Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra: Consumer Interest Poll

The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra: A Detailed Look

The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra represents the latest in Asus’s flagship smartphone lineup. While some might mourn the absence of smaller Zenfone models, the focus has shifted to higher-end devices like the Ultra. This review will delve into its features, comparing it to other top contenders in the market.

Key Upgrades and Features

The Zenfone 12 Ultra boasts several significant upgrades over its predecessor. Most notably, it features the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, providing a substantial performance boost. A less obvious but highly practical addition is eSIM support, particularly convenient for international travelers.

The camera system has also received attention. The main 50MP camera now includes improved gimbal stabilization, correcting up to ±5° of movement – a 66% enhancement over the previous model. This is coupled with a new Lytia-700 sensor. The phone retains its versatile camera setup, including a 32MP 3x telephoto lens, a 13MP 120° ultrawide lens, and a 32MP selfie camera.

Other specifications include a vibrant 6.78” LTPO OLED display with adaptive refresh rates ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz, boosting to 144Hz for gaming. This display supports HDR10 and is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Asus has also incorporated sustainable materials, using 100% recycled aluminum for the frame and 22% recycled glass.

Powering the device is a 5,500mAh dual-cell battery offering rapid 65W wired charging (achieving a full charge in approximately 39 minutes) and 15W wireless charging. The phone retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, a welcome feature often omitted in modern flagships, but notably lacks a microSD card slot for expandable storage. It also meets the IP68 standard for dust and water resistance.

Pricing and Market Comparison

The Zenfone 12 Ultra launches in Europe, Taiwan, and Hong Kong with a suggested retail price of €1,100. However, an introductory offer reduces the price to €1,000 for purchases made before a specified date.

At this price point, it faces stiff competition. Let’s compare it against other flagship smartphones:

Asus ROG Phone 9

Priced similarly at €1,100, the Asus ROG Phone 9 also features the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. While it lacks the 32MP telephoto lens found in the Zenfone 12 Ultra, it compensates with a higher refresh rate 185Hz display supporting 10-bit colors, a slightly larger 5,800mAh battery, and dual USB-C ports for charging. Its gaming-centric design includes shoulder triggers and a mini-LED matrix on the rear.

Samsung Galaxy S25+

The Samsung Galaxy S25+, priced at €1,150, also uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip but offers a sharper 6.7” QHD+ LTPO display (1-120Hz). However, its battery capacity is smaller at 4,900mAh (with 45W wired and 15W wireless charging) and the telephoto lens is a 10MP 3x unit. A significant advantage is Samsung’s commitment to seven years of software support (OS updates and security patches), exceeding Asus’s offered two OS updates and five years of security patches for the Zenfone 12 Ultra.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, starting at a premium €1,200, features the slightly older Tensor G4 processor. Despite the less powerful processor, it promises seven years of software support. Its camera system stands out, incorporating a 50MP main sensor with a large 1/1.31” sensor size, a 48MP 5x periscope telephoto lens, and a 48MP ultrawide lens, alongside a 32MP ultrawide selfie camera. Its 5,060mAh battery offers 37W wired and 23W wireless charging.

OnePlus 13

The OnePlus 13 provides a compelling alternative, starting at €1,000 with the same Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and a 6.82” QHD+ LTPO display. Its camera system is impressive, featuring a 50MP main lens, a 50MP 3x telephoto lens, a 50MP ultrawide lens, and a 32MP selfie camera. Its standout feature is a massive 6,000mAh battery with 100W wired and 50W wireless fast charging. Although OnePlus’s software update policy is more conservative than Google’s or Samsung’s, it still provides four major Android OS updates.

Conclusion: Should You Buy It?

The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra offers a strong package of features, including a powerful processor, an improved camera system,and a sustainable design. However, its pricing and slightly shorter software support compared to competitors like Samsung and Google might deter some buyers. Whether or not the Zenfone 12 Ultra is right for you depends heavily on your priorities and budget. If long-term software support is crucial, other options might be preferable. However, if you value a compelling feature combination at a competitive price and don’t mind potentially shorter software support life, the Zenfone 12 Ultra could be a solid choice. The final decision ultimately rests on individual needs and preferences. The phone’s availability in the US market is currently unconfirmed, which needs to be considered for US consumers.