Robert Triggs / Android Authority
Whereas final yr’s swirling rumors that ASUS’ Zenfone line was at an finish turned out to be incorrect, these trying critically on the new Zenfone 11 Extremely may nonetheless really feel that the experiences had been true in spirit. The gargantuan new mannequin definitely doesn’t look very like the just about uniquely compact Zenfone 10. As a substitute, it bears greater than a passing resemblance to the late 2023 gaming-focused ROG Telephone 8 Professional, each in and out.
What do you concentrate on the ASUS Zenfone 11 Extremely’s design?
174 votes
At face worth, then, we’ve seen a lot of the Zenfone 11 Extremely earlier than, and it’s laborious to disregard voices that query: “Is that this actually a Zenfone?” This isn’t the very reasonably priced, little however mighty flagship that’s earned a small cult following. I definitely miss the pocketability, grippy again, and good use of the shape issue, such because the fingerprint swipe gestures, that made final yr’s Zenfone 10 one of the crucial compelling little telephones in the marketplace.
ASUS needed to deliver all the very best bits of Zenfone to those that needed a bigger kind issue, and it has succeeded.
Should you’ve not learn our Zenfone 11 Extremely evaluation but, you’ll be happy to know that ASUS continues to supply the acquainted back-tap gestures and stock-like UI, and has imbued the vary with a stronger triple digicam array and a few new AI options. ASUS claims it needed to deliver all the very best bits of Zenfone to clients demanding a bigger kind issue, and it has succeeded in that effort.
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
Whether or not that’s the precise logic working within the higher echelons at ASUS HQ, we are able to solely think about. What we do know is that, regardless of spectacular {hardware} and stable opinions, ASUS doesn’t have the all-important provider and retailer partnerships that might assist put extra of its Zenfones into shopper’s fingers. You possibly can’t simply stroll right into a retailer to purchase one, which limits Zenfone’s attain to those that already learn about it.
Traditionally delayed US delivery dates additionally haven’t helped generate the extent of enthusiasm required to dent the market’s choice for iPhones, and Galaxies to a lesser extent. Actually, availability is holding the Zenfone again from taking over the very best flagship telephones greater than something associated to {hardware}. ASUS isn’t alone right here; we’ve seen different manufacturers, resembling Sony’s Xperia collection, hit the same wall within the US market.
Neglect {hardware}, availability is the one issue holding again the Zenfone from difficult the very best flagships on the market.
After all, we’re not aware of ASUS’ gross sales knowledge. But when, hypothetically, the smaller Zenfone will not be fairly shifting the items required to maintain growth (for what it’s value, ASUS says it’s proud of the Zenfone 10), reusing the ROG’s design and internals is an inexpensive option to lower prices. Different compact telephones have struggled to chop by way of previously; even Apple’s iPhone SE doesn’t shift the numbers of its larger counterparts.
If there’s any advantage to the rumors and Zenfone is to dwell on, it’s attainable that we’re a extra mainstream model of ROG going ahead. Stripping the telephone of its area of interest gaming options, resembling RGB lighting, shoulder triggers, and a second USB-C port, leaves room to undertake mainstream attracts like glass supplies, superior digicam applied sciences, and novel concepts like AI summarization.
The Zenfone 11 Extremely is a well-priced powerhouse that is laborious to dismiss — so long as you already know the place to purchase it.
Whereas dropping the compact kind issue can be a disgrace, a powerhouse flagship aggressively priced at $899 — making it cheaper than the Galaxy S24 Plus and Pixel 8 Professional — is definitely a win for an business that’s change into reasonably complacent with its plus-sized flagships. As tempting as it’s to dwell on ASUS’s portfolio, it’s value remembering what the Zenfone 11 Extremely presents within the grand scheme. Its large show, quick charging, very good efficiency, and versatile cameras, are laborious to dismiss at this worth. So long as you already know the place to purchase the telephone, after all.
Nonetheless, all of this chatter could also be a moot level. The little Zenfone 10 isn’t even a yr previous but, so it’s reasonably untimely to speak concerning the demise of small ASUS telephones. It launched in July 2023 too, so there’s an out of doors likelihood we nonetheless may see a compact Zenfone 11 launch halfway by way of the yr. Nothing in ASUS’ playbook says it might’t have each a small and huge Zenfone in any case, and the Extremely moniker leaves hope for compact lovers that we would see one other entry within the collection within the not-too-distant future.
Asus Zenfone 11 Extremely
Properly constructed • Common quick charging • Good AI options
Greater and higher than ever.
The ASUS Zenfone 11 Extremely is the successor to the compact Zenfone 10, nevertheless it’s in-built a totally totally different guise. With a a lot bigger 6.78-inch kind issue, triple digicam array, and premium aesthetic, the telephone brings Zenfone collection favorites and new additions to a bigger show.