Head to head

ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra vs Google Pixel 8a

ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra leads 9 to 4 on the 13 rankable specs, but Google Pixel 8a costs $400 less.

Catalog as of September 1, 2026

Why, in numbers

Weight: ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra lists 224 g (ASUS sheet, 2026-09-02); Google Pixel 8a lists 188 g (6.63 oz) (Google sheet, 2026-09-02).
Size: ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra lists 6.78 inches (ASUS sheet, 2026-09-02); Google Pixel 8a lists 6.1 inches (Google sheet, 2026-09-02).
Chipset: ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra lists Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) (ASUS sheet, 2026-09-02); Google Pixel 8a lists Google Tensor G3 (Titan M2 security coprocessor) (Google sheet, 2026-09-02).
RAM: ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra lists 16 GB LPDDR5X (ASUS sheet, 2026-09-02); Google Pixel 8a lists 8 GB LPDDR5x (Google sheet, 2026-09-02).
Max optical zoom: ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra lists 3x optical (30x digital HyperClarity zoom) (ASUS sheet, 2026-09-02); Google Pixel 8a lists None (2x lossless Super Res Zoom) (Google sheet, 2026-09-02).

Manufacturer list price, not a live offer. Confirm current pricing before you buy.

Buying for

Every rankable spec counts once. Pick a lens to score only what matters for your phone.

Your devices

Select your ecosystem to flag non-functional features or platform lock-in.

Straight answer

Overall: 9 to 4

Buy the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra.

Leads 9 of 13 rankable overall specs; Google Pixel 8a takes 4.
Size: 6.78 inches vs 6.1 inches
RAM: 16 GB LPDDR5X vs 8 GB LPDDR5x
Google Pixel 8a is $400 cheaper. Pay the difference only if size matters to you.

Check first: the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra has under 5 years of OS updates. Tick them under deal-breakers if that rules it out.

9 ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra13 rankable of 48 specsGoogle Pixel 8a 4

Deal-breakers

tick what would make you walk away

No stylusrow
No pen input for handwritten notes or markup.
Trips:ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra · NoTrips:Google Pixel 8a · No
No headphone jackrow
Wired headphones need a USB-C dongle.
Clear:ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra · Yes (3.5 mm Hi-Res audio output)Trips:Google Pixel 8a · No
No charger in the boxrow
Budget another $20 to $40 for a fast charger.
Trips:ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra · NoTrips:Google Pixel 8a · No
Under 5 years of OS updatesrow
Security patches stop sooner and resale value falls faster.
Trips:ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra · 2 major OS updates + 4 years security p…Clear:Google Pixel 8a · 7 years of OS, security, and Feature Dr…
Not IP68row
Less dust and water protection than an IP68 rival.
Clear:ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra · IP68 (1.5 m / 30 min)Trips:Google Pixel 8a · IP67 dust/water resistant
No microSD slotrow
Storage is fixed at what you buy.
Trips:ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra · NoTrips:Google Pixel 8a · No

At a glance

The handful of numbers that decide most purchases in this category.

6 of 6 differ

Weight

ASUS

224 g

Google

188 g (6.63 oz)

Size

ASUS

6.78 inches

Google

6.1 inches

Chipset≠

ASUS

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)

Google

Google Tensor G3 (Titan M2 security coprocessor)

RAM

ASUS

16 GB LPDDR5X

Google

8 GB LPDDR5x

Max optical zoom

ASUS

3x optical (30x digital HyperClarity zoom)

Google

None (2x lossless Super Res Zoom)

Capacity

ASUS

5,500 mAh

Google

4,492 mAh

The 90-Day Owner Regret Check

Documented ergonomic quirks, hardware annoyances, and maintenance realities reported by real owners.

Post-Purchase Truths

ASUS: What to watch for

Hidden Cost
No wall charging adapter included in the retail box.
Packaging contains only a Type-C cable; high-speed wall charging bricks must be purchased separately if you do not already own one.

Google: What to watch for

Hidden Cost
No wall charging adapter included in the retail box.
Packaging contains only a Type-C cable; high-speed wall charging bricks must be purchased separately if you do not already own one.

ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra$8999 wins

Google Pixel 8a$4994 wins

Body Display Platform Memory Rear camera Front camera Battery & charging Audio Connectivity Features

45 of 48 attributes differ. Identical rows are dimmed.

Body

leads 1-0

Body specifications. Middle column is ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra, right column is Google Pixel 8a.
Dimensions	163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm	152.1 × 72.7 × 8.9 mm
Weight	224 g	188 g (6.63 oz) (wins this row: lower)
Build	Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front, matte glass back, aluminum frame	Matte composite back with aluminum frame
Water / dust rating	IP68 (1.5 m / 30 min)	IP67 dust/water resistant
Colors	Skyline Blue, Eternal Black, Misty Grey, Desert Sand	Bay, Aloe, Porcelain, Obsidian
Stylus	No	No

Display

9 differences

Display specifications. Middle column is ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra, right column is Google Pixel 8a.
Type	LTPO AMOLED, 144Hz for gaming	Actua OLED
Size	6.78 inches (wins this row: higher)	6.1 inches
Resolution	1080 × 2400 (FHD+)	2400 × 1080 (FHD+) (wins this row: higher)
Pixel density	~388 ppi	430 ppi (wins this row: higher)
Refresh rate	1–120 Hz LTPO (up to 144 Hz in Game Genie)	120 Hz (Smooth Display 60–120Hz)
Peak brightness	2,500 nits peak / 1,600 nits HBM (wins this row: higher)	2,000 nits peak / 1,400 nits HDR
HDR	HDR10	HDR support (HDR10, HLG)
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Always-on display	Yes	Yes (Always-on with At a Glance)

Platform

5 differences

Platform specifications. Middle column is ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra, right column is Google Pixel 8a.
Operating system	Android 14 with ZenUI	Android 14
Software support	2 major OS updates + 4 years security patches	7 years of OS, security, and Feature Drop updates
Chipset	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)	Google Tensor G3 (Titan M2 security coprocessor)
CPU	8-core (1× Cortex-X4 + 5× A720 + 2× A520)	9-core (1× Cortex-X3 + 4× Cortex-A715 + 4× Cortex-A510)
GPU	Adreno 750	Immortalis-G715s MC10

Memory

leads 2-0

Memory specifications. Middle column is ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra, right column is Google Pixel 8a.
RAM	16 GB LPDDR5X (wins this row: higher)	8 GB LPDDR5x
Storage	512 GB UFS 4.0 (wins this row: higher)	128 GB
Storage options	256 GB / 512 GB	128 GB, 256 GB (UFS 3.1)
microSD	No	No

Rear camera

6 differences

Rear camera specifications. Middle column is ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra, right column is Google Pixel 8a.
Main	50 MP Sony IMX890, f/1.9, 24 mm, 6-Axis Gimbal OIS 3.0	64 MP Quad PD (f/1.89, 26mm, 1/1.73", OIS, Super Res Zoom up to 8x) (wins this row: higher)
Ultrawide	13 MP, f/2.2, 120° free-form lens	13 MP (f/2.2, 120° FOV)
Telephoto	32 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS	None (Super Res Zoom 2x sensor crop / up to 8x digital)
Max optical zoom	3x optical (30x digital HyperClarity zoom) (wins this row: higher)	None (2x lossless Super Res Zoom)
Stabilization	6-Axis Gimbal OIS on main + OIS on telephoto	Optical + electronic image stabilization on main
Video	8K 24 fps, 4K 30/60 fps with Gimbal Stabilization	4K at 30/60 fps, 1080p at 30/60 fps

Front camera

leads 1-0

Front camera specifications. Middle column is ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra, right column is Google Pixel 8a.
Selfie camera	32 MP RGBW sensor, f/2.5 (wins this row: higher)	13 MP (f/2.2, 96.5° ultrawide FOV)
Selfie video	1080p 30 fps	4K at 30 fps, 1080p at 30 fps

Battery & charging

leads 2-0

Battery & charging specifications. Middle column is ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra, right column is Google Pixel 8a.
Capacity	5,500 mAh (wins this row: higher)	4,492 mAh
Wired chargingNot on the official sheet	65 W HyperCharge (100% in 39 min) (wins this row: higher)	18W wired fast charging (USB-PD 3.0)
Wireless charging	15 W Qi wireless	7.5W Qi wireless charging
Reverse wireless	10 W reverse wired	No
Charger in box	No	No

Audio

leads 1-0

Audio specifications. Middle column is ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra, right column is Google Pixel 8a.
Speakers	Dual stereo speakers with Dirac Virtuo audio	Stereo speakers
Headphone jack	Yes (3.5 mm Hi-Res audio output) (wins this row: has it)	No

Connectivity

6 differences

Connectivity specifications. Middle column is ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra, right column is Google Pixel 8a.
Cellular	5G (sub-6)	5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave on carrier variants)
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 7	Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax tri-band)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Lossless	Bluetooth 5.3
NFC	Yes	Yes (Google Wallet)
USB	USB-C 2.0 (side display/charging)	USB-C 3.2 Gen 1
SIM	Dual nano-SIM	Single Nano-SIM + eSIM

Features

3 differences

Features specifications. Middle column is ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra, right column is Google Pixel 8a.
Biometrics	In-display fingerprint sensor + Face unlock	Under-display fingerprint sensor + Face Unlock
Extra controls	Game Genie gaming overlay toolbar	None
Standout features	6-Axis Hybrid Gimbal 3.0, 3.5mm jack, AI Call Translator, AI Transcript	Google AI photography (Best Take, Magic Editor, Audio Magic Eraser), Call Screen, 7-year update guarantee

Most rows are from the official spec sheet. Marked rows are other published figures or our summary, not lab tests we ran.

ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra source Google Pixel 8a source

Which one should you buy

Pick this one if

ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra

Large-screen flagship with 6-Axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer 3.0, 3.5mm audio jack, and 5500mAh battery.

Built-in 3.5mm headphone jack with Hi-Res Audio certification
6-Axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer 3.0 for silky video recording
Massive 5,500 mAh battery with 65W HyperCharge

What you give up

Software support limited to 2 OS updates and 4 years security
Telephoto camera performance trails Samsung/Apple in low light

Full ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra specs →

Pick this one if

Google Pixel 8a

6.1-inch mid-range phone powered by Google Tensor G3, Actua 120Hz display, and 7 years of software support.

Exceptional photo quality for $499
7 full years of Android OS and security updates
Bright 120Hz Actua display with IP67 water resistance

What you give up

Thicker bezels than flagship phones
18W wired charging is slower than competitors

Full Google Pixel 8a specs →

Best for each use

Photos

Camera first: zoom reach, sensors, stabilisation and video

For photos, buy the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra.

Leads 2 of 3 rankable photos specs; Google Pixel 8a takes 1.
Max optical zoom: 3x optical vs None
Selfie camera: 32 MP RGBW sensor, f/2.5 vs 13 MP
Google Pixel 8a is $400 cheaper. Pay the difference only if max optical zoom matters to you.

Battery & updates

All-day battery, fast top-ups and years of software support

For battery & updates, buy the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra.

Leads 2 of 2 rankable battery & updates specs.
Capacity: 5,500 mAh vs 4,492 mAh
Wired charging: 65 W HyperCharge vs 18W wired fast charging
Google Pixel 8a is $400 cheaper. Pay the difference only if capacity matters to you.

Games & video

Games and streaming: chip, refresh rate, brightness, speakers

For games & video, buy the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra.

Leads 3 of 3 rankable games & video specs.
RAM: 16 GB LPDDR5X vs 8 GB LPDDR5x
Size: 6.78 inches vs 6.1 inches
Google Pixel 8a is $400 cheaper. Pay the difference only if ram matters to you.

Every answer above is scored from published figures. A lens uses only the rows that matter for that use, including marked rows that are not on the official sheet. Switch lenses interactively in the panel above.

Done deciding?

Open the full standalone spec sheet for either device.

ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra spec sheet Google Pixel 8a spec sheet

Manufacturer pages: ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra ↗ · Google Pixel 8a ↗

Common questions

Which is cheaper, the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra or the Google Pixel 8a?

Google Pixel 8a costs $400 less at list price.

What is the biggest catch with the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra or Google Pixel 8a?

Both has this deal-breaker: no stylus. No pen input for handwritten notes or markup.

Which is better for photos, the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra or the Google Pixel 8a?

For photos, buy the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra. Leads 2 of 3 rankable photos specs; Google Pixel 8a takes 1. Max optical zoom: 3x optical vs None

What cannot be compared from spec sheets?

Of the 48 specs tracked here, 35 are descriptive and cannot be ranked on numbers alone. Spec sheets also cannot measure subjective factors like build quality, real-world performance, or comfort.

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