, Hall | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has more sensors, providing additional functionality and accuracy |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge 20 Pro:
- Strengths: Lighter design, and a good camera in well-lit conditions. It's still a good phone, but it's showing its age.
- Trade-offs: Older chipset, lower battery capacity, and slower charging. The camera, though good, lacks features and stability compared to the Asus.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Strengths: Cutting-edge processor, superior display, vastly better battery life, faster charging, more versatile camera system, and more advanced software.
- Trade-offs: Heavier design, slightly thicker, and possibly more expensive.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge 20 Pro:
- Ideal For: Users who prioritize a lightweight design, a good enough screen and camera, and are on a tight budget.
- Use Cases: Everyday browsing, social media, and casual photography. It's suitable for people who want a dependable phone without pushing the limits of mobile technology.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Ideal For: Power users, mobile gamers, photographers, and anyone who wants the best possible performance, battery life, and multimedia experience.
- Use Cases: Demanding games, intensive multitasking, professional-quality photography and videography, long days away from a charger, and anyone who wants a top-tier experience.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three crucial questions to help users decide:
- Performance Priority: How important is top-tier performance and future-proofing?
- Battery Needs: How critical is all-day battery life and fast charging?
- Camera Capabilities: How much do you value advanced features, video stability, and low-light capabilities?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget-Conscious Casual User): If your needs are basic and budget is the primary concern, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro can still serve you well, though the Zenfone 11 Ultra is a better device overall.
- Scenario 2 (Performance Enthusiast): For someone who values the best performance, gaming, and multi-tasking, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the clear winner, by a considerable margin.
- Scenario 3 (Multimedia Creator): If you're a photographer or videographer, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra's advanced camera system with OIS, gimbal, and RAW support makes it the more capable choice.
My Choice
Personally, I'd choose the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. While the Motorola Edge 20 Pro is a capable phone, the Zenfone offers a huge leap in terms of performance, display quality, battery life, and camera versatility, and also packs the newest software. I'm the type of user who pushes my phone to the limit, so the Zenfone's cutting-edge processor, faster charging, superior display, and advanced camera features make it a much better fit for my needs. The improvements far outweigh its increased weight and slightly thicker profile. The Zenfone 11 Ultra is an all-round better device, and for me, the clear winner.
