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ASUS rolls out Android 16 beta for the Zenfone 12 Ultra
ASUS has announced the Android 16 beta program for its current flagship, the Zenfone 12 Ultra. With Google publishing stable Android 16, device makers are rapidly launching their custom beta builds — Samsung has started One UI 8 betas for the Galaxy S25 and S24 lines, and other vendors like OnePlus have opened limited betas. ASUS is now inviting Zenfone 12 Ultra owners to test Android 16 ahead of the public release.
How to join the Android 16 beta
Enrolling is straightforward from your Zenfone 12 Ultra. Open Settings > System > System update, tap the gear icon and choose "Enroll in Android preview program." After that, you must sign in with an ASUS account and complete a short application form to register for the beta build.
Important caveats and rollback warning
Before you opt in, note ASUS’ clear warning: there is no simple rollback to Android 15. Reverting would require a full wipe and manual firmware reinstallation. Beta testers should expect intermittent bugs and stability issues until the final Android 16 release.
Timeline and device availability
ASUS has not published an exact timeline for the stable Android 16 rollout, nor confirmed beta programs for older Zenfone models. Looking at last year’s pattern — Android 15 beta reached the Zenfone 11 Ultra first, with the Zenfone 10 added a month later — it’s reasonable to expect additional Zenfone handsets to receive beta access in the coming months.
What’s new in ASUS’ Android 16 build?
The initial announcement omits a detailed changelog. ASUS typically ships a near-stock Android experience with minimal skinning, so major UX overhauls are unlikely. Expect core Android 16 enhancements: improved privacy and permissions, performance optimizations, and platform APIs. ASUS additions are typically modest: extra lock screen and always-on display customization tools rather than heavy feature overlays.
Features, comparisons and advantages
Key product features and advantages for Zenfone 12 Ultra users on the beta:
- Early access to Android 16 system improvements and security patches.
- Near-stock ASUS UI that preserves performance while offering selective customizations (AOD, lock screen tweaks).
- Opportunity for developers and power users to test apps against Android 16 APIs.
Compared with Samsung’s One UI 8 or OnePlus’ closed betas, ASUS’ approach is lighter and closer to stock Android — attractive to users who prefer minimal bloat and faster updates.
Use cases and who should enroll
Enroll if you are a developer, reviewer, or advanced user who can tolerate instability to evaluate new Android 16 features. Avoid enrolling on your daily driver if you need guaranteed stability and cannot perform a full device wipe to roll back.
Market relevance and the ROG Phone line
Offering timely Android betas helps ASUS stay competitive with major OEMs in the update race. The Zenfone series typically leads ASUS’ update cadence; the ROG Phone family uses a different UI and generally receives beta builds a few months after Zenfone releases. That staggered approach lets ASUS refine the base Android build before adapting it for the ROG gaming-focused interface.
Bottom line
The Zenfone 12 Ultra Android 16 beta is a welcome step for ASUS enthusiasts, providing early access to the latest Android platform while keeping ASUS’ lightweight UI intact. Prospective testers should weigh the benefits of early access against the rollback limits and potential instability.
Source: androidauthority
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