Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Redmi 10 and the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. I'll be breaking down the specs, focusing on what they mean for you in the real world, and helping you decide which phone fits your needs.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at the specs of each phone, with a focus on their real-world implications:
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi 10 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162 × 75.5 × 8.9 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | Similar size, Asus is slightly taller and wider; both have the same thickness, so neither should feel too different in hand. |
| Weight | 181g | 224g | Redmi 10 feels much lighter, which is more comfortable for extended use. Zenfone 11 Ultra is noticeably heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.78" | Asus has a slightly bigger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have a sharp display, fine for most content. |
| PPI | 405 | 388 | Both have excellent sharpness and detail, though a small difference will be indiscernible for the naked eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Zenfone 11 Ultra's AMOLED panel provides superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colours. | |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | Asus delivers much smoother scrolling and animations which will be most visible in games. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Zenfone 11 Ultra's screen is significantly brighter, making it much easier to use outdoors in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G88 (12nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) | The Zenfone 11 Ultra's chipset is much more powerful for gaming, multitasking, and future-proofing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 253,600 | 1,532,000 | Asus offers much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and significantly better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 750 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra's GPU is significantly more capable for demanding games and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | Asus has slightly more battery capacity, so it should last a bit longer. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 65W fast charging | Zenfone 11 Ultra charges much faster, allowing you to get back on the go quickly. |
| Features | 9W reverse wired charging | 15W wireless charging, 10W reverse wired | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers more versatile charging, including fast wireless charging, and better reverse charging capabilities. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", 1.00µm | Asus's main camera has a larger sensor and pixels, capturing more light and detail for better photo quality, especially in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 32MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2", 0.70µm | Asus’s selfie camera has a significantly higher resolution and is likely to produce sharper images. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.70µm | Asus has a dedicated telephoto lens for better optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Asus offers a higher resolution wide-angle camera to capture more detail in your landscape shots. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Xiaomi Redmi 10 includes a dedicated portrait lens for better depth effects, while the Zenfone 11 Ultra does not have this dedicated lens |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Redmi 10 includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps | Asus has far more advanced video recording capabilities for professional and cinematic video. |
| Stabilisation | No | Yes, EIS | Zenfone 11 Ultra has Electronic Image Stabilisation (EIS), for smooth video shots |
| DXoMark Score | N/A | 125 | Asus has a solid camera performance score. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple Camera | Triple Camera, OIS, Gimbal | Asus’s camera features are very advanced, for the more sophisticated user. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 (upgradable to 16) | Asus has a more recent version of Android and supports more updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be | Asus has a significantly faster and more modern Wi-Fi standard, including Wi-Fi 7 support for higher bandwidths and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.4 | Asus has the latest Bluetooth standard for better pairing and higher quality wireless audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Asus offers a much more accurate location and GPS positioning. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both support Dual SIM Dual Standby. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | Asus offers substantially more storage space for apps, photos, videos and games. |
| RAM | 4 GB or 6 GB | 12 GB or 16 GB | Asus provides significantly more RAM which will translate to better multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so choose based on internal storage needs. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Asus offers superior audio quality through Hi-Res audio, improved call quality with a noise-cancellation microphone, and 2 mics for better recording quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Redmi 10 provides a more convenient and modern side mounted fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Asus is more durable with a more recent version of Gorilla Glass. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, Hall | Asus has a more advanced sensor suite, which is especially relevant for gaming and motion-sensing experiences. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Redmi 10
- Strengths: The Redmi 10 is an excellent budget phone, offering good basic performance for everyday tasks, a decent display with a 90Hz refresh rate, and a versatile camera setup. It's also quite light and comfortable to hold.
- Competitive Advantages: Its affordability, lightweight design, and inclusion of features like a macro lens make it a very budget-friendly option.
- Trade-Offs: The Redmi 10's processor isn't great for heavy gaming or very intensive tasks, it lacks the best display technology, and the camera isn't going to produce images of the highest quality.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra
- Strengths: The Zenfone 11 Ultra is a powerhouse, with an outstanding display (AMOLED, 144Hz, high brightness), top-tier performance, a great camera system, fast charging, and a very long-lasting battery. It's a complete package.
- Competitive Advantages: Its performance is far superior, with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. The display is a major upgrade, as is the camera system (including telephoto lens). It also supports fast wireless charging.
- Trade-Offs: The Zenfone 11 Ultra is more expensive, heavier, and lacks the depth and macro lenses that the Xiaomi provides.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi 10
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, students, and casual smartphone users who primarily browse the web, use social media, watch videos, and take the occasional photo.
- Use Case: Great as a first smartphone, or for someone who doesn't need advanced features and prioritizes affordability.
- Price-to-Value: It’s an excellent value for the money.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra
- Ideal User: Gamers, photography enthusiasts, power users, and professionals who need top-tier performance, a great camera, and a high-quality display.
- Use Case: Perfect for mobile gaming, content creation, heavy multitasking, or as a powerful productivity tool.
- Price-to-Value: It's a premium phone, but its superior performance and features justify the price for the right user.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to guide your decision:
- How much do you prioritize performance?
- If you need top performance for gaming, or other very intensive tasks, the Asus is the only sensible choice. If you only use your phone for web browsing and social media, the Redmi 10 is more than adequate.
- How important is a high-quality display and camera?
- If you value a bright AMOLED screen with vibrant colours and great camera performance with a telephoto lens, the Asus is far superior. If your priority is just good enough, the Xiaomi will suffice.
- What's your budget and desired battery life?
- The Xiaomi Redmi 10 will be much cheaper, but the Asus will have a better battery life and superior charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Budget-Conscious User: If your budget is tight, the Xiaomi Redmi 10 is the clear winner. It offers great value for its low price, with a good user experience for basic tasks.
- The Power User: If you need top-tier performance, a great camera, and don't mind spending extra, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the better pick.
- The Mobile Gamer: For serious gaming, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the obvious choice. The processor, GPU, display and refresh rate mean it will offer a far more pleasant gaming experience.
My Personal Choice
If I had to choose between the Xiaomi Redmi 10 and the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra, I would definitely go with the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. Here’s why:
As a tech journalist, I need a device that can keep up with the demands of my job. I need a phone with top performance, a fantastic display for consuming media and creating content, a great camera for capturing high-quality photos and videos and fast and reliable connectivity. The Zenfone 11 Ultra ticks all of those boxes, offering a user experience far above that of the Redmi 10.
While I appreciate the value of budget options like the Redmi 10, for my daily needs, the performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and fast charging of the Zenfone 11 Ultra make it the clear winner. It's a phone that’s not just about specs; it’s about the overall experience and how seamlessly the technology fits into my daily workflow. The weight of the phone would be the only drawback for me, but the other advantages are just too compelling.
