Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra
Specifications
Secondary Camera: 32 MPix (f/2.5, 22 mm)
Price comparison
Average of 17 scores (from 25 reviews)
Reviews for the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra
Asus sends its design smartphone to the next battle and equips it with a top-tier SoC again. Additionally, numerous AI tools are now available on the Zenfone 12 Ultra. Our review clarifies the innovations that are still forthcoming and identifies any points of stagnation.
Source: GSM Arena
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 02/13/2025
Source: OI Spice Tech News
The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is a well-made and functional phone. But, there are no significant changes compared to previous generation phones. However, when it comes down to real-time performance, prolonged usage causes aggressive heating. It might be a compelling choice for those who want a premium device with high performance and a clean UI. But, the phone lacks gaming-centric features. Plus, the camera results might not satisfy the expectations of many users. The addition of smart AI features didn’t go unnoticed, while gimbal stabilization is fully utilized for video shooting.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 02/11/2025
Source: Techradar
The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is a powerful, high-spec phone with a large RAM capacity and a cutting-edge chipset. However, it doesn’t do enough to justify its high price, with no novel or useful extra features to help it compete with big-name rivals. The lack of notable upgrades over its predecessor doesn't help, either.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 02/07/2025
Rating: Total score: 70% price: 50% performance: 100% display: 80% mobility: 70% workmanship: 70%
Source: Android Headlines
Now, the big question. Should you buy this phone? This device isn’t perfect, but then again, no phone is. There will always be a fault or two to find with a new device, even those on the top end. That being said, there are only a few faults here with the Zenfone 12 Ultra. It’s a great device. However, the few faults it does have are big enough that it might turn some people off. The camera is pretty good but it won’t be good enough for those who demand the best. The phone also has pretty limited global compatibility. ASUS could change that in the future. That being said, ASUS was pretty clear before we received the review unit that the phone was not going to be sold in the US. Which means it has no reason to make the phone work here either.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 02/07/2025
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Tech Spurt
As with other recent 2025 flagship phones, this massive handset leans heavy on its AI features. These are genuinely useful and I love the clean ZenUI experience, but the Zenfone 12 Ultra is a tough sell at this price vs the OnePlus 13 etc. That camera setup is merely fine, for instance, although the gaming chops are solid thanks to the ROG Phone foundations. Battery life is also great, so you will enjoy a full day of play from a single charge. Most of the specs seem to be the same vs the 11 Ultra from last year, however. The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra doesn't upgrade the wireless charging, design, display and many other bits of the hardware compared with the old version. Yes, that camera tech is almost the same too, despite the change to Sony's Lytia sensor for the main shooter. And of course, plenty of AI shenanigans.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 02/06/2025
Source: Matthew Moniz
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 02/06/2025
Source: Android Central
I've always enjoyed using ASUS's phones, and the Zenfone 12 Ultra is no different. It has the best-tuned software package of any Android phone, and the interface is fluid like nothing else available today. The UI itself is clean and uncluttered, and you don't get any bloatware either. It's a similar situation with the hardware; the phone leverages the latest Qualcomm silicon and is a gaming powerhouse, and the battery lasts all day with ease. As much as I like the phone, I can't recommend it — the cameras just aren't good enough for what it costs (€1,099), and ASUS's insistence on delivering just two Android platform updates is a deal-breaker.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 02/06/2025
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: GSM Arena
The Zenfone 12 Ultra is very much an iterative update. Not a lot has changed since the Zenfone 11 generation. Asus is really not pushing the envelope in any way. We do appreciate the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and the noticeable upgrade in burst performance, but the chip thermal-throttles quite aggressively under prolonged loads. Another thing that shouldn't go unnoticed is the huge infusion of AI smarts and features in the Zenfone 12 Ultra. Plenty of new and older features are on offer that make a very impressive roster, easily on the level of rivals like Samsung and their flagship line. We also enjoyed the subtle tweaks to the UI, including things like the rich battery care options.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 02/06/2025
Rating: Total score: 84%
Source: Android Authority
Despite doing a lot competently, it’s hard to recommend the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra to many people. It’s not that the Zenfone 12 Ultra is a bad hardware package; far from it in many respects. Battery life, charging, and performance are top of the class. If you’re coming from an older model, say something from the 2021 era, the other unchanged bits of hardware will certainly feel new enough to be worthwhile. Likewise, the stock-like UI is super for those looking to avoid the typical clutter, while the AI extras keep the software feeling current and competitive. Even so, you can try and grab last year’s model at a discount and won’t miss out on all that much.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 02/06/2025
Rating: Total score: 60%
Source: Trusted Reviews
I had high hopes for the Zenfone 12 Ultra. Sadly, those have been all but dashed after properly testing it. Considering it’s €100 more in Europe (where it’s exclusively available for now), the fact that the hardware is essentially identical is a particularly hard sell. Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Elite is a nice upgrade, but even that falls behind the similarly specced competition in benchmark testing. You’re getting the same overall look, same screen, same cameras, same battery and same charge speeds as the Zenfone 11 Ultra. The only real discernable difference being new AI features baked into the Android 15 experience.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 02/06/2025
Rating: Total score: 60%
Source: Mobile Syrup
Asus is trying to steal some of the press away from Samsung this year by launching its Zenfone 12 Ultra before the Galaxy S25 series sales date. Well, at least in places outside Canada – the Taiwanese company won’t release its latest flagship in the North. However, despite the lack of availability, I couldn’t say no when Asus asked me if I wanted to take a quick look at the Zenfone 12 Ultra. In my opinion—and I swear it has nothing to do with nationality— Asus has replaced its Taiwanese brethren, HTC. The company puts out interesting devices that typically don’t match what the competitors are doing, which could be to their detriment; however, its handsets normally fill a niche, showcasing something interesting and unique.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 02/06/2025
Source: Phone Arena
Sadly, the Zenfone 12 Ultra is "more of the same". It really does feel like a Zenfone 11 Ultra with a new chip inside, and a slightly different paintjob. We were hoping for a more meaningful camera upgrade, or a redesign to make it more fun or appealing. The ROG Phones, for example, have a distinct personality and a clear(ish) target audience. The Zenfone seems to be meandering about since last year — it grew up in size but didn't add anything specific to the mix besides "it's bigger now". It's sort of like "a ROG Phone that's not a ROG Phone". Sure, it's slightly cheaper, but as a flagship, it feels bland and stale and there's not one thing about it that we can point to and say "Buy it because of THAT!".
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 02/06/2025
Rating: Total score: 73%
Foreign Reviews
Source: Chip.de
DE→ENSingle Review, online available, Long, Date: 02/13/2025
Rating: Total score: 98% price: 68% performance: 99% features: 100% display: 98% mobility: 97%
Source: Geeknetic
ES→ENSingle Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 02/06/2025
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: Andrea Galeazzi
IT→ENSingle Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 02/06/2025
Rating: Total score: 79% price: 72% display: 88% mobility: 90% workmanship: 75%
Source: HDblog.it
IT→ENSingle Review, online available, Short, Date: 02/06/2025
Rating: features: 93%
Source: Smart World
IT→ENSingle Review, online available, Medium, Date: 02/06/2025
Rating: Total score: 75% price: 70% features: 80% display: 85% mobility: 85% workmanship: 80% ergonomy: 80%
Source: Tutto Android
IT→ENPositive: Powerful hardware; high performance; smart AI Features; headphone jack. Negative: Average cameras; relatively high price.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 02/11/2025
Source: Frandroid
FR→ENSingle Review, online available, Long, Date: 02/06/2025
Rating: Total score: 80% performance: 90% display: 90% mobility: 80% workmanship: 80%
Source: Journal du Geek
FR→ENSingle Review, online available, Long, Date: 02/06/2025
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Unite4buy
PL→ENPositive: Powerful hardware; high performance; long battery life; quick 65W charging; premium design; stereo speakers; support 5G; waterproof IP68. Negative: Average cameras; high price.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 02/12/2025
Source: PurePC
PL→ENPositive: Powerful hardware; high performance; great AMOLED display; long battery life; quick 65W charging; headphone jack; waterproof IP68. Negative: Expensive; average cameras; no charger included.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 02/06/2025
Source: Smartmania.cz
CZ→ENSingle Review, online available, Medium, Date: 02/06/2025
Rating: Total score: 79% performance: 91% features: 84% mobility: 74% workmanship: 71%
Source: M3 PC för alla
SV→ENSingle Review, online available, Medium, Date: 02/11/2025
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Mobil.se
SV→ENSingle Review, online available, Medium, Date: 02/06/2025
Rating: Total score: 78% display: 80%
Comment
Model:
The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is a substantial phone, notable for its performance but not for its looks. It carries a design that closely mirrors its predecessor, the Zenfone 11 Ultra, with a blocky, utilitarian style that is functional but uninspiring. At 183.8 x 77 x 8.9 mm and weighing 220g, it is large and can be a tight fit for smaller hands and pockets. The right edge houses the power button and volume rocker, while the USB-C port is positioned to the left, a quirky design choice by Asus. The phone also retains the often-lost 3.5mm headphone jack, a nod to wired audio users. Furthermore, its IP68 rating ensures resistance to dust and brief water immersion, making it durable enough to withstand everyday wear and tear. As for its display, the Zenfone 12 Ultra features a large 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate (typically running at 120Hz). The screen’s resolution of 1080 x 2400 is standard but offers smooth visuals with a peak brightness of 2500 nits, ensuring good readability in direct sunlight. Asus also includes a handy colour temperature mode, letting users adjust the display’s warmth for a more personalized viewing experience.
In terms of its processor, the phone is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, paired with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, providing top-tier performance for both everyday tasks and gaming. It handles high-end games with ease, delivering snappy graphics and fast load times. While the chipset excels in most areas, the AI features, though ambitious, can cause minor slowdowns. The Zenfone 12 Ultra’s camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor, a 13MP ultra-wide, and a 32MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The camera system offers versatile shooting options, though it does not have the megapixel overload seen in some competitors. Images benefit from quick HDR and scene optimization that enhance colours and details without overdoing it. The camera takes good photos, especially in well-lit conditions, but can sometimes struggle with motion, and capturing images can take longer than expected. The 32MP selfie camera, along with the phone’s 8K video recording, produces crisp shots and vibrant content, although the AI features like AI Panning and AI Tracking, while useful in some scenarios, aren’t game-changers.
Equipped with a sizable 5,500mAh battery, the Zenfone 12 Ultra offers over a day of battery life, even with heavy use. Gaming sessions drain the battery slower than expected, but it would not last beyond a day if pushed hard. Charging speeds are decent at 65W, though slower than some rivals. Wireless charging is supported at 15W, but it is not the fastest option out there. In a nutshell, the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is a solid performer, combining a durable design, strong performance, and a reliable camera system. While its blocky look may not be for everyone, it excels where it counts: gaming, day-to-day tasks, and media consumption. However, the limited software updates, unremarkable AI features, and slightly slower charging speeds might be a drawback for some users looking for a more cutting-edge experience. Still, for those who prioritize performance, the Zenfone 12 Ultra delivers on its promises.
Hands-on article by Jagadisa Rajarathnam
Qualcomm Adreno 830: Integrated graphics unit in the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC for smartphones with three slices with 1.1 GHz each. Integrated 12 MB shared cache for the three slices. According to Qualcomm, 40% faster than the previous generation (Adreno 750).
Modern games should be playable with these graphics cards at low settings and resolutions. Casual gamers may be happy with these cards.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.
SD 8 Elite: High-end SoC (System on a Chip) for smartphones which was presented at the end of 2024. It integrates two fast Oryon Gen 2 Prime Cores with up to 4.32 GHz and 6 smaller Oryon Gen 2 Performance Cores with up to 3.53 GHz.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.
6.78":
It is a small display format for smartphones. You shouldn't be severely defective in vision, and you won't see much detail on the screen and only have a small resolution available. For that, the device should be small and handy, easy to transport.
» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.Asus: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. is a major Taiwanese computer hardware manufacturer based in Taipei, founded in 1989. Under the Asus brand name, the company manufactures a wide range of products, including laptops, desktops, motherboards, graphics cards, monitors, smartphones and networking equipment, complete systems and PC components for end users.
Under the ROG (Republic of Gamers) brand name, ASUS manufactures gaming laptops known by gamers for their powerful specifications, dedicated graphics cards, high refresh rate displays and advanced cooling systems.
Beyond gaming, a wide range of notebooks are offered for different needs and budgets, from ultra-slim and lightweight ultrabooks to versatile 2-in-1 convertibles and budget-friendly options. In 2023, Asus had a 7% global market share of the PC market.
Customer satisfaction with ASUS notebooks concerns performance, the features, and the good price-performance ratio of ASUS notebooks. However, as with any brand, there are occasional reports of problems such as overheating, driver compatibility, or build quality issues.
77.11%: This rating is not earth-shattering. This rating must actually be seen as average, since there are about as many devices with worse ratings as better ones. A purchase recommendation can only be seen with a lot of goodwill, unless it is about websites that generally rate strictly.
» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.
