A few days after the announcement of the ROG Phone 9 FE, Asus shifted its focus to another major release: the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra. This model makes its debut earlier than expected, arriving in early February instead of the usual mid-July timeline set by its predecessor.
Design:
The Zenfone 12 Ultra has a sophisticated build and a unique aesthetic that differentiates it from Asus’ gaming-oriented models. Although it is similar in size and shape to the ROG Phone 9 Pro, its camera setup stands out, with engraved details such as “50MP,” “OIS,” and “gimbal stabilization.”
In contrast to the bold design typical of ROG devices, the Zenfone 12 Ultra features a more polished appearance. It will be launched in various colours, though specific shades have yet to be disclosed. The placement of the flash module also sets it apart from its ROG counterpart, enhancing its distinct look. According to recent leaks, the device will be offered in black, green, and pink variants.
Specs:
The new ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra will sport a 6.78-inch FHD+ Samsung AMOLED LTPO display with 144Hz refresh rate support. Its top is Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The Zenfone 12 Ultra is powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, coupled with 8GB/12GB/16GB RAM and 128GB/256GB/512GB storage.
The ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra features triple rear cameras: a 50MP main Sony LYT-700 sensor and a six-axis gimbal 2.0 module for video stabilization. A secondary 13MP ultra-wide sensor and a 32MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS are also included. The phone also has a 32MP selfie shooter with dual PDAF support.
The connectivity options include Wi-Fi 7 (ax), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and GNSS (GPS L1+L5, GLONASS L1, Galileo E1+E5a, BDS, and QZSS), Dual SIM 5G, USB Type-C, 3.5mm audio jack.
The device comes with dual stereo speakers & IP68 rating making it dust and water-resistant. Lastly, the device packs a 5500 mAh battery with 65W fast charging support. It comes with 15W wireless charging support. The device runs on Android 15 OS out of the box.
AI Features Take Center Stage in the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra
The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra isn’t just about powerful hardware; it also integrates a wealth of AI-driven features that enhance the overall user experience. The device is equipped with two types of AI: on-device and Cloud-based.
One standout feature is the inclusion of Meta’s Llama 3 8B model, which runs directly on the device and excels at high-quality text summarization.
Another impressive tool is the AI Call Translator 2.0, which allows real-time voice translation during VoIP calls. This feature works not only with the default Phone app but also with third-party messaging apps that support voice calls.
The AI Transcript 2.0 in the Recorder app is another highlight, offering multi-speaker identification, text summarization, and translation. Whether you’re transcribing a meeting or summarizing articles, this feature makes the Zenfone 12 Ultra a truly versatile tool.
And that’s just scratching the surface of what AI can do on this device.
Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra: Pricing and Availability
The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is available in three stunning colors: Ebony Black, Sakura White, and Sage Green. In Europe, the 16GB + 512GB variant is priced at €1,100 (approximately USD 1,140 or INR 99,990). There’s also a special pre-order discount of €100 available until February 28th.
This year, Asus has decided not to release the phone in the U.S., but it will be available in Taiwan and Hong Kong. In Taiwan, the 12GB + 256GB model costs NT$ 29,990 (approximately USD 911 or INR 79,910), while the 16GB + 512GB variant is priced at NT$ 31,990 (about USD 973 or INR 85,240).
