Asus Zenfone 2 review: A balancing act
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- Anonymous
- uEx
- 15 Apr 2015
Best Bang for the bux
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- AnonD-256570
- jxI
- 15 Apr 2015
Quantify, 15 Apr 2015Yes, once image optimization and stabilization is turned of... moreI wonder why with IS off, it is much better.
Hopefully it is on software that is fixable. Have you tried different camera app?
How "Bad" is the battery as you mean it? Last a day?
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- Anonymous
- XMF
- 15 Apr 2015
they know the battery suck as always, why dont they offer a removable battery with extra battery kit???.... sigh...
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- AnonD-363595
- Hku
- 15 Apr 2015
As much as it kills me to say this the Asus Zenfone 2 really disappointed everyone, thought of it as a new flagship destroyer. But the Oneplus One seems to be a far superior choice. But considering the price its compelling offer and surely kills all lower mid-range phones.
Also I think the top end version 4GB/2.3Ghz will definitely perform better bit not exceptionally better, just some better single core and multi core performance. Oh, and the visible difference in Antutu thanks to the Enormous RAM.
Imaging and image processing has never been an advantage for the Intel as they lag far far behind the Snapdragons and the Mediateks... But a change will come with some newer Intel chips.
Just waiting for the 4GB review. Maybe Asus will deliver better.
Peace!
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- AnonD-259899
- y0B
- 15 Apr 2015
This is why Intel chips are useless, luckily this phone will become even cheaper in a few months, that's all there is to it. I got a Asus Zenfone 6 for someone simply because it is cheap, never was expecting great battery because Intel ships are just not good enough to match ARM solutions even with their process advantage and they are not even using their best nodes for these chips. Heavily subsidizing the chips to make someone take them is the only way they can push out their stock pile of trash SoCs.
Camera is appalling on the Zenfone 2, the zenfone 6 does a better job, then again never expected good camera from a low end phone like this.
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- AnonD-222770
- 0GR
- 15 Apr 2015
A BIG disappointment!
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- alexv
- nmB
- 15 Apr 2015
Not very cheap after all. Poor camera (didn't expect that) also. And I had hoped the intel soc would Easily outpower an s800.
- Q
- Quantify
- sHm
- 15 Apr 2015
AnonD-256570, 14 Apr 2015So, once the IS gets turned off, the image and video qualit... moreYes, once image optimization and stabilization is turned off, still and video quality improve dramatically. This is from someone who owns a Lumia 1020, and a Z3 Compact. Battery is still an issue though. it's good enough...but not exceptional.
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- AnonD-209094
- m7I
- 15 Apr 2015
Anonymous, 14 Apr 2015i think LG G4 is worth for money than thisI don't follow, how is this a G4 challenger? You are not on the same page, price points far apart.
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- AnonD-209094
- m7I
- 15 Apr 2015
sidp31, 14 Apr 2015U should compare the 4gb ram model, rather yhan a 2 gb ramDisagreed. It's best to test the models that will be readily available in the stores in the targeted main markets. I promise it will be very hard to find the highest models in the markets Asus does well in, like Philippines. These phones aren't viable options for western high end buyers anyway.
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- ithehappy
- ute
- 14 Apr 2015
I don't understand the first sample photo in the camera section page. I mean looking at the sky that image is the most oversaturated image I have ever seen in my life! Or was the sky really that burning type of bluish?
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- Shankhadeep
- t1$
- 14 Apr 2015
I'm waiting for the launch of the zenfone 2 in India.
It's just awesome in below 20K range.
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- AnonD-256570
- jxI
- 14 Apr 2015
Quantify, 14 Apr 2015Yes, I have the 4GB/64GB version. It is very, very fast...... moreSo, once the IS gets turned off, the image and video quality improves? Because if 1080 becomes 480, that's real bad.
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- bitcoin
- ni5
- 14 Apr 2015
so low video resolution.
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- Marcel
- NCw
- 14 Apr 2015
Ahhh, finally the full review!
I can see people reticent about the size and weight, but my last phone was the Motorola Milestone 3, so this is bigger – I have big hands so I’m fine – and actually lighter. And honestly, I’m just fine with “bigger” bezels as long as it doesn’t look like the screen is cramped inside.
I would be very surprised if, by the time this comes here to North America, there are still two SIM slots. Roaming agreements tend to make phones mysteriously lose the dual capability.
I actually LIKE the power button at the top, and not with the volume rockers. I may be a minority, and again, with my long fingers, it would not be a chore for me. But then, I’m one of those weird people who almost always uses two hands on their phone...
But... that camera. WTF, Asus! My Milestone/XT860 was made four years ago and had an 8MP camera that was miles ahead of this! Photos weren’t as big, but they sure weren’t as messy as this... mess. Both video and photo look like they are upscaled from cheaper components. It can’t be a faulty software processing, can it? The mention of bad white balance shifting as you shoot is pretty much a deal-breaker on this app. Then again, “Quantify” below mentions image optimisation – I’d like the reviewers to speak up on this.
So if I do decide on this phone (trying it out in person is the last and most important test), it would be one where I still bring my actual digital camera when going somewhere I expect to take proper, real pics/videos – though checking this image optimisation will be the first and big test. I like the rest of the phone, and the battery life is plenty of real-life use for me. It may be the “worst” of its class, but if it still means well over a day and likely two (when not using the in-house browser), then it’s quibbling over benchmark scores.
(I was initially confused as the disadvantages on page 1 listed "no FM radio" then page 3 talked about the FM radio, but I see that was removed from page 1. I mean, if every non-crappy cassette player in the early 90s had a FM receiver, how tough can it be to put one in phones today...)
So now I’m cautiously optimistic...
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- Quantify
- sHm
- 14 Apr 2015
AnonD-256570, 14 Apr 2015You tried? I'm waiting to get the 4GB model. Also, anyone ... moreYes, I have the 4GB/64GB version. It is very, very fast...and it definitely uses battery faster than some of my other devices. Having said that, it's perfectly usable for me, so I'm continuing to use it.
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- AnonD-256570
- jxI
- 14 Apr 2015
You tried? I'm waiting to get the 4GB model.
Also, anyone know if the front cam REALLy only for video call? I doubt.
- Q
- Quantify
- sHm
- 14 Apr 2015
The reviewers did not turn off image optimization! Once this is disabled, camera quality improves dramatically. disappointing...
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- dph.abu.shofwan
- IV@
- 14 Apr 2015
the statement:
"The Zenfone 2 ZE551ML is well stocked on connectivity options. First off, there's quad-band 2G/GPRS/EDGE on both SIM cards."
is not true, at least from first hand encounters. while the second sim slot is indeed labeled as 2G, it is not able to access data (GPRS/EDGE). it is simply a GSM (voice and sms) sim slot.
however, there may be other versions, since we know than the name Zenfone 2 actually refers to a lot of models - so why not a model with data-capable slot 2 as well.
- ?
- Anonymous
- vxr
- 14 Apr 2015
according to this review the zenfone2 has bad battery and bad camera 13MP camera delivers unsatisfactory output