ZenFone 5 Series – ZenFone 5Z, ZenFone 5, ZenFone 5 Lite

February 27, 2018 Categories: 5z, News, Release Date, Zenfone 5, Zenfone 5 Lite, Zenfone 5z by 0 Comments

Asus just took the wraps off the ZenFone 5 series at MWC 2018.

Key Release Date Info:

  • ZenFone 5 Lite – Launches March 2018
  • ZenFone 5 – Launches April 2018
  • ZenFone 5Z – Launches June 2018

Key Price Info:

  • ZenFone 5Z – Starting from 479 EUR

As a price point comparison, flagship to flagship, the recently announced Galaxy S9 models (w/64GB) are running from 849 EUR to 959 EUR.

Here is a look, starting with the top-end model first.

The ZenFone 5Z and ZenFone 5 share a lot of commonalities. Shared specs include:

  • 6.2″ Full HD+ IPS
  • 2246 x 1080
  • Color space 100% DCI-P3
  • 500 nit brightness
  • Screen Ratio – Body 90%
  • Rear: 12MP: IMX 363, F1.8, 1.4μm, Dual Pixel, OIS, RGB Sensor
  • Rear: 8MP: F2.2 Wide Angle of 120 degrees
  • Front: 8MP: F2.0
  • Stereo speakers with dual amps
  • Standard Hires Audio (included Headset Hires)
  • DTS Headphone Technology: X with exclusive audio kit
  • 3.300 mAh
  • Rapid Boostmaster charging
  • Adaptive charging mode AI Charging
  • USB Type C
  • 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 / A2DP / aptX HD
  • NFC (Google Payments Support)
  • Dual SIM 4G VoLTE, khay SIM hybrid
  • Android Oreo with ZENUI 5.0

ZenFone 5Z

  • Snapdragon 845
  • Up to 8GB / 256GB
  • 3 different SKU’s
    • 845 / 4GB / 64GB
    • 845 / 6GB / 128GB
    • 845 / 8GB / 256GB

ZenFone 5

  • Snapdragon 636
  • Up to 6GB / 128GB

ZenFone 5 Lite

  • 6” Full HD+ IPS2160 x 1080
  • 500 nit brightness
  • Screen Ratio – Body 80.3%
  • Snapdragon 630 or 430
  • Up to 4GB / 64GB
  • 16MP: F2.28MP: F2.2 Wide Angle of 120 degrees
  • Delete Real-time Portrait fonts
  • 20MP: IMX 376, F2.0, Flash LED,8MP: F2.2 Wide Angle of 120 degrees
    Real-time Portrait
  • 3.300 mAh
  • Micro USB802.11ac Wi-Fi,  Bluetooth 5.0 /A2DP / aptX HD
  • NFC (Support for Google Pay)
  • Dual SIM 4G, SIM ‘2 + 1’
  • Android Oreo with ZENUI 5.0

ASUS announces Zenfone 5 plans at investors conference

February 9, 2018 Categories: 5z, News, Zenfone 5, Zenfone 5z, Zenfone Max Pro M1 by 0 Comments

There are only a few secrets remaining about the upcoming Zenfone 5 release from ASUS. According to information shared at the asus 2017 Q4 Investors Conference, the big splash is going to be made at MWC 2018 at the end of February. This is a departure from the typical Computex product launches in late May every year.

More importantly however is the release date. The Zenfone 5 and Zenfone Max Pro M1 are set for a March release date. Expect this to start in Taiwan, then to various Asian markets, then Europe and eventually the North American and South American markets. The premium Zenfone 5z model comes a bit later with a June release date.

The new model that is considered “ultimate luxury” is the Zenfone 5z which means high price but premium everything. The Zenfone 5 is still a mystery in terms of specs and design although Roland Quandt believes it will be sporting the “notch”. Also announced at the investors conference is the Zenfone Max Pro M1 that is set to launch in March. Rumors suggest that the model X00PD may in fact be the Zenfone Max Pro M1.

Some of the information comes via translation, but the processors mentioned include the Snapdragon 636 and 845. It’s not entirely clear which processor belongs to which model due to translation issues.

ASUS CEO Jerry Shen mentioned that volume of sales is the new goal, although the price points will remain. If you’re looking for a lower priced series this time around, just be aware that it’s not going to happen. With the three Zenfone 5 models announced today however, there will be three different price ranges from low, medium and high. Be assured though that the Zenfone 5z will likely match the specs of an iPhone X or Samsung Galaxy flagship but will certainly come in at a lower price point that either of those two competitors.

In terms of the asus mobile phone strategy, here is how they view things:

2015 – 2017 goal was to increase average sale price
2018 – 2020 goal is position and increased volume

[source: ASUS Investors Conference Q4 2017]

ASUS confirms Zenfone 5 and Zenfone Max Pro (M1) launching in March

February 9, 2018 Categories: News, Release Date, Zenfone 5, Zenfone Max Pro M1 by 0 Comments

This is hard to imagine, but ASUS is confirming that the release date for the Zenfone 5 is indeed March 2018. Don’t get overly excited if you’re from North America or Europe because it’s going to be the Asian markets that will receive the March release date. It may be the summer for North America is previous year release priorities are followed with the Zenfone 5. Things could be different this time around, but our expectation is to see a very staggered release in various markets.

 

Premium Zenfone 5z coming in June

February 9, 2018 Categories: 5z, News, Zenfone 5z by 0 Comments

This is some hot news from the ASUS investors conference from February 9th. Of the three announced Zenfone models, the Zenfone 5z is described as “Ultimate Luxury”. That means the 5z will be packing the best of the best along with the highest price tag of the bunch. Release date is set for June and this year, count on it. Most likely Taiwan will get first crack at this one.

No images so far, but at the very least we have the branding for the next iPhone killer from ASUS.

Why I bought a Zenfone 3 Zoom last week

September 27, 2017 Categories: Shopping and Deals, Zenfone 3 Zoom by 0 Comments

The world of Zenfone is a rocking right now. The Zenfone 4 is rolling out across the globe with a North American release coming very soon. In fact the Zenfone 4 Max is in North America already.

So why the heck did I just go and buy a Zenfone 3 Zoom last week? Afterall, the Zenfone 4 line-up is coming to where I live in short time. Am I a party pooper?

More than anything it was called a sale. The Zenfone 3 Zoom a couple of weeks ago was at a fair discount and it was beyond tempting. More than that, Best Buy has this lovely price match where you save even more because the price difference means you pay even less than what the competitor is selling something for. So first and foremost the price was too hard to pass on.

As a complete package, I feel the Zenfone 3 Zoom has everything you could ever want at a price that’s big time value. Be sure that thanks to Apple, AMOLED displays cost more now than when Asus produced the Zenfone 3 Zoom. A shortage of AMOLED displays means higher cost to companies like Asus. I truly believe that the Zenfone 3 Zoom managed to get those screens at an ideal time and therefore the price of that phone is really cheap considering that display.

I have a Zenfone 3 Deluxe with a AMOLED display. Needless to say every time I unlock it, I’m astonished. I simply can’t own a phone that doesn’t have this display type. If you want that quality display of course the phones cost more than the others. Thus, not everyone can get this display which makes something like the Zenfone 4 a better overall value minus the premium display. It really depends on your budget of course.

The Zenfone 3 Zoom has a whopper of a battery. It has the battery of the Max series, but in a package that has this premium display. Let me not forget the dual rear camera. There is essentially a trio of features in this phone that make it genius. It’s not the fastest, thinnest or lightest, but it sure does tick a lot of boxes that are key with a smartphone.

So if you see an AMOLED display, big battery and dual cameras as important, I urge you to look at the Zenfone 3 Zoom before they are no longer available. Grab one while you can.

To be clear, the Zenfone 4 main model is going to provide a better camera experience and a nice over design. That’s assured. The Zenfone 4 Pro has top of class hardware along with superior cameras. But also you may be in a pinch right now and can’t wait for the Zenfone 4 series to land in stores. In that case, take a look at the Zenfone 3 Zoom and also consider the Best Buy price match and use that to your advantage.

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