Asus Zenfone 4, Zenfone 5, Zenfone 6 are official - all powered by Intel Atom
Now that's a pleasant surprise from the guys at Asus! At its CES 2014 media event, the Taiwanese company announced a brand new smartphone series – the Asus Zenfone. The lineup's debut brings a trio of "high-value" smartphones called the Asus Zenfone 6, Zenfone 5, and the Zenfone 4.
We'll introduce you to the Asus Zenfone 6 first since it is shaping up as the most promising smartphone of the bunch. As the name implies, it is a handset with a 6-inch IPS touchscreen, the resolution of which is a rather disappointing 720 by 1280 pixels. But it is nice that the display can be operated through gloves. An Intel Atom processor is taking care of all the heavy computations – a 2GHz Z2580 CPU with Quad-Thread Hyper-Threading technology. That's not the fastest mobile processor out there, but it is a decently performing chip overall. There's also 1GB of RAM, a microSD card slot, and a pretty large, 3230mAh battery. The 13MP camera on the device features the so-called ASUS PixelMaster technology, but we aren't exactly sure how that's supposed to make its photos look better. Color options include Charcoal Black, Pearl White, Cherry Red, and Champagne Gold.
Asus Zenfone
Last on the list we have the Asus Zenfone 4, which is a rather modest Android offering. Its 4-inch display has an okay resolution of 480 by 800 pixels and its Intel Atom Z2520 processor runs at 1.2GHz. You also get 1GB of RAM, a 5MP main camera, and an embarrassingly small 1170mAh battery. Color options include Charcoal Black, Pearl White, Cherry Red, Sky Blue, Solar Yellow.
All of Asus's Zenfone smartphones will ship with Android 4.3 pre-installed. They will all, however, receive an update to Android 4.4 KitKat at a later time. Naturally, the user interface will be far from stock. ZenUI is the custom interface that Asus has come up with and it appears to be centered around rendering the phone easier to use without limiting its functionality. Asus has thrown in a free messaging platform powered by Omlet Chat. Those who do a lot of reading on their device will be pleased to know that a Smart Reader Mode has been implemented, adjusting the screen tone automatically, thus reducing eye strain.
Availability information for the Asus Zenfone series has not been disclosed. Pricing, however, has been announced - $99 for the Zenfone 4, $149 for the Zenfone 5, and $199 for the Zenfone 6.
source: Asus
ASUS Announces ZenFone 4, ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 6
New smartphone range offers various screen sizes, powerful Intel® Atom™ processors, several exciting colors and an exclusive user interface
Las Vegas, NV (January 6, 2014) — ASUS today announced ZenFone, a brand new high-value smartphone series that offers a choice of screen sizes ranging from 4 to 6 inches and is available in an array of striking colors — meaning there’s a ZenFone for everyone.
ZenFone also introduces ASUS ZenUI, an exciting new user interface that’s exclusive to ASUS smart devices. With simplified icons and menus, a selection of themes beautifully designed to match the device colors and a clever “What’s Next” feature that helps users keep track of their lives, ZenUI is the irresistible front end that proves fantastic functionality can have a friendly face.
ZenFone 4 — thin, light and powerful for energetic lifestyles
ZenFone 4 features a bright 4-inch display and a very responsive dual-core 1.2GHz Intel® Atom™ Z2520 processor with Quad-Thread Hyper-Threading Technology — making this a smartphone that never leaves the user waiting for a response.
ZenFone 4 is a great-value smartphone that features two built-in cameras including a high quality 5-megapixel main camera for capturing life’s moments, a slim and lightweight design along with five vibrant colors — Charcoal Black, Pearl White, Cherry Red, Sky Blue, Solar Yellow that make a personality statement .
ZenFone 5 — combines a spacious HD display with a highly portable design
ZenFone 5 features a bright and clear 5-inch IPS panel that delivers a superb high-definition display in a stunning thin and lightweight design for easy portability.
Exclusive ASUS PenTouch and GloveTouch technologies increase ZenFone 5’s display sensitivity, making it possible to use the device with any stylus or even a gloved hand so frustrations about how and when users can interact with their phones become outdated.
ZenFone 5 has a fast, energy-efficient Intel Atom Z2580 processor running at 2GHz that provides instantaneous responses and excellent gameplay. ZenFone 5 also benefits from a brilliant 8-megapixel PixelMaster main camera with image stabilization and a backside-illumination (BSI) sensor and wide-aperture f/2.0 lens with exclusive ASUS PixelMaster technology. This allows users to capture digital photographs that match those snapped by many dedicated digital cameras. Its 2-megapixel front camera takes sharp photos and provides high-quality video chat sessions.
ZenFone 5 is available in four statement colors that express your personality — Charcoal Black, Pearl White, Cherry Red, and Champagne Gold.
ZenFone 6 — perfectly blends productivity and entertainment on a beautiful 6-inch HD screen
ZenFone 6 also offers a brilliant 6” HD display and features GloveTouch and PenTouch technologies so users can operate the device with gloved hands or any stylus. It also has a powerful and responsive Intel Atom Z2580 processor running at 2GHz.
ZenFone 6’s large screen is complemented by ASUS SonicMaster audio technology with virtual surround sound via headphones for a truly immersive entertainment experience when watching movies, listening to music or playing games.
ZenFone 6 also includes a 13-megapixel main camera that features exclusive ASUS PixelMaster technology, and a 2-megapixel front camera for high-resolution video calls with friends, family and coworkers.
ZenFone 6 is available in the same personality statement colors — Charcoal Black, Pearl White, Cherry Red, and Champagne Gold.
ZenUI, open messaging and enhanced ASUS apps for Android
ZenFone 4, 5 and 6 all feature a new user interface from ASUS — ZenUI. Exclusive to ASUS smart devices, ZenUI is meticulously designed to help users make the most of the functionality enhancements packed into every ZenFone. ZenUI delivers a great user experience with ease of use and functionality enhancements. ZenFone knows what users need, helps to express their thoughts and feelings online and keeps them connected wherever they go.
ZenUI even includes free open messaging, powered by Omlet Chat on the Omlet Open Messaging Platform. This leading messaging tool lets users share almost any kind of content easily with anyone, on any phone — and all without racking up charges associated with sending traditional text (SMS) and picture (MMS) messages.
ASUS also added enhanced Android apps to every ZenFone device, making the phone simpler and easier to use for users. The ASUS-enhanced email app, for example, allows displaying of messages by thread to help keep track of conversations. Smart Reader Mode automatically adjusts the background tone to reduce eyestrain when viewing books, magazines or websites, while the Gallery app has enhanced online synchronization.
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