ASUS ZenFone 2 / Zoom

[mmntech]

Zenfone 2 launches in Europe. €249 for the base model, €349 for the top end.
http://www.androidauthority.com/asus-zenfone-2-europe-launch-597878/

Bit of an older story but a Canadian launch has been confirmed by Asus. Their previous smartphones were not officially available in the country.
http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2015/...d-zenfone-2-smartphone-in-canada-this-spring/

Still no release date though.

 

[senseamp]

At the rate Euro and Looney are dropping, may make sense to import one

 

[Slick5150]

Is there a version of this that supports Qi charging?

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Can't wait until Zenfone comes to the US market. April 28th is reported as the US release date.

 

[mmntech]

Haven't heard that. There's been some reports that the lower end model up is on Amazon already, but I'm guessing those are imports. Especially since they're supposedly selling for $395.

Everybody's still talking about the Indian launch. Lot of "hands on" stuff but no full reviews yet. I'm not sure what's going on with the Zenfone Zoom. There hasn't been any news about it since it was first announced.

 

[midwestfisherman]

Any news on the US launch date?

 

[mmntech]

We have our first official review courtesy of Android Authority. They gave it an 8.5, praising build quality, multitasking capability, UI, and performance. Negatives were mediocre battery life, average camera, and a weak speaker.
http://www.androidauthority.com/asus-zenfone-2-review-600414/

 

[SAWYER]

Disappointing to hear about the battery. I was really looking forward o this phone but I can not go to a phone that has worse battery than my Moto G, that is the most important thing to me in a phone

 

[kpkp]

Mobile geeks review

 

[mmntech]

Disappointing to hear about the battery. I was really looking forward o this phone but I can not go to a phone that has worse battery than my Moto G, that is the most important thing to me in a phone

Yeah, that's a big red flag. Asus is supposedly aware of the issue and seems to think it's a software problem. So hopefully it will get fixed in an update.

Mobile geeks review

I like that it lets you adjust colour temperature of the display. I don't think stock Android does that.

 

[SAWYER]

That review claims she is getting 4-5 hours, that is good and if a software update improves then even better

 

[MtSeldon]

battery is a bit disappointing. but what is worse is the camera . i watched a review which compares the camera to LG G3 , and it was lacking behind significantly. Very disappointing for a new phone . G3 is almost 1 year old now.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

G3 is almost 1 year old now.

And costed $580 when it came out and is still $370 unlocked. This, the 2GB/1.83GHz version is $200 and the 4GB/2.33GHz version is $250-300. And the 4GB version does have better specs overall.

The camera's not excellent when it comes to picture quality, but it is good. Not mediocre or poor, but good. And for most including me it'll do just fine.

This phone has absolutely killer specs for the money. My LG Nexus 4 is nearing the end of its life at now almost 2 1/2-years-old and still runs great apart from the IGP starting to crap out (graphics artifacting a few times) and the battery capacity having gone down (after it shows 20% left it'll show 5% left, meaning I've lost 15% of the battery capacity). Never given me any issues and still multitasks and opens apps in a pinch. And with this, I expect much the same: a reliable phone that has 95% of the features and performance of flagships at half the price.

Just sucks that ASUS is taking so long to launch it in North America.

 

[mmntech]

Asus is really pushing the camera as a top feature for the Zenfone 2. Especially low light performance, which is not exactly spectacular. It's certainly not as good as the iPhone but it looks good for a $350 phone. Be nice to see if the Zoom is any different, but it seems to have dropped off the surface of the Earth.

Wish it would launch soon in North America. Asus has been very tight lipped about a release date. My iPhone 4S still works great after 3.5 years. However, Apple is likely to officially end support for A5 devices with iOS 9 later this year. So unfortunately, I'll have to replace it. I'm not paying $1000 for an unlocked iPhone though when I can get 90% of the features is something a lot cheaper.

 

[Bman123]

You can get a iPhone for $500 easily, you just have to look around.
I'm glad I got my galaxy S5 instead of waiting for this phone. I spent $460 and got 2 galaxy s5's and 2 otterbox defender cases shipped off of swappa

 

[Artdeco]

You can get a iPhone for $500 easily, you just have to look around.
I'm glad I got my galaxy S5 instead of waiting for this phone. I spent $460 and got 2 galaxy s5's and 2 otterbox defender cases shipped off of swappa

I love swappa, have had nothing but good experiences using it buying and selling.

 

[Roland00Address]

Have we heard about the US pricing and models yet?

http://www.gsmarena.com/asus_launches_zenfone_2_starting_206_in_india-news-12017.php

Its been launched in india.

Low
5.5" 720p, 2gb, 1.8 ghz max turbo, 16 gb storage is 12,999 ruples so about $206.

Medium
5.5" 1080p model is 14,999 ruples so about $238, also 2gb, and 1.8 ghz max turbo, 16gb storage

High End
5.5" 1080p, 2.3 ghz max turbo, 4gb, 32gb storage is 19,999 ruples so about $316
5.5" 1080p, 2.3 ghz max turbo, 4gb, 64gb storage is 23,999 ruples so about $380

Now you can't convert these perfectly like I did, for Asus may choose to sell a phone at a different price in different markets, and things like import taxes and such may be different in two different countries.

I hope the 1080p model if it hits the states is at $200 or near $200. It would be still a good deal at $250 but less so.

My hope is that Microsoft decides to allow windows to run on these devices, and to allow x86 compatibility. Not because I want to run x86 apps on a phone, but because I want a phone that is a phone, but when you are at a location you can use hdmi, or wireless streaming and now you have a fully functional computer similar to the $150 Windows Atom HDMI stick.


The reason I want this is I want a transformer type device. Effectively what intel's goal is the phone/tablet/laptop that is wireless dockable and with wireless charging. Effectively a precursor with what Intel will be pushing with Skylake on their ultra high ends. Intel's reference design which they are sampling to OEMs (and what past ultrabooks were kinda based off of) has built in lte, wireless charging, and wigig so you get a dock without any cables.

 

[slackerinabox]

My hope is that Microsoft decides to allow windows to run on these devices, and to allow x86 compatibility. Not because I want to run x86 apps on a phone, but because I want a phone that is a phone, but when you are at a location you can use hdmi, or wireless streaming and now you have a fully functional computer similar to the $150 Windows Atom HDMI stick.


The reason I want this is I want a transformer type device. Effectively what intel's goal is the phone/tablet/laptop that is wireless dockable and with wireless charging. Effectively a precursor with what Intel will be pushing with Skylake on their ultra high ends. Intel's reference design which they are sampling to OEMs (and what past ultrabooks were kinda based off of) has built in lte, wireless charging, and wigig so you get a dock without any cables.

Not going to happen, so stop hoping. What incentive does anyone have to deal with drivers, wide range of components, etc? Why would the manufacturer want to support warranty issues on after-market operating systems? For the 4 people who want this functionality and don't already have multiple devices?

 

[mmntech]

US pricing will probably be on par with European pricing.

 

[elitejp]

Is there any real world difference between the 1.83 processor and the 2.33?

 

[mmntech]

Is there any real world difference between the 1.83 processor and the 2.33?

Yes, but not a huge difference.
http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench3/compare/2401311?baseline=2398753

The main advantage of the top end phone is it has double the RAM. Which will make a difference if you're a heavy multitasker. I believe it has larger internal storage options as well.

 

[elitejp]

in asia currently they have both the 2g and 4g 1.83ghz version available just not the 2.3. But the chart looks like the 2.3 ghz would be noticeable.

 

[SAWYER]

Noticeable in benchmarks maybe, for everyday use for an average user I doubt there is much difference

 

[Roland00Address]

Not going to happen, so stop hoping. What incentive does anyone have to deal with drivers, wide range of components, etc? Why would the manufacturer want to support warranty issues on after-market operating systems? For the 4 people who want this functionality and don't already have multiple devices?

It may happen but it is unlikely. Microsoft is trying multiple things to get market share

It happened with an android phone getting windows with the HTC one m8 and rumor is it will happen with the m9

Xiamoni and Microsoft also specifically are trying out where you can flash the windows is over the xiamoni build of android. This is more of a beta project.

It is unlikely but I can see it happening in some small instances with some but not all phones. What's in it for the OEM? They have to pay Microsoft for each android phone due to some patents Microsoft owns related to Linux/Unix. This gives Microsoft bargaining power to convince the OEM to do pro Microsoft things in return for a lower license rate.

This is why you see Samsung installing some Microsoft apps on their new android phones such as Skype, one drive, and one note.

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I will not be surprised that besides seeing a Microsoft Mobile OS you see them pushing a fork of android (specifically open source aosp) that pushes you to Microsoft stuff in non US countries like China and India. This is the speculated reason why Microsoft invested into Cyangonenmod OS.

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We already know Microsoft is having Intel cellphones in the near future running x86 chips and not just Qualcomm. My want is not specifically for this phone to have MS 10 and x86 compatibility but for dome phone with similar specs and price to have so.

And if MS does not provide android and chromeOS are getting better every day and they will lose most of all.

 

[senseamp]

When is it launching in the US? I could use an update to my GNex.