Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra Falls Short: A Review of its Limited Performance
Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra Review: A Premium Phone That Falls Short of the Mark
When a smartphone boasts the "ultra" label, it’s expected to deliver exceptional performance, innovative features, and a price tag to match. The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra, however, fails to live up to its lofty billing. Despite its impressive specs sheet, this phone feels like a rehash of its predecessor, with few notable upgrades to justify its hefty price tag.
Design and Display
The Zenfone 12 Ultra’s design is unremarkable, with a blocky and generic chocolate-bar shape that fails to impress. The 6.78-inch display, while large and high-res, is nothing special. It’s a decent screen, but not one that will leave you in awe.
Performance and Battery Life
The phone’s Snapdragon 8 Elite processor provides a significant boost in performance, making it one of the fastest phones on the market. However, the AI features can cause the phone to slow down noticeably, which is a minor drawback. The 5,500mAh battery is decent, lasting over a day of moderate use, but it’s not exceptional.
Camera and Software
The camera system is decent, with a 50MP main sensor, 13MP ultra-wide lens, and 32MP telephoto lens. While the AI optimization helps, the camera system is not particularly impressive. The phone runs on stock Android, which is a plus, but the AI features are more gimmicky than genuinely useful.
Value
At €1,099.99, the Zenfone 12 Ultra is an expensive phone that fails to deliver a unique selling point. While it’s a good phone, it’s not a great one, and the price is hard to justify. If you can find it at a significant discount, it might be worth considering, but otherwise, there are better options available.
Should You Buy the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra?
If you’re looking for a premium phone with top-tier specs, the Zenfone 12 Ultra might be worth considering. However, if you’re expecting a game-changing device with innovative features, you’ll be disappointed. The phone’s lack of a unique selling point and high price tag make it a hard sell.
Alternatives to Consider
If you’re in the market for a high-end smartphone, you might want to consider the following options:
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
- iPhone 16 Pro
- Xiaomi 14 Ultra
Testing Methodology
To test the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra, I used it daily for two weeks, running benchmark tests, taking sample photos, and running down the battery. I also used the phone for everyday tasks like music and video streaming, social media scrolling, mobile game-playing, and more.
Conclusion
The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is a good phone, but it’s not a great one. With a high price tag and few notable upgrades, it’s hard to justify the cost. If you’re looking for a premium phone with top-tier specs, you might want to consider other options.
