Asus' Zenfone has grown up, quite literally so.
For the new 11 Ultra, the Taiwanese makers have expanded to a massive 6.8-inch screen from 5.9 inches in the Zenfone 10. The screen is also much brighter, with an AMOLED display that comes with a variable refresh rate of up to 120 hertz, and even up to 144 hertz in gaming mode.
For the first time, Asus has fitted a smartphone with a 32MP 3x telephoto lens - however, the camera actually takes photos at 8MP.
The main 50MP camera is fitted on a six-achis gimbal to increase image stability.
A bit of AI
In its latest phone Asus mainly uses artificial intelligence (AI) in camera mode to stabilize videos, for example in portrait mode. The brand has promised further AI updates will be made available for the 11 Ultra in the near future, including a speech transcription feature that should also work on calls.
When it comes to performance, Asus has opted for Qualcomm's top-notch Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, as befits a high-end range device. The 11 Ultra is also compatible with WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, while still offering a headphone jack for traditionalists who like options.
Super screen, big battery
The 5,500 mAh battery is a real powerhouse and charges with up to 65 watts via cable or up to 15 watts wirelessly. The 11 Ultra comes with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage for €1,000 or 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage for €1,100.
The glass back of the phone has a matt finish and is available in blue, black, grey and orange. The housing is enclosed in an aluminium frame and waterproof. However, at 224 grams, the new Asus flagship phone is no lightweight.
The price for the standard version of the new 11 Ultra is €200 higher than it was for the Zenfone 10, and while some might happily pay the price just for a more expansive screen, others may be put off for exactly that reason, especially those with smaller hands.
Another downside is that Asus is only promising two years of Android updates and four years of security updates.
Pre-orders are open and Asus said the Zenfone 11 Ultra will be available from March 22.
