Zenfone 12 Ultra: ASUS smartphone receives Snapdragon and AI update 25 comments
Picture: Asus
The Zenfone 12 Ultra mainly brings Qualcomm‘s new Elite Snapdragon 8 to the hardware, other than that the smartphone is heavily based on the predecessor. A number of new AI features for camera, desktop, and search also remain. The Zenfone 12 Ultra launches in Germany for around 1,100 euros.
The Zenfone 12 remains ultra
Last year, Asus decided to only release the Zenfone with the “11” as a large “ultra” after the Zenfone was still a relatively compact smartphone until the “10”. ASUS continues this decision with the Zenfone 12 Ultra presented today and is heavily based on the predecessor with virtually identical dimensions. The lines are gone on the back, instead the three new colors Sage Green, Ebony Black and Sakura White, which this time also color the camera module, which was previously only done in black. The Zenfone 12 Ultra is optically closely related to the ROG Phone 9.
Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra (image: ASUS) Image 1 of 4
Snapdragon 8 Elite is moving in
Qualcomm’s elite Snapdragon 8, which is used instead of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, is now truly new for the Zenfone 12 Ultra. The article about the presentation in October 2024 provides a detailed explanation of the new chip, the first references are available based on the ASUS ROG Phone 9 (test) and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Roughly summarized, Qualcomom promises 45% more CPU and NPU and 40% more GPU performance.
Run more AI features locally
ASUS explains that with the increase in local AI performance of the chip, more components of the “AI daily tool” can be done directly on the smartphone. With the exception of Circle to Search, which Google ran in the cloud, the tools integrated by ASUS can be done directly on the device or alternatively in the cloud. This includes live translation of phone calls, transcription, summarization of websites and documents, and semantic search on the smartphone itself for areas such as photos and settings.
AI call disk AI function cloud ✓ AI transcribed ✓ ✓ AI article summary ✓ ✓ AI document summary ✓ ✓ Google circle in search ✓ Semantic search ✓
Before running, users are asked where the processing should take place, whether locally or in the cloud. Selection is possible or possible for all future requests of the request. In the cloud, processing must take place faster and provide “optimized results”.
Triple camera with better stabilization
There’s also more AI for the cameras that Asus adopted from the previous year. For the main camera’s 50 MP Sony-Lytia-700 sensor, Asus has revised the gimbal stabilization, which should now be able to compensate for bumps with up to 5 degrees of sensor offset. In addition, the sensors with 13 MP for the ultra-tempered angle camera (f / 2.2) and 32 MP for the telephoto lens (f / 2.4) are installed again with a triple optical increase.
Sample photos of Zenfone 12 Ultra (image: ASUS) Download image 1 of 5
In video mode, “AI tracking” should help keep the desired object in the frame. If enabled, the camera can switch between lenses in this mode and perform automatic zooming. For portrait video mode, ASUS indicates improvements for artificially generated bokeh. With “AI Voice Clarity”, the level of voices, animals and noises can be fixed in the background. Insufficient photos should be able to save “AI Unblur”, and “AI Magic Fill” can add new image information using generative AI.
Lightweight OLED display with up to 144 Hz
One of the previously known properties of Zenfone 11 Ultra is a 6.78-inch AMOLED display, which can also go up to 144 Hz in regular operation from 1 to 120 Hz. For the panel with 1,080 × 2400 pixels, Asus indicates a brightness of 1,500 cd / m² in full screen and 2600 cd / m² for small areas of the image. Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 is used as protective glass.
The headset connection remains
ASUS equips the smartphone with a 5,500 mAh battery, which can be charged via USB-C with up to 65 watts or wirelessly. In addition to the USB-C connection on the underside, the SIM compartment is also found, with ESIM supported for the first time, as well as the still existing headphone connection.
Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra (image: ASUS) Image 1 of 5
A memory configuration for 1,099 euros
This time the Zenfone 12 Ultra is only offered by Asus in a memory configuration in Germany: 16 GB / 512 GB for 1,099 euros. Last year there was a model with 12 GB / 256 GB for 999 euros. As an introductory offer, Asus is offering the new smartphone until February 28 with a discount of 100 euros.
Techconseil received information about this article from ASUS under NDA. The only requirement was the earliest possible release time.
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Sarah tracks innovations in smartphones, evaluating their performance, design, and key features.
