1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm | 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm | Zenfone 11 Ultra is slightly shorter and thinner, potentially feeling more comfortable in hand. |
| Weight | 215g | 224g | Poco X3 Pro is slightly lighter, which could be noticeable over extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.78" | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers a slightly larger viewing area, which can be better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both displays are equally sharp for most users. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 395 | 388 | Both displays provide similar levels of clarity. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | AMOLED offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and potentially better battery life with dark themes compared to IPS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Zenfone 11 Ultra provides smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in fast-paced games. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Zenfone 11 Ultra has vastly superior outdoor visibility, making it much better in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Zenfone 11 Ultra has significantly faster processing speeds and better power efficiency due to the newer chip. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 1,532,000 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has significantly better performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 750 | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers superior graphics processing for gaming and other graphically intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 5500mAh | Zenfone 11 Ultra should offer slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Zenfone 11 Ultra charges much faster, allowing quicker top-ups. |
| Features | Non-removable | 15W Wireless, 10W Reverse | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers wireless and reverse charging, adding more convenience. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Sony IMX582 | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", Sony IMX890 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a larger sensor which typically leads to better image quality, especially in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4", Samsung S5K3T2 | 32MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2", Omnivision OV32C | Zenfone 11 Ultra should capture more detailed selfies due to the higher resolution sensor. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 32MP, f/2.4 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a telephoto lens for better zoomed shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", Omnivision OV8856 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a higher-resolution wide-angle camera for more detail. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", Omnivision OV02B1B | N/A | Poco X3 Pro includes a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photos. Zenfone 11 Ultra may use software for depth estimation. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", Hynix HI-259 | N/A | Poco X3 Pro includes a macro lens for close-up shots. Zenfone 11 Ultra does not include one |
| Video | 4K@30fps (EIS) | 8K@24fps (HDR,EIS) | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers higher video resolution and potentially better video quality with HDR. |
| DXOMark | Not Tested | 125 (Mobile), 131 (Photo), 115 (Video) | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a tested and scored camera system showing respectable camera quality. |
| Camera Features | Quad Cam, EIS, etc | Triple Cam, OIS, Gimbal, etc. | Zenfone 11 Ultra features OIS and gimbal stabilization for superior image and video stabilization. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 14 (upgradable to 16) | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a much newer Android version, which translates to more features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 7 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has the latest Wi-Fi standards, offering faster speeds and better reliability. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.4 LE | Zenfone 11 Ultra features a newer bluetooth version offering improved energy efficiency and more functionalities. |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, etc | GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, etc | Zenfone 11 Ultra has more satellite support, offering better accuracy for location services. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both phones support two SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers more storage space options. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 12GB/16GB | Zenfone 11 Ultra has significantly more RAM for improved multitasking and performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows storage expansion via microSD card. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res, Stereo | Hi-Res, Stereo, Noise Cancellation Mic | Zenfone 11 Ultra has additional noise cancellation features for clear audio during calls and recordings. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Basic | Poco X3 Pro has a slightly more ergonomic fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 6 | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a superior screen protection against scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, etc., Ultrasonic Proximity | Accelerometer, etc, Proximity, Gravity, Hall | Poco X3 Pro has Ultrasonic Proximity while Zenfone 11 Ultra has proximity, gravity, and hall sensors. These differences are minor and unlikely to impact the user experience significantly for most users. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: Slightly lighter than the Zenfone 11 Ultra, potentially more comfortable for extended single-hand use.
- Wider Main Camera Aperture: The wider f/1.79 aperture on the main camera might perform slightly better in low-light situations (although the larger sensor of the Asus may mitigate this)
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Provides a more ergonomic placement for quickly unlocking the phone
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology offers significantly better contrast, black levels, and power efficiency. The higher brightness is a significant advantage in outdoor conditions.
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 provides a massive performance boost over the Snapdragon 860, making it better for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Superior Camera System: Includes a telephoto lens, better main and selfie camera sensors, and OIS, leading to better photos and video.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: The 65W fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and 10W reverse charging offer more convenience.
- Newer Android OS: Comes with Android 14, providing a more modern user experience and longer software support.
- Latest Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, providing faster and more reliable connections.
- More RAM & Storage Options: Offers higher RAM and storage configurations for better multitasking and media storage.
Trade-offs:
- The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is heavier and larger than the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro.
- The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a dedicated macro and depth lens, which the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra lacks.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize performance over all else and are comfortable with slightly less advanced display and camera tech.
- Use Cases:
- Gaming on a budget: Can handle most games at medium settings.
- Daily social media browsing and basic smartphone use.
- Users who value side-mounted fingerprint sensors
- Value: The Poco X3 Pro offered excellent performance for its price at the time of release, but it is now outdated compared to the Zenfone 11 Ultra.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, and those who value a premium display, advanced camera capabilities, fast performance, and latest connectivity.
- Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming with high-end graphics.
- Professional-grade photography and video recording.
- Multitasking with many apps and extensive media consumption.
- Users who need the latest in connectivity.
- Value: The Zenfone 11 Ultra offers a premium experience and is worth the price for users who need top-tier performance, camera features, display quality, and latest technologies.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What's your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, daily use, media consumption)
- How important is display quality? (Do you need a bright, vibrant screen for outdoor use?)
- What's your budget? (Are you looking for the best performance/features regardless of cost or seeking the best value?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget User: If your budget is extremely tight, and you can find the Poco X3 Pro for a very low price (which may be the case now given it's an older model), it can be a decent option for light use. However, note the trade-offs in display, camera and performance.
- Performance & Premium User: If you want the best mobile performance, display and camera, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the clear choice due to its significantly faster processor, superior camera system, and excellent display.
What would I choose?
I would choose the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. While the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offered great value in its time, the Zenfone 11 Ultra represents a significant leap in technology across almost every aspect. The vastly superior performance, much better display, advanced camera system (with telephoto, OIS and gimbal), wireless charging, and newer operating system make it a more compelling option for my needs, which include a great display for media consumption, good camera system, the fastest performance for multitasking and demanding apps, and latest connectivity. While the price would be higher, the overall experience and future-proofing offered by the Zenfone 11 Ultra justify the cost in my opinion.
