The role of ASUS in the world of smartphone has been nothing traditional or conformist since its inception. Of them, we met the Padfone who became tablet and failed to take hold in the market. But even its more traditional terminals always contributed something differentiators. With the ASUS ZenFone Zoom back to the path of offering something quite different.
This large smartphone supports its appeal on the camera. Specifically, in the optical 3x zoom. Put it there does not come free, so in our analysis of ASUS Zenfone Zoom we have focused on knowing what sacrifices have to take to go around the world with a phone that allows us to the scene with three real increases.
Zenfone Zoom: Main features
This ASUS Zenfone Zoom can place it in a mid-range premium or almost high. As you can see below in the data sheet, some of the elements that correspond to other high – end potential, but finishes and many more aspects, we have corresponds to an average range.
| ASUS ZENFONE ZOOM | |
| PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS | 158.9 x 78.84 x 11.95 mm 185 grams |
| SCREEN | 5.5 inch IPS |
| RESOLUTION | 1,920 x 1,080 pixels, 403 dpi |
| PROCESSOR | Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 Dual Core 2.5 GHz |
| GRAPHICS PROCESSOR | PowerVR G6430 |
| RAM | 4GB LPDDR3 |
| MEMORY | 64/128 GB + microSD (up to 128GB) |
| VERSION | Android 5.0 ZenUI 3.0 |
| CONNECTIVITY | LTE Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac aGPS + GLONASS Bluetooth 4.0 NFC |
| CAMERAS | Rear: 13 MP 3X optical zoom and OIS // Video FullHD Front: 5MP |
| BATTERY | 3000 mAh (non-removable) |
| ACCESS TO GOOGLE PLAY | Yes, standard |
| OTHER DATA | No fingerprint reader |
| STARTING PRICE | From $399 |
ASUS has with the ZenFone 3 the path started with the ZenFone 2, one of the first mid-range high-flying. ZenFone Zoom monopolizes the inside good arguments, without outstanding gaps except the version of Android or physical dimensions.
The display features an IPS panel with 1080p resolution, processor and RAM and left over and the internal memory has not declined much less: 64 and 128 GB, which are also expandable with microSD cards. The battery, with 3000 mAh is correct but we expected more capacity given the thickness of the terminal.
As we go reeled in the full analysis of ASUS Zenfone Zoom, which maca differences and makes the price terminal rises above what would correspond to other elements, is the camera. Or more specifically its optical zoom of three increases. See how far it is able.
You’ll notice that you’re wearing safe
Let ‘s start being honest and realistic. The ASUS Zenfone Zoom is neither discreet nor comfortable to wear. We are facing a great terminal where neither weight nor thickness was possible to reduce them. It is true that are 5.5 inches, but a thickness of almost 12 mm and weight of 185 grams are far from what you can get today in the middle range. But that shouldn’t detract optical zoom does not project anybody or make noise when it works.
For a mid – range premium that you intend to compete, the finishes are pretty good terminal has rounded shapes that make it comfortable in hand, and the metal frame gives a much packaging level, certainly the best design terminal. And we just do not like the rear, which is perhaps most misleads us because the intention may be good but the execution not so much.
The rear simulates skin to give classier but the result is vulgar and slippy. And that with a large smartphone, is very dangerous. A housing with some texture, even plastic, probably would have been better.
Of, well built, physical buttons with which we were engaged ASUS shooting. Take the terminal in landscape is its level design strong point because we feel that is stable, we can grab him forcefully and press the shutter button with safety and reliability. Not having to resort to screen a decision has been the most successful for ASUS.
All other aspects of the design have been equally well thought out. The volume controls on or fit perfectly into the metal market and are quality, and the only two connections are available to the headphone port on the top and the microUSB charging at the bottom. ASUS also adds a spot in the lower left corner to place an accessory to wear wrist hanging up the phone if they want.
In the back of the camera does not go unnoticed, and everyone will realize it is not just any terminal and there is something special about. What has not placed ASUS has a fingerprint reader, and we missed it. One quickly get used to the good.
Performance more than adequate despite the layer on Android
Hardware ASUS Zenfone Zoom meets the range in which to compete. The company insists the combination of processor Intel Atom Z3580 / Z3590 with 4 GB of RAM. With it makes the terminal operate smoothly all the time.
That comment is not just any eyeballing ASUS layer on Android, which is indeed 5.0 although we are at the end of 2016. Too bad in that regard.
In the ZenUI, which is like ASUS called his coat, there are so many customization options and applications both ASUS and third, that overwhelms. But almost everything is well integrated and can play with the options. Not a layer but for anyone who likes personalization, will not be disappointed either by chance or by operation.
What saves ASUS of his “audacity” to the layer is that, despite all the extra and particularity of the appearance of “Your Android” smartphone is fluid. A lot.
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Display and battery: just as expected
ASUS has not fallen into the mistake of placing an optical zoom on a display terminal contained. Because you have to sacrifice size, do less to take advantage. So in this Zenfone Zoom we got a 5.5-inch screen that except for the bottom, it is not bad to use the front.
The IPS panel is a good visualization colorful, but is somewhat lacking brightness. Especially outdoors, it is quite noticeable, with reflections not reduced Gorilla Glass protection 4.
On the resolution, 1080p give us a 400 dpi pixel density, minimum data we require in this diagonal. Logically against high-end panels QuadHD but no difference in overall terms, both quality and resolution fits what we paid for it.
Above average autonomy
Another aspect that theoretically benefited the “laxity” of Zenfone Zoom with its dimensions was the battery. They are 3,000 mAh that may sound few for the size, thickness and weight of the equipment, but that has been enough to reach the average we are demanding style terminals this year.
With a fairly intensive use we surpass the day without any problem, being especially efficient when the screen is in use. At the end of the day it is likely to be near 35-40% battery remaining, but although we tried, go beyond the day and a half it is impossible.
Charging is done by a micro USB port, no USB-C for now. And it takes more than two hours to be fully recharged.
ASUS has not left without saving modes energy to this terminal. And there are many, from basic to manage the brightness or CPU to control the range to modes where networks are disabled when the terminal is not used or others where the ASUS becomes a featured phone basics. If we want to customize the behavior no possibility to create our own way of energy now.
How far we can go with the 3X zoom
Among the photographic projects smartphones, even before the double cameras, there were occasional attempt to provide a mobile phone optical zoom. The most important was the 10X Galaxy S4 Zoom, more than three years ago. Now we have on the market a new attempt called Zenfone Zoom.
Powered by Hoya, this offers consumers ZenFone Zoom zoom 28-84 mm we can go using the volume controls up and down. Creating Hoya, despite being large in size, it is not bad achieved in terms of thickness. The system is composed of as pherical glass lenses that move using two stepper motors.The result is a true optical zoom, as we shall see, is the only relevant camera of this smartphone.
Because one thing is theory and another the result. You close up detail without loss of quality is appreciated. The problem comes when the basis on which it is based is so far from what a mid – range sensor even comparably priced offers us today. The key is how much you’re willing to sacrifice, because you have to do, especially in night scenes.
The main sensor is 13 megapixels, balanced resolution for the current market. But neither size nor the accompanying brightness, and we have an opening starting f2.7 to f4.8 when we use reaches the maximum 3X zoom. Unfeasible to collect the necessary light so that it can compete with even much cheaper models. The optical stabilization little that counts can help with this base.
In scenes with good light the results are correct, but only that. Meet without fanfare, highlighting the focus laser, the fastest we’ve encountered in a smartphone. And of course the power to approach the detail of a scene without having to cut resolution and be done with any other terminal. But overall the little opening and size of the sensor causes if there is insufficient light, have a tendency to underexpose.
The worst comes to the absence of light, where neither sharp nor light control is up to the price of this terminal. Playing with night mode or manual controls can get better results, but in automatic mode and aim and shoot, the sensor is behind the mid range level with which it competes on price.
A hit ASUS is found in the camera interface. It is simple but allows manual control of many parameters that matter, such as sensitivity, exposure compensation, white balance or sharpness of images.
In the interface should include the histogram, something we’ve seen just the LG G5 do, and that gives us more control over which photo will be able to get without being drawn into (in some terminals is actually “fool”) for the preview.
In video mode, ASUS does not give us the opportunity to have 4K recording, a point that many users consider it necessary to think about buying a smartphone. And we believe that boasts one camera should be. If so ASUS had placed a successful physical button dedicated video recording next to the photo.
The results of recording video at 1080p are correct, but does not help that the optical stabilization cannot be used if no resolution down to 720p. One assumes that if any, apply in regular use, so we do not like these “surprises by accident”.