Asus finally begins rolling out the Android 16 update, and it’s none other than the Zenfone 12 Ultra and ROG Phone 9 getting the first bites. Both devices were also part of the beta program, which began in August, and after three months, they are now receiving the stable version.
The Android 16 update for the Zenfone 12 Ultra and ROG Phone 9 comes with the firmware version 36.0810.1810.43. Since it’s a major upgrade, the download size should be over a gigabyte; hence, it’s recommended to switch to a Wi-Fi connection to download such large update packages.
If you’re rocking a Zenone 12 Ultra or ROG Phone 9, go to Settings > System and tap System updates to check if the update is available. As the rollout usually happens in batches, the update may take a few days to reach all users.
The Android 16 upgrade for Zenfone 12 Ultra and ROG Phone 9 doesn’t bring groundbreaking features or major UI changes, but it brings notable improvements and minor additions to further improve the software experience, including a new way to trigger predictive back gesture, a new skip countdown button to the screen recording feature, and the ability to trigger digital assistant by long-pressing the power button.
The update also fixes the occasional no sound issue during calls with Bluetooth headsets. For ROG phones, Android 16 includes updated game profiles, updated AirTrigger profiles, and updated Macro profiles in ROG Instant Master for many popular games.
Here’s the complete Android 16 changelog:
- Adjusted the system navigation settings. The Predictive Back animation can be triggered by either the back gesture or long-pressing the back button.
- Added a power button option in the advanced setting, allowing users to configure quick access to the digital assistant by long-pressing the power button.
- Added the skip countdown button to the screen recording feature.
- In About Phone > Status setting, users can long-press the IMEI or Serial number field to copy the content.
- Fix the issue of occasional no sound during calls with Bluetooth headsets.
- Some 3rd-party apps are not compatible with Android 16 yet.
- Updated game profiles for the following games: Arena of Valor (TW), Arena of Valor (US), Garena Delta Force (TW) (Cooler X Pro), Delta Force (WW) (Cooler X Pro), Genshin Impact (WW), Free Fire (WW), KartRider Rush+ (WW), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (WW).
- Updated AirTrigger profiles in ROG Instant Master for the following games: NEW STATE: NEW ERA OF BR (WW), Brawl Stars (WW), Genshin Impact (WW), Black Desert Mobile (WW), GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE (TW) (Cooler X Pro), GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE (WW) (Cooler X Pro), Racing Master (SEA)(Cooler X Pro), Need for Speed Mobile (TW).
- Updated Macro profiles in ROG Instant Master for the following games: Arena of Valor (TW), Arena of Valor (US), Zenless Zone Zero (WW), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (WW), Genshin Impact (WW), Honor of Kings (WW), League of Legends: Wild Rift (TW), League of Legends: Wild Rift (US).
The gaming-related changes (last three bullet points) do not apply to the Zenfone 12 Ultra.
Both Asus phones were launched with Android 15 out of the box, and therefore, it’s the first major Android upgrade for them. Sadly, they will receive just one more OS upgrade before reaching the end of major upgrades. However, they will continue to receive security updates for a few more years.
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