Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra specifications and in-depth review

Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra

Manufacturer: Asus

The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is a high-performance smartphone with a sleek design and impressive specifications. Featuring a 6.78″ OLED display, it delivers vibrant visuals with a 144Hz refresh rate, perfect for smooth scrolling and gaming. The phone is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, ensuring fast and efficient operation across a variety of tasks.

In terms of performance, the Zenfone 12 Ultra boasts a 16GB RAM and 512GB internal storage, offering ample space for apps and media. Its powerful 5500 mAh battery supports fast charging at 65W, allowing quick top-ups. The camera setup includes a versatile 50MP main sensor and a 32MP front camera, with advanced features like optical zoom, HDR, and manual controls for both photography and video recording.

Pros
  • Supports 5G connectivity for fast data speeds and improved mobile experience.
  • Offers a variety of Wi-Fi standards, including Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7, ensuring excellent wireless performance.
  • Includes a fingerprint scanner for enhanced security and convenience.
  • Has a video light for improved video recording in low-light environments.
  • Supports multiple SIM cards, including 2 SIMs and 1 eSIM, for flexibility in mobile connectivity.
Cons
  • Lacks support for advanced features like an infrared sensor, heart rate monitor, or built-in projector.
  • Does not offer an external memory slot for expandable storage.
  • No support for satellite SOS or crash detection, limiting emergency response capabilities.
  • Lacks a sapphire glass display, which could provide additional durability.
  • Does not support a curved display or an e-paper display, limiting display variety.
Who is this for?

This product is ideal for users who need fast and reliable mobile connectivity, with 5G support and advanced Wi-Fi capabilities including Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7. Its robust security features, such as the built-in fingerprint scanner, make it a great choice for users prioritizing privacy and ease of access. Additionally, the inclusion of a video light enhances its appeal for content creators and individuals who need to capture high-quality video in low-light environments.

Who is this NOT for?

This product may not be suitable for users looking for advanced features like satellite SOS or crash detection for enhanced emergency response. It also lacks an external memory slot, which could be a downside for those who require expandable storage. Additionally, its absence of a sapphire glass display and curved screen may limit its appeal to those seeking premium durability or a more visually striking design.

Design:

water resistance Waterproof
weight 220 g
thickness 8.9 mm
width 77 mm
height 163.8 mm
volume 112.25214 cm³
Ingress Protection (IP) rating IP68
has a rugged build
can be folded

The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra features a sleek design with a waterproof build, offering an IP68 rating for protection against dust and water. It has a weight of 220 g and dimensions of 163.8 mm in height, 77 mm in width, and a thickness of 8.9 mm. With a volume of 112.25214 cm³, the phone offers a substantial yet comfortable feel in the hand. However, it does not have a rugged build and cannot be folded.

Display:

Display type OLED/AMOLED
screen size 6.78"
pixel density 388 ppi
resolution 1080 x 2400 px
refresh rate 144Hz
brightness (typical) 1600 nits
has branded damage-resistant glass
Gorilla Glass version Gorilla Glass Victus 2
supports HDR10
supports HDR10+
Always-On Display
supports Dolby Vision
Has a secondary screen
has a touch screen

The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra features a 6.78″ OLED/AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 px, offering crisp visuals and vibrant colors. It boasts a high pixel density of 388 ppi, ensuring sharp details. The display also supports a smooth 144Hz refresh rate and achieves a typical brightness of 1600 nits, making it ideal for bright environments. Protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, the screen is resistant to damage, while an Always-On Display feature adds convenience. However, it does not support HDR10+ or Dolby Vision.

Performance:

internal storage 512GB
RAM 16GB
AnTuTu benchmark score 2850000
Chipset (SoC) name Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
GPU name Adreno 830
CPU speed 2 x 4.32 & 6 x 3.53 GHz
Geekbench 6 result (multi) 10059
Geekbench 6 result (single) 3234
GPU clock speed 1100 MHz
Has integrated LTE
RAM speed 5300 MHz
semiconductor size 3 nm
Supports 64-bit
DirectX version DirectX 12
Has integrated graphics
OpenGL version 3.2
OpenGL ES version 3.2
Uses big.LITTLE technology
CPU threads 8 threads
Uses HMP
Has TrustZone
maximum memory bandwidth 85.1 GB/s
OpenCL version 3
memory channels 2
L2 cache 12 MB
Supports ECC memory
L1 cache 192 KB
maximum memory amount 24GB
uses multithreading
GPU turbo 1100 MHz
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 8.2W
DDR memory version 5
shading units 1536
supported displays 2
L3 cache 8 MB

The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, paired with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB internal storage capacity, offering ample space and smooth multitasking. Its CPU features a combination of 2 high-performance cores running at 4.32 GHz and 6 efficiency cores at 3.53 GHz, while the GPU is driven by an Adreno 830 with a clock speed of 1100 MHz. The phone supports 64-bit computing and utilizes advanced technologies like big.LITTLE, multithreading, and HMP for enhanced efficiency and performance. With a maximum memory bandwidth of 85.1 GB/s and support for ECC memory, the Zenfone 12 Ultra is designed for demanding tasks and gaming.

Cameras:

megapixels (main camera) 50 & 32 & 13 MP
wide aperture (main camera) 1.9 & 2.4 & 2.2f
Has a dual-lens (or multi-lens) main camera
megapixels (front camera) 32MP
has built-in optical image stabilization
video recording (main camera) 4320 x 24 fps
Has a dual-tone LED flash
number of flash LEDs 1
has a BSI sensor
has a CMOS sensor
has continuous autofocus when recording movies
Has phase-detection autofocus for photos
supports slow-motion video recording
has a built-in HDR mode
has manual exposure
has a flash
optical zoom 3x
has manual ISO
has a serial shot mode
has manual focus
has a front camera
Has laser autofocus
Shoots 360° panorama
has manual white balance
shoots raw
has touch autofocus
has manual shutter speed
can create panoramas in-camera
wide aperture (front camera) 2.5f
Has timelapse function
Has a front-facing LED flash
has a dual-lens (or multi-lens) front camera
supports HDR10 recording
supports Dolby Vision recording
has a front-facing camera under the display
Has a RGB LED flash
has 3D photo/video recording capabilities

The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra features a versatile camera setup with a 50 MP, 32 MP, and 13 MP triple-lens main camera, offering high-quality shots with a wide aperture range of 1.9, 2.4, and 2.2f. It supports optical zoom up to 3x and features phase-detection autofocus for sharp, accurate photos. The camera also supports advanced features like HDR, manual exposure, and the ability to shoot in raw format. The front camera is a 32 MP sensor with a wide aperture of 2.5f, and it also includes a variety of recording options, including slow-motion video, timelapse, and HDR10 video recording.

Operating system:

Android version Android 15
has clipboard warnings
has location privacy options
has camera/microphone privacy options
has Mail Privacy Protection
has theme customization
can block app tracking
blocks cross-site tracking
has on-device machine learning
has notification permissions
has media picker
Can play games while they download
has dark mode
has Wi-Fi password sharing
has battery health check
has an extra dim mode
has focus modes
has dynamic theming
can offload apps
Has customizable notifications
has Live Text
has full-page screenshots
supports split screen
gets direct OS updates
has PiP
Can be used as a PC
Has sharing intents
has a child lock
Supports widgets
Is free and open source
Has offline voice recognition
has voice commands
Tracks the current position of a mobile device
is a multi-user system
has Quick Start

The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra runs on Android 15 and offers a range of privacy and customization features, including clipboard warnings and location privacy options. Users can personalize their experience with theme customization, dynamic theming, and the ability to block app tracking. The device also supports useful functionalities such as split screen, PiP, and offline voice recognition, while providing security with features like child lock and phone tracking. Additional features include media picker, customizable notifications, and full-page screenshots.

Battery:

battery power 5500 mAh
has wireless charging
Supports fast charging
charging speed 65W
wireless charging speed 15W
has reverse wireless charging
comes with a charger
has a removable battery
has a battery level indicator
has a rechargeable battery

The device is equipped with a powerful 5500 mAh battery that supports fast charging at a speed of 65W, ensuring quick power-ups. Additionally, it features wireless charging with a speed of 15W for added convenience. The battery is rechargeable, and users can monitor its status with the built-in battery level indicator. Although the device does not support reverse wireless charging or come with a removable battery, it does come with a charger for hassle-free use.

Audio:

has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
has stereo speakers
has aptX
has LDAC
has aptX HD
has aptX Adaptive
has aptX Lossless
Has a radio
number of microphones 2

This device offers robust audio features, including stereo speakers for rich sound and a 3.5 mm audio jack for wired headphones. It supports a range of advanced Bluetooth audio technologies, such as aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, and aptX Lossless, ensuring high-quality wireless audio. With two microphones, it also delivers clear sound capture, though it does not support LDAC or radio functionality.

Connectivity & Features:

release date February 2025
has 5G support
Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
SIM cards 2 SIM, 1 eSIM
Bluetooth version 5.4
has an external memory slot
Has USB Type-C
has NFC
download speed 10000 MBits/s
upload speed 3500 MBits/s
Has a fingerprint scanner
has emergency SOS via satellite
has crash detection
is DLNA-certified
has a gyroscope
supports ANT+
Has a heart rate monitor
has GPS
has a compass
supports Wi-Fi
Has an infrared sensor
has an accelerometer
has a cellular module
Has a barometer
has an HDMI output
Uses 3D facial recognition
Has an iris scanner
Stylus included
supports Galileo
Has motion tracking
Has optical tracking
Has a built-in projector

This device is equipped with modern connectivity features, including 5G support for fast mobile internet and Wi-Fi 6E for ultra-fast wireless connectivity. It also supports multiple SIM options with 2 SIM cards and 1 eSIM for flexible connectivity. Additionally, it includes Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and GPS, ensuring seamless connectivity and navigation. While it lacks support for an external memory slot, it offers USB Type-C for efficient charging and data transfer.

Miscellaneous:

has a video light
Has sapphire glass display
Has a curved display
Has an e-paper display

This device features a built-in video light for enhanced video recording in low-light conditions. However, it does not include sapphire glass or a curved display, and lacks an e-paper display, keeping the focus on essential features for performance and usability.

Final Verdict

The product offers a solid combination of modern connectivity options with 5G support and fast Wi-Fi capabilities, making it a good fit for users who need high-speed mobile access. It also excels in video-related tasks, thanks to its video light for low-light conditions. However, it may not be ideal for those who require advanced emergency features or need expandable storage. Overall, it's a strong choice for users focused on connectivity, security, and multimedia capabilities.

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