CES 2015: Asus Launches ZenFone 2, Zoom Camera-Centric Smartphone; Specifications, Availability Details
CES 2015: Asus Launches ZenFone 2, Zoom Camera-Centric Smartphone; Specifications, Availability DetailsAsus Press Kit

Taiwanese smartphone maker Asus is reportedly planning to release a new upgraded Zenfone 2 smartphone in the second half of 2015.

Asus has just released Zenfone 2 in handful of Asian markets and is yet to roll out the flagship phone in India, now it has come to light that the company is already at work on the advanced Zenfone 2 with bio-metric technology seen in Tier-1 premium brands like Apple and Samsung.

A local daily, China Times (via G4Games), citing company chairman, Johnny Shih has claimed that Asus is planning to incorporate finger-print sensor in the 2016 model- Asus Zenfone 3

It also added the company is also readying a new Zenfone 2 – 'facelift' with same security technology and is expected to hit store shelves in the second half of 2015.

The company's Zenfone 2 already sells in five different variants in Taiwan, so it won't be a surprise if Asus comes with a sixth variant later this year.

Zenfone 2 (ZE551ML) got unveiled in CES (Consumers Electronics Show) 2015 in January. It boasts of 5.5-inch full HD display and runs on the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop OS powered by 64-bit class based 2.3GHz Intel Atom processor Z3580 with PowerVR G6430 graphics engine, 4GB RAM and 16GB/32GB/64GB inbuilt memory and a 3,000mAh battery.

Zenfone 2 (ZE551ML) also comes in a 2GB RAM model; it houses pretty much same specification seen in the above variant except the processor type. It houses a 1.8GHz Quad Core Intel Atom Z3560 with PowerVR G6430 GPU.

Besides the ZE551ML variant, Asus also sells two more Zenfone 2 series devices ― ZE550ML and ZE500CL ― in Taiwan. The former model sports 5.5-inch HD screen and ships with 1.8GHz Intel Atom Quad Core Z3560 (1.8GHz) with PowerVR G6430 GPU, 2GB RAM, 16GB memory and a 3,000mAh battery.

The latter (ZE500CL) is a low-end smartphone. It features a smaller 5.0-inch HD display. Under the hood, it comes packed with 2GB RAM, 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z2560 processor and a 2,500mAh battery, which can run the phone for close to 360 hours under standby mode.

Key Specifications of Asus ZenFone 2 variants:

Model Asus ZenFone 2 (ZE551ML) Asus Zenfone 2 (ZE550ML) Asus Zenfone 2 (ZE500CL)
Display
  • 5.5-inch full HD (1920x1080p) IPS screen with wide 178-degree viewing angle. It also boasts of ASUS TruVivid display technology and is protected by Gorilla Glass 3 shield
  • Pixel density: 403 ppi (pixels per inch)
 5.5-inch HD (1280x720p) IPS screen 5.0-inch HD (1280x720p) IPS screen
OS Android 5.0 Lollipop OS with custom Zen UI Android 5.0 Lollipop OS with custom Zen UI Android 5.0 Lollipop OS with custom Zen UI
Processor
  • Model 1: 64-bit class based 2.3GHz Intel Atom processor Z3580 with PowerVR G6430 GPU
  • Model 2: 1.8GHz Quad Core Intel® Atom ™ Z3560 with PowerVR G6430 GPU
 1.8GHz Intel® Atom ™ Quad Core Z3560 (1.8GHz) with PowerVR G6430 GPU 1.6GHz Intel® Atom ™ Z2560
RAM 4GB/2GB 2GB LPDDR3 2GB LPDDR2
Storage 16GB/32GB/64GB (+ 64GB via microSD card) 16GB, expandable up to 64GB 16GB, expandable up to 64GB
Camera
  • Main: 13.0-megapixel camera with PixelMaster technology, Backlight (HDR) mode, f/ 2.0 aperture, Real Tone flash
  • Front: 5.0-megapixel camera with 88-degree field of view and also comes with ZenUI Selfie Panorama mode which can capture panoramic selfies with up to a 140-degree field of view.
  • Main: 13.0-megapixel camera with PixelMaster technology, Backlight (HDR) mode, f/ 2.0 aperture, Real Tone flash
  • Front: 5.0-megapixel camera with 88-degree field of view and also comes with ZenUI Selfie Panorama mode which can capture panoramic selfies with up to a 140-degree field of view.
  • Main: 8.0-megapixel camera with LED flash, f2.0 aperture,
  • Front: 2.0-megapixel camera
Battery 3000 mAh;Comes with fast-charge technology where-in phone can get re-charged close to 60-percent battery capacity within 39 minutes 3000 mAh;Comes with fast-charge technology where-in phone can get re-charged close to 60-percent battery capacity within 39 minutes 2500 mAh;
  • Talk time: up to 28 hours;
  • Standby time: close to 360 hours;
Network & Connectivity 4G-LTE (Cat 4: 150/50 mbps), Wi-Fi (802.11ac), Bluetooth, dual-SIM slots (type: micro) 4G-LTE (Cat 4: 150/50 mbps), Wi-Fi (802.11ac), Bluetooth, dual-SIM slots (type: micro) Single-SIM slot, 2G/3G/LTE(CAT3) 4G: 700/900/1800, GPS/GLONASS,
Add-ons
  • ZenMotion is a collection of intuitive touch gestures, each providing a new way of interacting with ZenUI, and allowing quick and easy access to frequently-used features such as One Hand mode or Do It Later.
  • SnapView is a security feature that ensures privacy for apps, photos, and files. SnapView lets users easily keep their personal and business information separate.
  • Trend Micro security is integrated with the ZenUI browser for the total mobile web browsing security.
  • ZenUI Instant Updates is a seamless new method of keeping ZenUI apps up to date. With ZenUI Instant Updates, ASUS app developers can make updates available immediately, avoiding delays between app releases and ensuring the best experience for ZenFone 2 users.
  • ZenMotion is a collection of intuitive touch gestures, each providing a new way of interacting with ZenUI, and allowing quick and easy access to frequently-used features such as One Hand mode or Do It Later.
  • SnapView is a security feature that ensures privacy for apps, photos, and files. SnapView lets users easily keep their personal and business information separate.
  • Trend Micro security is integrated with the ZenUI browser for the total mobile web browsing security.
  • ZenUI Instant Updates is a seamless new method of keeping ZenUI apps up to date. With ZenUI Instant Updates, ASUS app developers can make updates available immediately, avoiding delays between app releases and ensuring the best experience for ZenFone 2 users.
  • ZenMotion is a collection of intuitive touch gestures, each providing a new way of interacting with ZenUI, and allowing quick and easy access to frequently-used features such as One Hand mode or Do It Later.
  • SnapView is a security feature that ensures privacy for apps, photos, and files. SnapView lets users easily keep their personal and business information separate.
  • Trend Micro security is integrated with the ZenUI browser for the total mobile web browsing security.
  • ZenUI Instant Updates is a seamless new method of keeping ZenUI apps up to date. With ZenUI Instant Updates, ASUS app developers can make updates available immediately, avoiding delays between app releases and ensuring the best experience for ZenFone 2 users.
Dimensions 152.5 x 77.2 x 3.9 ~ 10.9 mm 152.5 x 77.2 x 3.9 ~ 10.9 mm 148.1 x 71.5 x 10.9 ~ 3.9 mm
Weight 170 g 170 g 155 g
Colours Red / gray / black / white / gold White and black Red, white and black
Price (In Taiwan New Dollars)
  • 4GB RAM/64GB memory model (ZE551ML): TWD 9990 (around $316/€298/₹19,850)
  • 4GB RAM/32GB memory model (ZE551ML): TWD 8,990 (around ₹17,900)
  • 2GB RAM/16GB memory model (ZE551ML): TWD 6,990 (around ₹13,900)
 TWD 5,990 (around ₹11,900) TWD 4,990 (around ₹9,930)
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