Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi 12X and the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. I'll break down the specs, offer practical insights, and help you figure out which phone might be right for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a head-to-head comparison table, designed to show not just the numbers, but what they mean for you in real life:
| Feature | Xiaomi 12X | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 152.7 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm | 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm | Zenfone is noticeably larger; 11.1mm taller, 6.9mm wider, 0.7mm thicker. 12X is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 176g | 224g | Xiaomi 12X is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use. Zenfone 11 Ultra has a more substantial feel. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.28" | 6.78" | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers a more immersive experience, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer crisp visuals, though at larger size, same resolution is less sharp. |
| Pixel Density | 419 PPI | 388 PPI | Xiaomi 12X is slightly sharper due to the smaller display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vibrant colors and deep blacks on both phones. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a slightly smoother feel during scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2500 nits | Zenfone 11 Ultra is vastly superior for outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers significantly better performance for all tasks, especially demanding apps and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 815,210 | 1,532,000 | Zenfone 11 Ultra is nearly twice as powerful, expect faster app loading, multitasking and better gaming performance |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 750 | Zenfone 11 Ultra provides far better graphics performance, important for gaming and graphic intense applications |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5500mAh | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a larger battery for potentially longer battery life. |
| Charging | 67W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Xiaomi 12X has slightly faster wired charging, but both are quick. |
| Wireless Charging | No | 15W Wireless | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra provides convenient wireless charging option. |
| Reverse Wired | No | 10W | Zenfone 11 Ultra provides ability to charge other devices using the phone. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.88, IMX766 | 50MP, f/1.9, IMX890 | Both provide good image quality, Zenfone has a newer sensor, while 12X has slightly wider aperture |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/3" | 32MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2" | Xiaomi 12X has a larger sensor, providing higher quality selfies, and slightly wider aperture |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 32MP, f/2.4 | Zenfone 11 Ultra adds flexibility with optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.4 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a wider aperture providing better low-light wide angle shots. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | No | Xiaomi 12X adds a dedicated macro lens, not present in the Zenfone for close up shots |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps | 8K@24fps | Both support high quality video recording, though Zenfone has more features. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | HDR, EIS | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers HDR video for better dynamic range, with the same EIS. |
| DxOMark Score | N/A | 125 (Mobile) | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers good performance in the camera according to DxOMark, but not available for 12X |
| Gimbal | No | Yes | Zenfone 11 Ultra has gimbal stabilization for smoother video capture. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | Zenfone 11 Ultra ships with the latest version of Android, likely to receive better support and future upgrades. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | Zenfone 11 Ultra supports latest standards for faster speeds, lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.4 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a newer Bluetooth for faster and more efficient connectivity. |
| GPS | L1+L5 | L1+L5, Galileo | Zenfone 11 Ultra supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers more storage for storing more content. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 12GB/16GB | Zenfone 11 Ultra has more RAM for better multitasking and future proofing. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion with SD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res | Hi-Res, Noise cancellation microphone | Both offer high quality sound. Xiaomi offers Dolby atmos, Asus offers noise cancelation |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | basic | basic | Both use basic finger print sensor technology. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Zenfone has the newer and more durable Gorilla Glass Victus 2 technology, providing better scratch resistance |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi 12X:
- Strengths: Lighter, more compact design, slightly sharper display, slightly faster wired charging, and offers a dedicated macro lens and Dolby Atmos. It is a more pocketable phone.
- Competitive Advantages: Lower cost (typically), suitable for users who prefer a smaller phone, and the inclusion of Dolby Atmos for enhanced audio.
- Trade-offs: Older chipset, smaller battery, no wireless charging, basic video stabilization, basic camera system, limited to Wifi 6 and older bluetooth version.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Strengths: Much more powerful processor, brighter display with higher refresh rate, bigger battery, wireless charging, reverse charging, newer software, advanced camera system, newer version of wifi, bluetooth, and screen protection.
- Competitive Advantages: Top-tier performance, vastly superior outdoor display, extensive battery features, more versatile camera system with zoom capabilities and enhanced stabilization, and latest connectivity.
- Trade-offs: Larger and heavier, bulkier, higher cost, lacks a dedicated macro lens and Dolby atmos.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Xiaomi 12X:
- Best Suited For: Users who prioritize a compact phone, value affordability, and don't need cutting-edge performance for demanding tasks. It's excellent for everyday use, casual photography, and media consumption.
- Use Cases: Ideal for those who need a reliable, pocketable device for social media, communication, and streaming, and who do not require a high performance camera system.
- Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Best Suited For: Power users, gamers, photographers and videographers who want the best possible performance and advanced features. It's also ideal for those who consume a lot of media and frequently use their phones outdoors.
- Use Cases: Perfect for heavy multitasking, mobile gaming, professional photography, video capture, and users who need their phone to perform under extreme conditions.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to guide your decision:
- Do you prioritize size and portability, or a large, immersive display? If a smaller phone is important, the Xiaomi 12X is the better option. If not the Zenfone is a better choice.
- Do you need top-tier performance for gaming and demanding apps? The Zenfone 11 Ultra significantly outpaces the Xiaomi 12X in this regard.
- How important are camera features and battery life? If you take a lot of photos, videos and need good battery, the Zenfone offers more value, with added flexibility of Wireless Charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Casual User: If you want a reliable, everyday phone for social media, communication, and some streaming, the Xiaomi 12X offers good value and a comfortable size.
- For the Mobile Gamer: If you're a serious mobile gamer or use your phone for demanding apps, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is a much better choice due to its powerful processor and better performance.
- For the Photography Enthusiast: The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the better choice because of a better camera system and many additional features. The Xiaomi 12X has a dedicated macro lens, however the Zenfone compensates with a telephoto lens, and better main and wide cameras.
- For the Outdoorsy: The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra's significantly brighter display is a game-changer for outdoor visibility under direct sunlight.
Which Would I Choose?
Given my perspective as a tech journalist with an engineering background, I would personally choose the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. Here’s why:
- Future-Proof Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a massive leap in performance over the older Snapdragon 870. This means the Zenfone will handle demanding tasks, games, and future updates with ease for much longer.
- Superior Display: The 2500 nit brightness and 144Hz refresh rate make a huge difference in daily use, especially outdoors and for viewing dynamic content.
- Versatile Camera: I prefer the flexibility of a dedicated telephoto lens and enhanced stabilization features for capturing high-quality images and videos. The added HDR is also very useful.
- Connectivity & Battery: The WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, along with the larger battery with wireless charging and reverse charging, add considerable value.
- Latest OS: The Zenfone comes with the latest Android 14 providing additional features and better security.
While the Xiaomi 12X is a good phone and a value option, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is a substantial upgrade in terms of power, display quality, camera capabilities, and battery performance, making it the better choice for anyone who wants a true flagship experience.
