Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra Launched With Unique AI and Camera Upgrades

Asus has officially launched the Zenfone 12 Ultra, which brings a host of powerful upgrades in design, AI features, and camera technology. Unlike its predecessors, which typically debuted mid-year, this model arrives much earlier, launching in February 2025. With its premium materials, top-tier performance, and cutting-edge AI capabilities, the Zenfone 12 Ultra is designed to compete with the most powerful flagships on the market.

Design and Display

The Zenfone 12 Ultra features a sleek, modern, and premium design using a 100% recycled aluminum frame and 22% recycled glass display. Moreover, the phone is available in three colors—Sage Green, Ebony Black, and Sakura White.

Additionally, the IP68 rating ensures durability by protecting against dust and water.

Moving to the display, the 6.78-inch OLED LTPO panel (Samsung E6) comes with a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate. For gaming enthusiasts, Asus has gone a step further by including a 144Hz refresh rate for supported titles, enhancing the overall gaming experience. Furthermore, with a peak brightness of 2,500 nits and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection.

Internals and Software

Under the hood, the Zenfone 12 Ultra packs powerful hardware that ensures top-tier performance. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, which delivers a 45% increase in CPU performance, a 40% faster GPU, and a 40% boost in NPU efficiency compared to its predecessor. The phone also offers up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage, ensuring ample space and lightning-fast responsiveness.

On the software side, Asus has focused heavily on AI-driven features. One of the most notable additions is the Llama 3 8B AI model from Meta, which runs directly on the device to enable real-time text summarization and AI-powered voice translation.

Additionally, AI Call Translator 2.0 allows users to translate phone conversations in real time, even in third-party VoIP apps. Moreover, the AI Transcript 2.0 feature in the Recorder app helps users summarize meetings, transcribe multi-speaker conversations, and even translate text instantly, making it a perfect tool for professionals.

The Zenfone 12 Ultra runs on HyperOS 2.0, based on Android 15, delivering a seamless and optimized user experience with enhanced AI integration and smooth performance.

Camera

When it comes to photography, Asus has made significant improvements, making the Zenfone 12 Ultra one of the most impressive camera phones in its lineup. The main camera now features a Sony Lytia-700 sensor, replacing the previous IMX890. However, the real highlight is the 6-axis hybrid gimbal stabilizer (version 4), which provides 66% better movement correction than the Zenfone 11 Ultra, ensuring incredibly stable and clear shots.

Beyond that, the 32MP telephoto camera offers 3x optical zoom and 10-30x HyperClarity zoom, allowing users to capture distant subjects with remarkable clarity. Meanwhile, the ultra-wide camera provides a 120° field of view, making it ideal for landscape photography and group shots. On the front, the 32MP selfie camera includes a 90° lens, allowing for wider-angle shots and better-quality video calls.

With these enhancements, the Zenfone 12 Ultra delivers professional-grade photography and video recording, making it a strong contender in the flagship smartphone market.

Battery and Pricing

Another standout feature is the 5,500mAh dual-cell battery, which ensures long-lasting performance throughout the day. Thanks to 65W wired charging, users can fully charge their phone in just 39 minutes, minimizing downtime. Additionally, the device supports 15W wireless charging (Qi 1.3). Asus claims the battery can last up to 26 hours on a single charge, making it perfect for users who need reliable, all-day battery life.

As for pricing, the Zenfone 12 Ultra is now available in Europe, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, with a starting price of €1,100. However, early buyers who purchase between February 6 and 28 can grab it at a discounted price of €1,000. Meanwhile, Asus has also confirmed that a Japan release is on the way, with more details expected soon.

Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra Specifications