Introduction
World domination was surely on the mind of at least one top exec over at Asus headquarters, when the crew gathered to outline the Zenfone 2 game plan. The smartphone will be sold globally, and the stores in a few lucky countries already have their shelves well stocked. The company is aiming to sell 30 million phones this year, with the Zenfone 2 being a chief contributor to that number.
Now, Asus doesn't make it easy on the prospective buyer as they offer the Zenfone 2 in a number of model variants - a range of devices under one and the same name. The entry-level ZE500CL comes with a five-inch 720 display, Intel Atom Z2560 chipset with its quad-core processor clocked at 1.6GHz, and 2GB of RAM. The ZE550ML ups the screen size to 5.5 inches, while keeping the HD resolution. The processor inside the Atom Z3560 ticks at 1.8GHz, and RAM is the same.
Then there's the ZE551ML, which sports a 5.5-inch diagonal and a FullHD resolution. Even the ZE551ML moniker wouldn't tell you what's packed inside, as there's a version with the same Atom Z3560 and 2GB of RAM and a top model, sporting an Atom Z3580 with specs going all the way up to 2.3GHz and 4GB of RAM.
To give Asus credit, probably not all models will be available on all markets and that may settle it for you, depending on where you live. The one we have at the office is the ZE551ML with the lower-specced hardware, meaning an Atom Z3560 and 2 gigs of RAM.
With that confusion cleared up, we're now moving to the task at hand.
Key features
- 5.5-inch IPS capacity touchscreen with 1080p resolution and 403ppi density, Gorilla Glass 3 protection
- Intel Atom Z3560 chipset with a 1.8GHz quad-core processor, PowerVR G6430 GPU
- 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage and a microSD slot for further expansion
- Dual-SIM, Dual Standby capability
- LTE Cat.4, NFC, Bluetooth; GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS
- Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi hotspot; microUSB 2.0 port, MHL, USB host
- 13MP main camera with dual-LED dual-tone LED flash, 1080p@30fps video recording; 5MP front camera
- 3,000mAh battery, fast charging to 60% in 40 minutes
- Android 5.0 Lollipop out of the box with Asus ZenUI overlay
- Nice build quality, sleek looking back cover
Main disadvantages
- No 2160p video recording
- Non-removable battery despite the removable back cover
- Rather large and hefty
- Zenfone 2 has a confusing naming convention - not only are there several of them, but ZE551ML comes in two hardware versions
The Zenfone 2 ZE551ML is also a looker, sporting a plastic back, which emulates brushed steel, and does so quite successfully. Our unit is dressed in Glamor Red but multiple color options are available to please a wider target audience.
Asus Zenfone 2 official photos
What all that adds up to is a proficient package, positioned in the upper midrange. At a price point around the $220 mark, it's also a compelling offer, hard to say no to. You could opt for the faster processor and double the RAM, and that would set you back around $280, still a bargain. Mind you, those are the numbers valid for most of Asia, while European figures are noticeably higher with the top model priced at €299 for a limited time, after which the price will become €349.
With that aside, join us on the next page for the usual unboxing and hardware.
Standard retail package
The Zenfone 2 comes in an eye-catching red retail package (matching the red phone inside). Inside you'll find the usual set of accessories, but nothing special. You get a headset with an in-ear design, tangle-free flat cables and a single-button remote. Extra earbuds are also provided.
There is a two piece charger with a rather short USB-to-microUSB cable. The AC adapter is instrumental in providing that fast charging feature and puts out a maximum of 2amps at 9volts for a whopping 18W of maximum charging power.
Retail package covers the basics
The Asus Zenfone 2 ZE551ML measures 152.5 x 77.2 x 10.9 mm, which is about right for 5.5-inch device. The LG G3 manages a smaller footprint, but it has on-screen buttons eating up screen space. The iPhone 6 Plus on the other hand is even taller at 158.1mm, which goes to show that even premium offerings don't come with an advantage in compactness. That said, the 5.7-inch Samsung Galaxy Note 4 comes in a body only marginally larger than the Zenfone 2.
The 10.9mm thickness might look huge in today's smartphone world, but the back has a nice curve which brings the thickness to less than half towards the edges, and it's not that big of a problem. At 170g, weight also isn't stellar, but it's bearable.
There are no two ways about it - the Zenfone 2 is quite large and hefty, but in phablet territory, you should be prepared to tolerate a bulkier device for the added benefit of the larger screen.
Design and build quality
The Asus Zenfone 2 sports a simple, yet attractive design aesthetic. The front is dominated by the 5.5-inch display, flanked by rather generous bezels. The strip with the capacitive Back/Home/Task switcher buttons is below.
Asus Zenfone 2 front
The back cover is certainly more striking. The cover borrows design clues from the LG G3 and sports a brushed steel effect despite its otherwise plastic nature. A more confident Asus logo is joined by an Intel inside inscription to demonstrate its allegiance to the non-ARM camp in the Android realm.
All in all, the rear cover looks great, it doesn't make smudges visible and it's removable at that. Popping it off gives you access to the array of slots inside. You get two micro-SIM slots and a dedicated microSD slot. The battery is sadly not user-replaceable, even though you can access it from here.
Asus Zenfone 2 back • Rear cover removed for access to SIM and microSD slots
Controls
The Zenfone 2 has a rather unusual control layout. In another move, inspired by LG, you get a volume rocker on the back right under the camera lens. It's positioned exactly where your index finger typically rests and it's surrounded by a gentle indentation to easily locate it by touch alone.
The main camera lens is immediately above the rocker, joined by the dual-LED dual-tone flash further up.
Towards the bottom of the back you get a speaker grille, but don't let its size fool you as the actual speaker is only a quarter of its size, located at the far left. It was apparently a push for symmetry and the dual-tone flash might have cost a night's worth of sleep to a more obsessed designer.
Asus Zenfone 2 back
The sides of the smartphone are both completely bare, if you don't count the thin slit on the bottom right, which is used for removing the cover.
Asus Zenfone 2 sides
On the top you'll find the power button dead center, flanked by a 3.5mm headphone jack and a secondary microphone. The bottom is home to the microUSB port in the middle and the pinhole for the primary mic.
One thing worth noting is that with a phone this big it's hard to reach the top-mounted power key.
Asus Zenfone 2 top and bottom
Handling
The Zenfone 2 handles well for a 5.5-inch device. The back surface is reasonably grippy and the curve on the back together with the slim sides work to deliver a comfortable feel in the hand. The capacitive keys are well positioned and easy to reach, while the side bezels are large enough to avoid touch input from your thumb.
Handling the Zenfone 2
The power button on top requires two handed use or stretching your index finger, together with repositioning your grip, and is not at all comfortable. The button doesn't have much travel either. Thankfully, the smartphone supports double-tap to wake, so you'll only need the physical button for powering off.
[via GSMARENA]
