In this article, we’ll be comparing flagship smartphones from Google and ASUS. We’ll compare the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs ASUS ZenFone 11 Ultra. The ZenFone 11 Ultra arrived earlier this year, in March, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL dropped in August. These two smartphones are considerably different in almost every way. Well, the ZenFone 11 Ultra’s software is based on stock Android, though, so aside from Google’s Pixel features you’ll get a similar software feel. Other than that, there are not many similarities.
These two smartphones both look different and feel different in the hand. Their specifications are also quite different. We’ll first list those specs, and will then start to compare the devices across a number of categories. We’ll compare their designs, displays, performance, battery life, camera performance, and audio output. With that being said, let’s get to it.
Specs
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs ASUS ZenFone 11 Ultra, respectively
– Screen size:
6.8-inch QHD+ OLED (flat, adaptive 120Hz, HDR, 3,000 nits)
6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED 2X (flat, 144Hz, 2,500 nits max brightness)
– Display resolution:
2992 x 1344
2400 x 1080
– SoC:
Google Tensor G4
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
– RAM:
16GB (LPDDR5X)
12GB/16GB (LPDDR5X)
– Storage:
128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB (UFS 3.1)
256GB/512GB (UFS 4.0)
– Rear cameras:
50MP (wide, f/1.7 aperture, 1.2um pixel size, OIS, EIS), 48MP (ultrawide, f/1.7 aperture, 123-degree FoV), 48MP (periscope telephoto, f/2.8 aperture, OIS, EIS, 5x optical zoom)
50MP (wide, 24mm lens, gimbal OIS), 13MP (ultrawide, 120-degree FoV, f/2.2 aperture), 32MP (telephoto, 3x optical zoom, f/2.4 aperture)
– Front cameras:
42MP (f/2.2 aperture)
32MP (wide, f/2.5 aperture)
– Battery:
5,060mAh
5,500mAh
– Charging:
37W wired, 23W wireless (Pixel Stand), 12W Qi wireless, 5W reverse wireless (no charger)
65W wired, 15W wireless, 10W reverse wired (charger not included)
– Dimensions:
162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm
163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9mm
– Weight:
221 grams
224 grams
– Connectivity:
5G, LTE, NFC, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.3/5.4
– Security:
Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner & facial scanning
In-display fingerprint scanner (optical)
– OS:
Android 14
Android 14 with ZenUI
– Price:
$1,099+
$899+
– Buy:
Pixel 9 Pro XL (Best Buy, Google Store)
ZenFone 11 Ultra (Amazon)
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs ASUS ZenFone 11 Ultra: Design
Both of these smartphones are made out of metal and glass, and the frame on both of them is flat all around. The implementation of that flat frame is different, though. It’s thinner on the ZenFone 11 Ultra, and the backplate is curved towards the edges on the ZenFone 11 Ultra. It’s flat on the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Both smartphones have a flat display, though, and a centered display camera hole. The thing is, that camera hole is placed lower on the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Their physical keys are placed on the right-hand side. The Pixel 9 Pro XL includes a power/lock button above the volume up and down keys. It’s the other way around on the ZenFone 11 Ultra. The buttons are quite clicky on both smartphones. The bezels around the display are also very thin on both of them. The Pixel 9 Pro XL corners are more rounded than they are on the ZenFone 11 Ultra, though.
If we flip them around, you’ll see more differences in the camera design department. Google’s handset has a pill-shaped camera island, which is horizontal. The ZenFone 11 Ultra has a squarish camera island in the top-left corner. Both phones do include three cameras inside their camera islands, though. They are very similar in dimensions, and in weight too. The ZenFone 11 Ultra is only 3 grams heavier. Both smartphones are also IP68 certified, and both are quite slippery.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs ASUS ZenFone 11 Ultra: Display
There is a 6.8-inch 2992 x 1344 LTPO OLED display included on the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. That display is flat, and it offers an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz (1-120Hz). HDR10+ content is supported here, and the display’s peak brightness goes up to 3,000 nits. The screen-to-body ratio is at around 88%, while the display aspect ratio is 20:9. The display is protected by the Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
The ASUS ZenFone 11 Ultra features a 6.78-inch fullHD+ (2400 x 1080) LTPO AMOLED display. That panel is also flat, and it also offers an adaptive refresh rate, but up to 144Hz (1-144Hz). Do note that it’ll go that high only during gaming in specific games. HDR content is supported, while the peak brightness goes up to 2,500 nits. The screen-to-body ratio is at around 88%, while the display aspect ratio is 20:9. This display is protected by the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 as well.
Both of these displays are really good, actually. They’re both sharp and vivid with good viewing angles. The Pixel 9 Pro XL does offer a higher resolution, but the vast majority of you won’t even notice the difference. The display on Google’s handset also does get slightly brighter during use. The touch response is good on both of these displays, though, and chances are you’ll be happy with either one.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs ASUS ZenFone 11 Ultra: Performance
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is fueled by the Google Tensor G4 processor. That is Google’s 4nm processor, and it comes paired with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM inside of this phone. Google also included UFS 3.1 flash storage here. The ZenFone 11 Ultra is fueled by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a 4nm processor by Qualcomm. ASUS offers up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM here and UFS 4.0 flash storage. The storage is not expandable.
ASUS’ handset does have a more powerful processor, and faster storage too. You’d be hard-pressed to notice the difference, however. Both smartphones are quite snappy during regular, day-to-day use, the performance is very good on both. That Tensor chip is really well-adapted to this smartphone. Everything is smooth, ranging from jumping between apps to messaging, emailing, browsing, consuming multimedia, and so on.
The ZenFone 11 Ultra is the better choice for intense gaming, however, even though the Pixel 9 Pro XL can run basically any game. Those demanding ones do run better on the ZenFone 11 Ultra. If you’re not really a gamer, either of these two phones will do the trick, really, even though the ZenFone 11 Ultra is technically more powerful.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs ASUS ZenFone 11 Ultra: Battery
There is a 5,060mAh battery included inside the Pixel 9 Pro XL. ASUS’ handset, on the flip side, uses a 5,500mAh battery. With that being said, the ZenFone 11 Ultra does offer better battery life, as its battery capacity may indicate. In fact, it offers outstanding battery life, while the battery life on the Pixel 9 Pro XL is also really good. In all honesty, chances are that you’ll be happy with the output from both smartphones.
Getting up to 7 hours of screen-on-time is possible even on the Pixel 9 Pro XL, with specific usage, so you can imagine how high the ZenFone 11 Ultra can go. We have crossed the 8-hour screen-on-time and still had juice left in the tank. Do note that intense gaming, intense camera use, intense GPS use, and so on, will have a considerable impact on battery life, of course. That’s why your mileage may vary, each of us uses our phones in different ways, so… there you go.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL supports 37W wired, 23W wireless (with the Pixel Stand), 12W Qi wireless, and 5W reverse wireless charging. The ZenFone 11 Ultra supports 65W wired, 15W Qi wireless, and 10W reverse wired charging. ASUS’ handset does charge faster, via a wired, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL will charge faster wirelessly… if you own a Pixel Stand. Neither phone comes with a charger in the box, though.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs ASUS ZenFone 11 Ultra: Cameras
There are three cameras on the backs of both smartphones. Google’s device has a 50-megapixel main camera (1/1.31-inch sensor), a 48-megapixel ultrawide unit (1/2.55-inch sensor, 123-degree FoV), and a 48-megapixel periscope telephoto camera (1/2.55-inch sensor, 5x optical zoom). The ZenFone 11 Ultra includes a 50-megapixel main camera (1/1.56-inch sensor), a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera (1/3.0-inch sensor, 120-degree FoV), and a 32-megapixel telephoto camera (1/3.2-inch sensor, 3x optical zoom).
With that being said, the Pixel 9 Pro XL does offer better photos overall. They’re simply better balanced, and if we pixel peep, you’ll notice more detail from all three of its cameras, basically. Google’s image processing is really good, not to mention that the phone has better camera hardware overall. Literally every single camera on the back includes a larger camera sensor that allows more light to enter.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL also has the advantage of having an actual periscope telephoto camera, while the ZenFone 11 Ultra includes a regular telephoto shooter. Don’t get me wrong, the pictures from the ZenFone 11 Ultra end up looking good and vibrant, but they’re not as good as what the Pixel 9 Pro XL offers. They also have a tendency to apply a bit too much saturation and sharpening while processing.
Audio
You’ll find a set of stereo speakers on both of these smartphones. The ones on the Pixel 9 Pro XL are a bit louder, but the sound quality coming from both sets is good and also comparable. So, chances are you’ll be good either way.
If you need a headphone jack, only the ZenFone 11 Ultra offers it. You will need to hook up your wired headphones via the Type-C port on the Pixel 9 Pro XL in order to use them. The Pixel 9 Pro XL also offers Bluetooth 5.3, while the ZenFone 11 Ultra supports Bluetooth 5.4.
