A new Google Pixel XL phone is displayed at the Google pop-up shop in the SoHo neighborhood on October 20, 2016 in New York City. (Photo : Getty Images/Spencer Platt)
Individuals contemplating on what smartphone to get this holiday season as a reward for a year of hard work can consider the Google Pixel XL or the ASUS Zenfone 3 Ultra. These two devices are both Android-based phones and take superb photographs that would satisfy many photo buffs. They are also good-looking phones. Apart from those, though, the two devices are quite distinct from each other.
Design and Display Screen
The Google Pixel XL is stunning with its polished glass and metal back cover combination, which also features its fingerprint sensor. It has a 5.5-inch AMOLED display that renders 2560 x 1440 QHD resolution and 534 ppi pixel density. It is a large device, but the company designed it so that it sits better in one's hand. It also does not have a camera bump that is a concern for many.
On the other hand, no one can deny that the clean lines offered by the ASUS Zenfone 3 Ultra make it an attractive device. The company was able to create a design that hides the antenna in its aerospace-grade alloy metal frame, according to the phone's official website.
The Zenfone 3 Ultra is for those looking for a bigger screen. It offers a 6.8-inch display that has a 1080 x 1920 resolution and 324 ppi pixel density IPS LCD panel. It also offers the VisualMaster 3.0 technology that create a 4K- like TV image.
Camera
The Google Pixel XL houses a 12.3 MP main camera and features a large 1.55 μm pixel f/2.0 aperture sensor that helps create clear images under any light condition. The company's website also brags about its 89 DxMark Mobile score, which is the highest among the mobile phone cameras that have been tested.
Meanwhile, the ASUS Zenfone 3 Ultra packs a 23 MP camera with an f/2 aperture Sony IMX 318 sensor. It claims to focus on an object in just 0.03 seconds with its TriTech auto-focus technology. It also features multiple axis and direction sensors that make blurred images a thing of the past.
Processor, battery, operating system and others
The Pixel XL houses a Snapdragon 821 SoC paired with 4 GB RAM and 32 GB or 128 GB internal storage. It does not have a microSD card slot; however, owners can avail of the unlimited cloud storage space for pictures and videos.
The smartphone also features a 3,450 mAh battery, a USB Type-C port, a 3.5 mm headphone jack and a single nano SIM slot. It is available in black, silver and blue (limited edition). Out of the box, the device runs on Android 7.0 Nougat and comes with an exclusive Google Assistant.
On the other hand, under the hood of the Zenfone 3 Ultra is a mid-range octa-core Snapdragon 652 SoC. It offers 3 or 4 GB RAM and three storage sizes (32 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB) that are expandable up to 256 GB via a microSD card. A 100 GB Google Drive space is also offered for free for two years.
The battery capacity is at 4,600 mAh with Quick Charge 3.0 technology. The phone has a USB Type-C port, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and a dual Nano SIM capability. It comes with an Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system with the ASUS ZenUI 3.0 on top. It is sold in silver, gold and gray colors.
Verdict
The Google Pixel XL is clearly ahead in terms of the specifications, but it comes with a $770 price tag. It's suitable for those who don't mind the price in exchange for a more powerful processor.
For those who want a less pricey smartphone and are content with being entertained using a large-screen mobile device, plus many other things, then the ASUS Zenfone 3 Ultra is a top choice. It costs less, at under $500.
Either of these phones would be great for calling and greeting friends this holiday season and taking snapshots of the celebrations.
