1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-27 | 2024-04-14 | The Asus is significantly newer, suggesting better software support and newer features. |
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm | 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm | The Asus is slightly taller and thinner, while the Xiaomi is wider. The Xiaomi is larger overall. |
| Weight | 198g | 224g | The Xiaomi is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended one-handed use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.78" | The Asus has a slightly larger screen, providing a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both have similar resolutions, resulting in similar sharpness. |
| PPI | 395 | 388 | Both have very similar pixel density resulting in equally sharp display. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The Asus offers significantly better blacks, contrast, and color vibrancy, ideal for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | The Asus provides much smoother scrolling and animations, improving the user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | The Asus offers significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Asus has a vastly superior processor, resulting in much faster app loading, multitasking, and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 185,028 | 1,532,000 | The Asus performs significantly better than Xiaomi in benchmarks, showing much higher power in general. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 750 | The Asus has a significantly more powerful GPU, resulting in better graphics performance in games and applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5500mAh | The Xiaomi has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 65W fast charging | The Asus charges much faster, allowing quick top-ups. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 22.5W charger in-box | 15W wireless charging, 10W reverse wired | The Xiaomi offers reverse charging and comes with a faster charger. The Asus offers wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | Both have similar resolution, resulting in detailed pictures. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.9 | The Xiaomi has a slightly wider aperture, potentially performing better in low-light situations. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.56" | The Asus has a larger sensor, which results in better light sensitivity and image quality. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 32MP | The Asus provides much higher resolution for selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.5 | The Xiaomi has a wider aperture, potentially better for low light selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/4" | 1/3.2" | The Asus has a larger sensor, leading to better image quality. |
| Telephoto lens | No | Yes | The Asus offers additional zoom capabilities for increased versatility. |
| Wide Angle lens | No | Yes | The Asus captures wider perspectives. |
| Video Resolution | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps | The Asus offers significantly better video quality and higher framerates. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | The Asus offers image stabilization for smoother videos. |
| Slow Motion | 120 fps | 480 fps | The Asus supports higher slow motion capture for more details. |
| DxOMark | N/A | Mobile: 125 | The Asus camera performance is much better. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Gimbal, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), PDAF Omnidericional, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW | The Asus offers a comprehensive feature set with advanced options like RAW capture and OIS. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 | The Asus has a newer OS, meaning better security and more recent features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/6E/be | The Asus has newer Wi-Fi standards for faster, more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 | The Asus has a newer version for better connection quality and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, NavIC System | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | The Asus supports more satellite systems, improving location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both phones offer Dual SIM support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB or 128GB | 256GB or 512GB | The Asus offers significantly more storage space for apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 4GB or 6GB | 12GB or 16GB | The Asus has much more RAM for better multitasking and smoother operation of demanding applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The Asus offers better audio quality, noise cancellation for clearer calls, and improved voice capture |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | The Xiaomi has a more convenient side-mounted sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | The Asus offers better screen protection from scratches and impact. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | The Asus has a more comprehensive set of sensors suitable for advanced features. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life, which is beneficial for users who prioritize endurance.
- Lighter Weight: The 198g weight is more comfortable for extended handheld use.
- Potentially Lower Price: Although not specified, the older Xiaomi model is likely to be more budget-friendly.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: A more convenient location for unlocking the device.
- Reverse Charging, 22.5W Charger in-box: The Xiaomi has reverse charging and a faster charger in box.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED panel with a 144Hz refresh rate and higher brightness offers a much better visual experience.
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset provides significantly better performance for all tasks.
- Advanced Camera System: Higher resolution sensors, telephoto, and wide-angle lenses, plus advanced video features, make it much more versatile.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging and 15W wireless charging provide quicker battery top-ups.
- More RAM and Storage: Higher RAM and internal storage provide better multitasking, more capacity for files, and overall smoother performance.
- Newer OS and Connectivity: More up-to-date software and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth standards.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 gives more protection.
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Asus offers a better suit of sensors.
- Better Audio Quality: better audio quality due to noise cancellation and additional microphones.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi: The Xiaomi compromises performance, display quality, and camera features for a lower price.
- Asus: The Asus has a higher price, is heavier, and has a slightly smaller battery, although fast charging mitigates that.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M3:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and basic smartphone functionality over high-end features.
- Use Cases:
- Daily use for calls, texts, basic browsing, and social media.
- Users who need a long-lasting phone for travel or situations where charging is difficult.
- Users who do not engage in heavy gaming or intensive photography.
- Price-to-Value: Offers great value for users on a tight budget, focusing on battery life and basic functionalities.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Ideal User: Power users who demand high performance, excellent display quality, and a versatile camera.
- Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming.
- Professional-level photography and videography.
- Heavy multitasking and productivity on the go.
- High-quality media consumption (video streaming, e-books, etc.).
- Price-to-Value: Provides a premium experience with cutting-edge technology, justifying its likely higher cost for those who need high-end capabilities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If you have a very tight budget, the Xiaomi is the only option. If you can spend more the Asus provides significant improvements.
- How important is performance and display quality? If you need to do anything more intensive than browsing social media, the Asus is a much better option.
- How often do you take photos and videos? If you use camera a lot, Asus provides a lot better quality, image and video stabilization, and multiple lenses.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Use: If your budget is very limited and you only need a smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, the Xiaomi Poco M3 is a suitable choice due to its low cost and decent battery life.
- Scenario 2: Power User, Media Consumption, and Gaming: If you play demanding games, watch a lot of videos, or multitask heavily, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers far superior performance, display quality, and features.
- Scenario 3: Camera Enthusiast: If mobile photography and videography are important, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra with its better camera system is the clear winner.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. While the Xiaomi Poco M3 offers good battery life and a lower price point, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra provides a vastly superior user experience in almost every other aspect. The significantly better display quality, far superior performance due to the newer and more powerful processor, and the advanced camera capabilities are worth the additional cost for my needs. As someone who uses their smartphone heavily for multitasking, gaming, and capturing photos and videos, the advantages offered by the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra are crucial and outweigh the benefits of the Xiaomi's larger battery. The combination of fast charging and wireless charging on the Asus helps mitigate the slight battery capacity disadvantage. Furthermore, the long-term benefits of a newer OS and connectivity standards make the Asus the more future-proof option.
