The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra has entered the market as a strong contender for flagship dominance in 2025, delivering cutting-edge technology and exceptional features. Whether you’re a power user or someone who craves premium performance, this smartphone aims to cater to your needs. Let’s take an in-depth look at what it offers.
Design and Build
The Zenfone 12 Ultra oozes luxury, boasting a glass-back design with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for enhanced durability paired with an aluminum frame. Its dimensions of 163.8 x 77 x 8.9 mm give it a robust yet sleek feel, although its weight of 220 g makes it slightly heavier than average. The IP68 rating ensures complete dust-tight protection and water resistance, allowing for submersion of up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. This is a phone built to last in both style and substance.
Available in striking colors like Ebony Black, Sakura White, and Sage Green, the phone appeals to a wide range of aesthetic preferences.
Display
One of the standout features of the Zenfone 12 Ultra is its 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display. With a 144Hz refresh rate, HDR10 compatibility, and a staggering peak brightness of 2500 nits, this screen offers an immersive and fluid experience. Whether you’re gaming, streaming, or browsing, the display shines with vivid colors, deep blacks, and sharp contrast. The always-on display adds convenience, especially when you want to glance quickly at notifications or the time.
Its resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels delivers crisp visuals, though higher resolutions like QHD+ could have elevated the visual experience even further in this price range.
Performance
The Zenfone 12 Ultra is a powerhouse. Under the hood, it features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, built on a 3nm process. The octa-core CPU, featuring two ultra-high-performance cores at 4.32 GHz, ensures outstanding performance for everything from multitasking to resource-heavy gaming. The Adreno 830 GPU further enhances graphics rendering, making it a delight for gamers.
Accompanied by up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of blazing-fast UFS 4.0 storage, this phone excels in both speed and efficiency. The downside? There’s no microSD card slot for expandable storage, which will be a drawback for those requiring additional space.
Software-wise, the phone runs Android 15, with support for two major Android updates, ensuring you stay current with new features and security patches.
Cameras
Photography is a major strong point for the Zenfone 12 Ultra. It features a sophisticated triple-camera system:
- 50 MP main sensor with gimbal OIS for enhanced image stabilization. It captures stunning images with sharp details and natural colors, even in challenging lighting.
- 32 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. You’ll love its ability to take detailed shots from a distance, supported by OIS for steady captures.
- 13 MP ultra-wide lens with a 120° field of view, making it ideal for landscapes and group photos.
Video capabilities are equally impressive, with options for recording in 8K at 24fps, 4K at up to 60fps, and 1080p at an incredible 240fps for slow-motion perfection. Gyro-EIS and HDR10+ support make videos vibrant and steady.
The 32 MP front camera ensures that selfies look great with good detail and accurate colors. It also supports 1080p videos, making it excellent for vlogs and video calls.
Battery and Charging
The 5500 mAh battery in the Zenfone 12 Ultra is designed to keep up with heavy usage. It offers an impressive active-use score of nearly 16 hours, ensuring it’s reliable for all-day use. Charging is a breeze with 65W wired charging, taking the battery from 0 to 100% in just 39 minutes.
For added convenience, there’s 15W wireless charging and 10W reverse wired charging, making it easy to share power with other devices or top up on the go.
Audio and Connectivity
Audio enthusiasts are in for a treat! The Zenfone 12 Ultra features stereo speakers and a 3.5mm headphone jack, a rare find in modern flagships. It also supports 32-bit/384kHz Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res wireless audio for an elevated listening experience.
Connectivity options are robust, including Wi-Fi 6E/7, Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX support, NFC, and comprehensive positioning systems for precise navigation. The absence of an FM radio is minor, given the range of services this phone covers.
Price and Value for Money
Priced at €1,079.88 (£958.59), the Zenfone 12 Ultra places itself firmly in the premium flagship category. It offers top-notch performance, excellent camera quality, and flagship-level features, justifying its cost for those seeking uncompromising quality.
Potential Drawbacks
While the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra shines across the board, there are a few considerations:
- The lack of expandable storage could be limiting for users with high-storage needs.
- Its weight of 220 g may make it less comfortable for prolonged handling.
- The screen resolution, while impressive, could have stepped up to a QHD+ option for an even sharper viewing experience.
Final Verdict
The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is an exceptional device for tech enthusiasts, gamers, and anyone who values premium performance. It excels in almost every department, from its robust build and stunning display to its next-gen processing power and camera capabilities. While it comes with a few minor limitations, it confidently delivers a flagship experience.
If you’re looking for a cutting-edge smartphone that balances innovation and reliability, the Zenfone 12 Ultra is well worth considering. It’s a perfect pick for those who demand the best and are willing to invest in top-tier technology.
