The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is one of the most talked-about smartphones of 2025, and for good reason. Packed with cutting-edge features like AI-powered cameras, on-device processing, and a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, it promises to deliver a premium experience for tech enthusiasts, gamers, and everyday users alike. But does it live up to the hype? In this in-depth review, I’ll break down everything you need to know about the Zenfone 12 Ultra, from its performance and design to its software updates and AI capabilities.
As someone who has spent years reviewing smartphones, including previous Asus models like the Zenfone 10 and ROG Phone series, I bring a wealth of experience and expertise to this review. My goal is to provide an honest, balanced perspective that highlights both the pros and cons of the Zenfone 12 Ultra. Whether you’re a gamer looking for a powerhouse device or a photography enthusiast curious about its camera performance, this review will help you decide if the Zenfone 12 Ultra is worth your hard-earned money.
Overview of Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra
The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is a flagship smartphone that aims to impress with its premium design, powerful hardware, and AI-driven features. From the moment you hold it, the device feels solid and well-crafted, thanks to its glass back and aluminum frame. However, while the design is sleek, it’s not exactly groundbreaking—it lacks the distinctiveness that made earlier Zenfone models stand out.
One of the standout features of the Zenfone 12 Ultra is its 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The screen is vibrant, sharp, and perfect for gaming or watching videos. But here’s the catch: while the display is excellent, it doesn’t quite match the brightness levels of competitors like the Vivo X200 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S25.
Under the hood, the Zenfone 12 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which delivers top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and more. Paired with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, this phone is a performance powerhouse. However, the thermal management could be better—during extended gaming sessions, the device tends to get warm, which might affect long-term comfort.
The camera system is another highlight, featuring a 50MP main sensor, a 32MP telephoto lens, and a 13MP ultra-wide lens. The AI-powered camera software enhances photos with features like scene optimization and real-time translation for text in images. But let’s be honest: while the cameras are good, they don’t quite reach the level of flagship competitors like the Pixel 9 Pro XL or Honor Magic 7 Pro.
In terms of software, the Zenfone 12 Ultra runs on ZenUI, which is clean, customizable, and free of bloatware. The user interface (UI) is smooth and intuitive, but the software update policy is a letdown—only two major Android updates are promised, which is disappointing for a device in this price range.
Overall, the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is a solid flagship with impressive hardware and AI capabilities, but it’s not without its flaws. From the average thermal management to the limited software support, there are areas where Asus could have done better.
Performance and Hardware
The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is a performance beast, thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and 16GB of RAM. Whether you’re multitasking, gaming, or editing videos, this phone handles everything with ease. However, while the raw power is impressive, there are a few areas where it falls short.
Processor and RAM
The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset is one of the most powerful processors available in 2025, and it shows. Apps open instantly, and switching between them feels seamless. The 16GB of RAM ensures that even the most demanding tasks, like video editing or running multiple apps simultaneously, are handled without a hitch.
But here’s the catch: despite the powerful hardware, the device tends to get warm during extended use. The thermal management system works decently, but it’s not perfect. During my testing, I noticed that the phone’s temperature rose significantly after 30 minutes of gaming, which affected my comfort during longer sessions.
Gaming Performance
For gamers, the Zenfone 12 Ultra is a dream come true—almost. The AI optimization for gaming is top-notch, adjusting settings in real-time to deliver the best frame rates and performance. Games like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile run smoothly at high settings, with minimal stutters or drops.
However, the thermal throttling is a noticeable issue. After about an hour of gaming, the device starts to throttle to manage heat, which can lead to a slight dip in performance. While this is common in many flagship phones, it’s still a drawback worth mentioning.
Battery Life
The 5500mAh battery is one of the highlights of the Zenfone 12 Ultra. In my real-world usage, the phone easily lasted a full day with moderate to heavy use, including gaming, streaming, and browsing. The 65W fast charging is a lifesaver, taking the battery from 0% to 100% in just 44 minutes.
That said, the lack of a charger in the box is disappointing, especially for a device in this price range. While most users might already have a compatible charger, it’s still an inconvenience for those who don’t.
Software and User Experience
The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra runs on ZenUI, a custom skin based on Android 15. Known for its clean interface and customizability, ZenUI offers a user experience that’s both intuitive and enjoyable. However, while the software has its strengths, there are a few areas where it could improve.
ZenUI: Clean and Customizable
One of the standout features of ZenUI is its fluidity. The interface is smooth, responsive, and free of bloatware, making it a joy to use. The customizability is another highlight—you can tweak everything from the notification pane to the volume slider to suit your preferences.
That said, the user interface (UI) isn’t perfect. While it’s clean and functional, it lacks the distinctiveness of other custom skins like OnePlus’s OxygenOS or Samsung’s One UI. If you’re someone who values a unique look and feel, ZenUI might feel a bit generic.
Software Updates: A Mixed Bag
The Zenfone 12 Ultra comes with Android 15 out of the box, but the software update policy is a letdown. Asus promises only two major Android updates and five years of security patches. For a flagship device in 2025, this is disappointing—competitors like Samsung and Google offer longer support, which makes the Zenfone 12 Ultra feel like a less future-proof option.
AI Utilities: Smart but Limited
Asus has packed the Zenfone 12 Ultra with several AI utilities that aim to enhance the user experience. Features like AI Call Translator, AI Summarization, and real-time translation are impressive and work well in most scenarios. The on-device AI ensures that tasks like transcription and semantic search are fast and efficient.
However, not all AI features are equally useful. For example, the AI Summarization tool works well for short articles but struggles with longer, more complex documents. Similarly, the real-time translation feature is handy but limited to a few languages, which might not be ideal for everyone.
Pros and Cons of the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra
Pros
- Powerful Hardware and Gaming Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and 16GB of RAM make the Zenfone 12 Ultra a performance powerhouse. Whether you’re gaming, multitasking, or editing videos, the device handles everything with ease. The AI optimization for gaming ensures smooth frame rates and minimal stutters, making it a great choice for mobile gamers. - Clean and Customizable Software
ZenUI is one of the cleanest and most customizable Android skins out there. The user interface (UI) is smooth, intuitive, and free of bloatware. You can tweak everything from the notification pane to the volume slider, giving you full control over your experience. - AI-Powered Features
The Zenfone 12 Ultra comes packed with AI-powered features like real-time translation, AI Summarization, and on-device AI processing. These tools are not only innovative but also highly practical. For example, the real-time translation feature is a lifesaver for travelers, while AI Summarization helps you quickly digest long articles.
Cons
- Limited Software Updates
One of the biggest drawbacks of the Zenfone 12 Ultra is its software update policy. Asus promises only two major Android updates and five years of security patches. For a flagship device in 2025, this is disappointing—competitors like Samsung and Google offer longer support, making the Zenfone 12 Ultra feel less future-proof. - Camera Performance Lags Behind Competitors
While the 50MP main camera and AI-powered camera software are decent, they don’t quite match the quality of competitors like the Pixel 9 Pro XL or Honor Magic 7 Pro. The ultra-wide and telephoto lenses are serviceable but lack the detail and color accuracy found in other flagship devices. - High Price Point
The Zenfone 12 Ultra is undeniably expensive, especially when you consider its limited software support and average camera performance. While the hardware and AI features are impressive, the high price might be hard to justify for some users.
Comparison with Competitors
The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is a strong contender in the flagship smartphone market, but how does it stack up against its competitors? Let’s compare it with the OnePlus 13, Samsung Galaxy S25, and Vivo X200 Pro to see where it shines and where it falls short.
Vs. OnePlus 13: Design, Performance, and Camera Quality
The OnePlus 13 is known for its sleek design and premium build quality. While the Zenfone 12 Ultra has a solid aluminum frame and glass back, it lacks the distinctiveness of the OnePlus 13’s blue leather variant.
In terms of performance, both devices are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, but the OnePlus 13 has better thermal management, keeping the device cooler during extended gaming sessions. The Zenfone 12 Ultra, on the other hand, tends to get warm, which can affect long-term comfort.
When it comes to camera quality, the OnePlus 13 takes the lead. Its 50MP main sensor and AI-powered camera software deliver sharper images with better color accuracy compared to the Zenfone 12 Ultra. While the Zenfone’s cameras are good, they don’t quite match the detail and dynamic range of the OnePlus 13.
Vs. Samsung Galaxy S25: Software Updates and AI Features
The Samsung Galaxy S25 is a powerhouse when it comes to software updates and AI features. Samsung promises four major Android updates and five years of security patches, which is significantly better than the Zenfone 12 Ultra’s two major updates.
In terms of AI features, the Galaxy S25 offers more advanced tools like real-time translation, AI Summarization, and on-device AI processing. While the Zenfone 12 Ultra also has these features, they feel more polished and integrated on the Galaxy S25.
However, the Zenfone 12 Ultra has an edge in gaming performance, thanks to its AI optimization and higher frame rates. If you’re a gamer, the Zenfone might be the better choice, but for overall software support and AI capabilities, the Galaxy S25 is hard to beat.
Vs. Vivo X200 Pro: Camera Performance and Value for Money
The Vivo X200 Pro is a camera-centric flagship that outperforms the Zenfone 12 Ultra in almost every aspect of camera performance. Its 50MP main sensor and AI-powered camera software deliver stunning images with excellent detail and color accuracy. The Zenfone 12 Ultra’s cameras are good, but they don’t come close to the imaging capabilities of the Vivo X200 Pro.
When it comes to value for money, the Vivo X200 Pro is also a better deal. It offers similar hardware and AI features at a lower price point, making it a more attractive option for budget-conscious buyers.
That said, the Zenfone 12 Ultra has better gaming performance and a more customizable software experience, which might appeal to gamers and power users.
FAQs
How many years of software updates does the Zenfone 12 Ultra get?
The Zenfone 12 Ultra comes with Android 15 out of the box and is promised two major Android updates and five years of security patches. While this is decent, it falls short compared to competitors like Samsung and Google, which offer longer support. If you’re someone who values long-term software updates, this might be a drawback.
Does the Zenfone 12 Ultra support 5G?
Yes, the Zenfone 12 Ultra supports 5G connectivity, making it future-proof for faster network speeds. However, the 5G performance can vary depending on your region and carrier. In my testing, the device performed well in areas with strong 5G coverage, but the battery drain was noticeable when using 5G extensively.
What AI features are included in the Zenfone 12 Ultra?
The Zenfone 12 Ultra is packed with AI-powered features, including:
- Real-time translation: Translates text and speech in real-time.
- AI Summarization: Summarizes long articles or documents.
- On-device AI processing: Ensures faster and more secure AI tasks.
- AI Call Translator: Translates phone calls in real-time.
While these features are impressive, some, like AI Summarization, work better with shorter texts and struggle with more complex documents.
How does the Zenfone 12 Ultra compare to the ROG Phone 9?
The ROG Phone 9 is a gaming-focused device, while the Zenfone 12 Ultra is more of an all-rounder. Here’s a quick comparison:
- Performance: Both devices are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, but the ROG Phone 9 has better thermal management for gaming.
- Design: The Zenfone 12 Ultra has a more refined design, while the ROG Phone 9 has a gamer-centric look.
- Software: The Zenfone 12 Ultra offers a cleaner and more customizable software experience, whereas the ROG Phone 9 focuses on gaming-specific features.
If you’re a hardcore gamer, the ROG Phone 9 might be the better choice. But if you want a balanced flagship with AI features and a sleek design, the Zenfone 12 Ultra is a great option.
