This new ‘Ultra’ Android phone goes big on display and battery

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The new Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra ditches the brand’s puny phone identification in desire of display efficiency and energy.
• That puts the $899 handset in a aggressive market dominated by the likes of Apple, Samsung, and Google.
• Niche capabilities esteem a 3.5mm headphone jack, 144Hz display, and extra originate the Zenfone 11 Ultra price considering for some users.

I take a look at dozens of smartphones yearly, nonetheless none scratches my reviewer’s itch greater than the Asus Zenfone. Look, whereas Apple, Google, Samsung, and every assorted manufacturer were battling it out with increased-than-ever handsets, Asus has built a cult following over the last two years with a Zenfone model that is pocketable, with out complications usable with one hand, and is sort of priced — on the total round $600-$700.

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Final year’s Zenfone 10 stays my “Only puny phone” pick on ZDNET’s annual tier checklist, and I don’t contemplate that altering anytime soon. That is as a consequence of I’ve spent the week with the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra which, by title, also can merely aloof be the successor to the Zenfone 10 nonetheless is not basically. In actuality, it’s the right kind opposite; as an different of a 5.9-droop display, it now flaunts a 6.7-droop panel that takes everything you can secure ever loved about the preceding Zenfone and throws it out the window.

That is not to claim that Zenfone 11 Ultra is a downgrade. A newer processor, greater refresh payment display, and increased battery originate it a sizeable development by formula of raw efficiency when in comparison with the Zenfone 10. And some of the capabilities that I loved about its predecessor are, consider it or not, aloof note on this 2024 model. Here is the breakdown.

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So, what’s assorted this year besides the dimensions? Right away, the switch in topic topic choices shall be noticeable and felt. In contrast to final year’s textured assist quilt that was remarkably grippy, the new Zenfone 11 Ultra has a frosted glass quilt that is extra used and  tidy-searching. The alternate-off, naturally, is the susceptibility of cracking, also can merely aloof you utilize the phone with out a case and tumble it.

The contemplate and basically feel of the Zenfone 11 Ultra, at its new 6.7-droop size, is handiest described as generic, with slim, symmetrical bezels, rounded edges, and a camera bump that protrudes as a lot as any assorted 2024 flagship. Nonetheless I’m not complaining; the phone feels gargantuan within the hand, with appropriate adequate heft to originate it basically feel top class with out burdening your wrists.

Some extra delicate hardware designs price mentioning embrace the repositioned USB-C cable that rests on the bottom left of the phone as an different of the center, the IP68 water and mud resistance ranking, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. For audiophiles who desire lossless, wired listening, this needs to be tune to your ears.

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While the display of the Zenfone 11 Ultra only goes up to 1080p — it’s no 2K, QHD panel esteem on the equally-priced Galaxy S24 Plus — it does refresh at 144Hz, namely for gaming. Pair the upper refresh payment with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and you may per chance even be in for a assuredly at ease operation when switching between video streaming, scrolling by emails and social media, and taking half in video games on the Asus phone. 

The handset basically shines in applications that originate the most of its haptic motors. Each click and buzz feels tactile and proper, inserting the Zenfone’s vibration sensor in accordance with the iPhone 15 Pro Max. I’m a fan of the built-in audio system, too. I incessantly play tune or cooking videos within the background at any time when I’m within the kitchen, and it’s turn out to be a factual formula for me to study precisely how tinny, bass-heavy, and pronounced vocals are at rather a few volume ranges. I may per chance put the Zenfone 11 Ultra’s sound system up there for one of the handiest I’ve tested.

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The final application skills on the Zenfone 11 Ultra is extraordinarily pleasing, in particular ought to you make a selection for the inventory Android theming for the duration of the preliminary setup display. None of the customization settings basically feel compelled, and I’m a fan of the extra delicate AI capabilities esteem Semantic Search, which draws up associated settings based on key phrases you fashion in. While on the topic of application, I’m much less pleased about Asus’ replace coverage for the Zenfone 11 Ultra, which comes with only two years of working system updates. That is in comparison with the likes of Google and Samsung who are committed to up to seven years of application improve for his or her newest flagship phones.

For the cameras, it’s going to also merely aloof advance as no shock that the $899 Zenfone 11 Ultra takes some flattering photos and videos. Content captured by all three lenses is rather consistent in color reproduction and accuracy, though there is a tiny bias in direction of warmer tones. That is not a irascible thing per se; pictures of parents, pets, meals, and surroundings enact incessantly appear extra shining in warmer hues.

ZDNET’s trying to catch recommendation

All that size within the raze lends itself to a greater viewing skills and exceptional battery life. Those two capabilities alone originate the Zenfone 11 Ultra a greater phone than final year’s Zenfone 10, as a lot as I disfavor to admit it. At $899, the Zenfone 11 Ultra is swimming in flagship territory, distancing itself from the likes of OnePlus and Motorola and inching nearer to Google, Samsung, and Apple, all of which provide greater brand identification and after-sales improve. 

That is why the smaller wins, corresponding to the 3.5mm headphone jack, Asus-optimized application, and haptics/sound system topic that a lot extra for the Asus phone. If these capabilities resonate with you, the Zenfone 11 Ultra also can merely be the only high-stop phone that offers them in 2024.

And does this spell the stop of puny phones? Not precisely. I may per chance esteem to mediate that the “Ultra” branding of the Zenfone 11 implies that there shall be non-Ultra model later this year that is extra in accordance with the older, smaller Zenfone many users, including myself, secure turn out to be a fan of. We will appropriate should wait and contemplate.