Last week, ASUS Singapore announced the launch of ASUS ZenFone 2, the flagship smartphone that is the newest addition to the ZenFone family.
As Singapore was the first country in Southeast Asia to launch the ASUS ZenFone 2, the launch event was attended by over 500 participants, including medias, key partners and end users in attendance.
The ZenFone 2 will be celebrated as the world’s first 4GB RAM smartphone running on a 2.3GHz 64-bit Intel Atom processor with ultra-fast 4G/LTE and fast-charge 3,000mAh battery for powerful all-round performance. With a new ergonomically-curved design and a 5.5-inch full HD IPS display, the ZenFone 2 comes with a 13MP/5MP PixelMaster camera retailing at $249 onwards.
Exact prices based on specifications:
Building on the global success of the first ASUS ZenFone, which sold over 1.5 million units in just a month in 2014, the ZenFone 2 premieres many evolved features, including a new version of ASUS ZenUI – which has the world’s first fully-customisable interface – and Trend Micro security software for safer web browsing.
Furthermore, the ZenFone series clinched the Red Dot Design Award in 2014 for its exceptional degree of innovation, functionality and ergonomics by the Red Dot jury.
“The passion behind the design of ZenFone 2 is our never-ending desire to empower luxury for everyone. We have drawn on our engineering expertise and experience with our popular ZenFone to create a powerful smartphone with the best functionalities that fulfills all our users’ needs. That device is the incredible new ZenFone 2 — luxury that everyone can enjoy,” said Benson Lin, Corporate Vice President at ASUS.
Powerful Performance
Powered by a 2.3GHz 64-bit Intel Atom Z3580 processor and a 4GB RAM, the ZenFone 2 delivers top-notch performance that is claimed to deliver up to three times better, and gaming experiences that are up to seven times faster than its predecessor. Users will get to enjoy a seamless experience when it comes to web surfing, smooth video playback, and multi-tasking.
Furthermore, the ZenFone 2 is equipped with a built-in 4G/LTE connectivity for quick data speeds of up to 150Mbit/s plus 802.11ac Wi-Fi, ensuring stutter-free streaming of video and music for a smooth mobile experience. Dual-SIM capacity with Dual Active technology makes the ZenFone 2 the perfect travel or business companion. Users can have two active phone lines on their device so they can keep in touch anytime and everywhere.
With the fast-charge technology, users are able to recharge up to 60% battery level in only 39 minutes. In addition, with the support of a high capacity 3000mAh lithium-polymer battery, high levels of performance on the ZenFone 2 will not be compromised.
It is beginning to sound like a dream phone at great value.
Pixelmaster Camera
Boasting a 13MP rear-facing PixelMaster camera with an f/2.0 wide-aperture lens, ZenFone 2 is able to capture stunning, high-resolution photos with zero shutter lag. The 5MP front-facing camera’s 85-degree wide-angle lens allows the user to shoot sharp selfies and enjoy crisp, clear video chats.
Group selfies are made easy for those wanting to capture a group of friends, or include scenery in their selfie, as the ZenUI Selfie Panorama mode captures panoramic selfies with up to a 140-degree field of view.
Unique to the ZenFone 2 is the PixelMaster’s Low Light mode, which employs pixel-merging technology to capture up to 400% brighter photos and videos at night or in low-light scenes without the need for a flash. Through a combination of adjusting pixel size and advanced image-processing algorithms, ZenFone 2 increases light sensitivity by up to 400%, enhances noise reduction and boosts colour contrast by up to 400%. Even when a flash is preferred, ZenFone 2 is equipped with a Real Tone flash to ensure warm skin tones and accurate colours.
The ZenFone 2 camera also has a Backlight (HDR) mode to let users capture vivid, evenly-exposed photos in challenging backlit scenes such as sunset portraits. By using pixel-enhancing technology to increase contrast by up to 400%, The Backlight (HDR) mode ensures that foreground subjects stand out clearly and are free of shadows.
Furthermore, the ZenFone 2 features updated ZenUI apps, which include the all new Collage and Effects, allowing users to unleash their creativity to create beautiful montages and stunning special effects with just a few quick gestures. Another part of ZenFone 2’s easy-to-use app lineup is ZenUI MiniMovie, which enables users to quickly and easily put together photo slideshows, complete with titles and beautiful background music.
Ultra-Thin Ergonomic Arc Design
The ZenFone 2 bears the iconic ASUS concentric-circle design that adorns both the fascia and rear key, and has its rear cover crafted with a hairline metallic finish. Additionally, it introduces new and evolved aesthetic refinements, including a curved case that tapers to an incredibly thin 3.9mm at the edges to lend it a bold yet elegant look. This design not only renders it extremely comfortable to hold, but easier to use as well. Now, snapping selfies, adjusting the volume and browsing the web are all within reach.
With a sharp and vivid 5.5-inch Full HD IPS display, the ZenFone 2 boasts a 403ppi pixel density and a wide 178-degree viewing angle, ensuring lifelike photos and videos. The smartphone’s display is also bordered by an ultra-narrow 3.3mm bezel, giving it a 72% screen-to-body ratio for a maximised viewing experience.
The smartphone is also covered with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for superior resistance to damage and fingerprints and an anti-fingerprint coating that reduces friction by 30%, giving a luxuriously-smooth feel to touch gestures. The ZenFone 2 (ZE500CL, ZE550ML) models sport a matte finishing, available in Black, White and Red, while the ZenFone 2 (ZE551ML) encompasses a stunning aluminium hairline metallic finishing available in Black, Gold, Red and Silver.
The ZenFone 2 (ZE551ML) with 4GB RAM and 32GB storage was exclusively available for sale during the product launch event.
ZenFone 2 Accessories
ASUS provides a wide range of accessories to choose from to complement the ZenFone 2 like the ASUS View Flip Cover starting from $34.90 onwards, which protects your screen while allowing you to check all your important information without having to open the case, and the View Flip Deluxe which is a leather-crafted cover from $39.90. Also included is a credit card-sizedZenPower for 2.4A quick charge and JEITA protection that helps to extend battery life retailing at $29.90 onwards.
Designed specially to complete the ZenFone 2’s entertainment experience is the ZenEar earphones, ASUS’s newest addition to the accessories collection, starting at $11.90. Another addition to the collection is the ZenFlash accessory, a “Xenon flash dongle” that can be connected to smartphones via USB OTG. The device can stick to the phone’s rear panel, offering 400 times brighter flash than the usual LED flash retailing at $24.90.
The ASUS LolliFlash comes in a shape of Lollipop and is a dual-tone LED torch for phones. The device packs its own battery and can be connected to the phone via the headphone port or 3.5mm audio jack. The LolliFlash is available in three colours – Blue, Red, and Yellow priced at $14.90.
Availability & Pricing
The ZenFone 2 (ZE500CL, ZE550ML and ZE5551ML) are retailing at $249, $299 and $349 respectively in Singapore and are now available in market at leading electronics stores, as well as Starhub and M1.
The ZenFone 2 (ZE551ML) with 4GB RAM will be priced at $429 and $499 for 32GB and 64GB storage respectively and availability will be announced at a later date.
