PhoneLifespan

Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra

Buy with careValue Score 58/100
$950
Launched at €1,100; US grey-market/imports ~$950-1,140. No official US launch
$999 at launch

How long will it last?

Our estimate

Supported until February 2029 · Buy-by February 2027

964
days
00
hrs
00
min
00
sec
2025◆ Buy-by Feb 20272029

Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~4-year update track record — on that basis the Zenfone 12 Ultra should be supported until around February 2029. Buying it today still gets you about 2.6 years of safe use (Apple's written legal minimum is 5 years).

Source: Asus's official policy · last verified 2026-06-17 · how we compute this

TrueCost

Street price ÷ months of safe use remaining — the number that makes cheap short-lived phones expensive, and well-supported ones cheap.

$29.98/month

23% above the $900+ median ($24.32/mo, dying phones excluded)

Our verdict

A compact-for-its-class Snapdragon 8 Elite flagship with a standout gimbal-stabilized main camera and clean ZenUI, with estimated support to 2029.

Pros

  • Snapdragon 8 Elite with up to 16GB RAM and a 144Hz AMOLED for flagship performance
  • 6-axis gimbal OIS main camera delivers exceptional stabilization
  • Wi-Fi 7, IP68 and a roughly four-year security window (to about 2029)

Cons

  • No official US availability, so support and warranty are awkward stateside
  • Only two OS upgrades promised, behind Samsung and Google
Best for: Power usersBest for: Video shooters wanting stabilizationAvoid if: US buyers needing official supportAvoid if: Those wanting the longest update policy

Full specifications

Display

💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).

Screen6.78-inch AMOLED, FHD+, 144Hz, Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Performance

💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.

ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm)
RAM12GB / 16GB
Storage256GB / 512GB
Cameras

💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.

main50MP — f/1.9, 6-axis gimbal OIS
telephoto32MP — f/2.4, 3x optical zoom
ultra-wide13MP — f/2.2
front32MP — f/2.5
Battery & charging

💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.

Battery5,500 mAh
Charging65W wired, 15W wireless
Build

💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.

Dimensions163.8 × 77.0 × 8.9 mm
Weight220 g
MaterialsGorilla Glass Victus 2 front, aluminum frame
Water resistanceIP68
Software & connectivity

💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.

SoftwareAndroid 15 with ZenUI at launch
Connectivity5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, NFC
Update policy~2 years of updates (our estimate from Asus's track record — written minimum is 5 years)

Better-value alternatives

Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Zenfone 12 Ultra sold in the US?

Asus launched it in Europe, Taiwan and Hong Kong without a confirmed US release, so US buyers rely on imports and grey-market stock.

What is the gimbal camera?

The 50MP main camera uses a 6-axis gimbal OIS module that physically stabilizes the sensor for noticeably smoother handheld video and low-light stills.

How long will it get updates?

Asus typically provides about two major Android upgrades and up to four years of security patches, putting end-of-support near early 2029.

Compare it

Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-17.