This year ASUS wanted to prolong a little moment of glory to his Zenfone 2delaying the presentation of his (or her) iteration not in January, but five months later. A line was expanded Zenfone 5, the Zenfone Max, the Zenfone C and Zenfone Zoom among others, and after seen at Computex 2016 time seems to take a different pace, after attending the presentation of the new Zenfone 3 Zenfone 3 Deluxe and Zenfone Ultra, which we could try.
Design terminals that update with respect to the above while retaining many features like opt for the back to insert a physical button, but in this case we will have a fingerprint reader (this year itself) in any of the models presented. Finished in metal (at least partially) and betting on their own for screens and cameras technologies, new Zenfone seek to do more than just hawking rivals like the iPhone 6s. Will they make more than tickle the competition? For now we are left with these first impressions.
Thinness, aluminum and that special touch
If a concept is repeated during the presentation ceremony last Monday in Taipei by the local company was also the “incredible” of Jonney Shih, was the fact that their devices (both these and the Tansformers and Zenbook 3) they have been designed to break records in width, but precisely not. Beyond millimeters (also not know all models), if it is true that to sustain shows that are very fine terminals especially considering that all pass or at least equal the 5.5 inches, and without this compromise comfort.
Deluxe Zenfone here, as it does guess his name, stands, using the curve on the vertical axis with a center wider and thinner edges (4.2 mm). Meanwhile the Zenfone 3 and Ultra are flat with rounded edges and the three are comfortable, although here the case of a two – handed grip leaving no room for doubt case of giant 6.8 inches.
Yes, the finish of the rear of the Zenfone 3 (repeat: very, very Samsung Galaxy S7) can be treacherous and slip, something that does not happen in the Deluxe and Ultra with metal back. Here also the manufacturer, following the emphasis on design, has introduced a line of special editions with different finishes for 3 and Deluxe. And something that stands out above all regarding existing precedents and apparently coming competition: ASUS has ended the bands of the antenna.
They are large and thin clients, and something that is appreciated at first sight without either getting into specifications is a screen with much vividness and very small edges. Asus has pulled chest in what refers to the ratio between front and screen and you have to recognize that it has done very good work: neither low end of 75%, with 77% for the Zenfone 3 and 79% for the Deluxe and Ultra.
The remaining space is for the pendant, which the manufacturer has chosen to leave out of the screen being touch them from the outside. And here we find a small snag: in the case of Zenfone 3 and Deluxe (which have no physical button in the middle like Ultra) the Home button fails sometimes, so there would be room for improvement in sensitivity.
So, the bet has been mixed as to the type of screen. Older Super AMOLED panel mounted while for the Zenfone 3 have preferred a Super IPS + panel, yes, with Full HD for everyone. And, as we said, what we have also succeeded in all three cases is that the brightness and colors are remarkable achieving that feeling of vibrance especially enjoys in the case of the Ultra by the panel dimensions, with good viewing angles in all the cases.
This terminal will see that ASUS achieves its goal of satisfying in terms of multimedia use, very focused on who takes the TV. However, the fact of opting for the volume buttons on the back will be a challenge for the brave with small hands who choose it as a terminal, not being very comfortable as appropriate.
And that of Tru2Life +? Another steady trend in the presentations was the technologies and optimizations own manufacturer as attempts to differential features with respect to competition. As for the screen Ultra the company announced with great fanfare this proprietary technology in the 4K it resonated so much that resulted in a (convenient?) relatively widespread in terms of the resolution of the panel confusion.
What promises Tru2Life + is an emulation of 4K we see on TV with this resolution “optimizing each pixel before being issued”. And the truth is that visualization is more than satisfactory, but not noticed an excessive difference with the Deluxe (which does not).
Good answers and some questions
The shots of contact are not situations that can establish an accurate conclusion of the performance and power terminals, sometimes also with the tripping involving premature software and bugs when see how it works, but yes it is shown fluidity and how the machine behaves in certain as common as opening the camera from the lock screen actions. Here the three behaved and fulfilled, we have not seen any lag or unexpected shutdown and more heavy tasks like video games pass with flying colors.
Multitasking is opened without lag and here we already see some of the functions of the Zen UI layer software, which is updated to version 3. In addition to the customization and appearance it gives to the icons, are more management features like advanced notifications or Game Genie mode, although this is only time for the Ultra (being an assist when play available at all times). The per layer is not over burden in terms of these additions are quite useful.
The camera can also quickly open from the lock screen, and here again and nomenclatures own brand promises. The key here focus and stabilization, with the Asus TriTech technology for all and a combo of OIS + EIS for which is outlined as the jewel in the crown, the Deluxe.
You may also like to read another article on iMindsoft: ASUS Zenfone 3 Deluxe and Ultra: The renewal of the Zenfone 2 comes with a trio of phones
The meaning of these expressions? In theory TriTech tracking autofocus ensures an update of 0.03 seconds (i.e. that our goal is not moving focus almost at any time), and the combination of optical and electrical stabilization obtain videos without noise and defined in all light conditions.
This so we really want to try, in many conditions and make it more difficult (and easier), but so far have not seen a result too flashy in terms of stabilization in any of the three terminals. Few differences from one to another despite the distinction of HIA in the Deluxe (not others) and as a brand, we wanted to try it with an iPhone (in this case 6). This, without OIS, could have further stabilization in all three cases, although in the case of Zenfone had more definition and contrast.
What it is TriTech works fine. Beyond the little train demo that we showed in Snapchat, in practice we have seen that from the Zenfone 3 three autofocus pursued the selected object very effectively. Indoors with medium to high light cameras give good results both in macro and other frames without noise and sharpness.
Yes, of that selfie fone as a declaration of intent here the front does not stand out, with the appearance of watercolors (very little definition) as is usual in these illuminations. In fact, the specifications of these cameras have passed quite unnoticed in the presentation itself.
Well regarded and well regarded
It seems that Asus renewal axes have been designing and multimedia use, with special emphasis on the first Zenfone Deluxe and the second in the Zenfone Ultra. The feeling in hand is good and visualization as we have also said, with a plus in terms of audio reaching 145 decibels (measured this with moderate background noise).
Translated into words without figures: with all the noise pollution involving hundreds of people and their devices, the Ultra Zenfone could be heard without much problem at an average nip (about 30 cm) with two speakers at the base. In addition, we have found the audio quality in – ear headphones latter and are very good.
With readers for all competent and rear cameras (especially the Deluxe), Asus terminals have left good feelings in general, although here the manufacturer has decided to serve time those looking for a minimum of 5.5 inches its terminal. And something to keep in mind in this regard is that, as is usual for generations, Asus adds factory unlocking double tap, something that is appreciated much more in “large” terminals.