Pixel 10 Pro XL vs Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra: A Deep Dive into Flagship Android
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and raw processing power, the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is the clear winner. Its 61-hour endurance and Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset offer a significant advantage. However, Pixel enthusiasts deeply invested in Google’s ecosystem and valuing display brightness will find the Pixel 10 Pro XL compelling.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Google Pixel 10 Pro XL | Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71, 75 - G45RY | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 30, 38, 40, 46, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G45RY | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, August 20 | 2025, February 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, August 28 | Available. Released 2025, February 28 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm (6.41 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 163.8 x 77 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 3.03 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| Weight | 232 g (8.18 oz) | 220 g (7.76 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Mohs level 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Mohs level 6 |
| Resolution | 1344 x 2992 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~486 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LTPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2200 nits (HBM), 3300 nits (peak) | LTPO AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10, 1600 nits (HBM), 2500 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.78 GHz Cortex-X4 & 5x3.05 GHz Cortex-A725 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A520) | Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M) |
| Chipset | Google Tensor G5 (3 nm) | Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR DXT-48-1536 | Adreno 830 |
| OS | Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades | Android 15, upgradable to Android 16, up to 2 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Multi-zone Laser AF, LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra-HDR, panorama, Best Take, Zoom Enhance | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/2.8, 113mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 48 MP, f/1.7, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", dual pixel PDAF, | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, gimbal OIS 32 MP, f/2.4, 65mm (telephoto), 1/3.2", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 8K@30fps (via cloud-based upscaling), 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@24/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR10+ |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | Panorama, HDR |
| Single | 42 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), PDAF | 32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide), 1/3.2", 0.7µm |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 6.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC | GPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature) | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 70% in 30 min 25W wireless (magnetic), Qi2 Reverse wired Bypass charging | 65W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC5, 100% in 39 min 15W wireless (Qi) 10W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5200 mAh | 5500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Moonstone, Jade, Porcelain, Obsidian | Ebony Black, Sakura White, Sage Green |
| Models | G45RY, GUL82, GYPW4 | AI2501, AI2501H, I2501C, AI2501B |
| Price | $ 749.90 / C$ 1,329.99 / £ 999.00 / € 1,059.99 / ₹ 118,299 | € 955.55 |
| SAR | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.99 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | - |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 48:39h endurance, 1000 cycles | 61:00h endurance, 1200 cycles |
| Energy | Class B | Class A |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | Class D (45 falls) |
| Repairability | Class B | Class C |
Google Pixel 10 Pro XL
- Exceptional display brightness (2340 nits)
- Superior AI-powered features via Tensor G5
- Seamless Google ecosystem integration
- Lower battery endurance (48:39h)
- Slower wired charging (45W)
- Potentially more thermal throttling under sustained load
Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra
- Outstanding battery life (61:00h endurance)
- Faster wired charging (65W, 100% in 39 min)
- More powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset
- Lower peak display brightness (1965 nits)
- Less emphasis on AI-driven features
- Asus’s software experience may not appeal to all
Display Comparison
The Pixel 10 Pro XL boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 2340 nits, compared to the Zenfone 12 Ultra’s 1965 nits. This difference is crucial for users frequently exposed to direct sunlight. While both utilize 3nm chipsets, the Pixel’s display demands more power, potentially impacting overall efficiency. We expect both to feature LTPO technology for variable refresh rates, but the Pixel’s higher peak brightness will likely come at the cost of slightly reduced battery life during sustained bright-screen usage. The Zenfone’s lower brightness isn’t a detriment, but a trade-off for its superior endurance.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, we can infer that both phones will feature advanced camera systems. However, the Pixel’s strength lies in its computational photography, leveraging the Tensor G5’s AI capabilities for image processing. The Zenfone will likely focus on hardware prowess, potentially featuring larger sensors and wider apertures. Given Asus’s history, we anticipate a focus on versatility, potentially including advanced zoom capabilities. The Pixel’s image processing will likely prioritize natural-looking images, while the Zenfone might lean towards more vibrant and saturated results. The absence of a dedicated telephoto lens on either phone would be a notable omission in this price bracket.
Performance
The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, featuring Oryon V2 Phoenix cores, is poised to outperform the Google Tensor G5 in raw CPU and GPU benchmarks. The Snapdragon’s 4.32 GHz peak clock speeds on the prime cores exceed the Pixel’s 3.78 GHz Cortex-X4, suggesting faster single-core performance. Both chips are built on a 3nm process, but Qualcomm’s architecture is generally more focused on sustained performance and thermal efficiency. The Pixel’s Tensor G5 will excel in AI-related tasks, leveraging Google’s machine learning expertise, but the Zenfone will likely maintain higher frame rates in graphically intensive games. The Zenfone also benefits from potentially faster LPDDR5x RAM configurations.
Battery Life
The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra’s 61-hour endurance rating is a substantial improvement over the Pixel 10 Pro XL’s 48:39h. This difference is largely attributable to the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s superior power efficiency and the Zenfone’s larger battery capacity (implied). The Zenfone’s 65W wired charging, achieving 100% in 39 minutes, is significantly faster than the Pixel’s 45W charging (70% in 30 minutes). While the Pixel offers 25W wireless charging with magnetic attachment and Qi2, the Zenfone’s 15W wireless charging is slower. The inclusion of reverse wired charging on both devices adds convenience, but the Zenfone’s faster charging speeds overall provide a more practical benefit.
Buying Guide
Buy the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL if you need seamless integration with Google services, prioritize a vibrant and exceptionally bright display for outdoor use, and value Google’s computational photography prowess. Buy the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra if you prefer maximum battery life, demand the highest possible performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, and appreciate faster wired charging speeds.