1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | The Asus is slightly wider and thicker, making it feel a bit bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 208g | 224g | Xiaomi is noticeably lighter, more comfortable for long use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.78" | Negligible difference; both offer large, immersive screens. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | Xiaomi's higher resolution provides sharper text and images, especially noticeable for detail-oriented tasks. |
| PPI | 515 | 388 | Xiaomi's higher pixel density means crisper visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; similar viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Asus provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 2500 nits | Asus has significantly better visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Asus's newer chipset offers faster processing and better efficiency for demanding tasks and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 1,532,000 | Asus shows substantially faster performance, quicker app loads and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 750 | Asus has a more powerful GPU, beneficial for graphics-intensive apps and gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12" | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56" | Xiaomi's larger sensor captures more light, potentially better low-light images, Asus has wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" | 32MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2" | Asus offers higher resolution selfies. Xiaomi has wider aperture which can help in low light |
| Telephoto Lens | 32MP, f/2.4 | Asus provides zoom capability; Xiaomi lacks dedicated telephoto lens. | |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" | 13MP, f/2.2 | Similar specs; both offer wide-angle capture. |
| Telephoto + Macro | 8MP | Xiaomi provides Macro camera with zoom capability. | |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps | Asus supports higher slow motion, otherwise similar video recording. |
| DxOMark (Main) | 124 | 125 | Very similar main scores. |
| DxOMark (Photo) | 118 | 131 | Asus has better photo quality overall according to DxOMark |
| DxOMark (Video) | 132 | 115 | Xiaomi has slightly better video quality according to DxOMark. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | Asus's larger battery should last longer between charges. |
| Charging | 67W wired, 67W wireless | 65W wired, 15W wireless | Xiaomi charges faster both wired and wirelessly, though Asus has higher overall capacity. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 67W wireless charging, 10W reverse-wireless | 15W wireless charging, 10W reverse wired | Xiaomi offers faster and more versatile wireless charging options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | Asus has a more modern Android version. |
| Max OS Version | Android 16 | Asus has longer software support. | |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Asus has newer WiFi version for faster, more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 | Asus has newer Bluetooth for better connectivity and efficiency. |
| GPS | L1+L5,GLONASS, etc | L1+L5,GLONASS, etc + QZSS | Asus has more GPS support, which might mean more accurate location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 256/512GB | Asus offers more storage capacity. |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 12/16GB | Asus offers more RAM for better multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows additional storage via SD card. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation mic | Both phones offer similar audio experience with Asus offering better audio capture with the noise cancellation mic. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both use standard fingerprint sensors. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Asus has more modern screen protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint, Heart Rate; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, Hall | Xiaomi has Heart Rate sensor; Asus has Gravity and Hall sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable to hold and carry for extended periods.
- Higher Display Resolution and PPI: Sharper and more detailed visuals, better for reading and detail-oriented tasks.
- Faster Charging: Faster both wired and wireless, enabling quicker power top-ups.
- Dedicated Telephoto + Macro Camera: Additional camera sensor for macro photography with zoom.
- Heart Rate Sensor: Useful for fitness tracking.
- Better Video Camera: Better video quality according to DXOMark scores.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The newer chipset provides a major boost in processing and graphics power.
- Brighter Display: Much better visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
- Longer Software Support: Receives the latest updates for longer.
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life between charges.
- More Internal Storage and RAM Options: More space for media and better multitasking capabilities.
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: Offers optical zoom for better zoomed images.
- Newer WiFi Standard: Supports faster and more efficient Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Newer Bluetooth Standard: Supports better and more efficient Bluetooth connectivity.
- Better Photo Camera: Better photo quality according to DXOMark scores.
- Noise Cancellation Microphone: Improves voice quality during calls and recordings.
Trade-offs:
- The Xiaomi sacrifices performance and battery capacity for a more compact design and higher display resolution, also has slightly lower quality photos.
- The Asus prioritizes performance, battery life, and screen brightness at the cost of being heavier, bulkier, having a slightly less sharp screen and slightly worse video recording.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Users who prioritize a premium display experience: Those who value sharp and detailed images and spend a lot of time consuming high-resolution media.
- Users who value a compact and lightweight device: Those who need something easy to carry around and use one handed
- Users who prioritize fast charging: Those who need to quickly top up their phone's battery.
- Casual photographers who enjoy macro and zoom photography using the additional sensors.
- Users who prefer high quality video recording.
Ideal User for Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Gamers and power users: Those who need the best possible performance for demanding apps and games.
- Outdoor enthusiasts: Those who need a display that is easy to see in bright sunlight.
- Users who prefer longer battery life: Those who want their phone to last a full day with heavy use.
- Users who need high levels of multitasking: Those that prefer having higher RAM.
- Professional photographers who take high quality pictures using the additional sensor.
- Users who want a future-proof device: Those who want to stay up-to-date with software updates for the longest time.
- Users who value call quality due to the noise cancellation microphone.
Use Cases:
- Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro: Best for: watching high-resolution movies, browsing detailed websites, casual photography, and users that prefer fast charging
- Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra: Best for: mobile gaming, outdoor photography and videography, heavy multitasking, extended travel without a charger and users that value call quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Requirements: Do you need top-tier performance for gaming or demanding applications?
- Display Priorities: Do you prioritize a sharper display with higher resolution or a brighter display with better outdoor visibility?
- Battery and Charging: Do you value fast charging or a longer battery life?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent Mobile Gamer: Choose the Asus for its superior performance and battery life.
- Scenario 2: Outdoor Photographer/Videographer: Choose the Asus for its brighter display and optical zoom.
- Scenario 3: Detail-Oriented Media Consumer: Choose the Xiaomi for its higher-resolution display.
- Scenario 4: Casual Everyday User: The Xiaomi will work perfectly for day-to-day use, while the Asus provides the same but with higher performance.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. While the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has some compelling advantages, such as its sharper display and faster charging, the overall package offered by the Asus is more appealing for my use case. As a user who does a fair amount of mobile gaming and uses the phone outdoors, the Asus's significantly higher performance, brighter screen, and larger battery capacity would be more beneficial. Additionally, the longer software support makes it a more future-proof option. While I appreciate the compact design of the Xiaomi, the performance and longevity of the Asus are key factors that make it my preferred option.
