The Asus Zenfone 2 is a big deal for Asus and for smartphone fans around the world. Our review model just arrived yesterday, and here is our hands on video and first impressions.
The Asus Zenfone 2 is a big deal for the Chinese smartphone market, and a phone that has the potential to really disrupt the market. Not only is it an affordable device, but it also boasts impressive hardware and almost official global availability! I see the Zenfone 2 as the Asus answer to the OnePlus One, but this isn’t a plucky startup, but a traditional PC maker which could have even more important repercusions on the smartphone market.
Asus really broke the mould with the Zenfone 2, usually a phone boasting such impressive hardware at a low price is available just in China, but Asus have made the effort to release the phone in China, Taiwan, Europe, India and have more launches on the way.
I received my review model from Flosmall with free shipping thrown in. At this price there isn’t much that can touch the Zenfone 2.
If you don’t already know the specifications then here is a brief run down. The Asus Zenfone 2 boasts a 5.5-inch 1920 x 1080 Corning Gorilla Glass 3 display, 5 mega-pixel front camera, 13 mega-pixel rear, dual SIM LTE, micro SD card, 4GB RAM (yes 4GB), 32GB internal memory, Intel processor, and Asus’ own UI based on Android 5.0 Lollipop.That’s a lot of phone for the money!
Gizchina News of the week
The design of the Asus Zenfone 2 might not be the prettiest though. Asus have taken design elements from HTC and LTE when creating their phone, but the overall buid is good and it looks like a quality device, especially with the brushed alloy look rear panel.
I’ve only had the phone since yesterday, but so far I am enjoying the device much more than I had though I would. I’ll admit that the design isn’t my favourite, and the Asus UI is a bit ugly, but installing a 3rd party launcher will solve that.
Asus Zenfone 2 Photo samples
Asus Zenfone 2 Hands on
Asus Zenfone 2 first impressions
I believe the Zenfone 2 is a very impressive device from a company who have, up until now, struggled to break in to the phone market. Asus now have a device accessible by a large majority of phone users, at a price that is incredible for the specs on offer.
If they could tap in to the developer community, and offer the phone as a lifestyle product rather than just a flagship smartphone we could really see Asus turn themselves around. If the Zenfone 2 is a sign of Asus phones to come, then I will certainly be keeping a close eye on them from now on.
The full Asus Zenfone 2 review will be published next week. Stay tuned.
[ Flosmall ]
I was reading a review of this phone yesterday and it seems the camera is very poor. Looking forward to seeing what you think and if 3rd party software will fix it.
Indeed, me too heard that camera is not as it had to be. Waiting for a review.
They don’t look too good. Has your vivo play 3s had any software updates for the camera since you’ve had it? Looking at a good camera phone for the wife and got the xshot (not sure she wants to spend that much), gionee e7, jiayu s3, xplay 3s (if performance has improved) and ecoo 04 amongst others. Thanks
Actually took the Xshot for a quick spin last week as its been a while since I used it. I still love it but I have to say the Mi Note offers strong competition in the camera dept.
Trouble is that’s more expensive then any of the phones I mentioned! She wants to order one tonight so I’ve got to decide what’s best for her, hence why I asked!
e7, bargain and great camera
Yes that’s what I think too, only trouble is the lack of sd slot which she’s adamant it must have. She’s been using a Tianhe phone for past 2 years and she’s a big Samsung fan so gotta make sure the next phones is good otherwise I won’t hear the last of it!
Gearbest has the 32GB version of the E7 for $175. That might be big enough to where she doesn’t need the SD card. I agree with Andi it is an excellent camera, probably one of the best released last year.
Did try but she went with the vivo in the end. 3rd person I’ve recommended the E7 to and none have gone for it despite the excellent price. My mum wants a new phone with a good camera so will recommend it to her next!
Lol someone will bite eventually and they will love it. The OV camera in that is incredible especially for the price. Every OV sensor I have used has been good.
The Xshot is on sale right now in Thailand for around $300. I already have the Mi4, is the camera that much better?
What’s the story with the patchy blue sky – or halo – around the tree tops in the photos?
Other than the 2 photos with flowers, all the photos look bad? Is it because the camera is bad or the photo effect(Software) made it this bad?
Andi any plans to review the THL 2015? I know you had a hands on awhile back.
Only 64gb version comes with z3580 from what i know. This makes Andis zenphone a 1.9ghz one.
I hope you didn’t order the Chinese version? Make sure it’s Taiwan or Worldwide.
Well I don’t really know for sure the seller is from Taiwan and post it with Singapore post. The band’s it can play fit for meUMTS/WCDMA/FDD-LTE
Data Rate:
HSPA+: UL 5.76 / DL 42 Mbps
DC-HSPA+: UL 5.76 / DL 42 Mbps
LTE Cat4:UL 50 / DL 150 Mbps
2G : EDGE/GPRS/GSM : 850/900/1800/1900
3G : WCDMA : 850/900/1900/2100
4G : FDD-LTE:
2100MHz(1)/1900MHz(2)/1800MHz(3)/1700MHz AWS(4)/850MHz(5)/900MHz(8)/700MHz(28)
That’s the Taiwan version so you should be ok unless you’re in certain European countries and depending on your local carrier. So long as it’s not the Chinese or Indian version.