Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T vs. Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-18 | 2024-04-14 | The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is a much newer device, benefiting from more recent advancements. |
| Dimensions | 161.2 × 77.3 × 9.1 mm, 199g | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm, 224g | The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is slightly taller and heavier, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T is lighter and may be more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.78" | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both are similar, providing sharp images for everyday use. |
| PPI | 395 | 388 | Very similar pixel density; both offer crisp visuals. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra's AMOLED display provides richer colors, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra's higher refresh rate leads to smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is much brighter and significantly better for use in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra's processor provides substantially faster performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and overall responsiveness. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 1,532,000 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has drastically better performance in benchmarks, indicating a huge real-world difference in speed. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 750 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has a far superior GPU for demanding graphics and gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra's larger battery will offer longer battery life. |
| Charging | 18W | 65W | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | 22.5W charger inbox | 15W wireless, 10W reverse wired | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers wireless charging capabilities and can charge other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", 1.00µm | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has a larger sensor and larger pixel size which likely results in better low light performance, more detail and less noise. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.25, 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 32MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2", 0.70µm | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has a higher resolution selfie camera, but the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T has a larger sensor and a wider aperture which results in better light sensitivity. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.70µm | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers a telephoto lens for better zoom capabilities; Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T has no telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers an ultrawide lens for capturing wider scenes. Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T has no ultrawide lens. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | None | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | None | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, 720p@480fps | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has superior video capabilities with higher resolutions, frame rates and better image stabilization. |
| DxoMark | No Data | 125 Main Score | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has a significantly higher rating with a mobile score of 125, suggesting superior overall camera performance. |
| Features | Digital Zoom, Triple camera, DIS, AF, TF, MF, CS, GT, Pan, HDR, FD, WB, ISO, EC, SC, ST | 4K Video, 8K Video, DZ, TC, DIS, OIS, Gimbal, AF, TF, CAF, PDAF, PDAF O, CS, GT, Pan, HDR, FD, WB, ISO, EC, SC, ST, RAW | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers a more advanced camera system with features like OIS, gimbal, and RAW capture. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 (upgradable to 16) | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra comes with a much more modern OS with future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 7 (802.11be) | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra supports the latest WiFi standards for much faster speeds and better connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE, A2DP, LDAC, AAC | 5.4 LE, AVRCP, HID, OPP, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra features newer Bluetooth with more supported audio profiles for improved audio transmission capabilities. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, Galileo, GLONASS (L1) | 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 Zenfone 11 Ultra offers more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has much more internal storage for apps, media, and files. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 12 GB or 16 GB | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking and better performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers noise cancellation and two microphones improving voice capture quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T uses a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has superior screen protection from scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Gravity, Hall | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers additional sensors like proximity, gravity and hall sensors |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T Advantages:
- Lighter: At 199g, it is significantly more comfortable for extended use than the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra.
- Wider Aperture Selfie Camera: The f/2.25 aperture on the selfie camera allows for better low-light performance than the f/2.5 on the Asus.
- Dedicated Depth and Macro Lenses: Offers dedicated depth and macro sensors which are not present on the Asus.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Offers a more ergonomic fingerprint sensor placement.
- Price: This device is significantly cheaper than the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED with 144Hz refresh rate and 2500 nits brightness provides significantly better image quality, smoothness, and outdoor visibility.
- Massive Performance Boost: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset delivers vastly superior performance for all tasks, including gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: Includes telephoto and wide-angle lenses, 8K video recording, OIS, and higher resolution main and selfie sensors.
- Significantly More Storage: Offers 256GB or 512GB of internal storage and up to 16 GB of RAM for smoother multitasking and more space for large files.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: 65W fast charging, 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging for convenience.
- Modern Software and Connectivity: Comes with Android 14 (upgradeable to 16) and supports the latest WiFi and Bluetooth standards.
- Superior Build Quality: Offers Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection.
- Better Audio Recording Quality: Equipped with 2 microphones and noise cancellation.
Trade-offs:
- The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T offers more features for close-up and portrait photography whereas the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra trades those features for Telephoto, Wide Angle, OIS, and better video capture.
- The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is significantly heavier and larger than the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T
- The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T is much more affordable than the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users seeking a reliable phone for everyday tasks with decent performance. Users that are prioritising cost over high performance.
- Use Cases:
- Basic social media use, web browsing, and email.
- Casual gaming.
- Users who prefer a lighter device.
- Users who value more macro and portrait photography functionality over zoom capabilities.
- Price-to-Value: Offers good value for a budget phone that performs well in day-to-day tasks.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Ideal User: Performance-focused users who want the best possible display, camera and performance. Users that are looking for a high-end flagship device.
- Use Cases:
- Demanding gaming, video editing, and content creation.
- Heavy multitasking, running multiple apps simultaneously.
- Users who prioritize high-quality photography and video capture.
- Users that are looking for a long lasting battery and fast charging.
- Users who want the latest software and best connectivity.
- Users who want a device with high-end build quality and better screen protection.
- Price-to-Value: Justifies its premium price with top-tier performance, high-end features, and a superior user experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is your budget? The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T is significantly cheaper.
- How important is performance and gaming to you? The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is superior in this aspect.
- What are your priorities regarding camera features? The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has a far superior camera system with Telephoto, Wide angle, 8k recording and OIS.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget User: If you have a strict budget, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T is a good option.
- Performance User: If you want the best possible performance and gaming experience, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the clear choice.
- Camera Enthusiast: If you value versatile camera capabilities including high-quality zoom capabilities, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is superior.
- Everyday User: If you want a device for normal day to day usage, both devices are adequate with the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra being a higher end device and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T being a more budget option.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally choose the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. While it is considerably more expensive, the massive performance boost, superior display, significantly better camera system with versatile features, larger RAM and Storage capacity, and better build quality justify the higher price for my use case. The advanced camera system, in particular, is a major draw for me as I often take pictures and videos and prioritize image quality. The superior display is also very valuable to me as I often consume content and value the smoother refresh rate and brightness. Furthermore, I value having the latest version of Android with future updates. The 65W fast charging and wireless charging functionality will also be invaluable for my lifestyle and I value a faster charging experience. Ultimately, while the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T offers good value for the money, I am willing to pay a premium for the top-tier features and performance offered by the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra.
