1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 76.5 × 8.1 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | Zenfone 11 Ultra is slightly thicker and has slightly larger volume which might be noticeable in hand. |
| Weight | 193g | 224g | Redmi Note 10 Pro is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use, while the Zenfone feels more substantial. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.78" | Zenfone 11 Ultra provides a marginally larger viewing area, beneficial for multimedia and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same level of detail, meaning similar sharpness for the display. |
| PPI | 395 | 388 | Very similar sharpness, differences not noticeable in everyday use. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both displays offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations, advantageous for gamers and those who prefer high refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 2500 nits | Zenfone 11 Ultra is significantly brighter and provides much better visibility in direct sunlight, making it suitable for outdoor use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers significantly faster performance, better for demanding tasks, smoother multitasking, gaming, and overall responsiveness. |
| AnTuTu Score | 397,200 | 1,532,000 | Zenfone 11 Ultra provides a vastly superior user experience in terms of overall performance, loading apps quicker, and having smoother UI navigation. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 750 | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers superior graphics performance, making it better for gaming and graphically intense applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5020mAh | 5500mAh | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a slightly larger battery, which could translate to slightly longer usage time, but other factors such as screen brightness and chipset efficiency can also impact battery life. |
| Charging | 33W | 65W | Zenfone 11 Ultra charges significantly faster, reducing downtime for charging. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, 15W wireless, 10W reverse wired | Zenfone 11 Ultra has more convenient charging features, including wireless and reverse wired, allowing charging of other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52" | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56" | Redmi Note 10 Pro offers higher resolution; Zenfone 11 Ultra has slightly better sensor size. However, pixel size is larger on the Zenfone. Pixel size can impact low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13" | 32MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2" | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a higher resolution selfie camera; Redmi Note 10 Pro has wider aperture and slightly larger sensor. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.4 | Zenfone 11 Ultra provides greater zoom capabilities and better detail in zoomed photos. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | 13MP, f/2.2 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a higher resolution wide-angle lens, capturing more detail in wide shots. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | None | Redmi Note 10 Pro has a dedicated depth sensor, however the quality of depth sensing on the Zenfone could still be adequate. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | None | Redmi Note 10 Pro allows users to capture close-up images with dedicated lens. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | Zenfone 11 Ultra provides much higher video recording capabilities, offering more options for video creators, and has video stabilization. |
| DxoMark | N/A | 125 (Mobile) | Zenfone 11 Ultra's camera has been tested and scored 125, offering a benchmark for its camera quality. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 13) | Android 14 (up to 16) | Zenfone 11 Ultra ships with a more recent OS and should have better support from updates for a longer period. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | WiFi 7 (802.11be) | Zenfone 11 Ultra supports newer WiFi standards, offering faster speeds and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.4 | Zenfone 11 Ultra supports the newest version of Bluetooth, improving connection speed and stability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, L1+L5, NavIC | Zenfone 11 Ultra provides more accurate location tracking by supporting more systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both phones offer dual sim functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128/256GB | 256/512GB | Zenfone 11 Ultra has larger base storage options. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 12/16GB | Zenfone 11 Ultra has significantly more RAM, which improves multitasking and performance on demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, 2 microphones | Both phones have good audio but the Zenfone 11 Ultra has noise cancelling microphones and two microphones, which helps with better voice quality for calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint | basic fingerprint sensor | The Redmi Note 10 Pro has a more advanced side mounted fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has a more durable screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both phones have good features but the Zenfone has more proximity sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Allows close-up photography.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Generally faster and more reliable than basic sensors.
- Lower Price: Generally more budget-friendly.
- Depth sensor: The dedicated depth sensor will likely offer superior bokeh effects in portrait photography.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset offers a vastly superior user experience, especially for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Superior Display: Higher brightness (2500 nits) for excellent outdoor visibility and smoother refresh rate (144Hz).
- Better Camera System: Includes a dedicated telephoto lens, higher resolution selfie and wide angle cameras. Also has 8k video recording.
- Faster Charging: 65W charging and wireless charging.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards.
- Better Audio: Noise cancellation microphone for clear calls.
- More RAM and Storage: Higher base storage and RAM option for better multitasking and more storage.
- More Recent OS: Ships with Android 14 and should receive updates for a longer time.
- Better Screen Protection: Comes with Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which is much more durable than Gorilla Glass 5.
Trade-offs:
- Redmi Note 10 Pro: Trades performance, camera quality, and advanced features for a more budget-friendly price.
- Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra: Trades weight, size, and cost for a premium performance and feature set.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Those looking for a capable phone without a high price tag.
- Casual photographers: Users who want decent camera quality for everyday use.
- Users who prioritize lightness and comfort: Individuals looking for a phone that is easy to carry.
- Users who value a dedicated macro lens and depth sensor: Those who enjoy taking very close-up photos or portraits with great bokeh.
Use Cases for Redmi Note 10 Pro:
- Daily social media browsing, messaging and streaming videos.
- Taking casual photos and videos for memories.
- General productivity and basic gaming.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Ideal User:
- Power users: Those who need top-tier performance for demanding applications and multitasking.
- Gamers: Individuals who require high-performance graphics and a smooth display.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with telephoto zoom and high-quality video recording.
- Users needing great outdoor visibility: Those who need a display bright enough to easily view in direct sunlight.
- Users who appreciate the latest tech: Those looking for the most modern connectivity, charging, and software features.
Use Cases for Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Playing graphic-intensive mobile games.
- Professional-grade video creation and photography.
- Heavy multitasking across multiple apps.
- Outdoor usage in direct sunlight.
- Long periods of use without needing to charge the phone as often.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Redmi Note 10 Pro: Offers good value for its price point, making it a great option for budget-conscious users.
- Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra: Provides a premium experience, but at a higher price, making it suitable for those willing to pay extra for top-tier performance and features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Redmi Note 10 Pro is much cheaper.
- How important is performance for your daily usage? If you're a gamer or multitasker, the Zenfone is a better option.
- How important is high quality video and photography to you? The Zenfone has superior video recording capabilities and a telephoto lens which will be important for those wanting to create content with their phone.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget User): If you need a reliable phone for basic tasks, social media, and casual photography, and a tighter budget is your priority, the Redmi Note 10 Pro is a better choice.
- Scenario 2 (Performance User): If you value performance above all else and want a top-tier mobile experience for gaming, professional photography/videography, and demanding multitasking, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is worth the investment.
- Scenario 3 (Outdoor User): If you often use your phone outdoors or in direct sunlight, the Zenfone's much brighter screen is a big advantage.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra.
Reasoning:
While the Redmi Note 10 Pro is a good budget option, the Zenfone 11 Ultra offers such a significant leap in performance and overall user experience that it justifies the extra cost. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, the superior display, the more versatile camera system (with Telephoto lens, 8K video), and the longer-term software support make it a much more future-proof option. I often use my phone for resource intensive tasks and mobile gaming, and therefore, I would appreciate the extra performance. Additionally, the Zenfone's dramatically higher screen brightness and more durable glass would be a huge benefit as I often use my phone in varied lighting conditions. While the weight difference is considerable, the gains in overall usability and features offered by the Zenfone would be worth the trade off.
