1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Launch Date | 2020-12-21 | 2024-04-14 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra is much newer, indicating more modern tech. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones; no foldables. |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm | 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm | Very similar size, negligible differences in hand feel. |
| Weight | 205g | 224g | A12 is lighter by 19g, potentially more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| ### Display |
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.78" | Zenfone 11 Ultra's larger screen provides a slightly more immersive experience, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2400 | Zenfone 11 Ultra's higher resolution makes text and images significantly sharper and clearer. |
| Pixel Density | 270 ppi | 388 ppi | Zenfone 11 Ultra displays more detailed images, less pixelation. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Zenfone 11 Ultra has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. Better for viewing media and dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Zenfone 11 Ultra displays much smoother scrolling and animations making the phone feel more responsive. Excellent for gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Zenfone 11 Ultra is significantly brighter, much better visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio P35 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Zenfone 11 Ultra's chipset is significantly more powerful, resulting in much faster performance. |
| Antutu Score | 103,000 | 1,532,000 | Zenfone 11 Ultra is vastly faster in all tasks, handling demanding apps & gaming with ease. A12 will feel slow in comparison. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 750 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has significantly superior graphics performance, better gaming experience. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | Zenfone 11 Ultra has slightly larger battery, likely offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Zenfone 11 Ultra charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | Non-Removable | Non-Removable, 15W Wireless, 10W Reverse Wired | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers convenient wireless and reverse charging. A12 has no wireless options. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | Zenfone 11 Ultra has better image quality in low light with larger sensor and pixel size and wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2, N/A | 32MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2", 0.70µm | Zenfone 11 Ultra captures significantly sharper selfies with much higher resolution. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, N/A | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.70µm | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers higher resolution zoom capabilities, enabling much better clarity at a distance. A12's telephoto is very limited. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2, N/A | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Zenfone 11 Ultra captures wider shots with higher detail, more versatile for group photos and landscapes. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4, N/A | None | A12 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, while Zenfone 11 Ultra relies on software. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | Zenfone 11 Ultra can record much higher quality video, including 8K with more features, significantly better for video recording. |
| DxOMark Score | Mobile: 90, Photo: 0, Video: 0 | Mobile: 125, Photo: 131, Video: 115 | Zenfone 11 Ultra provides vastly superior camera performance in all areas: photo, video, and overall quality. |
| Features | Quadruple camera, Digital zoom, etc. | Triple camera, OIS, Gimbal, PDAF, RAW, etc. | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers more advanced camera features, better stabilization, more control over images. A12 is basic in comparison. |
Software and Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to 12 | Android 14, upgradable to 16 | Zenfone 11 Ultra is much more up-to-date, with the latest features and security patches. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers much faster Wi-Fi speeds, better performance on modern networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 LE | Zenfone 11 Ultra has newer Bluetooth with lower power consumption and better audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Zenfone 11 Ultra has significantly more accurate positioning. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both support Dual SIM. |
| ### Storage, Audio, Security, and Build |
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128GB | 256/512GB | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers much more internal storage, better for storing media and apps. |
| RAM | 3/4/6GB | 12/16GB | Zenfone 11 Ultra has much more RAM for better multitasking and performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Zenfone 11 Ultra has significantly better audio with stereo speakers for immersive media consumption. |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted sensors are often more convenient than in-screen sensors. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has much more durable screen protection. The A12 has an unknown screen protection, but is very likely basic. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers additional sensors for more advanced features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Advantages of the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset offers a massive leap in performance compared to the Helio P35, making the Zenfone 11 Ultra faster in every task, smoother in multitasking, and much better for gaming.
- Significantly Better Display: The AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, higher resolution, and much higher brightness provides a far more vibrant, smoother, and enjoyable viewing experience, especially in bright sunlight.
- Much Improved Camera System: The Zenfone 11 Ultra's camera system, with higher resolution sensors, larger sensor sizes, and more advanced features like OIS and 8K video recording, captures much better photos and videos.
- Faster Charging and Battery: The 65W fast charging is much faster and the larger battery and wireless charging options provide more convenience.
- More Modern Software & Connectivity: The Zenfone 11 Ultra has a much newer version of Android, as well as more modern wifi and bluetooth standards, offering better speeds and stability.
- Better Audio: With Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers the Zenfone 11 Ultra will provide a much better audio experience.
- Premium Build Quality: The inclusion of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 provides much better protection.
- More Memory and Storage: The larger amount of storage and RAM in the Zenfone 11 Ultra will provide much better performance.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A12
- Lighter Weight: The A12 is lighter, which may be preferred by some users for comfort.
- More Affordable: The A12 is a budget phone, it is much cheaper than the Zenfone 11 Ultra.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: The A12 has a depth sensor, while the Zenfone 11 Ultra does not. This may lead to more accurate portrait photos.
Trade-offs
- The Zenfone 11 Ultra is significantly more expensive.
- The Galaxy A12 is much older, which means it will not receive software updates and features, it is outdated and has outdated software and standards.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who need a basic smartphone for simple tasks like calls, texts, and light browsing, without demanding performance or high-quality media. Users who do not intend to do any gaming or high performance tasks on their phone.
- Use Cases: Basic communication, very light web browsing, simple social media scrolling, occasional photo taking. Suitable as a backup phone or for users new to smartphones.
- Price-to-Value Ratio: Offers basic functionality at a very low price point. A good option if budget is the only concern.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra
- Ideal User: Users who want a premium smartphone experience with high performance, excellent display quality, superior camera capabilities, and all the latest features. Those willing to pay for top tier performance and all of the latest standards and features.
- Use Cases: Demanding gaming, professional photo and video capture, intensive multitasking, smooth video streaming, media consumption. Good for mobile professionals, content creators, and power users.
- Price-to-Value Ratio: High price, but justifies it with exceptional performance, display, camera, and features. Offers very good value for its high-end class.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Performance Needs: What will you primarily use the phone for (basic tasks, gaming, creative work)?
- Camera Quality: How important is photo and video quality to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Extreme Budget: If the absolute lowest price is the only consideration, and you have no needs for higher end features, the Samsung Galaxy A12 will provide basic functionality.
- Scenario 2: Everyday User: If you need a phone for smooth everyday use, and want a good media experience, but do not have extreme use cases, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra will be more than enough and last a long time.
- Scenario 3: Power User/Content Creator: If you require top-tier performance, a high-quality camera, and the latest features, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the obvious choice.
Conclusion
I would choose the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. The difference in performance, display, camera, and overall user experience is so significant that it justifies the higher price. The Samsung Galaxy A12, while being a functional phone, is so severely outdated that it should not be considered except as a temporary or backup device. The Zenfone 11 Ultra is superior in every single category and is a modern phone with the latest standards. The vastly superior performance of the Zenfone 11 Ultra will provide a much more enjoyable experience and it will be much more future-proof than the A12.
