1. Specifications Comparison
Design & Build
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is slightly larger and thicker, may feel less comfortable in hand for some users. |
| Weight | 189g | 224g | OnePlus 9R is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and pocketable. |
| Build Quality | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.78" | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra provides a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same level of sharpness; visual clarity will be similar. |
| PPI | 402 | 388 | Both have very similar pixel density, difference is barely noticeable. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations. Most users won't perceive a major difference. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is significantly brighter, providing much better visibility in bright sunlight. OnePlus 9R brightness is unknown, which makes it difficult to make a clear comparison. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has a much newer and more powerful chipset, resulting in significantly faster performance for all tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 1,532,000 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is noticeably faster in benchmarks, meaning better responsiveness, gaming, and overall experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 750 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has a more powerful GPU for better graphics performance in games and demanding apps. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Lens | 48MP f/1.7 1/2" Sony IMX586 0.80µm | 50MP f/1.9 1/1.56" Sony IMX890 1.00µm | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has a larger sensor and pixel size, typically resulting in better low-light performance and image quality. OnePlus has a wider aperture but not enough of a difference to overcome the better sensor size |
| Selfie Lens | 16MP f/2.4 1/3.13" Sony IMX471 1.00µm | 32MP f/2.5 1/3.2" Omnivision OV32C 0.70µm | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has higher resolution, while OnePlus 9R has a slightly larger sensor; overall Asus is likely going to take better selfie pictures. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP f/2.4, 0.70µm, sensor model unknown | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers a telephoto zoom capability, which OnePlus 9R lacks, allowing for optical zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 16MP f/2.2 1/3.09" Sony IMX481 1.00µm | 13MP f/2.2, sensor model unknown, 1.12 µm pixel size | OnePlus 9R has higher resolution while Asus has a larger pixel size; image quality will be similar; with OnePlus slightly better in resolution and Asus slightly better in lowlight conditions. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP f/2.4, sensor model unknown, pixel size unknown | None | OnePlus 9R offers a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode effects. Asus uses software instead. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP f/2.4, sensor model unknown, pixel size unknown | None | OnePlus 9R offers a dedicated macro lens for taking very close-up images; Asus doesn't have this feature. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers higher video resolution (8K), better for professional use; both offer good stabilization. |
| DxoMark | N/A | Mobile (125), Photo (131), Video (115) | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra scored 125 on DxoMark, indicating better camera quality. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5500mAh | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has a significantly larger battery, likely offering much longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 65W fast charging | Both support fast charging, meaning similar recharge speeds for both phones. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, 15W wireless, 10W reverse wired | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices, which OnePlus 9R lacks. |
Software
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 10 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 14 (Upgradable to 16) | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has a newer OS and a longer support lifetime. |
Connectivity
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Dual-band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MiMO | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/6E/7, Dual-band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MiMO | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra supports faster and more reliable Wi-Fi 7, better performance in congested environments. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, APT-x, LDAC, AAC | 5.4, AVRCP, HID, LE, OPP, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra supports a newer version of Bluetooth and more profiles, ensuring better device compatibility. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has better and more accurate GPS. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both offer similar SIM capabilities, supporting two nano-SIMs simultaneously. |
Storage
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers larger storage options, better for storing more media. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 12/16 GB | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and app usage. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for additional storage expansion. |
Audio
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers better quality audio, Hi-Res, and improved voice capture with two microphones. OnePlus has Dolby Atmos for some users |
Security
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Features | Basic fingerprint | Basic fingerprint | Both have similar fingerprint sensor tech; secure login and phone unlock |
Sensors
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, Hall | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has more sensors and is able to offer more options in different types of applications |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: Significantly lighter (35g difference) making it more comfortable for prolonged use and carrying.
- Lower Cost: As an older model, the OnePlus 9R will likely be more affordable.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, lacking in Asus.
- Portrait Lens: Dedicated depth sensor, allowing for better software portrait effects.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Much faster processor and GPU for demanding tasks, gaming, and smoother overall experience.
- Significantly Brighter Display: Offers significantly better visibility in bright outdoor conditions, with a large 2500 nits increase.
- Larger Battery: Larger battery capacity for potentially longer battery life and better battery endurance.
- Better Cameras: Overall better camera system with higher resolution main and front cameras, dedicated telephoto lens, and DxoMark scores.
- Wireless Charging: Supports wireless charging, which the OnePlus 9R lacks, and reverse wireless/wired charging.
- Newer Software: Comes with a newer version of Android and better software support.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom.
- Improved Connectivity: Supports faster WiFi 7 and a newer version of Bluetooth, along with a better GPS system.
- Screen Protection: Significantly better screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
- Hi-Res Audio: Higher quality audio with Hi-Res support.
Trade-offs:
- The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is heavier and bulkier than the OnePlus 9R.
- The OnePlus 9R has dedicated macro and depth sensors, which the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra lacks (Asus uses software for the effects).
- The OnePlus 9R is older, meaning likely cheaper, but also may lack new technologies.
- OnePlus 9R's screen brightness is unknown, which may be an issue in bright conditions
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Those looking for a reliable phone at a lower cost.
- Users prioritizing portability: People who prefer a lighter and more pocketable phone.
- Casual photographers: Users who enjoy photography but don't need the highest quality camera system, and appreciate macro and portrait lenses.
- General users: Individuals who don't need the highest performance, but still want a good user experience for day-to-day tasks.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Ideal User:
- Power Users: Individuals who need maximum performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality photos and video and want the flexibility of a telephoto lens.
- Users who need excellent screen visibility: People who use their phones often in bright outdoor conditions.
- Heavy smartphone users: Users who need all-day battery life and features like wireless charging, and are constantly using their phones.
- Users who value new technologies: Users who want the latest connectivity standards (Wi-Fi 7, BT 5.4).
Specific Use Cases:
- OnePlus 9R: Daily social media use, basic gaming, browsing, casual photography, and extended calls.
- Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra: Mobile gaming, video editing, professional photography, GPS-intensive navigation, and extended use throughout the day.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The OnePlus 9R will likely be more affordable, while the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is a premium device.
- How important is performance? The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers substantially better performance for demanding tasks, such as gaming.
- How important is battery life, display, and camera quality? Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has more capacity and features on the camera and the screen, it is significantly brighter.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, General Use: If your budget is a major constraint and you need a phone for basic tasks with occasional photos, the OnePlus 9R is a more economical option.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Camera are Top Priority: If you are a power user or photography enthusiast and need top-tier performance and camera quality, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3: Balanced User: If you need good performance and battery with a solid camera and good screen, then the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the better option.
- Scenario 4: Lightweight and Pocketable: If you want a lighter, smaller and more pocketable option, then the OnePlus 9R is the better option.
Final Decision:
I would choose the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra.
Reasoning: While the OnePlus 9R has the advantage of being lighter and potentially more budget-friendly, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers a vastly superior overall experience. The difference in processing power and GPU is significant, making it a much more future-proof device for demanding tasks. The dramatically brighter display is a practical advantage, especially for outdoor use. While the OnePlus 9R has some features that the Asus doesn't (macro lens) the better camera quality and versatility of the Asus (thanks to the telephoto lens) make it a better choice for me. The larger battery and additional features like wireless charging are also key differentiators that make the Asus a more valuable device. Although it comes with a premium price, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra's performance, camera quality, and battery life make it a worthy investment for anyone who uses their smartphone heavily, and the future-proofing is going to make it a better choice long-term.
