Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs. Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra: Which Flagship Reigns Supreme?

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge aims to refine the premium smartphone experience, while Asus’s Zenfone 12 Ultra aggressively targets battery life and charging speed. Both devices leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, but diverge significantly in their approach to display technology and power management, creating a compelling head-to-head for power users and everyday consumers alike.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and rapid replenishment, the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is the clear winner. Its 61-hour endurance and 65W charging significantly outperform the S25 Edge. However, the S25 Edge’s brighter display and potentially more refined software experience may appeal to multimedia enthusiasts.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 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 bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, May 132025, February 06
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, May 29Available. Released 2025, February 28
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2), titanium frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2)Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions158.2 x 75.6 x 5.8 mm (6.23 x 2.98 x 0.23 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)Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight163 g (5.75 oz)220 g (7.76 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, Mohs level 5Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Mohs level 6
Resolution1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~513 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~92.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+LTPO AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10, 1600 nits (HBM), 2500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x4.47 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M)Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
GPUAdreno 830 (1200 MHz)Adreno 830
OSAndroid 15, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 7Android 15, upgradable to Android 16, up to 2 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, PDAF-
FeaturesBest Face, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED 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
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR10+
Selfie camera
Features-Panorama, HDR
Single12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide), 1/3.2", 0.7µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC, GLONASS
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2USB Type-C
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging25W wired, PD, QC2.0, 55% in 30 min 15W wireless (Qi2 Ready)65W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC5, 100% in 39 min 15W wireless (Qi) 10W reverse wired
TypeLi-Ion 3900 mAh5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsTitanium Icyblue, Titanium Silver, Titanium JetblackEbony Black, Sakura White, Sage Green
ModelsSM-S937U, SM-S937U1, SM-S937B, SM-S937B/DS, SM-S9370AI2501, AI2501H, I2501C, AI2501B
Price€ 637.90 / $ 1,099.99 / £ 699.99 / ₹ 101,999€ 955.55
SAR1.21 W/kg (head)     1.23 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU1.24 W/kg (head)     1.25 W/kg (body)-
EU LABEL
Battery40:05h endurance, 2000 cycles61:00h endurance, 1200 cycles
EnergyClass AClass A
Free fallClass A (270 falls)Class D (45 falls)
RepairabilityClass CClass C

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility
  • Qi2 wireless charging support
  • Potentially more refined software experience

  • Significantly shorter battery life
  • Slower charging speeds
  • Lower battery cycle count

Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra

  • Exceptional battery life and endurance
  • Ultra-fast 65W charging
  • 10W reverse wired charging

  • Lower peak display brightness
  • Potentially less polished software
  • Lower battery cycle count

Display Comparison

The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra immediately distinguishes itself with a measured peak brightness of 1965 nits, significantly exceeding the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge’s 1416 nits. This difference translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both likely employ LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates (not specified, but standard for this segment), the Zenfone’s brightness advantage is undeniable. The S25 Edge may compensate with potentially more accurate color calibration, a hallmark of Samsung’s displays, but the raw luminance favors Asus.

Camera Comparison

Context data lacks camera specifications, so analysis relies on brand tendencies. Samsung typically emphasizes image processing and computational photography, aiming for vibrant, shareable images. Asus, while improving, often prioritizes accuracy and detail. Given the lack of sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, the Zenfone 12 Ultra’s larger battery could support more demanding camera features like extended video recording without overheating.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm SM8750-AB/AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm), featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 2x Oryon V2 Phoenix L cores at 4.47 GHz (S25 Edge) vs 4.32 GHz (Zenfone 12 Ultra) and 6x Oryon V2 Phoenix M cores at 3.53 GHz. The slight clock speed difference in the ‘L’ cores is unlikely to translate to a noticeable real-world performance gap. The Zenfone 12 Ultra’s larger battery capacity and potentially more aggressive thermal design could allow it to sustain peak performance for longer periods, mitigating any theoretical CPU advantage of the S25 Edge. Both will likely utilize LPDDR5x RAM, but specific speeds aren’t provided.

Battery Life

The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra dominates in battery performance. Its 61:00h endurance and 15:50h active use score are substantially higher than the S25 Edge’s 40:05h endurance and 12:06h active use. While the S25 Edge supports 25W wired charging and 15W wireless (Qi2 Ready), the Zenfone 12 Ultra’s 65W wired charging (PD3.0, PPS, QC5) and 10W reverse wired charging offer significantly faster replenishment – a full charge in 39 minutes versus the S25 Edge’s 30-minute 55% charge. The Zenfone also boasts a higher battery cycle count (1200 vs 2000), suggesting a potentially longer lifespan, though this is offset by the S25 Edge's higher cycle count.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge if you prioritize a vibrant, exceptionally bright display for content consumption and value a potentially smoother software experience. Buy the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra if you demand maximum battery life, incredibly fast charging, and aren’t as concerned with having the absolute peak display brightness. The Zenfone is ideal for travelers, heavy users, and those who frequently find themselves away from power outlets.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Zenfone 12 Ultra throttle under sustained load, given its focus on battery life?
While the Zenfone 12 Ultra prioritizes battery endurance, the Snapdragon 8 Elite is a highly efficient chipset. The larger battery capacity and potentially more robust thermal design of the Zenfone 12 Ultra should allow it to sustain peak performance for longer periods than the S25 Edge, minimizing throttling during demanding tasks like gaming or video editing.
❓ How does the Qi2 wireless charging on the S25 Edge improve upon previous Qi standards?
Qi2 introduces the Magnetic Power Profile, utilizing the MagSafe standard for more efficient and reliable wireless charging. This means the S25 Edge will benefit from a stronger magnetic alignment and potentially faster wireless charging speeds compared to older Qi-compatible devices, though it's still limited to 15W.
❓ Is the 10W reverse wired charging on the Zenfone 12 Ultra useful for charging accessories like earbuds?
Yes, the 10W reverse wired charging is a convenient feature for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches on the go. While not as fast as dedicated chargers, it provides a valuable emergency charging option when a power outlet isn't available.
❓ Given the lower battery cycle count on the Zenfone 12 Ultra, should I be concerned about long-term battery degradation?
While the Zenfone 12 Ultra has a lower rated battery cycle count (1200) compared to the S25 Edge (2000), modern battery technology is quite resilient. The Zenfone’s superior battery capacity and efficient power management may offset this difference, potentially resulting in a similar overall battery lifespan despite the lower cycle count.