Okay, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the OnePlus 10 Pro and the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. As a tech journalist, I'm keen to dissect these two devices and lay out the practical implications of their differences for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | OnePlus 10 Pro | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-01-13 | 2024-04-14 | The Zenfone is significantly newer, meaning it incorporates more recent technologies. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are traditional smartphones, no folding mechanisms here. |
| Dimensions | 163 × 73.9 × 8.6 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | The Zenfone is slightly wider and thicker, which might impact one-handed usability and pocketability. |
| Weight | 201g | 224g | The OnePlus is noticeably lighter, potentially more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Both are large screens, with a negligible 0.08" difference. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1080x2400 | The OnePlus offers a significantly sharper display with higher pixel density, better for detail-oriented viewing and text clarity. |
| PPI | 525 | 388 | The OnePlus screen will appear crisper and more detailed due to the higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | The Zenfone's AMOLED panel offers deeper blacks, higher contrast, and more vibrant colors, plus better battery efficiency with dark modes. | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | The Zenfone has a slightly smoother display experience for fast animations and gaming due to its higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2500 nits | The Zenfone's dramatically higher brightness will make it much easier to use outdoors, especially in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | The Zenfone's newer chip offers significantly faster processing, better AI capabilities, and is more power-efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 900,491 | 1,532,000 | The Zenfone will provide a much more fluid experience, with faster app loading, improved multitasking, and better performance in demanding games. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 750 | The Zenfone has a newer, more powerful GPU, enhancing gaming and graphics-intensive applications. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | The Zenfone’s larger battery should translate to longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 80W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | The OnePlus charges faster, reducing downtime for charging sessions. |
| Features | 50W Wireless, Reverse, Reverse Wireless | 15W Wireless, 10W reverse wired | The OnePlus offers more advanced wireless charging features, whereas the Zenfone offers basic wireless and wired reverse charging capabilities. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP f/1.8, 1/1.43" | 50MP f/1.9, 1/1.56" | Both take great photos, with OnePlus offering a slightly larger sensor and wider aperture for better low-light performance, and Zenfone a higher resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.0, 1/2.74" | 32MP f/2.5, 1/3.2" | OnePlus has wider aperture and a larger sensor, potentially better for low-light selfies and portrait shots. |
| Telephoto | 8MP f/2.4, 1/4.4" | 32MP f/2.4 | The Zenfone's telephoto lens has dramatically higher resolution, potentially producing better zoomed images. |
| Wide-Angle | 50MP f/2.2, 1/2.76" | 13MP f/2.2, 1/2.76" | OnePlus has a significantly higher resolution wide-angle camera, allowing for more detailed wide shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both record up to 8K video, providing high quality video capabilities. |
| DxOMark | 122 Main, 124 Photo, 119 Video | 125 Main, 131 Photo, 115 Video | The Zenfone performs better in overall image quality and is a better photo taker, while the OnePlus has better video performance. |
| Features | OIS, EIS, Laser AF, Digital Zoom, Optical Zoom, Night Mode, RAW 12 bits, etc. | OIS, EIS, Gimbal, Digital Zoom, PDAF Omnidericional, RAW, etc. | Both offer professional-grade video recording, OnePlus has better optical capabilities whereas Asus features a gimbal for better image stabilization. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (up to 14) | Android 14 (up to 16) | The Zenfone has a newer version of Android, ensuring better software support, features and security for the long run. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wifi | Wi-Fi 7, etc | Wi-Fi 7, etc | Both support the latest WiFi standards, ensuring fast and reliable connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2, etc | Bluetooth 5.4, etc | The Zenfone offers a more modern Bluetooth version which might provide better connection stability. |
| GPS | Several systems supported | Additional systems supported | The Zenfone supports additional satellite systems for better accuracy in location services. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 256GB, 512GB | Both offer plenty of storage, however, the OnePlus is available in a 128GB configration, while Zenfone does not. |
| RAM | 8GB, 12GB | 12GB, 16GB | The Zenfone offers more RAM, potentially offering better multitasking performance for heavy users. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone provides an expandable storage option, so users will need to choose their desired storage option wisely. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, 3 Mics | Hi-Res Audio, 2 Mics | The OnePlus has better audio features for calls and multimedia, while the Zenfone offers Hi-Res for superior playback quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both phones have basic fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | The Zenfone has a slightly newer Gorilla Glass iteration for better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, RGB | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, Hall | Both have a comprehensive sensor suite, however, the Asus has some additional ones for gaming and advanced functions. |
2. Key Insights
OnePlus 10 Pro:
- Strengths: The OnePlus 10 Pro offers a sharper display, better camera performance (Main, Selfie, Wide-Angle, and Video), faster charging, and more comprehensive audio features, along with a lighter body.
- Competitive Advantages: Its higher resolution display is noticeably crisper and more detailed. Also, the camera capabilities are great and suited for most scenarios. It offers a more mature video experience with Optical Zoom and Optical Stabilization.
- Trade-offs: It uses an older chipset, offers lower overall performance scores, has a smaller battery, and a lower max brightness.
- Limitations: The older chipset and lower RAM will be limiting for intensive users, and the lack of expandable storage might be a concern for those dealing with high media volumes.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Strengths: The Zenfone 11 Ultra boasts a significantly faster chipset, a smoother display with higher refresh rates and brightness, a larger battery, more RAM, and a more modern software experience. It has a more advanced telephoto lens, and better photo performance, and support for additional location systems.
- Competitive Advantages: The newer chip and high RAM mean it will feel incredibly snappy for any use case. The brighter screen makes it ideal for outdoor use.
- Trade-offs: It's heavier and bulkier, has lower resolution and pixel density compared to the OnePlus display, and slower charging speeds.
- Limitations: The larger size might not be for everyone, and the video performance isn't as powerful as the OnePlus.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
OnePlus 10 Pro:
- Ideal For: Users who prioritize display clarity, camera quality and performance for general use, and faster charging times.
- Use Cases: Media consumption, photography enthusiasts, users who enjoy a lighter smartphone.
- Recommendation: This is the phone for someone who wants a more balanced experience at a more affordable cost while ensuring a premium feel, and who appreciates a great camera setup.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Ideal For: Power users who demand top-tier performance, need long battery life, and require a bright screen for outdoor visibility.
- Use Cases: Heavy gaming, multitasking, professional photographers who need a great photo performance in a smartphone, and users who need good performance and responsiveness.
- Recommendation: This phone is tailored for tech enthusiasts who want raw performance, battery life, and an all-around powerful experience, and don't mind the extra weight and bulk.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Performance vs. Camera: Do you prioritize raw performance and a bright display, or a superior camera and sharper display? If the former, the Zenfone is for you, and if the latter, the OnePlus is the way to go.
- Battery Life vs. Charging Speed: Do you need all-day battery life with less frequent charges, or faster charging to minimize downtime? Zenfone for battery life, OnePlus for faster charging.
- Weight and Size vs. Technology: Do you prefer a lighter, more compact design, or do you prioritize the latest tech and don't mind the extra bulk? OnePlus for the former, Zenfone for the latter.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Gamer: If you are a hardcore gamer, the Zenfone 11 Ultra's superior processing power, higher refresh rate, additional sensors and larger RAM make it the better choice.
- The Photographer: If you frequently take pictures and edit on your phone, the OnePlus 10 Pro is a better option, although the Zenfone shines in the photo department, and includes more modern camera features.
- The Outdoor User: If you're often outdoors in bright sunlight, the Zenfone 11 Ultra's higher screen brightness is a clear advantage.
- The Everyday User: For the average user looking for a reliable, well-rounded smartphone, the OnePlus 10 Pro offers a balanced package. However, if the performance is a requirement for you, the Zenfone might be a better option.
My Choice
If I were picking between these two, I would choose the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. As a tech journalist, I tend to be on my phone a lot, and the combination of the cutting-edge processor, larger battery, and brighter screen would be invaluable for my daily work and travel. The slight trade-off in display resolution and weight is worth it to me for the superior performance, photo performance and battery life.
That being said, for someone with different priorities like better camera performance in video mode, a sharper display, and a more compact device, the OnePlus 10 Pro is a great choice, especially if price is a concern.
