ASUS Zenfo

ne 5

Review in pictures

Style meets specs• 5.0-inch, 720p display• 1.6GHz dual-core Intel

Atom Z2560 processor• 2GB of RAM and 8 / 16GB

expandable storage• 8-megapixel primary

snapper• 2MP front camera• Runs Android 4.3 with

ZenUI on top• Dual-SIM 3G (micro-SIMs)

Ups the ante in the looks department

• Concentric circle pattern below the screen adds to the oomph. It’s prone to scratches though

• Encased in plastic, but doesn’t feel cheap

• Available in a range of hues, including black, white, red or gold

• Curvy rear adds to ergonomics

Yummy screen

• The 5-inch 720p IPS display offers a pixel density of 294ppi• Sharp visuals, crisp text, and colourful graphics on offer• Good viewing angles and sunlight legibility, with ample brightness• You won’t find the screen quality lacking at all, and it’s certainly one

of the Zenfone 5’s stronger points

Master of pixels…• A feature-packed 8-meg

snapper, featuring ASUS’ PixelMaster tech

• Loaded with modes like continuous shot, HDR, panorama, depth of field, Time rewind, Smart remove, beautification, GIF animation etc. A Time lapse mode available for video captures

• Range of colour filters• Lots of creative control,

including ISO, white balance and exposure

… and a creature of the night

• Shoots good images, especially in daylight

• The images retain a fair degree of detail and sharpness, though colours are oversaturated at times

• Prompts you to switch to night mode or HDR as per the conditions

• Low-lights shots are too dark in auto mode, but the night mode does its magic to churn out results that are quite usable

A state of Zen• Runs Android 4.3 (upgradeable)

with ZenUI on top• Tons of tweaks, including a

custom lockscreen with shortcuts and the What’s Next widget, quick settings, and colourful icons

• Plethora of useful apps such as Do It Later, What’s Next and SuperNote

• App drawer lets you hide/unhide apps, sort them the way you want and even lock them via password

Piles of software goodies for the taking• The screen supports glove

mode• A special reading mode also

available• AudioWizard and Splendid apps

let you tweak sound and display settings

• A suite of apps for hooking up, including PC Link, Remote Link and Share Link

• Custom phone app even includes a built in call recorder

• Easy Mode displays a simplified launcher, useful for newbies and the elderly

Intel inside, smiles outside

• The 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Atom processor mated to 2GB of RAM keeps things chugging along. Routine tasks runs smoothly, and even graphics-heavy games like Dead Trigger 2 work well for the most part, with only an occasional hint of lag

• Apart from Miracast, the connectivity options are quite standard. The device accepts micro-SIMs in its two slots, with support for 3G on both

• Out of 8GB, about 4.8GB is available to use, though you can add up to 64GB more via the microSD slot. Sadly, there’s no support for USB OTG

A guzzler in your hands

• The sealed 2,210mAh battery can last for a day, but only if you’re frugal

• Lasted only about six hours in our video loop drain test

• A range of power saving modes available, including an Ultra-saving mode to help prolong battery life

At a glance• 5-inch, 1,280 x 720 display

• 8MP primary camera, 2MP front shooter

• 1.6GHz dual-core Intel AtomZ2560 processor

• PowerVR SGX544MP2 graphics

• 2GB RAM, 8GB expandable internal storage

• 2,210mAh battery

• Dual-SIM 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, A-GPS, Miracast

• Android 4.3 with ZenUI

• FM radio

-• The design’s

mainstay, the concentric circle pattern, is prone to scratches

• Average battery life

Pros and cons

+• Stylish looks• Smooth

performance• Lovely display• Feature-loaded and

capable snapper• Fresh-looking UI

with tons of useful features

• Host of handy apps

PriceTo be announced

Pricing and verdict

“The ASUS Zenfone 5 is a commendable effort, and the manufacturer seems to have put its heart into it, evident from the array of software

goodies. With the exception of the battery life, the device has a lot going for it, and could be a compelling option if priced aggressively. The Moto G

is its main rival, but the upcoming Xiaomi Mi 3 could change things drastically”