PhoneArena’s score system tries to put smartphones on a real spectrum between 1 and 10, which can make some scores seem “low” at first look. To counteract “assessment rating inflation,” we’ve got established a collection of exams and scoring standards designed to reduce subjectivity and assign a good 1 to 10 score throughout key classes. Moreover, to offer context on how the cellphone compares to its similarly-priced rivals, we embody a “worth class common” information.
Zenfone 12 Extremely specs
So, let’s take a fast have a look at the core specs of the Zenfone 12 Extremely and see the way it has developed in comparison with the Zenfone 11 Extremely
| Asus Zenfone 12 Extremely | Asus Zenfone 11 Extremely |
|---|---|
| Repeat of the identical design, clear again with no accents | Further-large Zenfone construct, as large as up to date phablets |
| 6.45 x 3.03 x 0.35 inches (163.8 x 77 x 8.9 mm) 220 g |
6.45 x 3.02 x 0.35 inches (163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm) 224 g |
| Recycled aluminum body, matte glass again | Recycled aluminum body, matte glass again |
| The quickest Qualcomm chip –– the 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy, 4 nm, nonetheless fairly good |
| Gorilla Glass Victus 2 entrance | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 entrance |
| 6.8-inch Samsung AMOLED show 1-120 Hz, 144 Hz accessible when gaming |
6.8-inch Samsung AMOLED show 1-120 Hz, 144 Hz accessible when gaming |
| 12 GB / 256 GB 16 GB / 512 GB LPDDR5X / UFS4.0 |
12 GB / 256 GB 16 GB / 512 GB LPDDR5X / UFS4.0 |
| 50 MP fundamental digital camera 13 MP ultrawide 32 MP 3x zoom digital camera 32 MP entrance digital camera |
50 MP fundamental digital camera 13 MP ultrawide 32 MP 3x zoom digital camera 32 MP entrance digital camera |
| 5,500 mAh 65 W wired 15 W Qi1.3 wi-fi charging (no magnets) |
5,500 mAh 65 W wired 15 W Qi1.3 wi-fi charging (no magnets) |
Design and Show
Simply as large, now cleaner
After all, it is protected by the weather with IP68 score, that means it could possibly survive a dunk in a small pool of water and is dust-tight.
There aren’t any particular buttons or quirky triggers on the Zenfone 12 Extremely — we’ve got a clicky energy button and an accentuated quantity rocker. However we do get a headphone jack, which has oddly change into a luxurious within the 2020s.
You possibly can choose the Zenfone 12 Extremely up in three colours — Ebony Black, Sage Inexperienced, and Sakura White (which is definitely pink).
The field incorporates a fittng case and a USB C cable, however not the 65 W charger, which is now offered individually.
The Zenfones rock Samsung-made AMOLED panels. They’re LTPO, that means they’ll go from 1 Hz to 120 Hz relying on what’s on display. If nothing’s taking place (AOD is on), it is dialed right down to 1 Hz to protect battery, however as quickly as you want fluid animations, it immediately goes as much as 120 Hz. When in-game, you’ll be able to open up the Asus Sport Genie overlay to activate 144 Hz.
Show Measurements:
However peak brightness just isn’t precisely telling us a lot, which is why we now measure 20% APL — a check extra consultant of “actual life” use. And the Zenfone 12 Extremely scored 2,200 nits there, which is superb. You possibly can positively use this cellphone no drawback on a sunny day. Minimal brightness, nevertheless, is fairly dangerous at 5.9 nits — not one of the best for bedside use.
Display screen colours are fairly good, they do show the blue-green tint that is typical for present OLED panels. However you do have a couple of shade calibration choices in settings, so you may make it extra saturated, extra reasonable, and fewer chilly if you want.
Below the display, we’ve got an optical fingerprint scanner which is fairly good at its job.
Digicam
Similar specs, a bit extra secure
Stabilization just isn’t solely vital for video seize, it additionally performs an enormous function for conditions when the shutter is open for a very long time, be it taking an evening time picture or an HDR snap (and most auto photographs these days are HDR by default).
Apart from that improve, the Zenfone 12 Extremely has the identical digital camera specs as final 12 months — 50 MP fundamental, 13 MP ultrawide, 32 MP 3x telephoto lens, and a 32 MP selfie digital camera. And this is how they carry out:
Our Digicam Benchmark places the cellphone by a collection of constant exams to offer us an concept of the way it does with effective particulars, publicity, stabilization, in addition to all the digital camera expertise, from viewfinder to snap. That is what types the ultimate rating, however this is how the Zenfone 12 Extremely truly does with photographs:
Sadly, the Zenfone 12 Extremely’s digital camera left us wanting. It exposes fairly a bit and lacks the dynamic vary to make the intense photographs seem textured or lifelike. Colours are overally washed out and chilly. Switching to Portrait mode does be sure that the cellphone no less than captures energetic skintones, considerably. Relying on which zoom stage you select, and what the cellphone “sees” within the background, the skintone can go from reasonable to a bizarre pink.
The HDR leaves a whole lot of “ghosts” in photographs, which is truthfully stunning for a 2025 top-tier cellphone (try any picture with birds in it). And there are a whole lot of auras round treebranches, both resulting from oversharpening or not-so-great HDR.
Efficiency
Flagship chip in the home
Efficiency Benchmarks:
Unsurprisingly, the Zenfone 12 Extremely is not as potent because the super-charged ROG Telephone 9 Professional. However even then, its scores are hovering nearer to final 12 months’s Zenfone 11 Extremely than modern-day smartphones. Perhaps it is to maintain warmth at bay, possibly it is to protect battery. Hopefully, it isn’t a bar put there merely to make the ROG Telephone seem greater, higher, and sooner.
It presents the identical configurations as its predecessor: 12 GB of LPDDR5X RAM paired with 256 UFS 4.0 GB storage, or 16 GB RAM with 512 GB storage.
Software program
In comes AI. Asus already had some AI options in there earlier than the others — specifically Semantic Search. You need not know the precise title of a toggle in settings, simply “inform” the search bar what you wish to do. Samsung added this simply now, whereas Asus has had it since final 12 months.
- AI abstract for web sites and paperwork
- AI stay translation for calls (even by third occasion apps like WhatsApp)
- AI transcript for voice recordings
- Semantic Search
- Cirle to Search with Google
- AI object monitoring when recording video
- AI-assisted video portrait mode
- AI Voice Readability to clear noises from movies
- AI Magic Fill (Magic Eraser)
- AI Picture Unblur
As talked about, the Zenfone 12 Extremely comes with Android 15 out of the field. Asus continues to be lagging behind on the software program updates promise — we’ll get “no less than” two main Android builds and 4 years of safety patches submit launch, which is behind trade leaders like Google and Samsung who now provide 7 years of Android updates.
Battery Life and Charging
That’s yuge!
The Zenfone 12 Extremely pushes above the 5,000 mAh consolation zone with a ten% add-on. It comes with a 5,500 mAh cell, similar as on the Zenfone 11 Extremely. We’re used to Asus telephones having nice battery life optimizations, so let’s take it to the benchmarks first:
PhoneArena Battery and Charging Take a look at Outcomes:
Confidently hitting properly north of 10 hours of screen-on time between looking and gaming, we are able to say that the Zenfone 12 Extremely doesn’t disappoint. Although, that YouTube binging rating is a bit weak, in comparison with the behemoths we’re taking a look at within the desk above. With informal use, the Zenfone 12 Extremely cellphone can positively push the 2-day battery life. Or, if we aren’t optimistic — day and a half.
Audio High quality and Haptics
To high it off, you do have a software program EQ that is fairly elaborate and can allow you to fine-tune the sound considerably. Additionally, once more, there is a headphone jack for purists that hate what Bluetooth does to music (and who can hear it).
The haptics are glorious, and Asus is aware of it. There are suggestions clicks hidden all throughout the interface and the cellphone will continuously reply to your faucets with exact and fast vibrations.
Abstract
Sadly, the Zenfone 12 Extremely is “extra of the identical”. It actually does really feel like a Zenfone 11 Extremely with a brand new chip inside, and a barely totally different paintjob. We have been hoping for a extra significant digital camera improve, or a redesign to make it extra enjoyable or interesting. The ROG Telephones, for instance, have a definite character and a transparent(ish) target market. The Zenfone appears to be meandering about since final 12 months — it grew up in measurement however did not add something particular to the combination moreover “it is greater now”. It is form of like “a ROG Telephone that is not a ROG Telephone”. Positive, it is barely cheaper, however as a flagship, it feels bland and rancid and there is not one factor about it that we are able to level to and say “Purchase it due to THAT!”.