Asus Zenfone 3 Ultra ZU680KL

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• AnonD-606854
• S3F
• 13 Nov 2016

Mary, 09 Nov 2016Hello! Have you tried conversation over the speakerphone? D... more@Mary (some more)
I have no complaints on voice quality and I've been spending a whole lot more on the this phone using the mobile/cellular network. I wonder if some people have not updated their Android via ASUS. I've received 3 updates in the last fortnight - and on each occasion I can feel the phone working sweeter and sweeter. Skype calls are just super brilliant!! Very clear indeed and I think this must be due to the sound processing technology in this phone.

ASUS seems far more responsive than Samsung in their customer care. The so-called bloatware on the phone is actually to connect customers directly to their forums, help services, updates and call centres. It's been lovely.

The fingerprint sensor is super fast. Noticeably faster than Note 7. I really don't miss Iris recognition. Touching the fingerprint sensor in sleep mode gets you in almost instantly.

Power management options are also exciting. It probably was on a Samsung phone too - I don't know - but on ZF3ultra I can easily select an option to turn off internet networks after I put the phone to sleep (not turned off). I'm very happy with that, cuz it conserves power by avoiding the phone regularly using juice to keep live internet connections. And for me - I don't like being disturbed by emails and chat messages coming in at certain times. Of course this feature is optional and configurable to individual needs - so you can keep it in the default mode to receive stuff all the time. I like the option because when in sleep mode (with screen off - phone still on), I can see very easily how little juice it uses. I could leave this on sleep with internet off and it'll use only about 2% juice in a whole day - and still be able to receive regular calls. How lovely is that!! Very!

Oh I forgot to add in my review that ZF3Ultra has an FM Radio to pick up digital stations! I love it. I only occasionally use the radio - but it's still a joy to have.

And finally - WAZE - been using this as my SatNav when phone is placed in carphone holder, and I'm now jumping around for joy while at the steering wheel cuz it's so lovely!! (Joking of course). Ditched TomTom Mobile as it repeatedly failed to install. Waze works absolutely lovely on this phone - much better than on Note 7. The juicy big screen just works so well with Waze - colours are nice, view is sharp and no need to rock forward in your seat to see what's happening on Waze. Voice overs through Bluetooth from Waze are very clear.

I apologise if I appear to be selling this phone. As I mentioned before I have no interest in ASUS and have no brand loyalty to any manufacturer of phones. I'm just so overjoyed with the ASUS Zenfone 3 Ultra that I have to shout about it. It recently won over the competition in one showdown here: https://youtu.be/90ssjv28fnU (cut and paste to browser or search Gagetmatch channel on YouTube).

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• D
• AnonD-606854
• S3F
• 13 Nov 2016

Mary, 09 Nov 2016Hello! Have you tried conversation over the speakerphone? D... more@Mary

Yes of course. My experience is overwhelmingly good on voice calls. Keep in mind that I defected from Samsung phones after several years!! I'll give my experience.

Speakerphone conversation: Loud - very loud. Very clear. No lag on either side of conversation (and I used to get some lag with the Note 7 - good riddance.) In fact speakerphone is so loud and juicy that you feel the other person is in the room with you. Voice sounds very natural.

I also use the Zenfone 3 ultra handsfree on Bluetooth connection in my car. Again this is overwhelmingly lovely compared to Note 7 or any other Samsung I've had. No microsecond lag, that you might normally live with and think that it's due to poor signal. It's not poor signal, I discovered. It's phones that struggle cope with voice to and fro. Well Zenfone 3 Ultra is the master of voice and sound. This thing more than copes. It's got reserve power. Note 7 was fussy about connecting to Bluetooth in the car even when I listed the car as a trusted connection. No such hassles with ZF3Ultra.

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• ?
• Anonymous
• LdS
• 11 Nov 2016

Why there's no review of the zenfone 3 ? ultra? deluxe? Are top phones available since settember , but other lower brands are quickly reviewed instead . I believe it's not fair talking all day about xiaomi samsung sony and others

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• M
• Mary
• 0Ef
• 09 Nov 2016

AnonD-606854, 05 Nov 2016A lot of folk do not really understand the ZUK680KL. I can ... moreHello! Have you tried conversation over the speakerphone? Do people on the other side hear you? I have read complaints about this - that when talking over the speakerphone, people on the other side can't hear you. Have you tried this, If not, please try and reply. I like this phone and want to buy, but this thing worries me. Thank you!

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• O
• Omid46
• auJ
• 08 Nov 2016

Speaking frankly.An uppermost midrange class Taphlet(above 5.7-6.99 inches phablet!),with quite high design,features,and features in midrange,and drop of price as I see on my left side device...64 GB+4GB inside plus external memory is a good choice for those whom can afford it based on freedom of choice....Waiting for the complete gsmArena review!!?Justice Rights....

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• B
• Buyer beware
• BDm
• 08 Nov 2016

Be sure to see what owners of the previous generation Zenfone 2 have to say before making any decision...

http://www.gsmarena.com/newscomm-18792.php

And ASUS's own Zenfone 2 forums...
https://www.asus.com/zentalk/ph/forum.php?mod=vi­ewthread&tid=98381&extra=page%3D1&pa­ge=16&mobile=2

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• Z
• Zen
• 25I
• 07 Nov 2016

AnonD-606854, 05 Nov 2016A lot of folk do not really understand the ZUK680KL. I can ... moreVery well said and comprehensive,i have decided on this phone.

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• AnonD-606854
• S3F
• 05 Nov 2016

A lot of folk do not really understand the ZUK680KL. I can say this having viewed every YouTube video (in English) and having read over 30 online reviews. I decided to purchase and it arrived in my hands 5 days ago.

Oh what an experience - and pretty different to much of the negative sentiment on this phone. For sure no phone will suit everybody. This phone is no longer in the class of 'phablet' which is phone growing into tablet range. This is now a proper 'tabphone' - a tablet that has become a phone.

If like me, you:
1. Like a truly generous screen size.
2. Like viewing lots of photo and video content.
3. Want excellent sound quality for phone conversations, skype or music
4. Enjoy occasional games on your phone
5. Are not too fussed about S-pens (like on some Samsung Note models)
6. Want a truly responsive organisation behind your phone.
- then this could be the phone for you.

Some folk have not understood how to adjust the phone's setting for their needs and have drawn wrong conclusions. This phone is a new direction. Yes - people will complain it's too big, just as they did when Samsung launched the Note 2, then the Note 4 etc. All the complaining has stopped on large phablets in the last few years. I saw many tiny oriental girls walking around London happily enjoying their large phablets. So, I have to wonder if hand size in the UK has increased. LOL.

Asus has married the hardware very nicely to the software. The phone has worked better than the Note 7 for me - bye bye Samsung!! This phone is far better value for money than similar competition, for folk with my sort of needs. [It came to me with a proper UK charger - for folk in the UK who need to know - but do check with your supplier, if you intend to purchase.] Some will look at Antutu scores on YouTube vids and think this is a weak phone - it isn't!! It just works the SnapDragon 652 processor more synergistically - so no need for a powerhouse like an iPhone 7. But it's fine if people wanna pay far more to feel good. I like spending on something that is a reasonable balance between price and quality - so that's why I got it. I made a mistake in purchasing Note 7 - which was so hot, that it caused fires.

The camera is a joy. I can't actually see a difference between photo quality on the ZUK680L comparing it to Samsung Note 7. Video quality is superb. I have not been left wanting more. The rear camera features are much more and very easy to navigate. You're really spoilt for choice with options but these are not presented in a confusing way. The front camera is just fine - ignore the critics.

I was well surprised by the video and sound quality, having viewed the several reviews I mentioned above. The screen is bright and rich in colour. Viewing is sharp and pleasing to my eyes. I don't miss my Note 7 at all!! I like to play NFS occasionally and it's just lovely - no glitches, no freezing up, no stuttering of video - just brilliant.

Asus has really put their heads to the issue of sound quality. You just have to hear the sound to understand - I can't explain sound in this report. This thing beats back any Samsung phone I've had over the last 10 years on sound - all sorts of sound. The Asus headphones are well matched to this phone. Headphones fit very well in the ear. This is not a cheap looking or sounding pair of headphones. I've heard stuff in the music that I had not appreciated on any other phone I've owned. The sound in movies is truly cinematic - I really can't explain this either. It's something to experience - it's mind blowing - shockingly and delightfully exciting! I'm not joking or exaggerating.

This is a dual-sim phone. The first sim slot is for a sim (obviously). The second sim slot can hold another sim or micro-SD card memory expansion up to 4TB (on SD cards that haven't been invented as yet). There are ways of using the second sim slot as both a sim and an SD card expansion so you'd have 2 sims and memory card all working at the same time (YouTube is your friend - but I am not recommending this as, I don't know if this would void a warranty).

There have been complaints about bloatware. This is from people who do not understand what Asus is trying to achieve. They've provided some really good software that maximises the use of the tabphone - and ease of use with your desktop or laptop. So I do not see this as bloatware.

It's a heavy phone - 235g - but I didn't suffer any cramps lifting it. LOL. It's important to get a really sound case that provides the best protection. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. The corners and screen are likely to suffer first in any fall. [Avoid cheap cases that originate in the far east - had one and returned it for a refund]. BeCool provides a good glass screen protection - got it - fits easily and no problems. Of course, I don't intend to do a drop test.

I don't work for Asus and I have nothing against Samsung or any other phone-maker. I'm now just a hopeless addict for this phone and ama shouting about it!! So, do forgive me.

[DISCLAIMER: NO guarantee of satisfaction or performance is provided in making this review. No liability accepted for any inadvertent errors above. I have not been paid to make this review. I hold no pecuniary interests in Asus, and do not intend to in the future.]

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• ?
• Anonymous
• iCR
• 02 Nov 2016

Mary, 01 Nov 2016Where did you buy your phone from?amazon.com

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• M
• Mary
• 0Ef
• 01 Nov 2016

@MA78, 01 Nov 2016Thats right. Despite rumors and my hesitation so i bought ... moreWhere did you buy your phone from?

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• @
• @MA78
• 6wt
• 01 Nov 2016

Fizo, 29 Oct 2016Its true... I recently bought this phone... And now it sta... moreThats right.
Despite rumors and my hesitation so i bought the phone as well.
All i can say that its true...some claim that they dont have that problem though...strange...
Now that i have the phone in my hand and iam calling around people...turning on and off the speakerphone on conversations.. As soon as the speaker phone is on.... people are screaming...are you there?.... lost u!....Can`t hear you...blablablabla...
Damn disappointed.

I mean really to all of you out there ...probably who is interested for this phone; has the common things.. namely...
All we wanted ..that we needed a bigger screen combined with good specs.
But nobody want such extrem flaw in a phone that priced that much.

I would like to describe Asus with simple meaning:
A ridiculous company that exaggerates itself.

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• T
• Tazz
• Iaa
• 01 Nov 2016

Asus should understand the niche of Indian market, after releasing asus zenfone 3 ultra way back in May. If Asus does does not make this phablet available in the Indian market at the earliest it will loose against its competitors. Its a hell lot of waiting period for this phablet in the Indian market.

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• F
• Fizo
• v3A
• 29 Oct 2016

@MA78, 28 Sep 2016Right. Huawei P8 Max is very similar to ZU680kl due to its ... moreIts true... I recently bought this phone... And now it start giving me a problem... The speakerphone malfunction just like qhat u said... Poeple on the other side cant hear us... And now the I cant charge the phone... Its not connected! Really upset and regret!

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• D
• AnonD-500535
• 01Y
• 29 Oct 2016

Hi, i would like to know anyone using this phone in Canada on rogers LTE network and did you have any problems with the LTE signal? Thanks

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• T
• TJ
• kNI
• 26 Oct 2016

Does this phone work with AT&T's 4G LTE in the United States?

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• G
• GG Phablet user
• SdW
• 24 Oct 2016

This device seems a well designed phablet for those who find good use of a combo, light and powerful multimedia handset. It very well replaces a high end tablet and an alternative phone. There are hundreds of thousands who are just waiting for it to be availble. Millions would grab if priced correctly. Surprising to see why Asus does not recognise this market niche ? It is over six months and not yet easily available !

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• AnonD-600958
• dW2
• 22 Oct 2016

GSMArena wrote that it has a infrared port, but it doesn't. It has a IR sensor for the camera but not for controling some IR devices, for example TV, dSLR and such... As LG G3, G4 and G5 has IR so that you can control these devices.
Is that true?
Thanks! :)

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• T
• Tuhog
• pX7
• 20 Oct 2016

AnonD-595602, 09 Oct 2016I've had mine (4gb & 64gb)a couple of weeks now (this h... moreDid you purchase your ultra in an online store? If yes, appreciate if you can please share the link. Thanks advance

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• r
• rj23
• xCD
• 15 Oct 2016

Dason, 13 Oct 2016I just held the Asus Zebfone 3Ultra in my hands a few minut... moreNice comment! I was about to get this phone yesterday but I was informed about the pre ordering of the LG V20 that would give me a chance to own a 200GB micro sd slot and an extra battery. I was really after the size of this phone but when I saw the price, it's on the same category as the V20 already and when I got a chance to see the LG's device I was shocked at the way it performed! So fast and the screen is fantastic! The camera is great and the freebies are hard to resist! If only Asus made the price a little cheaper than the V20, I could have chosen it over LG.

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• D
• AnonD-597782
• GT9
• 14 Oct 2016

Anonymous, 12 Oct 2016Definitely the Asus zenfone 3 Ultra has a better camera com... moreCould you please check the auto focusing between the close subject and far away subject continuously? I found 2 video in the youtube that zenfone 3 ultra is frequently stuck the focus to the subject.

please check this video
3.05 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ-vU5rrnTE&t=201s
12.23 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZee8Jhb2ik&t=759s

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