Between the Zenfone 11 Ultra and Phone (3a), the Zenfone 11 Ultra comes out ahead in antutu and ram, while the Phone (3a) wins on weight and promised os updates. Overall, the Zenfone 11 Ultra scores 71.9 and the Phone (3a) scores 62.5 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Zenfone 11 Ultra is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 9.4 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the Zenfone 11 Ultra if you push the hardware — gaming, on-device AI, heavy multitasking — and the extra compute headroom is worth the trade-offs. The biggest gaps in its favor are antutu, ram, wired charging, among others.
Pick the Phone (3a) if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. Its strongest claims are weight, promised os updates.
Both ship with comparable main camera, 5g support, front camera, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Zenfone 11 Ultra is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why ASUS - Zenfone 11 Ultra wins
- ▲AnTuTu — 152.44% more. 2070000 vs 820000.
- ▲RAM — 100.00% more. 16 GB vs 8 GB.
- ▲Wired charging — 30.00% more. 65 W vs 50 W.
- ▲Refresh rate — 20.00% more. 144 Hz vs 120 Hz.
- ▲Battery capacity — 10.00% more. 5500 mAh vs 5000 mAh.
- ▲Water resistance: IP68 (vs IP64).
- ▲Pixel density — 0.26% more. 388 ppi vs 387 ppi.
- ▲Screen size — 0.15% more. 6.78 " vs 6.77 ".
Why Nothing - Phone (3a) wins
- ▲Weight — 23.00 g less. 201 vs 224.
- ▲Promised OS updates: 3 (vs 2).
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | ASUS - Zenfone 11 Ultra | Nothing - Phone (3a) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 224 g | 201 glead |
| Thickness | 8.9 mm | 8.4 mmlead |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP68lead | IP64 |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | ASUS - Zenfone 11 Ultra | Nothing - Phone (3a) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 6.78 "lead | 6.77 " |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 388 ppilead | 387 ppi |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 144 Hzlead | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 2500 nits | 3000 nitslead |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | ASUS - Zenfone 11 Ultra | Nothing - Phone (3a) |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Front camera | 32 MP | 32 MP |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | ASUS - Zenfone 11 Ultra | Nothing - Phone (3a) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 5500 mAhlead | 5000 mAh |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 65 Wlead | 50 W |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 15 Wlead | 0 W |
Connectivity
| Spec | ASUS - Zenfone 11 Ultra | Nothing - Phone (3a) |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | false |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | ASUS - Zenfone 11 Ultra | Nothing - Phone (3a) |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Android | Android |
| Promised OS updates | 2 years | 3 yearslead |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, Zenfone 11 Ultra or Phone (3a)?+
Zenfone 11 Ultra has 10.0% more battery — 5500 mAh vs 5000 mAh.
Which is lighter, Zenfone 11 Ultra or Phone (3a)?+
Phone (3a) is 23g lighter — 224g vs 201g.
Is Zenfone 11 Ultra waterproof?+
Zenfone 11 Ultra has an IP68 rating.
Does Phone (3a) support 5G?+
Yes, Phone (3a) supports 5G.
Which has more RAM, Zenfone 11 Ultra or Phone (3a)?+
Zenfone 11 Ultra offers 16GB of RAM.
Which has a better camera, Zenfone 11 Ultra or Phone (3a)?+
Phone (3a) has a 50 MP main camera vs 50 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
More from the same brands
vsMars is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.