Google Pixel 9 vs Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra: A Deep Dive into AI and Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing seamless AI integration and a polished software experience, the Google Pixel 9 is the better choice. However, power users and gamers will find the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Elite and superior battery endurance more compelling.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Google Pixel 9 | 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, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 - G2YBB | 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, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - G2YBB | 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 | 2024, August 13 | 2025, February 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, August 22 | 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 | 152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm (6.02 x 2.83 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 | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 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 | 1080 x 2424 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~422 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 94.7 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1800 nits (HBM), 2700 nits (peak) | LTPO AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10, 1600 nits (HBM), 2500 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.1 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.92 GHz Cortex-A520) | Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M) |
| Chipset | Google Tensor G4 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G715 MC7 | Adreno 830 |
| OS | Android 14, upgradable to 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 | 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/1.7, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", dual pixel PDAF | - |
| Features | Single-zone Laser AF, LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra-HDR, panorama, Best Take | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 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 | 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 | 10.5 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm, 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 | 5.3, 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 | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 27W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 55% in 30 min 15W wireless (w/ Pixel Stand) 12W wireless (w/ Qi compatible charger) Reverse wireless Bypass charging | 65W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC5, 100% in 39 min 15W wireless (Qi) 10W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4700 mAh | 5500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Obsidian, Porcelain, Wintergreen, Peony | Ebony Black, Sakura White, Sage Green |
| Models | G2YBB, GUR25, G1B60 | AI2501, AI2501H, I2501C, AI2501B |
| Price | € 478.99 / $ 379.84 / £ 499.00 | € 955.55 |
| SAR EU | 0.99 W/kg (head) 1.40 W/kg (body) | - |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 49:12h endurance, 1000 cycles | 61:00h endurance, 1200 cycles |
| Energy | Class A | Class A |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | Class D (45 falls) |
| Repairability | Class B | Class C |
Google Pixel 9
- Superior AI-powered features and software integration
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Excellent computational photography capabilities
- Lower battery endurance compared to the Zenfone 12 Ultra
- Less powerful chipset for demanding tasks
Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra
- Exceptional battery life and endurance
- Faster charging speeds (65W)
- More powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor
- Display is less bright than the Pixel 9
- Software experience may not be as refined as Google's
Display Comparison
The Pixel 9 boasts a brighter display at 2232 nits, offering superior visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Zenfone 12 Ultra’s 1965 nits. While both displays support high refresh rates (assumed, based on flagship positioning), the Pixel 9’s brightness advantage is a clear win for outdoor usability. The lack of specific panel technology details (LTPO, OLED type) for either phone prevents a deeper analysis of power efficiency and motion clarity, but the Pixel 9’s higher peak brightness is a measurable advantage.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, Google’s Pixel line is renowned for its computational photography prowess, leveraging AI to enhance image quality. The Tensor G4 chip is specifically designed to accelerate these AI algorithms. The Zenfone 12 Ultra, while likely possessing capable hardware, will rely more on traditional image processing techniques. The Pixel 9’s strength lies in its software, while the Zenfone 12 Ultra’s potential lies in its sensor and lens quality (details missing).
Performance
The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, built on a 3nm process, represents a significant leap in efficiency and performance over the Google Pixel 9’s 4nm Tensor G4. The Snapdragon 8 Elite’s Oryon V2 Phoenix CPU cores (2x4.32 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz) are clocked higher and utilize a more modern architecture than the Pixel 9’s Cortex-X4 (3.1 GHz) and A720/A520 configuration. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior sustained performance in graphically intensive games. The Zenfone 12 Ultra is likely to exhibit less thermal throttling under prolonged load.
Battery Life
The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra dominates in battery endurance with a measured 61:00h rating, significantly exceeding the Pixel 9’s 49:12h. This is further reinforced by the active use score of 15:50h for the Zenfone 12 Ultra versus 13:05h for the Pixel 9. While the Pixel 9 offers a respectable 27W wired charging (55% in 30 minutes), the Zenfone 12 Ultra’s 65W charging (100% in 39 minutes) is considerably faster. The Zenfone 12 Ultra also boasts 1200 battery cycles compared to the Pixel 9’s 1000, suggesting greater long-term battery health.
Buying Guide
Buy the Google Pixel 9 if you need a smartphone that excels at computational photography, proactive assistance with Google Assistant, and a consistently smooth user experience. Buy the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra if you prioritize raw processing power for demanding games, extended battery life for all-day use, and the fastest possible charging speeds.