Asus recently updated its Zenfone portfolio with Asus Zenfone 2. Asus had already covered all displays sizes from 4 inches to 6 inches last year, except for 5.5 inches and this is what it has opted to offer with Zenfone 2. Asus also announced an almost similar Zenfone Zoom for photography enthusiasts. Let’s stack hardware specifications of Zenfone 2 and Zenfone Zoom against Zenfone 5.
Display and Processor
Apart from a bigger display (5.5 Inch vs 5 Inch) Zenfone 2 and Zenfone Zoom also have more 1920 x 1080 (full HD) pixels as compared to 720p HD resolution on Zenfone 5. All three phones have Gorilla Glass 3 protection on the display.
Zenfone 2 will come in two 64 bit variants. The low cost model will be powered by Intel Atom Z3560 quad core chipset clocked t 1.8 GHz and assisted by 2 GB RAM, while the second model will have Intel atom Z3580 quad core SoC clocked at 2.3 GHz and assisted with 4 GB RAM.
This is definitely an improvement over Intel Atom Z2560 chipset clocked at 1.6 GHz and aided by 2 GB RAM. Zenfone Zoon will be available with only Intel Atom Z3580 quad core processor.
Camera and Internal Storage
Zenfone 5’s 8 MP shooter was one of the best 8 MP shooters we came across in 2014. The Zenfone 2 on the other hand has a bigger 13 MP sensor but uses the same pixel master technology. The LED flash is also dual tone LED flash this time for better low light performance.
Zenfone Zoom is a camera specific phone, which has a 3x optical zoom camera with the same 13 MP sensor, optical image stabilization, dual tone LED flash and 1080p video recording. Both Zenfone 2 and Zenfone Zoom have a 5 MP selfie camera at the front which is an improvement over 2 MP front camera in Zenfone 5.
Zenfone 5 was launched with 8 GB and 16 GB internal storage variants in India. Zenfone 2 and Zenfone Zoom will come with 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB storage depending on the model you choose. Additionally Zenfone Zoom will be available in 128 GB variant as well.
Battery and Other Features
Zenfone 2 and Zenfone Zoom will have a bigger 3000 mAh battery as compared to 2000 mAh unit in Zenfone 5. With more power efficient 64 bit architecture, you can expect battery to last longer even though it has to power a sharper and bigger display.
Both Zenfone 2 and Zenfone Zoom will be running Android 5.0 Lollipop with Zen UI out of the box, while Zenfone 5 (presently running on Android 4.4.4 KitKat) will be updated to Android 5.0 Lollipop some time later. The Zenfone 2 also fits the volume rocker on the rear side similar to LG phones.
Key Specs
| Model | Zenfone 2 | Zenfone Zoom | Zenfone 5 |
| Display | 5.5 inch, Full HD | 5.5 inch, Full HD | 5 Inch HD |
| Processor | 2.3 GHz Quad Core Intel Atom Z3580, 1.8 GHz Z3560 | 2.3 GHz Quad Core Intel Atom Z3550 | 1.6 GHz dual core Intel Atom Z2560 |
| RAM | 4 GB/ 2 GB | 4 GB/ 2 GB | 2 GB |
| Internal Storage | 16 GB/ 32 GB/ 64 GB Expandable | 16 GB/32 GB/ 64 GB/ 128 GB, Expandable | 8 GB/ 16 GB, Expandable |
| OS | Android 5.0 Lollipop Based Zen UI | Android 5.0 Lollipop Based Zen UI | Android 4.4 Kitkat Based Zen UI |
| BCamera | 13 MP/ 5 MP | 13 MP 3X optical zoom camera | 8 MP/ 2 MP |
| Battery | 3000 mAh | 3000 mAh | 2000 mAh |
| Price | To be Announced | To be Announced | 9,999/ 12,999 INR |
Zenfone 5 VS Zenfone 2 VS Zenfone Zoom: Conclusion
Asus Zenfone 5 was one of the great budget smartphones of 2014 and Zenfone 2 will take the whole value for money concept to the next level. The 2 GB RAM variant of Zenfone 2 will be priced at $199 dollar and this will be the one contending against Zenfone 5. The final price will be revealed closer to India’s launch in the second quarter of 2015.
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