UHONDO!!!

Exploring the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra: Specs, Expected Price in Kenyan Shillings, and More

The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra, launched globally on February 6, 2025, is a premium flagship smartphone designed to compete with top-tier devices like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Built on the foundation of the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro but tailored for a broader, mainstream audience, it combines cutting-edge performance, a professional-grade camera system, and advanced AI features with a sleek, sustainable design. With its Kenyan rollout expected in Q3 2025, the Zenfone 12 Ultra aims to capture the attention of tech enthusiasts and power users. Here’s a detailed look at its specifications, expected price in Kenyan Shillings, target audience, and its strongest and weakest features, based on official details and reviews.

Specifications of the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra

The Zenfone 12 Ultra is a powerhouse device optimized for performance, photography, and productivity. Below are its confirmed specifications:

• Display: 6.78-inch FHD+ Samsung E6 Flexible AMOLED (2400x1080px, ~395ppi), LTPO panel with 1–120Hz refresh rate (up to 144Hz for gaming), 2500 nits peak brightness, 1600 nits HBM, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 107.37% DCI-P3, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, supports Always-On Display and glove touch.
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm), Octa-core (1×4.3 GHz Cortex-X4, 4×3.2 GHz Cortex-A720, 3×2.4 GHz Cortex-A520), Adreno 830 GPU, Hexagon NPU for AI tasks.
• RAM and Storage: 12GB/256GB or 16GB/512GB (LPDDR5X RAM, UFS 4.0 storage, no microSD slot).
• Camera System:
  • Rear: Triple setup with 50MP main (f/1.9, Sony Lytia 700, 1/1.56” sensor, 6-axis gimbal OIS), 32MP telephoto (f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS), 13MP ultrawide (f/2.2, 120° FOV, free-form lens).
  • Front: 32MP selfie camera (RGBW sensor, 1.4μm pixel size, 22mm equivalent focal length).
  • Features AI tools (AI Tracking, AI Portrait Video 2.0, AI Voice Clarity, AI Magic Fill, AI Unblur, AI Panning Shot), 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, HDR10+ video, Slow Motion (1080p@240fps).
• Battery: 5500mAh (dual 2750mAh cells), 65W HyperCharge (0–100% in ~44 minutes), 15W wireless charging (Qi 1.3), 10W reverse wireless charging, USB Power Delivery 3.0.
• Operating System: Android 15 with Asus UI, 2 years of OS updates (up to Android 17), 5 years of security patches, featuring AI Daily Tools (AI Transcript 2.0, AI Article/Document Summary, AI Call Translator 2.0, Circle to Search), Meta Llama 3 8B model for on-device summarization.
• Durability: IP68 rating for dust and water resistance (up to 1.5m for 30 minutes), 100% recycled aluminum frame, 22% recycled glass screen, FSC-certified packaging.
• Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 7 (2.4GHz/5GHz/6GHz), Bluetooth 5.4 (aptX Adaptive/Lossless), NFC, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, dual SIM (1 physical + eSIM), Microsoft Phone Link, Qualcomm Seamless Experience.
• Design: Silky matte glass finish, ultra-narrow bezels, rounded corners, available in Ebony Black, Sakura White, Sage Green, dimensions 163.8×77.0x8.9mm, weight 220g.
• Additional Features: Dual stereo speakers with Dirac Virtuo and OZO Audio, in-display fingerprint sensor, 3-mic array with AI noise cancellation, supports DEVILCASE and RhinoShield cases with magnetic accessory compatibility, Hi-Res Audio (384 kHz/32-bit for 3.5mm output).

Expected Price in Kenyan Shillings

In India, the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is priced at ₹99,990 ($1,187 USD) for the 12GB/256GB variant and ₹103,990 ($1,234 USD) for the 16GB/512GB model. In Europe, it starts at €1,099.99 ($1,160 USD), and in Bangladesh, it’s approximately 130,000 Taka ($1,085 USD). In Kenya, smartphone prices typically include import duties, taxes, and retailer margins, inflating costs. Based on the current exchange rate (1 USD ≈ 130 KES as of June 2025) and local market trends, the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is expected to retail in Kenya for KES 145,000–160,000 for the 12GB/256GB model, with the 16GB/512GB variant likely priced at KES 160,000–175,000. These prices position it against premium flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, iPhone 16 Pro, and Vivo X200 Pro in Kenya’s high-end market.

Pricing may vary based on promotions, carrier deals, or retailers like Jumia Kenya, Safaricom shops, or Asus’s official partners. Availability in Kenya is expected in Q3 2025 (July–September), with sales likely starting via online platforms or local stores, potentially with offers like a free charger, case, or no-cost EMI.

Who Is the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra Best For?

The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is designed for users seeking a premium flagship experience with a focus on photography, productivity, and performance, but without the gaming-specific features of the ROG Phone series. It’s ideal for:

• Photography Enthusiasts: The 50MP main camera with 6-axis gimbal OIS, 32MP telephoto, and AI features like AI Magic Fill and AI Unblur make it perfect for capturing professional-grade photos and videos.
• Professionals and Productivity Users: AI Daily Tools (AI Transcript 2.0, AI Call Translator, AI Article/Document Summary) and Microsoft Phone Link enhance productivity for business users, students, and remote workers.
• Multimedia Consumers: The 6.78-inch AMOLED with 144Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, and dual stereo speakers with OZO Audio deliver an immersive experience for streaming and gaming.
• Tech-Savvy Users: The Snapdragon 8 Elite, Wi-Fi 7, and on-device AI with Meta Llama 3 8B appeal to those who want cutting-edge technology and future-proof connectivity.
• Premium Segment Buyers: Kenyan consumers seeking a flagship under KES 175,000 will find it a compelling alternative to pricier devices like the Galaxy S25 Ultra or iPhone 16 Pro Max, offering similar performance at a lower cost.

This phone is particularly appealing to Kenyan urban professionals, content creators, and tech enthusiasts who prioritize camera quality, AI features, and a sleek design in the KES 145,000–175,000 range.

Strongest Features

1. Professional-Grade Camera System: The triple-camera setup with a 50MP Sony Lytia 700 sensor (6-axis gimbal OIS), 32MP telephoto (3x optical zoom), and 13MP ultrawide, paired with AI tools like AI Tracking and AI Portrait Video 2.0, delivers stunning photos and videos, rivaling flagships like the Vivo X200 Pro.
2. Powerful Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Elite with Adreno 830 GPU and up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM achieves top-tier benchmark scores (~3 million on AnTuTu), ensuring seamless multitasking, gaming, and AI tasks, outpacing the iPhone 16 Pro in single-core performance.
3. Vibrant AMOLED Display: The 6.78-inch FHD+ LTPO AMOLED with a 144Hz refresh rate, 2500 nits peak brightness, and HDR10+/Dolby Vision support offers smooth, vivid visuals for gaming, streaming, and outdoor use, protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
4. Advanced AI Features: On-device AI with Meta Llama 3 8B and tools like AI Transcript 2.0, AI Call Translator, and Circle to Search enhance productivity and creativity, functioning offline for travelers and remote professionals.
5. Sustainable Design and Durability: The IP68 rating, 100% recycled aluminum frame, 22% recycled glass screen, and FSC-certified packaging combine eco-friendly design with robust protection against water and dust.

Weakest Features

1. Limited Software Updates: The promise of 2 years of OS updates (to Android 17) and 5 years of security patches is shorter than Samsung’s 7-year commitment or Google’s 7 years, reducing long-term value for a flagship device.
2. No MicroSD Slot: The absence of expandable storage restricts users to 256GB or 512GB, which may be limiting for media-heavy users compared to phones with microSD support like the Infinix Note 50x.
3. No Charger Included: Unlike some competitors, Asus does not bundle a charger, requiring users to purchase a compatible 65W PD charger separately, which adds to the cost.
4. No 3.5mm Headphone Jack: Unlike the ROG Phone 9 series, the Zenfone 12 Ultra omits the 3.5mm headphone jack, potentially inconveniencing users who prefer wired audio.
5. High Price for Incremental Upgrades: Starting at ~KES 145,000, its upgrades over the Zenfone 11 Ultra are iterative (similar display, slightly better camera), making it less compelling for existing Asus users or those seeking unique features compared to rivals like the OnePlus 13.

Conclusion

The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra, launched on February 6, 2025, with a Kenyan rollout expected in Q3 2025, is a premium flagship priced at an estimated KES 145,000–175,000. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, 6.78-inch 144Hz AMOLED display, 5500mAh battery, and professional-grade triple-camera system make it a top choice for photography enthusiasts, professionals, and multimedia users. The AI Daily Tools, sustainable design, and IP68 rating further enhance its appeal for Kenyan urban professionals and tech-savvy youth seeking a flagship experience.

However, its limited software update promise, lack of a microSD slot, absence of a bundled charger, and missing headphone jack may deter users prioritizing long-term support, storage flexibility, or wired audio. Compared to rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or Vivo X200 Pro, the Zenfone 12 Ultra offers competitive performance and cameras but falls short in software longevity and unique differentiators. Kenyan consumers can anticipate its arrival at retailers like Jumia, Safaricom, or Asus’s official channels in mid-2025, with potential offers like free accessories or EMI options making it a strong contender in the KES 145,000–175,000 segment.

Sources: Information compiled from GSMArena, Asus Global, Smartprix, The Verge, Android Central, TechRadar, and Telecom Talk, with Kenyan pricing estimated based on Indian, European, and Bangladeshi pricing and local market trends.

KINA MAISHA MAGIC EAST FRIDAY 27TH JUNE 2025 SEASON 5 EPISODE 40