OnePlus 13R vs Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra: A Deep Dive into Performance and Battery

The OnePlus 13R and Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra both leverage the power of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, but cater to slightly different priorities. The 13R aims for a balance of performance and value, while the Zenfone 11 Ultra pushes the boundaries of compact flagship experiences with a focus on premium features and rapid charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and a slightly longer battery life, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the superior choice. Its significantly brighter display and faster charging – reaching 100% in just 39 minutes – outweigh the OnePlus 13R’s more affordable price point.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus 13R Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, January 072024, March 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, January 14Available. Released 2024, April 14
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), aluminum frame, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions161.7 x 75.8 x 8 mm (6.37 x 2.98 x 0.31 in)163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight206 g (7.27 oz)224 g (7.90 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 7iCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~88.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO 4.1 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HDR Vivid, 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak)LTPO AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10, 1600 nits (HBM), 2500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 750Adreno 750
OSAndroid 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, 47mm (telephoto), 1/2.75", 0.64µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm50 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
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaPanorama, HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide), 1/3.2", 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 55.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC, GLONASS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band (6e is market specific)Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired, 50% in 20 min, 100% in 52/54 min65W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC5, 100% in 39 min 15W wireless (Qi) 10W reverse wired
TypeLi-Ion 6000 mAh5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsAstral Trail, Nebula NoirEternal Black, Skyline Blue, Misty Gray, Desert Sand
ModelsCPH2645, CPH2691, CPH2647AI2401, ASUS_AI2401_H
Price$ 529.99 / £ 459.00 / € 504.00 / ₹ 39,999About 1820 EUR
SAR1.19 W/kg (head)     0.90 W/kg (body)-

OnePlus 13R

  • Excellent battery life for its class
  • Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance
  • More affordable price point

  • Slower charging speed compared to the Zenfone
  • Less bright display

Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra

  • Significantly brighter display for outdoor visibility
  • Much faster wired and wireless charging
  • Potential for a more advanced camera system

  • Higher price tag
  • Potentially more thermal throttling due to compact design

Display Comparison

The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra boasts a considerably brighter display, peaking at 1773 nits compared to the OnePlus 13R’s 1223 nits. This translates to superior visibility under direct sunlight, a crucial benefit for outdoor users. While both utilize high-refresh-rate panels, the Zenfone’s higher peak brightness provides a more dynamic and immersive viewing experience. We expect both to use AMOLED technology, but the Zenfone’s brightness advantage is a clear differentiator.

Camera Comparison

Context data doesn't provide camera details, but given the Zenfone 11 Ultra’s positioning as a flagship, we anticipate a more sophisticated camera system with larger sensors and advanced image processing capabilities. Asus typically focuses on computational photography, aiming for realistic and detailed images. The OnePlus 13R will likely offer a capable camera, but may prioritize speed and convenience over ultimate image quality. Without sensor size or aperture information, a definitive comparison is impossible, but the Zenfone is expected to have the edge.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) chipset, featuring the same CPU core configuration: 1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720, 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720, and 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520. This means raw processing power will be nearly identical. However, the Zenfone 11 Ultra’s more compact form factor may necessitate a more aggressive thermal management strategy, potentially leading to slightly more throttling under sustained load. Both likely utilize LPDDR5x RAM, but specific speeds weren't provided.

Battery Life

The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra delivers a longer active use battery score of 16:28h compared to the OnePlus 13R’s 15:09h. While the difference isn’t massive, it’s noticeable. Crucially, the Zenfone 11 Ultra’s 65W wired charging is significantly faster, achieving a full charge in just 39 minutes, versus the 13R’s 52-54 minutes. The Zenfone also adds 15W wireless charging and 10W reverse wired charging, features absent on the 13R. This charging speed advantage is a major win for the Zenfone, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus 13R if you need a powerful phone with excellent battery life at a more accessible price. It’s ideal for users who prioritize sustained performance during long workdays or media consumption. Buy the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra if you prefer a brighter, more vibrant display, and value the convenience of significantly faster wired and wireless charging, even if it comes at a higher cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Zenfone 11 Ultra experience thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a powerful chip, the Zenfone 11 Ultra’s compact design may necessitate more aggressive thermal management. This could lead to some throttling during prolonged, demanding tasks like gaming. However, Asus typically employs sophisticated cooling solutions to mitigate this issue, and real-world performance should still be excellent.
❓ How does the 65W charging on the Zenfone 11 Ultra compare to other fast charging standards?
The Zenfone 11 Ultra’s 65W charging supports PD3.0, PPS, and QC5 standards, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of chargers. This is significantly faster than many competitors and allows for a full charge in just 39 minutes, minimizing downtime. The OnePlus 13R’s 80W charging is also fast, but takes over 50 minutes to fully charge.
❓ Is the difference in active use battery life (16:28h vs 15:09h) between the two phones noticeable in everyday use?
While the difference of just over an hour may seem small, it can be noticeable over several days of typical use. The Zenfone 11 Ultra provides a slightly more comfortable buffer, reducing the need for frequent charging. Combined with the faster charging speeds, this makes the Zenfone a more convenient option for users who are often on the go.