The Zenfone 12 Ultra officially launches today, but unlike previous models, it won’t be sold in the US. Asus has confirmed that this decision does not rule out future Zenfone models for North America. However, for now, the small Zenfone appears to be gone.
Powerful Performance and Display
The Zenfone 12 Ultra is essentially a redesigned ROG Phone 9 Pro with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and a massive 6.78-inch LTPO display. The screen supports variable refresh rates from 1Hz to 120Hz, but its 1080p resolution may feel low for its size.
A 5,500mAh battery powers the device, supporting 65W wired charging and 15W wireless charging via the Qi 1.3 standard. However, it does not include Qi2 compatibility.
Advanced AI and Camera Features
AI is at the heart of the Zenfone 12 Ultra. The phone introduces AI-powered noise removal for video recording, semantic search in the gallery, voice memo transcription, and document summarization. These AI tools align with trends seen in other flagship phones in 2025.
One standout feature is the fourth-generation gimbal-like stabilization in the main camera. This hardware-based shake correction combines with an updated electronic stabilization algorithm for smoother video.
Aside from stabilization, the camera hardware remains unchanged from the Zenfone 11 Ultra. It features:
- 50MP main camera
- 32MP 3x telephoto lens
- 13MP ultrawide lens
Asus also introduces iPhone-style Photographic Styles, allowing users to customize color temperature and saturation presets for their photos.
Price and Availability
The Zenfone 12 Ultra starts at €1,099 (about $1,145). While it won’t launch in the US, Asus hints that future Zenfone models might return to the American market.
For now, the small Zenfone seems to be a thing of the past.
