Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra: Advanced Tech, Sleek Design Combines With Power Of AI
The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra, unveiled on February 6, 2025, represents a significant evolution in Asus’s smartphone lineup, building upon the strengths of its predecessors while introducing substantial enhancements across various facets, including design, display technology, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, audio quality, connectivity, and software features.
Design & Build Quality
- Material: Glass front (Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, and glass back.
- Dimensions & Weight: 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm; 224 grams.
- Colors: Sage Green, Ebony Black, Sakura White.
- Durability: IP68 certified (dust and water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes).
Display
- Size & Type: 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED.
- Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels (~388 ppi).
- Refresh Rate: 1Hz – 120Hz adaptive, with optional 144Hz mode for gaming.
- Brightness: Peak 2,500 nits, ensuring clear visibility in sunlight.
- HDR Support: HDR10+ for better contrast and colors.
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for enhanced durability.
Performance & Hardware
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm).
- 2x Oryon V2 Phoenix L cores @ 4.32 GHz.
- 6x Oryon V2 Phoenix M cores @ 3.53 GHz.
- GPU: Adreno 830 – 40% better performance than previous versions.
- RAM & Storage:
- 12GB / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM.
- 256GB / 512GB UFS 4.0 storage (No microSD card slot).
- Cooling System: Advanced vapor chamber cooling for heat dissipation.
Camera System
Rear Camera (Triple Setup)
- Main Camera:
- 50MP, f/1.9, 24mm lens.
- 6-axis Hybrid Gimbal OIS (4th gen) – 66% better stabilization.
- Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF).
- Telephoto Lens:
- 32MP, f/2.4, 65mm lens.
- 3x optical zoom, 30x digital zoom.
- OIS + PDAF for stability.
- Ultra-Wide Lens:
- 13MP, f/2.2, 13mm lens.
- 120° field of view + Autofocus for macro photography.
Front Camera
- 32MP, f/2.5 aperture.
- 1080p video recording @ 30fps (great for selfies & video calls).
Video Capabilities
- Rear Camera:
- 8K @ 24fps.
- 4K @ 30/60fps.
- 1080p slow-motion @ 120/240fps.
- HDR10+ recording & Gyro-EIS for smoother videos.
Battery & Charging
- Battery Capacity: 5,500mAh dual-cell.
- Wired Charging: 65W USB Power Delivery 3.0 & Quick Charge 5.0.
- 0% to 100% in ~39 minutes.
- Wireless Charging: 15W Qi 1.3 compatible.
- Reverse Charging: 10W (wired).
Audio & Connectivity
- Speakers: Stereo speakers with Dirac Virtuo technology.
- Headphone Jack: Yes (3.5mm jack present).
- Microphones: Triple-mic array with AI noise cancellation.
Connectivity
- 5G (Dual-SIM support).
- Wi-Fi 7 (faster speeds & lower latency).
- Bluetooth 5.4 (supports aptX HD, Adaptive, and Lossless codecs).
- NFC (supports Google Pay).
- GPS & Navigation: Full GNSS support (GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou, QZSS).
- USB Port: USB Type-C 3.2 (supports DisplayPort & OTG).
Software & AI Features
- Operating System: Android 15 (ZenUI 11).
- Software Updates: Promised 3 years of major Android updates + 4 years of security patches.
- AI Features:
- AI Background Noise Removal (enhanced call clarity).
- AI-Powered Photo Search (context-based search in the gallery).
- AI Voice Memo Transcription (auto converts voice to text).
- AI Document Summarization (extracts key points from large documents).
Additional Features
- Security: In-display fingerprint sensor + Face Unlock.
- Gaming Enhancements:
- X Mode (boosts CPU & GPU performance).
- Advanced haptic feedback system.
- Reduced touch latency for faster response times.
Pros & Cons
Pros ✅
✔ Stunning 6.78” LTPO AMOLED with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.
✔ Powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor (best in class).
✔ Massive 5,500mAh battery with 65W fast charging.
✔ 6-axis Hybrid Gimbal OIS for ultra-stable videos.
✔ Headphone jack (rare in flagships).
✔ AI-enhanced software with long-term updates.
✔ Compact & premium build compared to other ultra-phones.
Cons ❌
✖ No microSD card slot for storage expansion.
✖ No periscope lens (only 3x optical zoom).
✖ No ultra-fast 100W+ charging (competitors offer 100-150W).
✖ No stylus support (unlike Samsung Galaxy Ultra series).
Final Verdict
✔ Best For: Gamers, photographers, and tech enthusiasts who need a flagship smartphone with a compact design, fast performance, long battery life, and superior video stabilization.
❌ Not Ideal For: Users who need expandable storage, extreme zoom capabilities, or ultra-fast charging beyond 100W.
Overall Rating: ⭐ 9.2/10 ⭐
Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is a well-rounded flagship with an amazing display, solid cameras, and top-tier performance, making it an excellent choice for most users in 2025.
