Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Review
ASUS is back with its latest flagship, the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra. This phone takes over from the Zenfone 10, but unlike its predecessors, it comes with a whole new look. Priced starting at Rp 9.999 million (promo price) for the base model with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, it’s currently the most affordable smartphone powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip.
The design overhaul on the Zenfone 11 Ultra has sparked mixed reactions. On the plus side, you’re getting a bigger screen and a larger battery, which makes it great for productivity and everyday use. On the downside, the Zenfone series was known for its compact size—easy to use one-handed and pocket-friendly—which seems to be gone with this new release.
Unlike the previous three generations (Zenfone 8, 9, and 10) that were all about being small and handy, the Zenfone 11 Ultra now follows the trend of larger Android phones on the market.
With the older Zenfone models, you could slip them into your pocket and barely notice. The Zenfone 11 Ultra, on the other hand, feels more natural to use with two hands and definitely has some heft in your pocket. It might be a drawback for some, but it also brings plenty of advantages. The bigger size means more screen space and a much longer-lasting battery.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Specifications
| 📱 Design & Build Quality |
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|---|---|
| 🖥️ Display |
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| 🔧 Performance & Hardware |
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| ⚙️ Software & Features |
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| 📸 Camera |
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| 🔋 Battery & Charging |
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| 🌐 Connectivity & Network |
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| 🔊 Audio & Multimedia |
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Advantages of Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra
Massive battery life with fast charging
- Packs a hefty 5500 mAh battery, giving it standout stamina—Phone Arena recorded about 12.5 hours for video streaming and 16+ hours for browsing.
- Another tester said it easily lasts from 7 AM one day until 10 AM the next with 10% left. Despite that, it charges up from 20% to full in around 30 minutes using 65W.
Powerful and efficient performance
- Runs on the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, paired with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, making multitasking and demanding games totally smooth. IDN Times reported AnTuTu scores hitting over 2.1 million and smooth Genshin Impact gameplay at 50–60 fps.
Stunning display
- Features a bright and dynamic 6.78″ LTPO AMOLED screen with up to 144 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and super-high brightness (up to 2,500 nits) backed by Gorilla Glass Victus 2. You get smooth visuals and vibrant colors.
Top-tier camera tech
- Equipped with a 50 MP main sensor (Sony IMX890) using 6-axis gimbal stabilization 3.0, a 32 MP telephoto lens with 3× optical zoom, and a 13 MP ultrawide. Advanced video features include 8K recording, Super HyperSteady, OZO Audio 3D, and AI tools like HyperClarity and AI Portrait Video.
AI extras that actually help
- Includes handy AI tools such as Semantic Search (find typos easily), AI Call Translator, AI Transcript (transcribes audio with almost no errors!), and AI Noise Cancellation.
Great audio and connectivity features
- Retains the 3.5 mm headphone jack and supports Hi-Res audio (32-bit/384 kHz) both wired and wireless. Packs stereo speakers with Dirac tuning for deep, rich sound.
Premium, eco-friendly build
- Has a luxe design with glass and aluminum chassis, offered in elegant finishes like Skyline Blue, Misty Grey, and Eternal Black. ASUS uses recycled aluminum and glass, plus environmentally friendly packaging.
IP68 water and dust resistance
- Rated IP68, so it’s built to withstand splashes, dust, and short-term submersion.
Clean software experience
- Runs Android 14 with ASUS’s lean and bloat-free Zen UI, promising 2 major OS updates and 4 years of security updates.
Attractive price for a flagship chip
- Despite all these premium specs, it’s one of the most affordable Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 flagships on the market.
Disadvantages of Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra
No Charger in the Box
- You’ll need to buy a 65W charger separately, as ASUS doesn’t include one. That means extra cost and hassle.
Limited Software Support
- Only 2 major Android upgrades, plus about 4 years of security patches—shorter compared to rivals offering longer support.
A Chunky, Less Pocket-Friendly Design
- At 224–225 grams and 8.9 mm thick, it's noticeably bigger and heavier than previous Zenfones, making one-handed use tougher.
- The phone loses the compact charm of earlier models, especially the Zenfone 8, 9, and 10.
Camera Still Falls Behind the Top Tier
- Overall, camera performance is decent—but doesn’t quite match other flagships like Pixel 8 or iPhone 15 in low light or detail.
- Some reviewers point out less natural color processing, occasional overexposure, and inconsistent results in tricky lighting.
- Specifically, night mode can be slow and yield marginal improvements, according to reviewer tests.
Power & Thermal Quirks
- Even when not in active use, the phone consumes more power at idle, which can impact long-term battery life.
- In real-world WiFi browsing tests, it managed around 16.5 hours, good—but still lagging behind some competitors with smaller batteries.
- A few users reported excessive heat while charging, especially when using third-party chargers instead of ASUS's own fast-charging tech.
Carrier and Feature Limitations
- Wi-Fi calling isn't supported by default, depending on the region and carrier—some users found this limitation on Zenfone 10 continues with the 11 Ultra. (Reddit)
- Bootloader is locked, meaning no easy way to mod or customize the phone. This has disappointed many tech-savvy users. (Reddit)
- Warranty support may be limited for units purchased outside the official sales region.
- (Reddit)
Missing Features Some Users Want
- Lacks a microSD card slot—no expandable storage.
- No eSIM support—only physical dual Nano-SIMs.
- Compares unfavorably in photo detail to other premium smartphones of its price.
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ASUS