Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi 12 and the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. I'm going to break down the specs, give you my insights, and then walk you through which phone might be right for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed breakdown of the key specifications, highlighting how they translate to real-world use:
| Feature | Xiaomi 12 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 152.7 × 69.9 × 8.2 mm, 179g | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm, 224g | Xiaomi 12 is more compact and lighter, better for one-handed use; Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is larger, more substantial. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus front | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front | Both offer excellent screen protection; Victus 2 is slightly more scratch-resistant. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.28" | 6.78" | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers a more immersive viewing experience with more screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both provide sharp and detailed visuals. |
| Pixel Density | 419 PPI | 388 PPI | Xiaomi 12 has slightly sharper text, but difference is minor in practice. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant, high-contrast displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers slightly smoother animations, especially in gaming. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2500 nits | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has superior outdoor visibility in bright conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is significantly faster and more power-efficient for gaming, multitasking, demanding apps. |
| Antutu Score | 1,150,831 | 1,532,000 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers a noticeable edge in overall speed and responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 750 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has superior graphics capabilities for gaming and graphic-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP (f/1.88, 1/1.56", IMX766) | 50MP (f/1.9, 1/1.56", IMX890) | Both have capable main sensors; Asus has a slightly improved sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP (1/3.14", Samsung JD1) | 32MP (f/2.5, 1/3.2", OV32C) | Xiaomi's larger sensor could potentially capture slightly more light. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP (f/2.4) | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has an additional zoom lens for added versatility. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP (f/2.4) | 13MP (f/2.2) | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has a slightly wider aperture, which means it could potentially perform better in low light. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP (f/2.4) | None | Xiaomi 12 offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 113 | 125 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra scores 12 points higher overall. |
| DXOMark Photo Score | 118 | 131 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra performs better in photo tests by 13 points. |
| DXOMark Video Score | 121 | 115 | Xiaomi 12 shows superior video performance with 6 points difference |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5500mAh | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra likely has noticeably better battery life, especially during intensive use. |
| Charging | 67W Fast wired, 50W Wireless | 65W Fast wired, 15W Wireless | Xiaomi 12 charges slightly faster via wire and has faster wireless charging. |
2. Key Insights
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra: The Performance Powerhouse
- Strengths: The Zenfone 11 Ultra is a beast in terms of performance, thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, a higher refresh rate and brighter display, superior battery life, and an extra telephoto lens. It’s clearly aimed at power users and multimedia enthusiasts. The higher display brightness makes a huge difference in bright conditions.
- Competitive Advantages: The larger battery, superior chipset, and telephoto lens are major selling points. The Zenfone 11 Ultra is designed for those who push their phones to the limit.
- Trade-offs: It's a bigger and heavier device compared to the Xiaomi 12. It also has slower wireless charging and a macro lens is missing.
Xiaomi 12: Compact and Capable
- Strengths: The Xiaomi 12 shines with its more compact form factor, faster wired and wireless charging, and inclusion of a macro lens. It’s a great option for those who prefer a phone that’s easier to handle with one hand.
- Competitive Advantages: Its focus on balance and ergonomics and faster charging, plus a more affordable price point, might make it appealing to users who don’t need the latest, most powerful hardware.
- Trade-offs: It falls behind in raw performance, battery life, outdoor display brightness, and lacks a telephoto lens, when compared with the Asus.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra: Best for:
- Gamers: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Adreno 750 deliver top-tier gaming performance.
- Multimedia Consumers: The larger, brighter display and robust battery make for a great entertainment experience.
- Power Users: Ideal for those who run multiple apps, edit photos, and demand a high level of speed and performance.
- Photography Enthusiasts: The added Telephoto lens makes for a much more versatile camera experience.
- Xiaomi 12: Best for:
- Everyday Users: Great for those who need a reliable, capable smartphone that’s comfortable to hold and use.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Provides great value without sacrificing too much on core features, and it tends to be more affordable than its rivals.
- One-Handed Users: Its compact size makes it much easier to use with a single hand.
- Macro Photographers: The inclusion of the macro lens allows for more creative and detailed close up photography.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help guide your decision:
- How Important is Raw Performance?
- If critical: Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the clear winner with its newer, more powerful chipset.
- If not: Xiaomi 12 offers more than enough for most daily tasks.
- How Much Do You Value Battery Life and Display Quality?
- If highly important: Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra's larger battery and brighter display are significant advantages.
- If not: Xiaomi 12's still-decent battery life and high-quality display are fine for many users.
- Do You Need a Compact, Easy-to-Hold Phone?
- If yes: The Xiaomi 12’s form factor is more comfortable for one-handed use.
- If not: The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra, despite its larger size, is manageable and provides a great immersive experience.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the gamer: The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the obvious choice because of its superior processor and graphics, plus the 144Hz refresh rate makes for a much smoother gaming experience.
- For the everyday user: The Xiaomi 12 strikes a better balance between price and performance, offering a great phone at an affordable price. It's also perfect for one-handed use.
- For the content creator: The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra with its superior photo capabilities, including a telephoto lens, a large display and impressive processing power is a better overall option.
- For the outdoor enthusiast: The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is much better for viewing the screen on a bright day because of its impressive 2500 nits of peak brightness, this makes a world of difference.
My Choice
If I were buying a phone right now, I would choose the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. Here’s why:
As a tech journalist and analyst, I tend to gravitate towards devices that push the boundaries of performance and technology. The Zenfone 11 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a significant step up, and the increased battery capacity and brighter display would be a huge benefit to my daily workflow. While the Xiaomi 12 is certainly a very good phone, it feels like a step behind when compared to the Asus. Although it is a bit bigger and heavier, I would not be put off by this, especially when considering the power and performance on offer. For me, the extra processing power, the improved battery life and a more versatile camera system makes the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra the superior option.
