Zenfone 12 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely: one in every of these is just not an Extremely

Intro

The Asus Zenfone was the one “compact flagship” amongst Androids. However that ended with the Zenfone 10. For the reason that Zenfone 11, Asus slapped the Extremely moniker to the telephones and begin making them large. Galaxy Extremely degree large.

Now, the Zenfone 12 Extremely follows go well with, housed in the identical chassis — fairly actually, as its form, dimension, and construct stay unchanged, with solely minor design tweaks and, in fact, upgraded internals. It is as large because the Galaxy S25 Extremely and clearly goals on the identical target market.However does it convey the warmth? Can the Zenfone 12 Extremely maintain a candle to Samsung’s immaculate flagship for 2025? Let’s go in deep:

Zenfone 12 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely variations defined:

Very related internals, certainly. It bears point out that the Zenfone 12 Extremely will solely be out there within the 16 GB / 512 GB choice in most markets. And none of its variants are going to make it to the USA this 12 months.

Zenfone 12 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely: PhoneArena Assessment Scores in contrast

Desk of Contents:

Design and Show High quality

OK, one in every of these is prettier

The Zenfone 12 Extremely carefully follows within the curves of the Zenfone 11 Extremely. It cleans up some accented streaks that the outdated mannequin used to have, however nonetheless retains a slightly pokey digicam bump. Weirdly positioned, too, the Zenfone 12 Extremely seems a bit… bland. One may say it has a “clear” design, however the digicam module is certainly an acquired style.

We’re not sparing the Galaxy S25 Extremely‘s digicam module right here. Though it exudes confidence with its large lens rings, these are simply tacked-on there. The lenses will not be larger, they’re about the identical as an S24 Extremely, it is simply that Samsung made the choice to have these large floating rings on the Galaxy S25 Extremely‘s again. Good lint-collectors, for positive!

However as an general package deal, the Galaxy S25 Extremely does look higher. It is also extra enjoyable to carry with its new flat sides and titanium finishes.

The Zenfone 12 Extremely is offered in three colours: Ebony Black, Sage Inexperienced, and Sakura White (it is pink, regardless of the title). The Galaxy S25 Extremely seems extra enjoyable to buy, because it is available in 4 customary colours — Titanium Black, Grey, Silverblue, and Whitesilver — plus three unique Samsung.com colours, that are Titanium Jadegreen, Jetblack, and Pinkgold. However none of them are vibrant or popping in any method, Samsung maintains the usual that costly flagships ought to have a little bit of a extra grounded and “critical” look.


They weigh about the identical at 220 g vs 218 g, for the Zenfone and Galaxy, respectfully. Additionally they measure equally at 163.8 x 77 x 8.9 mm vs 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm.

The Samsung has a barely bigger show, due to its new skinny bezels. The S25 Extremely now has a 6.9-inch panel, the place the Zenfone 12 Extremely has a 6.78-inch one. Each are AMOLED tech, and each are literally made by Samsung. They’re LTPO panels with a dynamic refresh price of 1-120 Hz. The Zenfone can, technically, hit 144 Hz, however that is solely out there whereas gaming, from the Sport Genie overlay.

Show Measurements:

Each telephones even have a number of choices to tame the colour calibration as you want. Or let it glow with full vibrancy when you so want. The Zenfone 12 Extremely is rated for two,500 nits peak brightness, the Galaxy S25 Extremely — 2,600 nits. However we do measure 20% APL, which is extra consultant of “actual world” use. Each telephones comfortably transcend 2,000 nits, which is loads shiny, so wonderful outcomes. The place the Galaxy S25 Extremely is a transparent winner is with minimal brightness. It may well go under 1 nit, which is nice for nighttime viewing, whereas the Zenfone 12 Extremely cannot go under 5.9 nits — not a great bedside companion.Moreover, Samsung has a superb anti-glare coating on high of its Extremely telephones, which does make an enormous distinction and makes the picture “pop” extra, both indoors, or underneath daylight.

Efficiency and Software program

One Elite is constructed completely different

The Zenfone 12 Extremely is supposed to be a recent flagship, so it will get the big-name chip — the three nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite. However Samsung has a partnership with Qualcomm, so it will get a particular Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy version. Mainly, it is barely overclocked, hitting 4.47 GHz the place “atypical” Elites go as much as 4.32 GHz. Except for that, each telephones include the quickest reminiscence chips — LPDDR5X and UFS4.0.

So, on to the benchmarks!

Efficiency Benchmarks:

Unsurprisingly, the Galaxy S25 Extremely does higher at uncooked CPU scores, as it is a teensy bit quicker. Nevertheless, the 3DMark outcomes are fascinating. Sure, the Zenfone 12 Extremely begins off with a decrease high-score when each telephones are cool. However when it will get to throttling, the Galaxy S25 Extremely falls a lot decrease, displaying that the thermal answer contained in the Zenfone 12 Extremely is healthier.

The software program right here is Android 15 on each telephones. Zenfone 12 Extremely attire it up in ZenUI, which seems like Vanilla Android, however provides a few customized options on high. After all, this 12 months, the phrase is AI. The Zenfone 12 Extremely now additionally has AI abstract for web sites and paperwork, reside translation for voice calls, transcription of voice recordings, Google’s Circle to Search, a Magic Eraser in Images (known as AI Magic Fill), and Picture Unblur. These options are additionally current in Galaxy AI or supplied by Google by way of Gemini or the Images app.

Digital camera

Does a gimbal stabilizer stand an opportunity in opposition to Samsung’s powerhouse?

Asus’ promoting level for its digicam modules is a gimbal stabilizer. It is barely upgraded this 12 months, supposedly to cut back jitters in video and blurry photos much more. However we are able to hardly complain about Samsung’s stabilization. And Samsung places loads of eggs within the digicam basket, with a complete of 4 cameras on the again (two are for zooming), and loads of software program options within the app. Plus, it is picture processing is simply… higher.

PhoneArena Digital camera Rating:

And that’s mirrored in our benchmark scores. We comply with strict, standardized procedures to guage sharpness, publicity, and general digicam efficiency. And the factors reveal that the Zenfone 12 Extremely doesn’t fairly match as much as the Galaxy S25 Extremely’s digicam. However let’s take a look at some samples:

Major Digital camera

The Zenfone 12 Extremely’s digicam nonetheless hasn’t gotten dynamics down. It may well usually crush shadows, or look a bit too uncovered. Colours are principally cool, and particulars are a bit too oversharpened. The Galaxy S25 Extremely stunned us with tuned up sharpening algorithms this 12 months. That’s to say, it would not go as laborious anymore. “Gentle element” they name it, because the high-quality figures aren’t misplaced, however they do not seem jagged or aura-like. Its dealing with of excessive dynamics is improbable, and colours look nearer to actuality.

In low mild, the Galaxy S25 Extremely maintains a very good deal with on dynamics and offers us a balanced picture with sufficient distinction to present it texture. Colours and skintones are dealt with properly. The Zenfone 12 Extremely feels challenged right here, with sharp distinction and a flattening of the intense areas. Skintone is a bit pale and washed out.

Zoom High quality

Sammsung takes delight in its zoom algorithms. Some sharpening might be seen right here, because the digicam must digitally improve the picture past 5x, which is its longest optical lens. The Zenfone picture is a bit darker, with a bit extra software program sharpening, however not a lot worse.

Extremely-wide Digital camera

The ultra-wide digicam of the Zenfone 12 Extremely scored a greater coloration calibration this 12 months, to stay nearer to the principle digicam. Its publicity can be higher right here, in comparison with the S25 Extremely. However that HDR is fairly dangerous — take a look at the ghost gulls flying via the air. 

Selfies

The 32 MP selfie digicam of the Zenfone 12 Extremely sounds spectacular on paper. Nevertheless, it additionally suffers from lack of vibrancy and really pale skintones.

Extra Digital camera Samples

Video high quality

Video Thumbnail

The gimbal stabilizer of the Zenfone 12 Extremely does give us very buttery clean movement, however the Galaxy S25 Extremely appears to be doing loads high-quality with its personal OIS and software program help. The colours from the Zenfone footage are extra vibrant, however particulars are a bit oversharpened, and a few halos round vegetation might be noticed — in all probability HDR. The Galaxy S25 Extremely footage is extra balanced, however it does look a bit colder on this direct comparability. Nevertheless, it handles highlights a bit higher the place the Zenfone burned them out. And the inexperienced grass seems a bit extra lifelike, which is one thing Samsung hasn’t at all times been one of the best at!

Battery Life and Charging

Giant telephones, giant batteries

The Zenfone 12 Extremely comes with a 5,500 mAh battery, whereas Samsung continues to be not snug in pushing the envelope so it sticks to five,000 mAh. It is fascinating to see how the an identical chipsets with pretty related screens will fare. Is all of it within the software program optimization? This is how our battery check went:

PhoneArena Battery and Charging Take a look at Outcomes:

Effectively, that is a shock. We did anticipate a distinction in efficiency, however a small one. And we positively didn’t anticipate the Galaxy S25 Extremely, with its smaller battery, to last more. And for much longer on a few these checks — 4+ hours when always shopping the online, 2+ hours for gaming. The one check the place the Zenfone took the lead was the infinite YouTube playlist. Samsungs, for some motive, at all times wrestle on this one.

With regards to charging, the Zenfone 12 Extremely is quicker, due to supporting a 65 W charger. The Galaxy S24 Extremely tops out at 45 W on the wire, however does help as much as 15 W wirelessly, so does the Zenfone.

Audio High quality and Haptics

Each of those telephones have stereo audio system with a very good quantity of bass and loudness to them. The Zenfone 12 Extremely can sound a bit extra mushy, with a hefty backside mid, whereas the Galaxy S25 Extremely sounds a bit extra cleaned up, if a bit of honky within the higher midrange. If we have been to choose a winner, we would say the S25 Extremely sounds a bit higher.

For haptics, the taking part in subject is even. These have robust, correct motors that click on very properly as you navigate across the interface.

Specs Comparability

Now that we have gone via all of the checks, let’s get a last reminder of the Zenfone 12 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely specs, the abbreviated model:

Which one do you have to purchase?

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely is the clear winner right here. Higher-tuned {hardware}, clearly higher digicam, further options just like the S Pen and we didn’t even point out Dex. Plus, you get 7 years of software program updates the place the Zenfone solely guarantees 2 Android builds and 4 years of safety patches. To not point out, the Galaxy S25 Extremely is simply simpler to get, because the Zenfone availability will probably be fairly restricted this 12 months — in all probability not coming to the US.

All of that stated, Asus nonetheless needs to promote it for €1,099 (512 GB model) in Europe, the place the Galaxy S25 Extremely begins at €1,470. Clearly, that is fairly the uptick in value, however even a Galaxy S25+ will do higher and serve you longer (or it ought to) than the Zenfone 12 Extremely. Sorry, as a lot as we like what Asus often does, this cellphone is just not precisely it.

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