1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | Asus is slightly larger; might feel bulkier in hand and pocket. |
| Weight | 197g | 224g | OnePlus is noticeably lighter; more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build Material | Not specified | Not specified | Impact on overall feel, durability, and aesthetics. Further info needed to determine implications |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Negligible difference in screen real estate; both are large. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1080x2400 | OnePlus has sharper text and images; better for detailed content viewing. |
| PPI | 525 | 388 | OnePlus has noticeably higher pixel density; resulting in a sharper image. |
| Technology | Not Specified | AMOLED | Asus offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, better power efficiency with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Asus provides slightly smoother animations, especially noticeable in fast-paced content and gaming. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2500 nits | Asus is much better for outdoor use in bright sunlight, ensuring screen visibility. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Asus provides superior scratch and drop protection. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Asus offers significantly faster processing and better power efficiency; smoother performance in demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 1,532,000 | Asus provides superior overall performance; faster app loading, smoother multitasking, better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 750 | Asus provides better graphics rendering; smoother gameplay with higher frame rates, better graphics for demanding applications. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5500mAh | Asus is likely to last significantly longer on a single charge, providing a full day of use even with heavy usage. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 65W fast charging | Both phones can charge rapidly, minimizing downtime. |
| Other Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 50W, REverse wireless charging | 15W wireless charging, 10W reverse wired | OnePlus offers faster wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, while Asus includes wired reverse charging |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43" sensor | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56" sensor | Similar quality, but OnePlus's larger sensor might capture slightly more light in low-light; Both offer great image quality, but will differ in specific performance depending on environment |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" sensor | 32MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2" sensor | Asus has higher resolution, but OnePlus has a wider aperture for slightly better low light, Both offer good quality for selfies |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" sensor | 32MP, f/2.4 | Asus has a significantly higher resolution, better zoom capabilities, leading to more detail in zoomed-in photos. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" sensor | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | OnePlus has much higher resolution, better quality for ultrawide shots. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not included | OnePlus has a dedicated black and white sensor for artistic shots with good light |
| Video Recording | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | Both phones provide similar video capabilities, but OnePlus offers higher frame rate in 4K. Both offer high quality, stabilized video recording |
| DxOMark Score | Main: 122, Photo: 124, Video: 118 | Main: 125, Photo: 131, Video: 115 | Asus has better photo score but slightly lower video performance. Differences are marginal for most casual users. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple Camera, Optical Zoom, Laser AF, Night Mode | Triple Camera, Gimbal, PDAF Omnidericional | OnePlus provides greater flexibility with its versatile setup; Asus offers additional stabilization through gimbal and omnidirectional autofocus. |
Other Features
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 14) | Android 14 (Upgradable to 16) | Asus offers a more modern operating system and potentially longer software support, which can provide performance and features improvements. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Asus has superior Wi-Fi speeds, better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 | Asus has slightly newer version, offering slightly faster speeds and reduced power usage |
| GPS | Multiple systems (L1+L5) | Multiple systems (L1+L5), QZSS, NavIC | Asus provides slightly more accurate positioning for navigation. |
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | Asus offers larger storage options for storing media and apps. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 12/16 GB | Asus can handle more apps running in the background, improving multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both phones do not have the ability to add external storage. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, 3 Microphones | Hi-Res Audio, 2 Microphones | OnePlus provides enhanced spatial audio and better voice capture; Asus provides Hi-Res audio. Differences are subjective |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic biometric security; both phones have similar functionality. |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Asus provides superior scratch and drop protection. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Hall | Asus has an additional Hall Sensor for added functionalities such as smart covers |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Lighter and more compact: Easier to handle and carry.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density for detailed viewing.
- More versatile main camera, and wider angle lens: More versatile camera options with higher resolution and light sensitivity
- Faster Wireless Charging Offers much faster wireless charging options.
- Dolby Atmos and 3 Microphones Providing more immersive audio experience.
Practical Implications: The OnePlus 9 Pro is more comfortable for prolonged use, great for those who value display clarity, better for artistic photography, and convenient wireless charging.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Advantages:
- Significantly better performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset offers far superior processing power.
- Longer Battery Life: The larger battery will last longer, suitable for heavy users.
- Superior Display Technology: AMOLED screen offers vibrant colors and deep blacks.
- Brighter Screen: Much better visibility in bright sunlight.
- Significantly better Telephoto Lens Superior zoom capabilities and resolution.
- Latest OS: Comes with a newer version of Android and will receive updates for a longer period of time.
- Better Connectivity: Faster Wi-Fi and newer Bluetooth technology for enhanced speed and connection stability
- Higher base storage options: For those who need more space to store files.
- More RAM Better multitasking capabilities, allowing user to run more demanding applications
- Advanced stabilization and focusing: The Gimbal and PDAF omnidericional system provide better and more versatile focusing capabilities.
Practical Implications: The Asus is ideal for power users, gamers, and people who frequently use their phones in bright conditions. It also provides a better video experience and better connectivity.
Significant Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 Pro: The older chipset is a significant disadvantage compared to the Asus, and the battery life is not as good.
- Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra: The larger size and weight might be less comfortable for some users and it has lower PPI.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro Ideal Users:
- Users who prefer a lightweight phone.
- Users who prioritize display sharpness and detail.
- Users who want fast wireless charging.
- Casual photographers
- Users who value immersive audio experience.
Specific Use Cases:
- Social media browsing, content consumption, artistic photography, podcasts, e-books, and other activities where long holding times might occur.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Ideal Users:
- Gamers: The powerful chipset and high refresh rate make it ideal for gaming.
- Power Users: Those who demand the best performance and battery life.
- Outdoor users: The screen brightness is excellent for sunny conditions.
- Users who want the latest features: Newer software, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards.
- Users who prioritize taking photos zoomed-in.
- Users who prioritize video quality
Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming, video editing, GPS Navigation, outdoor photography/videography, streaming movies on the go, and heavy multitasking
Price-to-Value Ratio
- It is important to check the current market prices as the OnePlus 9 Pro is an older model and may be available at a lower price, while the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra will be more expensive. Depending on the price difference, the Asus might offer a significantly better performance for the added cost.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance vs Portability: Do you need top-tier performance for gaming and heavy tasks, or is a lighter, more comfortable phone a higher priority?
- Display Quality Priorities: Do you prefer a sharper display with higher resolution, or a brighter AMOLED screen with better contrast?
- Battery Life Needs: Do you need the absolute longest battery life for all-day use, or is a full day of use sufficient for you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer: If your priority is mobile gaming and performance, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the clear choice.
- Scenario 2: Casual User on a Budget: If you primarily use your phone for social media, web browsing, and casual photography, and are on a budget the OnePlus 9 Pro may be adequate and more affordable.
- Scenario 3: Outdoor Photography Enthusiast: If you regularly take photos and videos outdoors in a variety of lighting conditions the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra would be a better choice due to its superior performance and screen.
- Scenario 4: All-Day Heavy User: If you're constantly using your phone for work, communication, or multimedia, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra with its extended battery life will be more convenient.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. While the OnePlus 9 Pro has a more comfortable weight and sharper display, the vast performance advantage of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is too significant to ignore. The difference in the Antutu scores (877,600 vs 1,532,000) indicates a major leap in processing power, which translates to a smoother, more responsive user experience in daily use, and especially while gaming or performing demanding tasks.
I also appreciate the larger battery which provides more confidence that I can use the phone for a whole day without needing to charge. The superior AMOLED screen with its higher brightness will be more practical in real-world scenarios. While I may have to deal with a slightly larger phone, the benefits of performance, battery life and a modern experience with the most recent software make the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra a more compelling choice for a daily driver, despite the fact that the OnePlus 9 Pro may be available at a better price.
