The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is a behemoth of a phone, boasting top-tier hardware and a vibrant AMOLED display. However, its camera performance and software support fall short compared to competitors, leaving it a tough sell despite its impressive specs.
Until the Zenfone 10, Asus had a reputation for making compact smartphones, their 5.9-inch displays fitting comfortably in bodies only slightly larger than an old iPhone 8. However, the market's apparent indifference to smaller phones (despite a vocal minority) forced the Zenfone series to grow. Last year's Zenfone 11 Ultra and its successor, the Zenfone 12 Ultra , are monumental devices. With a 6.8-inch screen, they rival the behemoths like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra in size.
While the Zenfone 12 Ultra retains the essence of a high-performance phone with top-tier hardware, it lacks some of the extra gaming features found on the ROG Phone, such as dedicated gaming buttons. It retains a headphone jack, a rarity in today's market, and boasts new AI features that Asus is keen to showcase. The Zenfone 12 Ultra, unfortunately, won't be making its way to the US market for now, and most regions will only receive the 16GB/512GB version (€1,099 in Europe). The phone falls short in a few key areas compared to its competitors. Its camera system, particularly for a phone priced above €1,000, leaves much to be desired. Its software support is limited to two Android upgrades, though it will receive four years of security patches. Even though it houses the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, it doesn't achieve the same benchmark scores as other phones with the same chip. Let's delve into the core specifications of the Zenfone 12 Ultra and see how it compares to its predecessor, the Zenfone 11 Ultra.The Zenfone 12 Ultra shares a striking resemblance with its predecessor, the Zenfone 11 Ultra. It boasts a massive 6.8-inch screen, an aluminum frame, and a matte glass back. The Zenfone 11 Ultra had some aggressive styling elements and accents across its back, making it look more like a ROG Phone, but the Zenfone 12 Ultra adopts a cleaner aesthetic. The phone's name is subtly printed in small print in the center of the back glass. The camera module has also been refined and made slightly smaller, despite housing an upgraded gimbal stabilizer. While it still protrudes from the back, the footprint is reduced, resulting in a tidier appearance. IP68 rating ensures protection against the elements, surviving submersion in water and dust. The Zenfone 12 Ultra lacks any special buttons or triggers, featuring a clicky power button and a prominent volume rocker. However, it retains a headphone jack, a feature that seems increasingly luxurious in the 2020s. Available in three colors: Ebony Black, Sage Green, and Sakura White (which is actually pink), the Zenfone 12 Ultra comes with a fitting case and a USB-C cable, but the 65W charger is now sold separately.The Zenfones utilize Samsung-made AMOLED panels, which are LTPO, allowing them to dynamically adjust the refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz based on the content displayed. When inactive (with AOD on), the refresh rate drops to 1Hz to conserve battery, but instantly jumps to 120Hz for smooth animations when needed. While gaming, you can open the Asus Game Genie overlay to activate a 144Hz refresh rate. The panel appears identical to last year's Zenfone 11 Ultra: 6.8 inches in size, 2400 x 1080 pixel resolution, 1-120Hz refresh rate (144Hz while gaming), and 2,500 nits peak brightness. Our measurements revealed excellent color accuracy and a peak brightness of 2,200 nits in a 20% APL scenario, making it suitable for use even on bright sunny days.
Mobile Phones Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra Review Smartphone AMOLED Display Snapdragon 8 Elite Camera AI Features Gaming Software Update Headphone Jack
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