1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | Zenfone 11 Ultra is larger and may feel less comfortable in one hand; A52 5G is more compact. |
| Weight | 189g | 224g | A52 5G is significantly lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use, while the Zenfone 11 Ultra is heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.78" | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers slightly more screen real estate for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same sharpness, suitable for everyday tasks. |
| PPI | 407 | 388 | Both offer similar pixel density, so text and images will appear sharp on both displays. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both displays provide vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience for gaming and UI. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers dramatically better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers significantly faster processing, better gaming performance, and more future-proof. |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 1,532,000 | Zenfone 11 Ultra is significantly faster in benchmarks, translating to faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 750 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a more powerful GPU, offering better gaming performance and graphics rendering. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5500mAh | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a much larger battery, likely providing significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 65W fast charging | Zenfone 11 Ultra charges much faster, reducing time spent plugged into a wall. |
| Features | Non-removable, QC2.0 and AFC. | Non-removable, 15W wireless charging, 10W reverse wired | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers more charging flexibility with wireless and reverse wired options. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear (Main) | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX682, 0.8µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", Sony IMX890, 1.0µm pixel size | Zenfone 11 Ultra has larger sensor and pixel size, potentially better low-light performance, despite lower resolution. |
| Selfie | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX616, 0.8µm pixel size | 32MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2", Omnivision OV32C, 0.70µm pixel size | A52 5G has slightly wider aperture and larger sensor for selfie photography. |
| Telephoto | None | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.70µm pixel size | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers telephoto zoom capabilities for detailed close-ups, which is absent in A52 5G. |
| Wide Angle | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", Samsung S5K3L6, 1.12µm pixel size | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixel size | Both phones offer comparable wide-angle lens cameras. |
| Depth | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm pixel size | None | A52 5G has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photography. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm pixel size | None | A52 5G has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps with EIS | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@120fps with HDR, EIS | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers superior video recording with higher resolution, frame rates, HDR and better slow motion. |
| DXOMark | Not Tested | Overall:125, Photo:131, Video:115 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a tested and rated camera, not available for A52 5G. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 (upgradable to 16) | Zenfone 11 Ultra runs on a newer Android version and will likely receive more software updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers significantly faster and more reliable WiFi with newer standards. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.4 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has the latest Bluetooth, offering faster speeds and more efficient power use. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, NavIC System | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers more precise location tracking with more satellite system support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256 GB | 256GB or 512GB | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers higher internal storage options, which is beneficial for users with large media libraries. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 12GB or 16GB | Zenfone 11 Ultra has significantly more RAM, which is better for multitasking and heavy applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers the option to expand storage with a microSD card. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 mic, Noise cancellation | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers potentially higher quality audio playback and clearer calls, especially during gaming. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both provide basic biometric security. |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Zenfone 11 Ultra provides better screen scratch resistance and impact protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Zenfone 11 Ultra is better suited to gaming and navigation due to its additional sensors. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: The A52 5G is significantly lighter (35g) and smaller, making it more comfortable to hold and use for extended periods.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Camera: Offers dedicated lenses for macro and portrait photography.
- Slightly wider aperture and larger sensor for selfies: Better low light performance for selfies
- More affordable: Generally older phone that is more readily available at cheaper prices
- Headphone Jack: Allows for the usage of wired headphones without adapter.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers dramatically faster performance in all aspects, making it more responsive and future-proof.
- Significantly Brighter Display: With 2500 nits of brightness, the Zenfone 11 Ultra is much more visible in direct sunlight.
- Larger Battery and Faster Charging: Offers a larger battery and faster charging, providing longer use time and less downtime.
- Advanced Telephoto Lens: Provides optical zoom capabilities for better close-up photos.
- Newer Technology: Supports newer WiFi and Bluetooth versions, improving connectivity speeds and efficiency.
- Significantly better video recording: Supports 8K video and better slow-motion video recording.
- Better Overall Camera Performance: Has a higher DxOMark score for photo and video.
- More RAM: Significantly more RAM allowing for smoother multitasking.
- Better Build Quality Superior glass protection and overall build materials.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The A52 5G sacrifices raw performance and display brightness for a more compact and lighter design.
- The Zenfone 11 Ultra is considerably larger and heavier, which might be uncomfortable for some users. It also lacks a dedicated macro and depth camera, opting for a telephoto lens instead.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G - Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious User: Someone who values affordability, and still wants a decent mid range phone.
- Comfort-Oriented User: Prefers a lighter, more compact phone for comfortable, one-handed use and portability.
- Casual Photographer: Users who appreciate having specific macro and depth lenses for photography.
- Users who do not need the latest and greatest: Users who don't require top tier performance
Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing, social media, and communication.
- Basic photography and video recording.
- Users looking for a second phone, or an affordable alternative.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra - Ideal User:
- Power User/Enthusiast: Someone who demands top-tier performance, excellent gaming, and multitasking capabilities.
- Media Consumer: Users who frequently watch videos, play games, and need a bright, vivid display.
- Traveler/Outdoor User: Those who need excellent sunlight visibility and longer battery life.
- Serious Mobile Photographer/Videographer: Users who require telephoto zoom, advanced video capabilities, and the best image quality.
Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming and heavy application use.
- Professional mobile photography and videography.
- Long hours of media consumption and multitasking on the go.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The A52 5G is more affordable while the Zenfone 11 Ultra is a premium phone.
- How important is size and weight? Do you prioritize portability, or are you okay with a larger phone?
- What is more important to me: camera flexibility or raw performance? Do you need a macro lens, or a top performing chipset?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget and Comfort: If you need an affordable and lightweight phone for everyday use, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is suitable.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Multimedia: If you prioritize the best possible performance, gaming experience, and video quality, and you need a phone with excellent sunlight readability and battery life, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Casual Use: If you just want a well rounded phone, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G will suffice, while being easier on the wallet.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would go with the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. While the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is more compact and offers a decent experience, the Zenfone 11 Ultra’s strengths in performance, battery life, display brightness, camera technology, and build quality are much more valuable for my needs. I often find myself using my phone in bright daylight, and I appreciate the convenience of a telephoto lens and the increased video recording capabilities. Although I value a lighter device, the increased performance, battery life and better display of the Zenfone 11 Ultra outweigh the extra weight, making it a more practical and long-lasting option for me. The additional RAM would also help in multitasking scenarios, and the newer software and technology would make it a more future proof device.
