1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.1 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | Similar size, slight difference. Zenfone 11 Ultra is slightly wider and thinner, both are similar in hand feel. |
| Weight | 206g | 224g | Galaxy A02 feels noticeably lighter, better for prolonged use. Zenfone 11 Ultra may feel more substantial. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.78" | Asus has slightly larger screen, providing a more immersive experience for videos and games. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Asus has much sharper display, text and images are crisper, less pixelation noticeable. |
| Pixel Density | 270 ppi | 388 ppi | Asus display is significantly sharper. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Asus has much better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors and potentially better battery life in dark modes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Asus screen appears much smoother, especially during scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Asus display is much more visible outdoors in sunlight; the A02 may struggle in bright conditions. Note, the '0 nits' for A02 is likely a missing spec. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739W (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Asus is dramatically faster, app launch times are quicker and more responsive multitasking. A02 is basic and may stutter at times. |
| AnTuTu Score | 50,774 | 1,532,000 | Asus offers dramatically higher performance, ideal for demanding applications and smooth gameplay. A02 is suitable for basic tasks only. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | Adreno 750 | Asus graphics performance is far superior, ideal for high end gaming and graphic intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | Asus offers a larger battery for potentially longer usage time between charges. |
| Charging | 7.5W fast charging, Li-Ion | 65W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Asus charges much faster, greatly reducing downtime. Li-Polymer are often more durable. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, 15W wireless charging, 10W reverse wired | Asus offers more charging convenience with wireless and reverse charging capabilities. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 13MP, f/1.9, 1.12 µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", Sony IMX890, 1.00 µm pixel size | Asus captures much more detail, better low-light performance. Larger sensor on the Asus also improves image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.0, pixel size unspecified | 32MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2", Omnivision OV32C, 0.70 µm pixel size | Asus captures higher detail selfies, the A02 has a slightly wider aperture which would give a marginal increase to light in dark situations. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.70 µm pixel size | Asus offers optical zoom capabilities, Samsung does not offer this feature, only digital zoom which reduces quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | Asus can capture a wider field of view, useful for group photos and landscapes. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, pixel size unspecified | None | Samsung can take close up macro shots which the Asus cannot. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Asus captures far superior video footage. |
| DXOMark | Not tested | 125 (Mobile), 131 (Photo), 115 (Video) | Asus camera performance is well-regarded. |
| Camera Features | Basic Features | Advanced Features: OIS, Gimbal, RAW | Asus has advanced stabilization and features, offering better creative control for photography and videography. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 11) | Android 14 (upgradable to 16) | Asus is more up-to-date, with the latest features and security updates; Samsung A02 is far out of date. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be | Asus is faster and more reliable for wireless networking, with access to 6GHz band for reduced interference and Wi-Fi 7. |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 LE | 5.4 LE | Asus offers more advanced audio codecs for improved wireless audio quality and more efficient connections, newer version is more secure. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, etc. | Asus is more accurate in location tracking, can be used in a variety of areas that aren't covered by all satellites. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32GB or 64GB | 256GB or 512GB | Asus offers far more storage space, suitable for storing high volumes of photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 2GB, 3GB, or 4GB | 12GB or 16GB | Asus allows for smoother multitasking and faster app switching, the A02 may struggle with running more than a few apps at once. |
| Expandable | No | No | Both have no expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancelling Microphones | Asus offers higher quality sound reproduction, and has clearer voice recording, Dolby Atmos is a good feature but Hi-Res and stereo speaker will outweigh this. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic | Fingerprint sensor | Asus offers biometric security via fingerprint, improving convenience and security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Asus has better screen protection against scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Asus has a more comprehensive suite of sensors enabling more advanced features like compass, AR apps, and gyro-based games. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A02 Advantages:
- Lighter: Significantly lighter (18g difference) makes it comfortable for extended use.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- Wider Selfie Aperture: Slightly wider aperture for better low-light selfies.
Practical Implications: The Samsung Galaxy A02 is ideal for users who prioritize portability, basic photography, and simplicity and a very low cost.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Display: Larger, higher resolution AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate and much higher brightness.
- Significantly Faster Performance: Top-tier processor for demanding apps and games.
- Much Better Cameras: Higher resolution sensors, telephoto and ultrawide lenses, better video capabilities.
- Larger Battery with Fast Charging and Wireless Charging: Longer battery life with much faster charging and the convenience of wireless charging.
- Up-to-date Software: Runs the latest Android OS with future updates.
- Advanced Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth versions.
- More Storage & RAM: Larger internal storage and RAM for enhanced multitasking.
- Enhanced Audio: Superior sound quality with Hi-Res audio, stereo speakers, and noise cancelling microphones.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Enhanced security.
- Better build quality: Better screen protection, gorilla glass victus 2.
- More Sensors: Enhanced gaming and augmented reality capabilities.
Practical Implications:
The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is a premium phone, ideal for users who need a high-performing, high-quality display, and a versatile camera system.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A02 sacrifices performance, display quality, camera features, and battery convenience for a lower price point.
- The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is heavier and lacks a dedicated macro camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A02:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, elderly individuals, or users who only need basic smartphone functionality (calling, texting, browsing).
- Use Cases:
- Primary phone for basic communication.
- Secondary phone for travel or emergencies.
- First smartphone for children.
- Price to Value: The price is the biggest appeal, it does the basics and does them well for a cheap cost.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Ideal User: Power users, photographers, gamers, and those who prioritize media consumption and cutting edge performance.
- Use Cases:
- High-performance mobile gaming.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Demanding app usage.
- Multimedia consumption (video streaming, music, etc.)
- Price to Value: It has cutting edge hardware, and will likely retain value for a long time.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is my budget? The A02 is a basic low-cost phone, while the Zenfone is a premium high-cost model.
- What is my primary use case? Are you a basic user, or a power user?
- How important are camera quality, display quality, and gaming performance to me? The A02 is lacking in all these areas compared to the Zenfone.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-constrained user: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A02. It fulfills basic needs at an incredibly low price.
- User needing a reliable daily phone for basic communication and browsing: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A02, it is simple and easy to use.
- User seeking the best performance and camera: Choose the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. It excels in all aspects of performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
- User who is a mobile gamer or content creator: Choose the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. The screen and processing power will help with gaming, and the camera capabilities with content creation.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra.
Reasons:
- Future-Proofing: The cutting edge processor, RAM, storage, and software support of the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra make it far more future-proof. I wouldn't have to replace it for years. The Samsung Galaxy A02 would likely become unusable far sooner with age.
- Versatility: The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra excels in every use case, from professional photography and gaming to multimedia consumption and everyday tasks. The Samsung Galaxy A02 is too limited for my use.
- Overall Experience: The dramatically better display and audio experience, coupled with the fast charging, wireless charging, and enhanced security, provides a much more enjoyable user experience.
- Photography: I prioritize good cameras, and the difference between the two devices here is massive. The Asus would allow me to take high quality photos.
While the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is much more expensive, the overall value, experience, and longevity it provides would outweigh the low cost of the Samsung Galaxy A02 for my needs and uses. I would much rather invest more money into a premium phone that will last longer.
