Something totally different
If you’re in search of one thing totally different from the standard, the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra stands out among the many pack. It has AI options to rival different manufacturers, although some are nonetheless in beta. It presents assist for hi-res music, quick refresh price for gaming and leisure, and strong specs, total. But it’s extra of a short-term telephone given the restricted software program and safety replace assist.
ForDistinctive designComes with AI options (some beta)Bright, gorgeous screenHas headphone jackAgainstNo expandable storageLimited software program and safety updatesCan overheat whereas gamingDoesn’t have a charger within the field
As premium as they arrive
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is about as premium an Android machine as you will get. It has a number of AI options, being amongst one of many first Android units to include lots of them. It’s a shocking, sturdy, and high-quality telephone with spectacular specs. But it’s additionally one of many costlier Android units. With that mentioned, will probably be supported by software program and safety updates for an extended, very long time.
ForComes with AI optionsHigh-res, vibrant screenMade of sturdy, elegant materialsComes with an S PenAgainstExpensiveNo expandable storage
If AI is on the thoughts, two telephones that basically deal with incorporating AI options are the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. These are two very totally different telephones, nevertheless, in terms of worth level. Naturally, Galaxy units have a fame for being among the many hottest and revered Android telephones round. How does the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra stack up? Let’s have a look.ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: On the skin and fundamental specs(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra is the newer telephone of the 2, launched in March 2024. Each has black sides with Skyline Blue, Eternal Black, Misty Grey, or Desert Sand on the again. The display screen is a 6.78-inch versatile E6 AMOLED show that boasts a 2,400 x 1,080-pixel decision and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Employing a shiny matte end with the Chinese image for “people” on it, the telephone is each sturdy and chic. It additionally meets IP68 certification for water and dirt resistance. The display screen is ultra-bright, so you’ll be able to comfortably view it in any setting, together with vibrant daylight, because of 1,600 nits brightness and a couple of,500 nits peak brightness. To sustain with all sorts of duties, from fundamental e-mails to intense gaming classes, the display screen refresh price can flip from 1-120Hz as wanted. There is a lift choice to go as much as 144Hz as nicely, however Android Central’s Harish Jonnalagadda says in his Zenfone 11 Ultra evaluation that it solely works with a restricted collection of video games and might’t be manually turned on. A smidge shorter and lighter than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra is described by Jonnalagadda as being tall and heavy, however he provides that the burden distribution is balanced splendidly, so it’s not uncomfortable to carry. The telephone comes with 256GB or 512GB storage, and it doesn’t have a microSD card slot. Running on Android 14 with the ZenUI overlay, Jonnalagadda loves the customizability provided by ZenUI and says it’s fluid and good trying. However, he did observe that he was experiencing some points with push notifications. The one main strike in opposition to this telephone is the truth that it solely comes with two main software program updates and 4 years of safety updates, which is much lower than most premium telephones these days, together with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Equipped with a formidable 5,500mAh battery, you may be assured that the telephone will final all day, and probably even past. It additionally helps 65W HyperCost quick charging together with wi-fi charging. Along with twin stereo audio system that Jonnalagadda says are among the many “loudest in this category,” the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra additionally has twin mics with ASUS Noise Reduction know-how, Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi Direct, NFC, and twin SIMs. Operating on the 5G community, there’s additionally a fingerprint sensor and face unlock choices. One stand-out characteristic is that this telephone has a 3.5mm enter for connecting wired headphones, which is one thing quite a lot of different telephone producers are casting off.(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)By comparability, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is available in Titanium Gray, Black, Violet, or Yellow, in addition to Samsung unique colours Titanium Green, Blue, and Orange. As the title implies, it has a sturdy titanium body with Corning Gorilla Armor that additional improves sturdiness, scratch resistance, and reduces glare. It has a extra premium appear and feel, and it’s extra sturdy total, together with assembly the IP68 specification as nicely. With a tad bigger 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display screen, it’s additionally increased decision at 3,088 x 1,440. The 2,600 nits peak brightness means you’ll don’t have any hassle viewing the telephone open air in vibrant daylight. This is additional solidified with Samsung’s Vision Booster know-how. The identical adaptive 120Hz refresh price ensures the telephone runs easily whether or not you’re posting to social media or enjoying a graphics-heavy sport. There’s a further 1TB choice together with 256GB and 512GB, however just like the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra, this isn’t expandable. It, too, runs on Android 14 alongside Samsung’s One UI 6.1 overlay, so you’ll be able to take pleasure in further customization choices with this telephone as nicely. One characteristic that makes this telephone stand out is the inclusion of a Samsung S Pen, which is right for sketching, taking notes, and seamlessly navigating with out having to make use of your finger or thumb. The actual stand-out right here, nevertheless, is that Samsung helps the telephone with seven years of each software program and safety updates, so you’ll be able to relaxation assured that will probably be “current” for a few years to return. The battery shouldn’t be as massive at 5,000mAh, but it surely does assist quick wi-fi charging 2.0 by way of the WPC normal, so that you’ll want a particular sort of charger with a 45W adapter and 5A USB-C cable. It additionally works with Wireless PowerShare, so the telephone can be utilized to recharge different suitable units when positioned atop its floor, like different Galaxy telephones, Galaxy Buds, and extra. Additional options embrace twin stereo audio system, 5G, Wi-Fi Direct, and Bluetooth 5.3, however there’s no headphone jack.ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Look on the specsHow do these two telephones evaluate side-by-side when evaluating specs?Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0 ASUS Zenfone 11 UltraSamsung Galaxy S24 UltraOSAndroid 14Android 14 (One US 6.1)ColoursSkyline Blue, Eternal Black, Misty Grey, Desert SandTitanium Gray, Titanium Black, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow (Samsung-exclusive Titanium Green, Titanium Blue, Titanium OrangeDisplay Size6.78 inches6.8 inchesScreen Resolution2,400 x 1,0803,088 x 1,440Display TypeFlexible E6 AMOLEDDynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+Refresh Rate1-120Hz (144Hz increase)120HzProcessorSnapdragon 8 Gen 3Snapdragon 8 Gen 3RAM12GB, 16GB12GBStorage256GB, 512GB (not expandable)256GB, 512GB, 1TB (not expandable)Digital camera50MP fundamental, 32MP telephoto, 13MP ultra-wide, 32MP entrance200MP huge, 12MP ultra-wide, 50MP telephoto, 10MP telephoto, 12MP entranceSpeakersStereo Speakers, Hi-Res AudioStereo SpeakersBattery5,500mAh5,000mAhWireless ChargingYesYes (Wireless PowerShare)Bluetooth5.45.3Water ResistanceIP68IP68Cellular5G5GSize6.45 x 3.02 x 0.35 inches6.4 x 3.11 x 0.34 inchesWeight225 grams233 gramsBy the numbers solely, these two telephones look related. But let’s break it down additional.ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Processing and energy(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)With a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and 12 or 16GB RAM, the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra is a reasonably highly effective machine. It additionally comes with a number of AI options, although many are nonetheless in beta mode on the time of this writing. AI translator, for instance, can translate your phrases into textual content and/or voice for the individual on the opposite finish of the decision and vice versa. AI transcript transcribes telephone calls in real-time, whereas AI wallpaper creates a customized picture for you primarily based on the types you like. Along with AI noise cancellation, the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra additionally has twin stereo audio system and helps lossless, Hi-Res audio as much as 384kHz/32-bit with suitable wired headphones. With Dirac Virtuo for Headphone spatial sound and aptX audio codecs assist, you’ll be able to additional take pleasure in an immersive private listening expertise. Along with listening to music, Jonnalagadda says this characteristic makes a distinction when watching streaming content material and enjoying video games. The ASUS GlideX characteristic makes it straightforward to reflect your telephone and share movies and photographs throughout different units, utilizing the telephone as a webcam and creating an improved desktop set-up. There’s additionally a characteristic referred to as Phone Link that makes it doable to sync the telephone with a laptop computer or PC and simply switch information, take calls, and handle on a regular basis productiveness duties. There are options for avid gamers as nicely, together with a sport turbo engine that Jonnalagadda calls the most effective he has used on any telephone. To guarantee you’ve gotten an uninterrupted video gaming expertise, the Video Genie characteristic mutes calls and notifications till you’re completed your enjoying session. One factor to notice is that Jonnalagadda did discover some overheating after lengthy gaming classes.(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Powered by the identical Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 platform, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra presents 12GB RAM and a number of AI options as nicely. Live Translate presents real-time, two-way voice and textual content translation, and an interpreter characteristic shows reside conversations on a cut up display screen, each with and with out an lively connection. With AI Chat Assist, get assist composing textual content messages. AI within the keyboard, in the meantime, might help translate messages and e-mails in actual time, each on the telephone itself in addition to whereas related to Android Auto. In Samsung Notes, use Note Assist to get AI-generated summaries, templates, and extra. Transcript Assist additionally makes use of AI to assist transcribe recordings, even summarize them. One of the good AI options is Google’s Circle to Search, which lets you circle, spotlight, scribble on, or faucet a picture on the display screen to study extra about it. You’ll get contextual outcomes proper on the identical display screen with out having to open an internet browser individually. Depending on the kind of content material, you may additionally see further overviews powered by AI that may let you know extra about the whole lot from a cultural dish to a plant or a chunk of clothes or have the ability to ask additional questions utilizing pure language queries. The telephone has options for avid gamers as nicely, together with a bigger vapor chamber designed to enhance thermal management to forestall the telephone from overheating. For safety, take pleasure in Samsung Knox, Advanced Intelligence settings for disabling AI options if most popular, safe Wi-Fi, and extra. Both these telephones are highly effective and provide loads of AI goodies, although Samsung’s AI options are totally obtainable now whereas the ASUS ones are nonetheless in beta mode. But the options work equally, permitting you to get essentially the most out of your telephone.ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Taking photographs(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Nowadays, everybody takes photographs with their smartphone, so guaranteeing the one you select has first rate digital camera is essential.The ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra has a 50MP fundamental digital camera, a 13MP ultra-wide digital camera, a 32MP telephoto digital camera with a 3x lens, and a 32MP entrance digital camera. After his checks, Jonnalagadda says photographs had nice element each throughout the day and evening, providing nice dynamic vary and colour accuracy. In low-light eventualities, he did discover some fringing and a slight lack of element. In comparability to older-model Zenfone fashions, nevertheless, he says this digital camera is the most effective but. The digital camera has a few of the typical options you’d count on from a telephone digital camera, together with portrait mode, together with distinctive ones as nicely. The portrait video mode, for instance, makes use of AI to offer a depth-of-field impact, and might acknowledge the faces of each individuals and pets. The Super Hyper Steady EIS algorithm works in tandem with different options to make sure easy photographs and photographs. Other digital camera options embrace 10x zoom with HyperReadability AI algorithm and direct processing of RAW information. AI Object Sense acknowledges objects and optimizes them, and semantic search enables you to find photographs in your albums primarily based on particular parameters, like occasion, time, location, or object, utilizing AI help. Samsung is understood for providing nice cameras with its Galaxy units, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra cameras aren’t any exception. It comes with a 200MP huge digital camera, a 50MP telephoto digital camera, a 10MP telephoto digital camera, a 12MP ultra-wide digital camera, and a 12MP entrance digital camera. There’s a ProVisual Engine that makes use of AI to enhance photographs, Quad Tele System with a 5x optical zoom lens that works with the 50MP sensor, and 100x enhanced digital zoom. You can take improved photographs at evening utilizing the Nightography mode in addition to options like Space Zoom. The wider optical picture stabilization additionally helps scale back movement blue, whereas Dedicated ISP Block helps scale back noise in movies. Analyzing gyro info in a video, the telephone can even analyze your actions and the topic’s actions to assist take away noise. Use Super HDR to get a preview of a picture earlier than snapping it, whereas Galaxy AI enhancing instruments can be utilized to tweak it when you’re completed. This contains erase, recompose, and remaster. Use Edit Suggestion to get ideas on find out how to greatest edit a photograph and Generative Edit to fill in elements of the background utilizing AI.ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Which must you purchase?(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)The determination between the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra would possibly seem to be a tricky one. With the identical processor, the choice for extra RAM, identical refresh price, wi-fi charging, bigger battery, identical sturdy design, and extra, the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra may be very tempting, particularly contemplating it prices a lot much less. But there’s extra to it than that. The ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra is certainly a telephone you’ll love utilizing, and it’ll allow you to maintain up with the whole lot you need to do, from productiveness to leisure, informal gaming, experimenting with AI, snapping photographs, and staying in contact. But the massive deciding issue will likely be longevity. With Samsung supporting the Galaxy S24 Ultra for seven years of OS and safety updates, it’s greater than thrice so long as ASUS presents for the Zenfone 11 Ultra. This turns into moot for those who plan to commerce in or improve your telephone in a couple of years anyway. For those that finance their telephones and will likely be handing them again in after the contract interval to get one thing new, this gained’t matter. If you might be shopping for the telephone outright, nevertheless, you’re going to get higher worth with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Not solely will you have the ability to maintain onto the telephone for 5+ years and nonetheless have the ability to take pleasure in essentially the most up-to-date options (that the telephone itself helps), however you’ll get more cash for it in case you are buying and selling it in or reselling it. So, when you’re spending extra, you’re getting one thing that’s constructed to final in additional methods than one. There are different features to contemplate. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has a a lot increased decision display screen, higher cameras, and Wireless PowerShare, which is efficacious in case you have different Samsung merchandise like Samsung Buds and is available in funky colours. When contemplating total worth, you’ll get extra from the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. But for those who plan to join a contract and commerce within the telephone for a brand new one in two years, it can save you a bit by contemplating the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra, and it’ll fantastically meet your wants.
Good if on contract
If you’re going on contract with the choice to improve in a couple of years, contemplate the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra. You’ll get a robust processor and fabulous AI options to mess around with together with first rate cameras and gaming efficiency. With restricted software program assist, nevertheless, this isn’t a telephone to maintain for the long-haul.
A strong funding
Investing within the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, you’ll be able to simply preserve this telephone as your major machine for a few years to return because of ongoing software program and safety updates. It, too, has a robust processor, tons of AI options, nice cameras, and gaming efficiency. It’ll value extra, however you’ll have the ability to stretch that funding over an extended time frame.