With the new-generation Zenfone 3 series, Asus has tried to put some high-end features in a sleek looking body-shell, albeit within a reachable range.
In the last few years or so, Asus has emerged as a strong player in the budget and mid-segment smartphones segment. And now in its quest to further strengthen its presence in the Indian market, the Taiwanese firm recently launched a number of new models. The Zenfone series is of course the mainstay of the brand here, so, Asus has added a brand new model to range in the shape of the Zenfone 3.
The new generation of Zenfone 3 series comprises 6 new models, with prices ranging between Rs. 18,999 and Rs. 62,999. The one which got our hands on this occasion is the ZE520KL variant. Let’s quickly get done with its highlights first – it’s a 5.2-inch IPS full HD display with Corning Gorilla glass while processing power comes courtesy a Snapdragon Octa-core Qualcom processor clocked at 2GHz. This particular device has 3GB of internal storage – which can be expanded to up to 2TB using a microSD card. The front camera is 8MP unit while the primary camera is 16MP.
Before you start gauging its performance though, the looks and feel of the Zenfone 3 are sure to impress you a lot. The shinning glass metal finish gives it an expensive feel, albeit it’s a bit of a fingerprint magnet. What we do love about this phone is its handy dimensions and it weighs only 144gm. The screen resolution is crisp and vibrant, and can be further enhanced using the in-built Asus Splendid application. But if there’s one thing about the phone that completely wins you over, it’s got to be its camera quality.
Since its camera is its main USP, we thought it will be good to test it by taking pictures of the exciting cars that we usually get to shoot for our magazine. Suffice it to say, the quality of the pictures produced by the phone impressed us no end. As you can see in the pictures, they aren’t pixelated or distorted, and are of high quality for a phone of this price.
What’s not to like? Well, the 2,650mAh battery runs out of juice a little too soon and hardly lasts for an entire day – even when your only usage is limited to regular day-to-day apps, it’s not sufficient. On the upside, it comes with Type-C charging port, which allows for a quick recharge. Overall, when you compare the features, camera quality and visual appeal of the Zenfone 3, it’s not hard to conclude that it’s a great phone at a great price.
