Asus kills compact Zenfone legacy with an "Ultra" flagship

In a significant shift from its previous flagship models, Asus recently introduced the Zenfone 11 Ultra, marking a new direction for its mainstream Zenfone line. The latest addition boasts top-tier cameras, including a flagship chipset and cutting-edge AI features. However, what's catching attention is its departure from the compact design ethos of its predecessors. In this article, let’s dive into discussing the latest Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra, including its price in Nepal, specifications, and more.

Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Overview

What’s changed? 

Unlike its predecessors, the Zenfone 11 Ultra takes on a significantly larger form factor, with dimensions akin to the ROG Phone 8 Pro. This alteration in size suggests a pivot towards a more mainstream audience, contrasting with the gaming-centric design of the ROG Phone 8 Pro. Comparing the Zenfone 11 Ultra with the ROG Phone 8 Pro reveals a shift from a standard compact and a very cute comfort design to a sports package upgrade. While the former offers a premium experience in a sleek design, the latter caters specifically to gamers with features like air triggers and accent lighting.

Display and Design

The device has a glossy matte finish and has a build of aluminum frames and glass on the back. This latest flagship shares similarities with the ROG phones in the design departments.  The device features a 6.78” LTPO AMOLED screen with Full HD+ resolution and up to 144 Hz refresh rate. This display, protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, promises vibrant visuals and smooth interactions. 

Camera and Battery

On the camera front, it introduces a triple-camera setup, including a 50 MP main camera with Asus' 6-axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer 3.0, a 13 MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 32 MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. Additionally, on the front, you get a nice 32MP camera, perfect for selfies and vlogging. Equipped with a 5,500 mAh battery, the Zenfone 11 Ultra supports 65W wired and 15W wireless charging.

Performance

The Zenfone 11 Ultra boasts a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, comprising an octa-core CPU with a configuration of 1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720, 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720, and 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520. Paired with the Qualcomm Adreno 750 GPU, this setup promises unparalleled performance for both everyday use and gaming. Running on Android 14, the Zenphone 11 Ultra comes with an integration of AI, enhancing features like Bokeh in Portrait Video Mode and object tracking. Additionally, AI features extend to functionalities such as transcription in sounds, call translation, noise cancellation, and AI wallpaper.

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Reactions on the Internet

Asus, known for its enthusiast phones, took a different route with the Zenfone 11 Ultra, opting for a larger form factor. The new device has top-of-the-line specs and features, but it's different from its predecessors in terms of design, especially the Zenfone 10. Fans have expressed disappointment over the shift towards larger smartphones, fearing the loss of uniqueness in the market without a compact Zenfone 11.

Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Specifications

• Display: 6.78" LTPO AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10, 1600 nits (HBM), 2500 nits (peak)
• Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)
• Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
• Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm Mobile Platform)
• Memory: Up to 16GB RAM, 512TB UFS 4.0 storage
• Software & UI: Android 14
• Rear Camera:
  • 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, gimbal OIS
  • 32 MP, f/2.4, 65mm (telephoto), 1/3.2", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
  • 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm
• Front Camera: 32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide), 1/3.2", 0.7µm
• Audio: Dual stereo speaker setup with a 3.5mm headphone jack
• Battery: 5500 mAh with 65W wired charging, 15W wireless, 10W reverse wired
• Colors: Eternal Black, Skyline Blue, Misty Gray, Desert Sand

Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Price in Nepal and Availability

The Zenfone 11 Ultra comes in four color options and is priced starting at USD 899 for the 12/256 GB variant,  The higher-end 16GB/512GB version is priced at USD 1,000. However, the smartphone is very unlikely to make its way to Nepal. But by any means, if it arrives here, the Asus Zenphone 11 Ultra might start at no less than NPR 140,000.

• Meanwhile, watch our video on Vivo V30