ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra vs ASUS Zenfone 9
The ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, while the ASUS Zenfone 9 (2022) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1; launch prices were $999 and $699. By overall MobileRank rating, the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra leads — 75/100 vs 57/100 (a 18-point difference). Key differences: the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra has the bigger battery (5500 mAh vs 4300); the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,247,013 vs 1,640,834); the ASUS Zenfone 9 is noticeably lighter (169g vs 220g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra
ASUS Zenfone 9
What makes ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3247013 vs 1640834
- Better Geekbench Single: 3013 vs 1761
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9287 vs 4688
- Bigger battery: 5500 vs 4300 mAh
- Faster charging: 65W vs 30W
- Higher refresh rate: 144Hz vs 120Hz
- Higher performance (92/100 vs 73/100)
- Better camera (56/100 vs 36/100)
- Longer battery life (66/100 vs 30/100)
- Better display (89/100 vs 84/100)
What makes ASUS Zenfone 9 better?
- Lighter: 169g vs 220g
- Cheaper at launch: $699 vs $999
- Better portability (66/100 vs 38/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra vs the ASUS Zenfone 9, the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra scores 18 points higher (75/100 vs 57/100). In the "performance" category, the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra leads (92/100 vs 73/100). In the "camera" category, the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra leads (56/100 vs 36/100). In the "battery" category, the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra leads (66/100 vs 30/100). Value score: ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra — 60/100, ASUS Zenfone 9 — 28/100; 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 ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra notably outperforms the ASUS Zenfone 9 (92/100 vs 73/100). In the "display" category, the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra is a bit better (89/100 vs 84/100). In the "camera" category, the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra notably outperforms the ASUS Zenfone 9 (56/100 vs 36/100). In the "battery" category, the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra significantly outperforms the ASUS Zenfone 9 (66/100 vs 30/100). In the "portability" category, the ASUS Zenfone 9 notably outperforms the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra (66/100 vs 38/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra | ASUS Zenfone 9 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | |
| AnTuTu | 3247013 | 1640834 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3013 | 1761 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 9287 | 4688 | |
| Display | 6.8" LTPO AMOLED | 5.9" Super AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 2400x1080 | 2400x1080 | |
| Refresh rate | 144 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5500 mAh | 4300 mAh | |
| Charging | 65W | 30W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 0W | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 13 MP | 12 MP | |
| Telephoto | 32 MP | 0 MP | |
| Front camera | 32 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | 6GB / 8GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB | 128GB / 256GB | |
| OS | Android 15 / ZenUI | Android 12 / ZenUI | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2500 nits | 1100 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 163.8×77.0×8.9 mm | 146.5×68.1×9.1 mm | |
| Weight | 220 g | 169 g | |
| Launch price | $999 | $699 |
Camera comparison
ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra
- Main: 50MP f/1.9
- Ultrawide: 13MP
- Telephoto: 32MP
- Front: 32MP
ASUS Zenfone 9
- Main: 50MP f/1.9
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra
- 6.8" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 2400x1080
- Refresh rate: 144 Hz
ASUS Zenfone 9
- 5.9" Super AMOLED
- Resolution: 2400x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra
- 5500 mAh
- Wired: 65W
- Wireless: 15W
ASUS Zenfone 9
- 4300 mAh
- Wired: 30W
- No wireless charging
Overall performance score
We compared ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra and ASUS Zenfone 9, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra leads ASUS Zenfone 9 by 97.9% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $300. ASUS Zenfone 9 was $300 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra notably outperforms the ASUS Zenfone 9 (92/100 vs 73/100).
display
In the "display" category, the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra is a bit better (89/100 vs 84/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra notably outperforms the ASUS Zenfone 9 (56/100 vs 36/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra significantly outperforms the ASUS Zenfone 9 (66/100 vs 30/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the ASUS Zenfone 9 notably outperforms the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra (66/100 vs 38/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra or the ASUS Zenfone 9?
The ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra is noticeably better than the ASUS Zenfone 9 — the overall rating gap is 18 points.
What is the rating of the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra and the ASUS Zenfone 9?
The ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 75/100, the ASUS Zenfone 9 — 57/100.
Which has the better camera: the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra or the ASUS Zenfone 9?
The ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra leads on camera score (56/100 vs 36/100).
Which is more powerful: the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra or the ASUS Zenfone 9?
The ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra leads on performance (92/100 vs 73/100).
Should you choose the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra over the ASUS Zenfone 9?
The ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users. The ASUS Zenfone 9 is a better fit for active users.