iPhone 16 vs Zenfone 12 Ultra

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Apple iPhone 16

Lifespan decides this one: the iPhone 16 is supported until Sep 2031 at $11.08 per month of safe use, while the Zenfone 12 Ultra runs out in Feb 2029 ($29.99/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: iPhone 16 59 · Zenfone 12 Ultra 58 — methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Apple iPhone 16 $699

Safe to buy$11.08/mo

2024◆ Buy-by Sep 20292031

Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra $950

Buy with care$29.99/mo

2025◆ Buy-by Feb 20272029

Category by category

Display

iPhone 16 50Zenfone 12 Ultra 70

The Zenfone 12 Ultra's screen is the better one — 6.78-inch amoled, fhd+, 144hz, gorilla glass victus 2.

Performance

iPhone 16 92Zenfone 12 Ultra 98

The Zenfone 12 Ultra's Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) is simply the faster chip.

Camera

iPhone 16 62Zenfone 12 Ultra 79

The Zenfone 12 Ultra has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 2).

Battery

iPhone 16 51Zenfone 12 Ultra 90

5,500mAh vs 3,561mAh — the Zenfone 12 Ultra lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

iPhone 16 75Zenfone 12 Ultra 38

The iPhone 16 is supported until Sep 2031 — 31 months longer than the Zenfone 12 Ultra.

Value

iPhone 16 59Zenfone 12 Ultra 58

Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone 16	Zenfone 12 Ultra
Price (street)	$699	$950
Display	6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz, up to 2000 nits peak	6.78-inch AMOLED, FHD+, 144Hz, Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Chipset	Apple A18	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm)
RAM	8GB	12GB/16GB
Storage	128GB/256GB/512GB	256GB/512GB
Battery	3,561 mAh	5,500 mAh
Charging	Wired fast charge — 50% in ~30 min with 20W+ adapter; MagSafe wireless up to 25W	65W wired, 15W wireless
Rear cameras	48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide	50MP main, 32MP telephoto, 13MP ultra-wide
Dimensions	147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm	163.8 × 77.0 × 8.9 mm
Weight	170 g	220 g
Water resistance	IP68	IP68
Supported until	Sep 2031	Feb 2029

iPhone 16 full verdict →Zenfone 12 Ultra full verdict →Longevity master board →

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.