News & Reviews:   ASUS ZenFone 2 Malaysia

As we've been reporting all along, the ASUS ZenFone 2 is not coming to Malaysia in April 2015. In an official email, ASUS Malaysia has announced that the ASUS ZenFone 2 will be launched in Malaysia on 9 May 2015 at KL Live. If you want to be there at the launch, you can even register but only 1000 places are available. No news yet on which models would be available at the time but we expect even the ASUS ZenFone 2 ZE551ML with 4GB RAM to make an appearance as it is already available at third party sellers. We also expect other ASUS products to be available like the ASUS ZenFlash or ASUS ZenPower bank. No news on pricing yet but we think that the if ASUS wants to make a killing they're going to offer the ZE551ML with 4GB RAM at RM1099 inclusive of 6% GST (the original pricing was at around RM1049). Go check out the ASUS #IncredibleZenDay site to register.

The ASUS ZenFone 2 ZE551ML remains the only smartphone in the world to have 4GB of RAM and while it isn't the top-notch version packing in 64GB of storage, the 32GB storage version is available in Malaysia from RM1377. Coming courtesy of third party sellers like DirectD and SatuGadgetDotCom, this version of the ASUS ZenFone 2 ZE551ML offers tech specs like a 64-bit Intel Atom processor, 5.5-inch full HD display, dual SIM 4G LTE and ZenFone's pretty metallic design. We've already noted that the ZenFone 2 comes with many new features like double tap to wake, a manual mode for the camera and the ZenMotion gesture shortcuts from the standby screen but there could be more. Just bear in mind that these ZenFone 2 smartphones are likely international versions and therefore may not be able to get over-the-air updates when the official Malaysia version gets released (this happened before with the first ASUS ZenFone smartphones). We can't confirm this just yet though but we'll know more in just a few more weeks as we're going directly to the regional launch on 21 April 2015. No news yet on specific Malaysia release dates or pricing but considering that the initial price was at 8990 NT$ (RM1049) with 6% GST this could become RM1112 when it does come officially to Malaysia. 

With the ASUS ZenFone 2 all set for it's usual regional launch on 21 April 2015 we managed to score some hands-on time with the ZenFone 2 at the recent DirectD Gadget Mega Store grand opening. This revealed some interesting features including that we'll see the ZenFone 2 packing Android 5.0 and some other interesting camera features. These include a selfie panorama mode for the front camera, and a manual and super resolution mode for the rear camera. There is also a new ZenMotion feature which not only will allow you to double tap on the screen to wake it up or suspend it but also to draw gestures on it for quick shortcuts in standby mode. We're sure there's more than just those features but we'll be able to tell you more about these and others in the next few weeks so stay tuned.

ASUS recently sent out invitations for the launch of the ASUS ZenFone 2 range of smartphones. Like the original ASUS ZenFone range before it, it seems that the ZenFone 2 will be seeing a regional launch on 21 April 2015. While so many new smartphones have already been announced the ZenFone 2 remains the only smartphone in the world with a version packing in 4GB of RAM. Other tech specs look to be equally impressive with a 64-bit Intel processor, 4G LTE, 5.5-inch display, brushed metal design, rear controls and a better PixelMaster camera that allows you to see what others can't see. Pricing details have already been announced with the 5-inch display version with the model number ZE550CL, 2GB RAM and 16GB storage at just 4990 NT$ (RM582).

The 5.5-inch -display ZE550ML will come with a 720p display, 2GB RAM and 16GB storage at 5990 NT$ (RM699) while the ZE551ML 32GB storage version with a 1080p display is priced at 6990 NT$ (RM815). The most premium 5.5-inch 1080p display ZE551ML with 4GB RAM, NFC and 32GB storage version will go at 8990 NT$ (RM1049) and the version with 64GB storage will go for 9990 NT$ (RM1167). No exact Malaysia release dates or pricing yet but expect the recent 6% GST to raise prices somewhat. We also expect other ASUS Zen products to appear like the ZenFlash but it hasn't been confirmed yet if we will also see the ZenFone Zoom. Stay tuned as we'll be going over to cover it directly.

Currently the only smartphone in the world with 4GB RAM remains the ASUS ZenFone 2 ZE551ML. Featuring a 64-bit 2.3-GHZ quad-core Intel Atom Z3580 processor and high-end PowerVR Rogue G6430 graphics, quite a lot of people have been interested to see how it performs on the benchmarks. This was on top of earlier benchmarks with the ZenFone 2 ZE550CL which earlier scored 50000+ on AnTuTu. Thankfully, someone has come out with a number of benchmarks and unboxing photos. Unfortunately, it seems to be lower with a score of 47434. However, there could be a reason for this as other benchmarks like 3DMark and Geekbench report very high scores. We assume that the AnTuTu benchmark needs to be updated to run 4GB of RAM tests first before the true potential of the ZenFone 2 ZE551ML can be drawn out. Since Geekbench 3 is already cross platform it doesn't need to be optimized, resulting in a 912 single-core score and 2946 multi-core score places it on par with theSamsung Galaxy Note 3 and beating the Samsung Galaxy S5. We'll know more when we get a turn at the ASUS ZenFone 2 smartphones, so please wait patiently for the expected release in April 2015. 

About a month ahead of it's expected official release in Malaysia, the ASUS ZenFone 2 is now available from third party sellers like SatuGadgetDotCom and DirectD. Both are selling the ASUS ZenFone 2 ME550ML with a 1.8GHz Intel Atom processor, 5.5-inch display, 2GB RAM and 16GB storage tech specs at RM999 with limited stocks. Bear in mind that this probably isn't the Malaysia version, it also probably won't support ASUS Malaysia's OTA system updates and that the initial pricing was a 5990 NT$ (RM699). We expect the official Malaysia release date for the official Malaysia ASUS ZenFone 2 smartphones to come sometime in late April 2015 so you shouldn't have to wait too long but if you can't, well, now you know where to go.

ASUS has revealed a new premium smartphone in their upcoming ASUS ZenFone 2 range with a version packing in 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. Coming under the same ZE551ML codename as the other 5.5-inch display ZenFone 2 smartphones, this new addition will be priced at 9990 NT$ (RM1167). Other tech specs will still include a new 64-bit Intel processor, 4G LTE connectivity and full HD 1080p resolution for the 5.5-inch display. All things considered, this is still a very good price tag for a smartphone with all of these features and tech specs. No news yet if it also comes in a more premium gold or platinum colour but it should be revealed along with the other ZenFone 2 smartphones sometime in April 2015.

ASUS has recently released the ASUS ZenFone 2 for Taiwan with pricing for their 5-inch version and 5.5-inch 4GB RAM version. The release confirms the existance of a 5-inch display version with the model number ZE550CL, 2GB RAM and 16GB storage at just 4990 NT$ (RM582). The 5.5-inch -display ZE550ML will come with a 720p display, 2GB RAM and 16GB storage at 5990 NT$ (RM699) while the ZE551ML 32GB storage version with a 1080p display is priced at 6990 NT$ (RM815). The most premium 5.5-inch 1080p display ZE551ML with 4GB RAM, NFC and 32GB storage version will go at 8990 NT$ (RM1049). If this pricing remains the same for Malaysia, this is very competitive pricing as you wouldn't expect a 4GB RAM premium smartphone for just around RM1000. So far, these ASUS ZenFone 2 models are set for release in Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and France but we should expect a Malaysian release in April 2015. So far, the ASUS ZenFone 2 ZE550CL has scored impressively on AnTuTu and should be a good upgrade but there is still no news on the ZenFone Zoom yet.

As we near the regional launch time of the ASUS ZenFone 2, it remains the only smartphone to pack in 4GB of RAM. While we have yet to see any benchmarks of the 4GB RAM ASUS ZenFone 2, the 2GB RAM version was recently benchmarked with a massive score of 50401 on AnTuTu. This is higher than previous powerhouse Android smartphones but not as high as an NVIDIA Tegra X1 powered device. The benchmark confirmed tech specs like a 64-bit 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3580 processor and PowerVR Rogue G6430 graphics but showed that this could be the 5-inch display version as it only had 2GB of RAM and a 1280 x 720 pixel resolution. There are versions with a 5.5-inch display and 1080 x 1920 pixel resolution along with other tech specs like a 13MP rear camera. Malaysia pricing and release dates have not been confirmed yet but pre-orders have revealed that the 2GB RAM version could go for $299 (RM1076) while the 4GB RAM version may be offered at $439 (RM1580). The 5-inch version is expected to go for $199 (RM717) which should make quite a few users happier due to the very high AnTuTu score above. We expect the larger and higher resolution display to weigh down the AnTuTu score somewhat but the 4GB RAM should offer a bit more of a boost than the 2GB version. The ASUS ZenFone 2 is expected to arrive sometime in March or April 2015.

Initially announced for $199 with 64-bit processors and other improved tech specs, the ASUS ZenFone 2 has been spotted up for pre-order ahead of any official release. The bad news? It seems that the $199 price tag is for the 5-inch display ASUS ZenFone 2. The larger 5.5-inch display versions will start pre-order pricing from $299 while the 4GB RAM equipped version will be priced from $439. While these are not bad prices for the hardware being offered, we can just hear the sighs of disappointment from all the Malaysians who were waiting for a better value smartphone. That being said, ASUS Malaysia could still offer some interesting pricing so don't despair so soon. No Malaysia release dates but as before, we expect a regional launch in late March or April 2015.