Asus Zenfone 2 Review – The Best Smartphone Package You Can Buy Right Now

May 16 07:21 2015 Print This Article

It would be pretty ballsy to dub this phone we’ve just reviewed as “The Best Smartphone Package You Can Buy Right Now,” but it is no hyperbole. Times have changed. The processor arms race has plateau’d and we’re not seeing a difference in performance between mid-range and flagships anymore. This has prompted brands the like of Samsung, Apple, LG, and others to stuff their phones full of useless extra bloat that just doesn’t even make sense. Who really needs a heart rate sensor? Or Quad HD displays? Or fingerprints? Nobody. That stuff just makes the phone more expensive than it has to be. The Asus Zenfone 2 concentrates on what the consumer really needs and have delivered a package no one can match right now. Find out why in our Asus Zenfone 2 full review. (Video embedded above)

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BlankThumbnailBrandDeviceLaunch DateLaunch Price (SRP)Lowest PriceProcessorDisplayVersion (At Launch)SkinRear CameraFront CameraRAM / ROM / MicroSDBatteryTelephonyExtra ConnectivityUSB OTG / SD InstallMiscellaneousUpdatesLinksBuy OnlineUI SmoothnessAntutu ScoreWork Battery
AsusZenfone2DeluxeSpecialEditionAsusAsus ZenFone 2 Deluxe Special Edition ZE551ML2016-01-2722995 (PHP)2.5Ghz Quad-Core Intel Atom Z3590 64-bit5.5" 1920x1080 IPS Gorilla Glass 35.0 Android LollipopZen UI13MP Two Tone Flash (Toshiba Sensor) 1080p Video5MP4GB / 128GB / Yes3000 mAh Non-Removable Boost Master Fast ChargingDual SIM LTENFCYes / ???Drift Silver & Carbon Fiber Back, Free 128GB MicroSD
AsusZenfone2LaserZE500KLAsusAsus ZenFone 2 Laser ZE500KL2015-08-29 (PH) 2015-08-06 (India)7295 (PHP) 9999 (Rs.)1.2Ghz Quad-Core Snapdragon 410 64-bit5.0" 1280x720 IPS Gorilla Glass 45.0 Android LollipopZen UI13MP Dual Tone Flash Laser Autofocus 1080p Video5MP2GB / 16GB / Yes2400 mAhDual SIM LTEYes / ???Lazada3.75 (A- Rank)22378 (2015-11-21)04h 34m
AsusZenfone2LaserZE550KLAsusAsus ZenFone 2 Laser ZE550KL Snapdragon 4102015-08-29 (PH) 2015-08-06 (India)8695 (PHP)1.2Ghz Quad-Core Snapdragon 410 64-bit5.5" 1280x720 IPS Gorilla Glass 45.0 Android LollipopZen UI13MP Dual Tone Flash Laser Autofocus 1080p Video5MP2GB / 16GB / Yes3000 mAhDual SIM LTE
AsusZenfone2DeluxeAsusAsus ZenFone 2 Deluxe ZE551ML2015-08-29 (PH) 2015-08-06 (India)17995 (PHP) 16500 (PHP Est.) 22999 (Rs.)2.3Ghz Quad-Core Intel Atom Z3580 64-bit5.5" 1920x1080 IPS Gorilla Glass 35.0 Android LollipopZen UI13MP Dual Tone Flash (Toshiba Sensor) 1080p Video5MP4GB / 64GB / Yes3000 mAh Non-Removable Boost Master Fast ChargingDual SIM LTENFCYes / ???Crystal Back Design
AsusZenfone2LaserZE601KLAsusAsus ZenFone 2 Laser ZE601KL2015-08-06 (India)13000 (PHP Est.) 17999 (Rs.)1.7Ghz Quad + 1.0Ghz Quad Snapdragon 615 64-bit (Unconfirmed)6.0" 1920x1080 IPS Gorilla Glass 45.0 Android LollipopZen UI13MP Dual Tone Flash Laser Autofocus 1080p Video5MP3GB / ??? / Yes???Dual SIM LTE
AsusZenfone2LaserZE550KLAsusAsus ZenFone 2 Laser ZE550KL Snapdragon 6152015-08-06 (India)10000 (PHP Est.) 13999 (Rs.)1.7Ghz Quad + 1.0Ghz Quad Snapdragon 615 64-bit5.5" 1280x720 IPS Gorilla Glass 45.0 Android LollipopZen UI13MP Dual Tone Flash Laser Autofocus 1080p Video5MP2GB / 16GB / Yes3000 mAhDual SIM LTE
AsusZenfone2LaserZE500KGAsusAsus ZenFone 2 Laser ZE500KG2015-08-06 (India)1.2Ghz Quad-Core Snapdragon 410 64-bit5.0" 1280x720 TFT Gorilla Glass 45.0 Android LollipopZen UI13MP Dual Tone Flash Laser Autofocus 1080p Video5MP2GB / 8GB / Yes2070 mAhDual SIM 3G
zenfone2AsusAsus ZenFone 2 ZE551ML (2.3Ghz 4G RAM)2015-05-1613999 (PHP)2.3Ghz Quad-Core Intel Atom Z3580 64-bit5.5" 1920x1080 IPS Gorilla Glass 35.0 Android LollipopZen UI13MP Two Tone Flash (Toshiba Sensor) 1080p Video5MP4GB / 32GB / Yes3000 mAh Non-Removable Boost Master Fast ChargingDual SIM LTENFCYes / ???Review | Camera 1 | Camera 2 | Camera 3 | Camera 4Lazada4.50 (S Rank)47566 (2015-04-29)05h 32m

 

Pros:

  • Future proof performance, 4GB RAM multitasking
  • Great battery life + fast charging
  • Solid build & class leading design
  • ZenUI makes the competition look like crap
    • Smoothest UI we’ve ever seen
    • Lots of customization & memory management
    • Nice value added apps and services
    • Good convenience features like gesture control, private mode (SnapView), etc.
  • Extensive camera feature set, high quality results
    • Fast camera UI, snap-happy performance
    • Great modes like Manual, Super Resolution, Low Light, and Time Lapse
  • Affordable package

Cons:

  • Only one SIM with LTE / 3G / Data
  • Could be built with more premium materials & some nitpicks
    • Power / lock key hard to reach, slightly mushy
    • Screenshot action (Power + Vol Down) is hard to do
    • Home button close to keyboard spacebar

Last year, the Zenfone 5 went against some of the toughest competition imaginable in the entry level space and emerged a clear winner – despite it being the Taiwanese brand’s first real foray into the smartphone business. This year they took the fight to a new level, confidently placing itself in the crosshairs of major smartphone brands. We wondered then if they bit more than they could chew, but clearly its the competition that needs to look out. The Zenfone 2 delivers exactly what any smartphone buyer wants – a great camera, explosive performance, great battery life, and features that make sense – not bloat the price. It truly is the best smartphone package you can buy right now.

Review Summary

4 out of 5
Design
5 out of 5
User Interface
4.5 out of 5
Performance
4 out of 5
Cameras
5 out of 5
Value

The Zenfone 2 delivers exactly what any smartphone buyer wants - a great camera, explosive performance, great battery life, and features that make sense - not bloat the price. It truly is the best smartphone package you can buy right now.

4.5 Good 4.5 out of 5

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