In the ever-crowded world of flagship smartphones, it’s hard to stand out. Yet ASUS continues to push boundaries with its premium devices — and the Zenfone 12 Ultra is their boldest attempt yet. Balancing blazing performance, standout design, powerful cameras, and thoughtful features, Zenfone 12 Ultra aims to compete with the best in 2025. But does it deliver? Let’s dive in and break it down in a way that’s easy to understand — no tech jargon overload, just real insights for everyday users.
First Impressions — Design & Build Quality
From the moment you hold it, the Zenfone 12 Ultra feels premium. ASUS has chosen a matte glass back with refined finishes that resist fingerprints while giving a sleek look. The edges are smooth and rounded, making the phone comfortable even with its large screen size. It weighs around 220 grams and measures 163.8 x 77.0 x 8.9 mm — a solid build that feels substantial without being too bulky.
One standout detail is the IP68 water and dust resistance, giving peace of mind if you’re caught in the rain or accidentally drop the phone near water.
The device is offered in three tasteful colors — Sage Green, Ebony Black, and Sakura White — appealing to users who want both style and substance.
Display — Bright, Smooth, and Truly Immersive
What makes the Zenfone 12 Ultra instantly pleasing is its display. The phone sports a 6.78-inch Samsung E6 AMOLED panel, delivering vibrant colours and crisp visuals thanks to Full HD+ resolution. This AMOLED screen uses LTPO technology, allowing it to adjust the refresh rate from as low as 1Hz up to 120Hz, and even push 144Hz for gaming scenarios. The result? Super-smooth animations, fluid scrolling, and responsive gameplay.
Brightness is outstanding — pushing up to 2,500 nits peak brightness — which means even bright sunlight won’t wash out your screen when you’re outdoors. Whether you’re watching movies, scrolling Instagram, or reading on the go, everything looks great.
And for the protection of this display, ASUS has added Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, one of the toughest glass options currently available.
Performance — Speed You Can Feel
Under the hood, the Zenfone 12 Ultra packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, one of the most powerful mobile chipsets available in 2025. This chip, paired with either 12GB or 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, ensures snappy performance whether you’re multitasking, gaming, or editing photos.
The storage options go up to 512GB UFS 4.0, delivering super-fast app launch times and quick file transfers. Even with heavy use — dozens of apps open, tens of photos uploaded — you’ll rarely feel this phone struggle.
This powerhouse also comes with a clean Android 15 operating system right out of the box, which feels familiar and uncluttered, enhancing usability and avoiding unnecessary bloatware.
Cameras — Creative Potential Meets Practical Quality
Arguably, one of the most talked-about aspects of the Zenfone 12 Ultra is its camera system. ASUS has equipped it with a triple-lens set-up that brings both versatility and quality into everyday smartphone photography.
Main Camera
- 50MP Sony Lytia 700 sensor with a large sensor size and gimbal optical image stabilization (OIS).
- The gimbal system significantly reduces shake, especially for video, making clips look far steadier — even when walking.
Ultra-Wide Lens
- The 13MP ultra-wide lens expands your view to capture landscapes, group photos, or dramatic angles with minimal distortion.
Telephoto Lens
- The 32MP telephoto lens offers 3x optical zoom, letting you get closer to the action without losing detail.
Front Camera
- A 32MP RGBW sensor on the front ensures crisp selfies and high-quality video calling.
AI features like AI Object Sense, AI Portrait Video, and AI Night Enhancer widen the creative possibilities even further. Whether you’re shooting in low light or trying portrait effects, these features help bring out better results without complex settings.
That said, some reviewers feel the camera performance doesn’t quite match the very best flagships from Samsung or Google, particularly in raw image quality against competitors. But most users will find the results more than satisfying for everyday use.
Battery and Charging — Day-Long Power with Convenience
Battery life is another strength. The Zenfone 12 Ultra packs a 5,500mAh battery, which comfortably lasts a full day — even with heavy usage like social media, photos, and streaming.
Charging is rapid thanks to 65W wired support, which can fill the battery in about 40 minutes with the right adapter. It also supports 15W wireless charging, adding convenience if you prefer a cable-free experience.
Software & AI Capabilities — Smart Features in Everyday Use
One area where ASUS has leaned hard this generation is AI integration. From helpful tools like AI Call Translator, AI Transcript, and AI Summary to AI Magic Fill in images and enhanced video editing — these smart features aim to simplify daily tasks.
While not everyone finds every AI feature revolutionary — some are more practical than others — they add value for users who want a phone that goes beyond basic tools.
ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra –Feature Table
| Feature | Specification |
| Display | 6.78-inch AMOLED, FHD+, 120Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Operating System | Android 15 |
| Rear Camera | 50MP + 13MP + 32MP |
| Front Camera | 32MP |
| Battery | 5500mAh |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging |
| RAM & Storage | 12GB / 16GB RAM, up to 512GB |
| Build Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus 2, IP68 |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 |
Connectivity and Extras
ASUS hasn’t skimped on connectivity. You get support for:
- 5G and 4G LTE
- Wi-Fi 7
- Bluetooth 5.4
- NFC for contactless payments
A handy in-display fingerprint sensor and face-unlock feature keep things secure and convenient. The phone also retains a 3.5mm headphone jack — a rare sight on modern flagships — pleasing users who still prefer wired audio.
Cons and Things to Consider
No phone is perfect, and the Zenfone 12 Ultra is no exception. Here are a few points worth thinking about:
🔹 Availability: In some regions — including North America — availability is limited or uncertain.
🔹 Software Updates: ASUS offers decent security updates, but its major OS upgrade timeline may lag behind rivals that promise longer support.
🔹 Camera Performance: While solid, the camera system doesn’t always outshine top contenders in every lighting condition.
🔹 AI Feature Utility: Some AI features feel more like added bells and whistles than genuinely game-changing tools for all users.
Final Verdict — Who Should Buy It?
The ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra is a confident flagship phone that appeals to users who want:
Stylish, premium design
Top-tier performance for gaming and multitasking
Flexible and capable cameras
Long battery life with fast charging
A rich set of AI features and practical tools
It’s especially ideal for creators, multitaskers, and power users who appreciate smooth performance and creative freedom from their smartphone.
However, if you’re looking for the very best camera performance, longest-lasting software support, or widest global availability right now, you may want to compare it with other flagship rivals before making a decision.
Overall Rating: 8.6/10 — A Worthy Contender in the Flagship Arena
The ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra strikes a compelling balance between features, performance, and everyday usability. It may not redefine the smartphone landscape — but for its price range and capabilities, it delivers genuine value. If you want a premium Android experience that’s both powerful and versatile, this is definitely a phone worth considering.
