1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | The Asus is slightly larger and thicker, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use and smaller pockets, while the OnePlus 9 is more compact. |
| Weight | 192g | 224g | The OnePlus 9 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended holding. The Asus, being heavier, can feel more substantial but may cause fatigue over time. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.78" | The Asus offers a slightly larger screen, which is better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking, though the difference is not drastic. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both phones have the same sharpness, ensuring crisp visuals. |
| Pixel Density | 402 PPI | 388 PPI | Both phones offer a sharp display. The slightly higher PPI on the OnePlus 9 has negligible real-world difference. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast ratios. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | The Asus has a higher refresh rate, offering slightly smoother scrolling and animations, although the difference may not be perceptible to all users. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2500 nits | The Asus is significantly brighter, offering much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. The OnePlus 9 will struggle in direct sun. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Asus has a newer and significantly more powerful processor, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 1,532,000 | The Asus scores significantly higher, indicating much better overall performance. The difference is substantial. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 750 | The Asus has a newer GPU, providing better graphics performance in games and other demanding tasks. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5500mAh | The Asus has a significantly larger battery, likely resulting in longer battery life, especially during demanding tasks. The difference is significant. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Both phones charge quickly. |
| Features | 15W Wireless Charging | 15W Wireless Charging, 10W Reverse Wired | The Asus offers reverse wired charging, allowing it to charge other devices. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | Marginal difference in detail capture. |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.9 | OnePlus 9 has a slightly wider aperture, which is marginally better in low light. |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.4" | 1/1.56" | The OnePlus 9 has a larger sensor which can capture more light for better low light images. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 32MP | The Asus captures more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.4 | f/2.5 | OnePlus 9 has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.13" | 1/3.2" | OnePlus 9 has a slightly larger sensor for better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 32MP | The Asus offers optical zoom capabilities, which the OnePlus 9 lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens Resolution | 50MP | 13MP | OnePlus 9 has a higher resolution wide-angle lens, leading to more detailed ultra-wide shots. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP | No | OnePlus 9 has dedicated black and white sensor for stylistic monochrome images. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both support high-resolution video recording, though the Asus's slightly lower framerate at 8k is not very relevant. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | Asus offers superior video stabilization via its implementation, ensuring smoother and more stable footage. |
| DxOMark Score | Not Available | Mobile: 125 (Photo: 131, Video: 115) | The Asus has a tested camera score indicating good photo and video quality. The OnePlus 9 doesn't have available testing results. |
| Camera Features | Ultra stable video, Manual focus, Contrast detection autofocus (CDAF), Night Mode, RAW 12 bits | Optical Stabilization (OIS), Gimbal, Continuous autofocus, PDAF Omnidericional, RAW | Both offer advanced camera features. Asus offers gimbal stabilization, and Optical Stabilization, while the OnePlus 9 offers more manual modes and dedicated Night Mode |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- More compact and lighter design: Easier to handle and carry.
- Slightly better low-light performance on standard and selfie cameras: Larger sensor and wider aperture (marginally).
- Higher resolution on wide-angle lens: Captures more detail in ultra-wide shots.
- Dedicated black and white sensor: Provides stylistic monochrome images.
- Dolby Atmos and 3 microphones Offers enhanced spatial audio, clearer calls, better audio separation and immersion, better voice capture.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Advantages:
- Significantly more powerful processor: Offers faster performance for all tasks.
- Significantly higher AnTuTu score: Demonstrates its superior performance.
- Much brighter display: Better visibility in bright sunlight.
- Significantly larger battery: Longer battery life.
- Optical zoom via Telephoto lens: Better for zoomed images
- Optical Image Stabilization and Gimbal Stabilization: Superior video stabilization compared to the OnePlus 9, resulting in smoother, more professional-looking video footage.
- Reverse wired charging: Can charge other devices.
- Newer WiFi standard (WiFi 7) Faster speeds, lower latency, better performance in crowded networks, access to 6GHz band, reduced interference
- More RAM: Improved multitasking performance.
- More Storage Options: Larger storage options available (512gb)
- More advanced GPS: Better location accuracy.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 offers better protection against scratches and drops.
- More advanced Bluetooth: newer Bluetooth version with more features.
Trade-offs:
- The OnePlus 9 trades processing power, screen brightness, and battery life for a more compact and slightly better low-light camera.
- The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra prioritizes performance, display quality, battery, and telephoto capabilities at the cost of being bulkier and a slightly less detailed ultrawide camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a compact and lightweight phone.
- Users who take casual pictures and do not prioritize telephoto capabilities, but do appreciate a good ultrawide and low light results from the primary camera.
- Users who prefer a simpler user experience, and are less focused on raw performance.
Specific Use Cases for OnePlus 9:
- Everyday use for casual browsing, social media, and communication.
- Good for users who value one-handed usability
- Users who enjoy audio with Dolby Atmos.
- Casual photography with a focus on ultrawide shots and some low light situations.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Ideal User:
- Users who need top-tier performance for gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Users who prioritize a bright display for outdoor use.
- Users who need long battery life.
- Users who want a versatile camera system with optical zoom, good stabilization and RAW output capabilities.
- Users who value having more storage options.
- Users who want cutting edge connectivity options.
Specific Use Cases for Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Mobile gamers who demand maximum performance.
- Users who need a device for heavy professional use.
- Users who frequently use their phone outdoors, in direct sunlight.
- Users who want great photos and videos from many focal lengths.
- Users who value cutting edge technology and specifications.
Price-to-Value Ratio: The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is a newer phone, and is expected to cost more than the OnePlus 9. However, given the specifications provided, the Asus likely offers better value for power users, since the overall gains in battery, processing power, and telephoto capabilities likely justify the price increase for its target demographic.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your priority? Is it top-tier performance and a bright display, or a more compact and lighter device with a slightly better ultrawide camera?
- How important is battery life? Do you need a phone that can easily last all day or are you okay with charging during the day?
- What kind of photography and videography do you do? Do you need a versatile zoom capability with OIS, or do you prefer a simpler setup with a higher resolution ultrawide lens and a dedicated black & white camera?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Power User: If you're a gamer or need the fastest possible performance and longest battery life, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Casual User: If you prioritize one-handed usability, value a slightly better ultrawide camera, and don't mind the limitations in performance and brightness, the OnePlus 9 is acceptable, especially if it is significantly cheaper.
- Scenario 3: Photography Focus: If you need OIS, and a dedicated telephoto lens for zoom capabilities, then the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the obvious choice. If you value ultrawide performance, and dedicated black & white shots, then the OnePlus 9 is acceptable.
My Choice and Why
Based on the specifications, I would choose the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. My reasoning is as follows:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a massive leap over the Snapdragon 888, which is essential for demanding applications and future-proofing.
- Battery Life: The much larger battery capacity will provide significantly longer endurance, a practical benefit for heavy usage.
- Display: The brighter screen of the Asus is a huge benefit for everyday use in varying lighting conditions, providing superior readability even in direct sunlight.
- Camera: While the ultrawide lens on the OnePlus 9 has higher resolution, the versatility of having a dedicated telephoto lens, combined with OIS and gimbal stabilization of the Asus is more useful for a variety of shooting scenarios.
- Connectivity: Newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards on the Asus provide a more modern experience.
- Future Proofing: The newer chipset, OS, and connectivity standards on the Asus make it more relevant in the coming years.
While I do appreciate the lighter design of the OnePlus 9 and the slight benefits it has with its ultrawide lens and dedicated black and white sensor, the superior performance, display quality, battery life, and telephoto camera make the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra the more compelling option for my needs. The gains in these areas far outweigh the advantages offered by the OnePlus 9 for my usage patterns.
