Okay, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Motorola Moto G31 and the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. It's a classic David vs. Goliath matchup, and I'm here to break down what each brings to the table for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Here's a detailed table comparing the key specs:
| Feature | Motorola Moto G31 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.9 × 73.9 × 8.6 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | The Zenfone is slightly larger and thicker; might feel bulkier in the pocket or hand, but it also gives you a larger screen experience |
| Weight | 181g | 224g | The Moto G31 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for long sessions of use |
| Build | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Asus provides more scratch and drop protection with its screen, the Motorola build quality is unknown |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.78" | The Zenfone offers a more immersive viewing experience due to its larger screen |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer a Full HD+ viewing experience; Sharpness is similar across both devices, with a minor advantage to the Motorola due to a slightly higher PPI |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 411 | 388 | Moto G31 is slightly sharper due to higher pixel density |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use the same OLED technology resulting in vibrant colors, and deep blacks |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Zenfone is dramatically smoother, especially for gaming and scrolling through social media; The Moto G31 will feel choppy in comparison |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Zenfone has significantly better outdoor visibility, even in bright sunlight; the lack of information on the brightness of the Moto G31 is worrying |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G85 (12nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) | The Zenfone offers substantially faster processing power for everything from app launches to heavy gaming; The Moto G31 will struggle in comparison |
| Antutu Score | 225,154 | 1,532,000 | This is night and day; the Zenfone is much, much faster and more responsive across the board. You'll notice it in every single app |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 750 | The Zenfone’s GPU is far superior for graphically intensive games, giving you a much better gameplay experience |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", 1.00µm | Zenfone has a larger sensor which should lead to better image quality, especially in low light, with larger pixels. Moto G31 has slightly wider aperture |
| Selfie Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 32MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2", 0.70µm | The Zenfone has much higher resolution for more detailed selfies, but has a smaller sensor, slightly smaller pixels, and narrower aperture |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.70µm | Only the Zenfone offers optical zoom capability via dedicated telephoto lens |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | The Zenfone has a higher resolution wide-angle lens for more detail and captures slightly wider shots due to the 13mp sensor. Moto G31 has slightly wider aperture |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | None | Only the Moto G31 provides a dedicated macro camera |
| Video | 1080p@30fps; No stabilization | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, EIS | The Zenfone offers much better video quality and significantly more stabilization, including 8k resolution |
| DXOMARK | Not Tested | Mobile: 125, Photo: 131, Video: 115 | Zenfone's tested score indicates a good, although not flagship level, camera system; Moto G31 hasn't been tested |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | The Zenfone has a slightly larger battery; This results in longer uptime in between charging cycles. The difference is not huge but should translate to a few more hours of use. |
| Charging | 10W | 65W fast charging, 15W wireless, 10W reverse | Zenfone charges much faster and also adds wireless charging and reverse charging; Motorola takes a lot of time to charge. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | The Zenfone offers a much newer, more feature-rich, and more secure OS; The OS on the Moto G31 is old and may not receive many more updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 7 (802.11be) | Zenfone supports faster, more reliable WiFi with more advanced standards; The Moto G31 lacks modern Wifi support. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.4 LE, APT-x, LDAC | The Zenfone has a newer Bluetooth version and support for high quality audio codecs; the Moto G31 lacks modern codecs |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The Zenfone has more GPS systems leading to improved location accuracy; The Moto G31 has limited modern location features |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 256GB/512GB | The Zenfone offers much more storage space for all your media and apps, especially on the 512GB model, and the base model offers more than the Moto G31 |
| RAM | 4GB | 12GB/16GB | The Zenfone has substantially more RAM for smoother multitasking, better app performance, and for keeping more applications cached |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports microSD card for storage expansion |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 mics | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancelling mic | Zenfone has higher quality audio with stereo speakers and a more advanced microphone; The Moto G31 offers an interesting audio profile with Dolby Atmos but lacks clarity |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | The Moto G31 has a more advanced fingerprint scanner than the Zenfone, but the effectiveness is unknown |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, Proximity, Fingerprint | Zenfone has slightly more sensors leading to additional usage possibilities in gaming and specific use cases; the Moto G31 lacks modern sensors |
2. Key Insights
- Motorola Moto G31:
- Strengths: The G31 is all about budget-friendliness. It’s lightweight, has a decent OLED screen, and a reliable battery. It also has a macro lens, which the Asus device doesn't. It also has a more advanced fingerprint scanner compared to the Zenfone 11 Ultra.
- Limitations: The performance is limited, the charging is slow, and the camera isn't its strongest point. It's also running on older software, making it less future-proof.
- Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Strengths: The Zenfone 11 Ultra is a performance powerhouse. It features a large, high-refresh-rate screen, a top-of-the-line processor, a versatile camera system (including telephoto zoom), and incredibly fast charging. It also offers modern connectivity and audio options and is running the latest Android OS.
- Limitations: It's bigger, heavier, and likely significantly more expensive.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Motorola Moto G31: This phone is best for budget-conscious users who prioritize basic smartphone functionality, a good-looking OLED screen, and long battery life for things like browsing, social media, and basic tasks. It's an option for those who prefer a lighter and more compact device, although both phones are pretty similar in terms of dimensions. It also works well as a basic phone or a secondary phone.
- Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra: This phone is perfect for users who want top-tier performance, excellent gaming capabilities, a premium display, and a robust camera system. It’s ideal for power users, mobile gamers, and content creators, or people who value cutting edge features. However, its bulk and higher price make it a more premium choice and less suitable for the price conscious buyer.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to ask yourself:
- What is my budget? If budget is a strict constraint, the Moto G31 is the more affordable option, with the Zenfone likely costing significantly more.
- What do I prioritize most? If you need raw speed and top features, the Zenfone wins. If you're looking for a decent, basic phone on a tight budget, the Moto G31 is a more reasonable consideration.
- How important are media and performance? If you play a lot of games, or want a great camera and media experience, the Zenfone 11 Ultra is the better choice. If you are happy with older technologies and basic tasks, the Moto G31 will suffice.
Scenario-based recommendations:
- The Casual User: If you just need a phone for browsing, social media, and light tasks, and you’re on a budget, the Moto G31 is a practical choice. It handles daily usage, offers a good screen, and is lightweight.
- The Power User: The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the clear winner if you are a power user who values performance, gaming, and high-end features. It delivers an exceptional experience across the board.
- The Photographer: The Zenfone 11 Ultra is the superior choice here due to the inclusion of telephoto lens and more advanced video capabilities. The Moto G31 only has the advantage of the macro lens.
Final Choice:
If I were making a personal choice, I would unequivocally choose the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. Here’s why:
As a tech journalist and analyst, I appreciate the cutting edge technology and the performance that the Zenfone 11 Ultra provides. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, combined with a high refresh rate screen and modern connectivity options, offers a significantly more responsive and future-proof experience.
While the Moto G31 is budget-friendly, its aging hardware, limited camera capabilities, and slow charging hold it back considerably. The Zenfone 11 Ultra, on the other hand, gives me access to high quality photos, great gaming performance, and a buttery smooth operating system. I also prefer a larger phone, which fits with the preference for the Asus device. In short, I value the premium experience and cutting edge technology, and I would pay the extra cost for it.
