Taipei, August 2025 ASUS has quietly opened registration for the Android 16 Beta Program targeting the Zenfone 12 Ultra, marking a significant step toward broader availability of Google latest mobile OS on non-Google hardware. Although the Android 16 stable release rolled out globally on June 10, 2025, support for the premium Zenfone 12 Ultra had not been previously announced until now.
As per recent social media alerts on ASUS official X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook accounts, the company has issued a public invitation: “The Android 16 Beta Program is now open to Zenfone 12 Ultra users. Sign up to try new features early and share your feedback.”
Additionally, an update on the ASUS support forum echoed the invitation: “We will soon have the newest Android system on ZenFone 12 Ultra. ASUS hereby sincerely invite you to participate in this preview program…” Though terse, this confirms the company’s intent to extend the beta beyond Pixel devices.
A Landmark Moment for Zenfone Users
This marks the first official pathway for Zenfone 12 Ultra owners to access Android 16 via beta previously, only Google Pixel handsets received early builds. Given the Zenfone reputation powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite and bolstered by advanced on device AI capabilities early access to Android 16 could unlock enhanced performance, richer notifications, Linux Terminal, and Material 3 Expressive design rollouts.
How to Enroll in the Android 16 Beta Program
Enrolling in the Android 16 Beta on the Zenfone 12 Ultra is surprisingly simple. Users can head to Settings > System > System update, tap on the gear icon, and select Enroll in Android preview program. There is no need to be a member of ASUS’s online community or wait for approval from moderators. Current indications suggest the program is not capped, meaning any Zenfone 12 Ultra owner in supported regions can opt in without worrying about limited slots.
What Android 16 Brings to the Table
Android 16 offers a host of new features, including the Material 3 Expressive design updates with bolder animations and blurred elements. It introduces a refined Live Updates notification system for progress based alerts, making ongoing processes like downloads and live scores more visually engaging and easier to track.
The update also expands the Linux Terminal, enabling more desktop like workflows directly on the device. An embedded photo picker now integrates cloud media support, allowing easier access to photos across multiple storage platforms without leaving the app in use.
Additional refinements include smart notification cooldown to reduce distractions, support for the APV video codec for more efficient playback, and improved vertical text rendering for languages that require it. Early access through the beta program could let Zenfone 12 Ultra users explore and provide feedback on these changes before the stable rollout arrives via OTA.
Interested users should locate the official ASUS beta enrollment page linked in the social posts or ZenTalk thread. Standard disclaimers apply: beta software may contain bugs and should not be installed as a daily driver. Feedback submitted through the program is expected to shape the stable build’s release schedule.
