ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra Review — Flagship Camera & Performance
Published On 17-Oct, 2025, Updated On 26-Nov, 2025
Quick summary
The ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra aims to be a rounded flagship: pro-grade camera hardware, a vivid high-refresh AMOLED, flagship-class performance and a battery tuned for all-day use. ASUS balances camera innovation with sensible ergonomics, comprehensive connectivity and an enhanced software experience that emphasizes creators and mobile photographers. This review covers design, display, performance, cameras, battery, price (INR/AED/USD) and our final verdict.
General Overview
Zenfone lineups have traditionally leaned into camera and audio features while delivering strong hardware at competitive price points. The Zenfone 12 Ultra continues that approach with a multi-lens camera array (main + ultra-wide + telephoto), flagship silicon, and a large, high-quality display. Rather than chasing gimmicks, the Ultra focuses on practical photography tools, long-term software support, and value for creators who want an all-in-one device.
Design & Build
ASUS gives the Zenfone 12 Ultra a premium, understated look: matte glass or textured finish on the back, a metal frame with chamfered edges, and a symmetric camera island that integrates lenses without making the phone top-heavy. The phone fits comfortably in the hand — not too wide for one-handed use — and IP68 water/dust resistance is included for peace of mind.
Notable design points
- Aluminum frame with matte glass/textured rear options.
- Slim camera island with metal accents and subtle branding.
- Under-display fingerprint sensor and tactile physical buttons.
Display
The Zenfone 12 Ultra sports a premium AMOLED panel—expect a 6.7"–6.8" diagonal with either 120Hz or up to 144Hz adaptive refresh depending on the SKU. Colors are vivid with accurate factory calibration, deep blacks and HDR10+/Dolby Vision support for streaming video. Peak brightness is excellent for outdoor use, while LTPO-style adaptive refresh helps conserve battery during static content.
Display highlights
- 6.7"–6.8" AMOLED, FHD+ / QHD+ depending on model
- 120Hz/144Hz adaptive refresh, HDR10+/Dolby Vision
- Excellent peak brightness and accurate color calibration out of the box
Performance & Memory
ASUS outfits the Zenfone 12 Ultra with flagship-class SoC and memory configurations that make it a powerhouse for multitasking, photo/video editing and gaming. Expect 12GB–16GB LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage (256GB / 512GB / 1TB options). Performance is smooth across UI interactions and demanding applications.
Real-world performance
- Snapdragon/Dimensity flagship silicon (market dependent) — excellent single- and multi-thread performance.
- Fast storage reduces load times in apps and games.
- Thermal design keeps clocks sustainable for longer workloads.
Connectivity
The usual modern connectivity stack is present: multi-band 5G, Wi-Fi 6/6E (some SKUs may include Wi-Fi 7), Bluetooth 5.x, NFC for payments, dual-band GPS and a USB-C port supporting high-speed data and wired displays. ASUS also provides robust VoLTE and VoWiFi support in regions where carriers enable those services.
Camera & Audio
Camera performance is a core differentiator. The Zenfone 12 Ultra features a large primary sensor tuned for low-light performance, a true ultra-wide with low distortion, and a telephoto module (periscope on higher trims) for optical zoom. ASUS focuses on real-world image quality: accurate colors, effective noise reduction and reliable autofocus. Video recording supports 4K/60fps and advanced stabilization modes for handheld shooting.
Camera tech & features
- Primary: large-sensor 50–200MP class main camera (pixel-binned for low light)
- Ultra-wide: 12–50MP with good edge correction
- Telephoto: 3x–5x optical (periscope on top SKU) + strong computational zoom
- Video: 4K@60fps, advanced EIS/OIS combo and Pro video modes
- Audio: stereo speakers tuned for media, 3.5mm jack available on some SKUs or high-quality USB-C DAC
Software / OS / UI
Zenfone 12 Ultra ships with Android (latest major version) and ASUS’ ZenUI layer. The UI is leaner than older skins, with useful creator tools built into the Camera app, a Pro mode for photographers and video creators, and system performance profiles. ASUS commits to multiple OS updates and security patches, making this a reasonable long-term purchase.
Gaming Performance
With flagship silicon and a high-refresh display, gaming on the Zenfone 12 Ultra is excellent. ASUS includes Game Genie-like tools: FPS overlays, optimization modes and quick toggles for performance vs battery. Expect sustained good frame rates in popular titles; heavy AAA games will perform best with moderate graphics tuning.
Battery & Charging
Battery capacity typically ranges 5000–6000mAh in this class, with fast wired charging (80W–120W in top variants) and some level of wireless charging support on select SKUs. Real-world use with adaptive refresh and optimizations yields a full day (heavy users) and up to 1.5–2 days for moderate usage.
Charging & longevity
- Fast wired charging: 80W–120W (model dependent)
- Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging on premium SKUs
- Battery preservation modes and optimized charging schedules to extend battery health
AI & Special Features
ASUS bundles on-device AI features focused on photography, battery management and system optimizations: scene detection for better photos, AI noise reduction for low-light videos, and smart power-saving modes that learn usage patterns. Creators will appreciate built-in editing tools and native RAW support in the Camera app.
Launch Details
The Zenfone 12 Ultra was announced at ASUS’ flagship launch event in 2025 and is rolling out to global markets via official ASUS channels and authorized retailers. Exact launch dates and SKUs differ by region — check your local ASUS store for regional availability and pre-order bundles.
Availability
Initial availability covers major markets: India, UAE, Europe, UK, North America and APAC. ASUS typically sells through official online stores, Amazon/Flipkart partners and brick-and-mortar electronics retailers. Expect color options (Graphite, Glacier White, and limited special finishes) and storage choices from 256GB to 1TB.
Price (Indicative)
Official MSRP varies by market and configuration. Indicative pricing at launch (approximate):
- India (INR): ₹59,999 – ₹99,999 depending on RAM/storage and variant.
- UAE (AED): AED 1,999 – AED 3,599 depending on SKU.
- USA / Global (USD): $699 – $1,099 depending on configuration and local taxes.
Prices are indicative — check official ASUS channels for confirmed regional pricing and launch offers.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Pro-grade camera hardware and versatile photo/video tools. | Premium pricing for top-tier SKUs. |
| Excellent AMOLED display with high refresh and HDR support. | Large battery models add weight compared to ultra-light flagships. |
| Strong performance and future-proof memory/storage options. | ZenUI customizations may not appeal to stock Android purists. |
| Good longevity with multi-year software promises. | Wireless charging may be limited to select SKUs. |
Final Verdict
The ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra is a compelling flagship for creators and enthusiasts who value photography, display quality and sustained performance. It doesn’t chase every market gimmick — instead ASUS refines the essentials: cameras, display, build and battery life. If you want a balanced flagship with creator-friendly tools, the Zenfone 12 Ultra should be on your shortlist. If ultra-lightweight design or the absolute cheapest price are priorities, consider other flagships in the lineup.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What chipset does the Zenfone 12 Ultra use?
Zenfone 12 Ultra ships with a flagship-class SoC (exact vendor/model may vary by region). Check your regional ASUS product page for the confirmed silicon used in your market.
2. Does the Zenfone 12 Ultra support wireless charging?
Yes — premium SKUs include wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. Lower-tier SKUs may omit wireless charging to hit specific price points.
3. How good is the camera in low light?
The large primary sensor with pixel-binning plus optimized image processing gives strong low-light performance, producing detailed, low-noise shots in most scenarios.
4. What battery life can I expect?
Typical real-world use is an all-day battery for heavy users and up to 1.5–2 days for moderate users depending on settings and adaptive refresh usage.
5. Will ASUS provide software updates?
ASUS promises multiple OS updates and ongoing security patches for the Zenfone 12 Ultra line — check the regional update policy for exact durations.