Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra and the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. I’ll break down these two contenders, aiming to make the tech specs feel less like a confusing spec sheet and more like a conversation.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a deep dive into how these phones stack up, with a focus on what the numbers actually mean for you, the user.
| Feature | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.8 x 73.5 x 8.4 mm | 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm | Zenfone is slightly larger & thicker; Edge 30 Ultra may feel more compact in hand. |
| Weight | 198.5g | 224g | Edge 30 Ultra is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended one-handed use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.78" | Zenfone 11 Ultra provides a slightly larger viewing area for media consumption & gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both phones offer sharp, detailed images, text will appear crisp. |
| PPI | 395 | 388 | Similar sharpness; pixel density is practically indistinguishable to the human eye. |
| Technology | P-OLED | AMOLED | Both technologies deliver vibrant colors & deep blacks; minimal practical difference. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 144Hz | Both offer very smooth scrolling & fluid animations. |
| Brightness | 1250 nits | 2500 nits | Zenfone 11 Ultra is significantly better in very bright outdoor conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Zenfone 11 Ultra's chip is newer & faster, leading to better performance in demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,231,300 | 1,532,000 | Zenfone 11 Ultra will load apps quicker and feel more responsive in general use. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 750 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a newer GPU, offering better graphics performance for games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 200MP, f/1.95 | 50MP, f/1.9 | Edge 30 Ultra boasts a higher resolution sensor but Zenfone 11 Ultra has larger pixels. |
| Selfie Camera | 60MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.5 | Edge 30 Ultra captures higher resolution selfies & generally performs better in low light scenarios. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/1.6 | 32MP, f/2.4 | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers higher resolution and better performance at range. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Edge 30 Ultra has more detail but Zenfone 11 Ultra has larger pixel size. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both offer professional-grade video but the Edge 30 Ultra is slightly more versatile. |
| DXOMark | N/A | 125 Main, 131 Photo, 115 Video | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has been tested and provides concrete performance benchmarks. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4610mAh | 5500mAh | Zenfone 11 Ultra should last noticeably longer on a single charge due to the larger battery. |
| Charging | 125W wired, 50W wireless | 65W wired, 15W wireless | Edge 30 Ultra charges wired faster, but Zenfone has a bigger battery for more battery life. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12/13 | Android 14/16 | Zenfone 11 Ultra comes with a newer version of Android, which leads to more features and improved security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has newer Wifi standard for much better future-proofing. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a newer version with more codecs for better audio quality. |
| GPS | L1+L5 | L1+L5, NavIC | Zenfone 11 Ultra supports more satellite systems for more precise location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 256/512GB | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a more spacious storage options for users with large media libraries. |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 12/16GB | Zenfone 11 Ultra handles multitasking & demanding apps with ease, especially on the 16GB version. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both lack expandable storage so choose the size you need. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone | Zenfone 11 Ultra focuses on high-fidelity and voice clarity. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both use standard fingerprint sensors which will be adequate for most users. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers superior screen durability for peace of mind. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Basic Sensors | Basic, Hall | Zenfone 11 Ultra has additional sensor, beneficial for certain gaming scenarios. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra Strengths:
- Impressive Main Camera: The 200MP main sensor and 60MP selfie camera is very competitive.
- Faster Charging: 125W wired and 50W wireless charging speeds get you back up and running in no time.
- Lighter Design: It is significantly lighter making it easier to handle.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset is substantially faster with improved graphics.
- Brighter Display: The 2500 nits brightness is a game-changer for outdoor use.
- Extended Battery Life: Larger 5500 mAh battery means all-day power.
- Future-Proofed Connectivity: Newer WiFi and Bluetooth offer a more advanced connectivity suite.
- Superior Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus 2 is more robust.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Motorola Edge 30 Ultra:
- Older chipset and slightly dimmer display than the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra.
- Heavier reliance on its high-resolution sensor, not raw sensor pixel size for images.
- Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Bulkier and heavier than the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra.
- Slower wired charging than the Motorola, even if the battery is larger.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Motorola Edge 30 Ultra:
- Ideal User: Content creators who need high-resolution images, especially selfies, and value quick charging for their workflow. Also, those who value a more compact, lighter phone.
- Use Case: Great for social media influencers, photographers, or anyone who frequently captures images and videos for work or social media.
- Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Ideal User: Power users, mobile gamers, and anyone who wants the best performance and display. Those who also need a device that will last all day without a recharge.
- Use Case: Perfect for gamers, multi-taskers, or anyone needing a device with a lot of longevity and that performs well in any situation.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are some critical questions to help you choose:
- Do you prioritize all-day battery life and a brighter display, or a lightweight design? If battery and brightness are your primary concerns, go with the Zenfone 11 Ultra. If you prefer a lighter more compact phone, choose the Motorola.
- How important is raw performance for your daily tasks? For most users, both phones will be sufficiently fast, but for those who value the best of the best, the Zenfone 11 Ultra offers a superior experience.
- Do you heavily rely on fast wired charging or do you need wireless charging as well? The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra offers significantly faster wired charging, and also offers faster wireless charging. The Zenfone 11 Ultra offers a slower wired charging, but a larger battery capacity.
Scenario Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The Mobile Gamer: The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the winner for its superior performance, graphics capabilities, enhanced cooling and higher refresh rate, providing a smoother, more immersive gaming experience. The enhanced WiFi will also give an edge in multiplayer games.
- Scenario 2: The Social Media Creator: The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra offers a great camera and is more portable. The faster wireless charging will also be very convenient.
- Scenario 3: The Everyday Power User: The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra with its more advanced software, longer battery life, and brighter display edges out the Motorola here.
Final Verdict
If I had to choose, I'd go with the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. The combination of a more advanced chipset, significantly brighter display for outdoor visibility, enhanced battery life, better connectivity, and a more robust build with a better screen protection wins me over. The Zenfone 11 Ultra isn't just a step up, it’s a leap, ensuring a better experience across the board, particularly in the areas that matter most to me: performance, battery life, and display quality. While the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is a great phone in its own right, the Zenfone 11 Ultra is simply a more powerful and more advanced device overall.
