Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max vs ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (2026) runs on the Apple A20 Pro, while the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite; launch prices were $1299 and $999. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads — 80/100 vs 75/100 (a 5-point difference). Key differences: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery (5567 mAh vs 5500); the main camera is 48 MP vs 50 MP; the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (3,551,073 vs 3,247,013); the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra is noticeably lighter (220g vs 249g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra
What makes Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3551073 vs 3247013
- Better Geekbench Single: 4612 vs 3013
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11819 vs 9287
- Bigger battery: 5567 vs 5500 mAh
- Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 15W
- Higher performance (97/100 vs 92/100)
- Better camera (71/100 vs 56/100)
- Longer battery life (67/100 vs 66/100)
What makes ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra better?
- Faster charging: 65W vs 60W
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 48MP
- Higher refresh rate: 144Hz vs 120Hz
- Lighter: 220g vs 249g
- Cheaper at launch: $999 vs $1299
- Better display (89/100 vs 85/100)
- Better portability (38/100 vs 27/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max vs the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max scores 5 points higher (80/100 vs 75/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads (71/100 vs 56/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max — 70/100, ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra — 60/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a bit better (97/100 vs 92/100). In the "display" category, the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max are nearly equal (89/100 vs 85/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max notably outperforms the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra (71/100 vs 56/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra are nearly equal (67/100 vs 66/100). In the "portability" category, the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra is a bit better (38/100 vs 27/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max | ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A20 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | |
| AnTuTu | 3551073 | 3247013 | |
| Geekbench Single | 4612 | 3013 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 11819 | 9287 | |
| Display | 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.8" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 1320x2868 | 2400x1080 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 144 Hz | |
| Battery | 5567 mAh | 5500 mAh | |
| Charging | 60W | 65W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 15W | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 48 MP | 13 MP | |
| Telephoto | 48 MP | 32 MP | |
| Front camera | 18 MP | 32 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB | 256GB / 512GB | |
| OS | iOS 27 | Android 15 / ZenUI | |
| Brightness (peak) | 3000 nits | 2500 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 163.4×78.0×8.8 mm | 163.8×77.0×8.9 mm | |
| Weight | 249 g | 220 g | |
| Launch price | $1299 | $999 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
- Main: 48MP f/1.48
- Ultrawide: 48MP
- Telephoto: 48MP
- Front: 18MP
ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra
- Main: 50MP f/1.9
- Ultrawide: 13MP
- Telephoto: 32MP
- Front: 32MP
Display comparison
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
- 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 1320x2868
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra
- 6.8" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 2400x1080
- Refresh rate: 144 Hz
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
- 5567 mAh
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra
- 5500 mAh
- Wired: 65W
- Wireless: 15W
Overall performance score
We compared Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra by 9.4% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $300. ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra was $300 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a bit better (97/100 vs 92/100).
display
In the "display" category, the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max are nearly equal (89/100 vs 85/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max notably outperforms the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra (71/100 vs 56/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra are nearly equal (67/100 vs 66/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra is a bit better (38/100 vs 27/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max or the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max edges out the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra by just 5 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has a MobileRank rating of 80/100, the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra — 75/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max or the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on camera score (71/100 vs 56/100).
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max or the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on performance (97/100 vs 92/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max over the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users. The ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users.