1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | The Zenfone 11 Ultra is larger and bulkier, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use. The Note 10S is more compact. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 224g | The Note 10S is significantly lighter, which translates to better comfort for extended holding and pocketability. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra offers significantly better scratch and drop resistance for added durability. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.43" | 6.78" | The Zenfone 11 Ultra's larger screen is better for media consumption, gaming and multitasking. Note 10S is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both displays have the same resolution, so sharpness is similar but percieved differently due to size difference. |
| PPI | 409 | 388 | The Note 10S has slightly sharper image due to higher pixel density, although the difference is subtle. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both phones have vibrant colors and deep blacks, offering excellent viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | The Zenfone 11 Ultra's higher refresh rate provides much smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2500 nits | The Zenfone 11 Ultra offers significantly better outdoor visibility under bright sunlight due to higher peak brightness. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) | The Zenfone 11 Ultra offers vastly superior performance with its flagship chipset, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking and overall snappier experience. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 1,532,000 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra scores almost four times higher, showing that the Zenfone will provide much better performance for demanding tasks and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 750 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra's GPU is significantly more powerful, enabling high-end gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | The Zenfone 11 Ultra's main camera has larger sensor size and larger pixel size which translates to better low-light performance despite slightly lower megapixel count, capturing more light and detail. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 32MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2", 0.7µm | The Zenfone 11 Ultra's selfie camera has higher resolution, capturing more details. However the Note 10S sensor has larger pixel size which can give better low light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.7µm | The Zenfone 11 Ultra provides optical zoom capabilities, allowing closer shots without losing details, which the Note 10S lacks. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | The Zenfone 11 Ultra's wide-angle lens offers better resolution, capturing more details and giving a wider field of view. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) Camera | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | No | The Note 10S has a dedicated depth sensor, but the Zenfone 11 Ultra is likely to use software algorithms for portrait effect. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | No | The Note 10S offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, but the resolution is relatively low. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | The Zenfone 11 Ultra offers superior video recording capabilities including 8K recording and better stabilization features which result in professional quality videos. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode | 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 Zenfone 11 Ultra offers OIS and gimbal stabilization, superior autofocus, advanced modes, and the ability to shoot RAW images, which are suited for photography enthusiasts. |
| DXOMark | Not Available | Mobile: 125 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has a camera performance score of 125 by DXOMark, while the Note 10S does not have a score. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5500 mAh | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has larger battery, likely providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | The Zenfone 11 Ultra charges much faster, significantly reducing charging time. |
| Features | Reverse charging | 15W Wireless Charging, 10W Reverse Wired | The Zenfone 11 Ultra offers wireless charging, a convenient option. The Note 10S offers reverse wired charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and carry around, especially for those with smaller hands or prefer pocketability.
- More Affordable: Typically comes with a lower price tag, making it a budget-friendly option.
- Slightly higher pixel density: Although the difference is minor the higher ppi results in a sharper image
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Advantages
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset offers a huge performance leap, suitable for heavy gaming and demanding applications, making the device more future proof.
- Larger, Smoother Display: The 144Hz refresh rate and higher brightness enhance user experience for gaming and media consumption.
- Advanced Camera System: Better main and front camera sensors, coupled with OIS, Telephoto lens, and 8K video recording, provide superior image and video quality.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: 65W charging and wireless charging allow quick and convenient power-ups.
- Future proof connectivity: The Zenfone supports newer WiFi standards which enable faster download speeds and lower latency.
- Larger Storage and RAM: The Zenfone comes with twice as much storage (256GB/512GB vs 64GB/128GB) and RAM (12GB/16GB vs 6GB/8GB)
Significant Trade-offs
- The Zenfone 11 Ultra is significantly more expensive and much larger and heavier than the Redmi Note 10S.
- The Redmi Note 10S sacrifices performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and battery features for its affordability and compact size.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S - Ideal Users
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those seeking a capable phone without breaking the bank.
- Users Prioritizing Portability: Individuals who prefer a lightweight and easy-to-handle device.
- Casual Users: People who mainly use their phones for communication, social media, and light media consumption.
- Users with low performance needs: Individuals not planning on playing graphic intensive games or do multitasking.
Use Cases:
- Daily communication (calls, texts, emails).
- Social media browsing and light web surfing.
- Basic photography.
- Navigation and music playback.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra - Ideal Users
- Power Users: Gamers, content creators, and those who demand top-tier performance and cutting edge features.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value high-quality camera performance and advanced imaging features.
- Media Consumers: Individuals who enjoy watching high-resolution videos, gaming, and other visually intensive content.
- Those who can afford a premium device: The Zenfone is a flagship device with a corresponding high price tag.
- Users who need fast charging: Those who cannot spend large amounts of time charging.
Use Cases:
- High-end gaming.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Extensive multitasking.
- Immersive media consumption.
- Future Proof performance
Price-to-Value Ratio
- The Redmi Note 10S offers very good value for its price, providing good basic functionality.
- The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is a premium device with a high price tag, but it justifies its cost for demanding users through its cutting edge technologies and significantly better performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- What is your budget? The Note 10S is a budget phone, while the Zenfone 11 Ultra is a premium-priced device.
- How important is performance and gaming? The Zenfone 11 Ultra excels in performance, while the Note 10S is basic.
- What are your camera needs? The Zenfone 11 Ultra provides vastly superior camera performance and features compared to the Note 10S.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Budget-Focused & Casual User:
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S. It offers good value for basic use and daily tasks.
- Scenario 2: Performance-Focused & Gaming User:
- Recommendation: Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. Its superior performance, screen, and camera features are ideal for gaming and power use.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast:
- Recommendation: Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. Its advanced camera system and features are suitable for high-quality photography and videography.
- Scenario 4: User seeking long-term value:
- Recommendation: Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. Its superior hardware specifications will be relevant for a longer time than the Redmi Note 10S.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. While it is significantly more expensive, its performance advantage, superior display, much better camera, faster charging, and inclusion of modern standards such as WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, make it a much more compelling option. I use my phone heavily for a range of tasks such as gaming, productivity, media consumption, and high quality photography/videography. These tasks require higher computational power and the Zenfone is better suited to perform these tasks. The Redmi Note 10S simply cannot offer the same future-proof performance and premium features. The Zenfone, though larger and heavier, provides an experience that justifies its premium price tag. For me, the overall experience and the ability to future proof the device outweighs the budget and size considerations.
