I test dozens of smartphones every year, but none pique my interest as much as the Asus Zenfone. While Apple, Google, Samsung and all the other manufacturers compete with smartphones that are larger than ever, Asus has limited itself over the past two years to offering a pocket-sized Zenfone model, easily used with one hand and reasonably priced – usually around 800 euros.
The three points to remember about the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra smartphone
- The new Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra smartphone abandons the identity of a small smartphone in favor of the performance and power of the screen.
- The initial starting price of €1000 puts the device ahead of competitors Apple, Samsung and Google.
- Rare features like a 3.5mm headphone jack, 144Hz display, and more make the Zenfone 11 Ultra worth considering for some users.
I spent the week with the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra, which by its name should be the successor to the Zenfone 10 but that’s not the case. In fact, it’s quite the opposite: instead of a 5.9-inch screen, it now flaunts a 6.7-inch panel: it takes everything you always loved about the previous Zenfone and throws it away. the window!
This is not to say that the Zenfone 11 Ultra is an inferior model. A newer processor, higher refresh rate display, and larger battery make it a significantly improved product in terms of raw performance compared to the Zenfone 10. And some of the features I loved about its predecessor are, believe me, it or not, still present in this 2024 model. Here are more details.
So what’s changing this year, other than size?
So what’s changing this year, other than size? Immediately the change in the choice of materials will be noticeable and felt. Unlike last year’s textured back which provided remarkable grip, the new Zenfone 11 Ultra features a frosted glass back giving it a more understated appearance. On the other hand, it is naturally more prone to marks and scratches if you use the phone without a case and drop it.
My hazy gray test model has shades of brown, gold and silver. Kerry Wan/ZDNET.
The look and impression that the Zenfone 11 Ultra leaves, with its new size of 6.7 inches, can be described as generic, with thin and symmetrical bezels, rounded edges and a thickness of the photo block that exceeds any what another flagship product of 2024. But I’m not complaining here: the phone is very pleasant to hold in the hand, it is thick enough to give the impression of a high-end product without weighing down the wrists.
Some more subtle design choices worth mentioning include the USB-C jack placed on the bottom left of the phone instead of the middle, the IP68 water and dust resistance rating, and a headphone jack of 3.5mm. For audiophiles who favor lossless wired listening, this should sound pleasant to their ears.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 at the helm
Although the Zenfone 11 Ultra’s screen resolution only reaches 1080p – it’s not a 2K, QHD display like on the Galaxy S24 Plus – it is refreshed at 144Hz, specifically useful for gaming. Combining this high refresh rate with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 results in generally smooth operation when switching between streaming video, checking emails, scrolling through social media, and playing games on your smartphone. ‘Asus.
The Zenfone 11 Ultra has a maximum brightness of 2,500 nits, which is not the highest on the market but is sufficient. Kerry Wan/ZDNET
The Zenfone 11 Ultra really shines in apps that make the most of its haptic engines. Every click and buzz is tactile and precise, putting the Zenfone’s vibration sensor on par with that of the iPhone 15 Pro Max. I’m also a fan of the built-in speakers. I often play music or cooking videos in the background when I’m in the kitchen, and it’s become a good way for me to accurately appreciate tinny vocals and bass at different volume levels. . The Zenfone 11 Ultra’s audio system is one of the best I’ve tested.
The overall software experience on the Zenfone 11 Ultra is quite pleasant, especially if you opt for the stock Android theme during the initial setup screen. None of the personalization settings feel forced, and I’m a fan of the more subtle AI features like semantic search, which displays relevant settings based on keywords you type.
I’m less enthusiastic about Asus’ update policy for the Zenfone 11 Ultra
On the other hand, I’m less enthusiastic about Asus’ update policy for the Zenfone 11 Ultra, which is only guaranteed for just two years of operating system updates. On the other hand, Google and Samsung are committed to offering up to seven years of software support for their latest flagship smartphones!
On the back, there are three cameras: a 50-megapixel main camera, a 13-megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 32-megapixel telephoto camera. Kerry Wan/ZDNET
When it comes to cameras, it’s no surprise that the $1,000 Zenfone 11 Ultra takes flattering photos and videos. Content captured by all three lenses is relatively consistent in terms of color reproduction and accuracy, although there is a slight bias toward warmer tones. This is not bad in itself: images of people, animals, food and landscapes often appear more vivid and warmer.
Purchasing advice for the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra smartphone
The device’s size translates into a better viewing experience and exceptional battery life. These two aspects alone make the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra a better phone than last year’s Zenfone 10… as much as I hate to admit it. Starting at €1000, the Zenfone 11 Ultra moves fully into flagship territory, distancing itself from OnePlus and Motorola and moving closer to Google, Samsung and Apple, all of which offer greater brand identity and better after-sales service. .
That’s why small gains, such as the 3.5mm headphone jack, Asus-optimized software, and haptics/sound system, are all the more important for this device. If you are sensitive to these features, the Zenfone 11 Ultra could be the only high-end smartphone to offer them in 2024.
Does this mean the end of small smartphones? Not really. I like to think that the Zenfone 11’s ‘Ultra’ designation implies that there will be a non-Ultra model later in the year, which will be more in line with the older, smaller Zenfone that many users use. including myself, have become fans. All we have to do now is wait and see.
Source: “ZDNet.com”