News & Reviews:   ASUS ZenFone 2

We'd like to say that we predicted it beforehand, but ASUS also announced the ASUS Zenfone Zoom ZX550 smartphone. According to ASUS it is the thinnest smartphone with a 3x optical zoom lens yet and features optical image stabilization (OIS), laser auto-focus and a 10-element lens. While it is built around the same tech specs as the ASUS ZenFone 2 with a 5.5-inch display it doesn't mention what processor or how much RAM it will be using, hinting that it could be using a still unnamed or unreleased processor, perhaps one of Intel's latest Cherry Trail Atom processors. Regardless of the processor, the Zenfone Zoom is estimated to arrive in Q2 of 2015 at $399 (RM1417). Check out the full tech specs below:

• Up to 128GB storage + 5GB ASUS Webstorage
• 5.5-inch display (1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, IPS, 403ppi pixel density, 400nits brightness, Corning Gorilla Glass 3)
• 13MP rear camera (PixelMaster, f/2.7 to 4.8-aperture, 10-element lenses, 3x optical zoom, optical image stabilization (OIS), laser auto-focus, dual-colour Real Tone flash) + 5MP front camera (PixelMaster, f/2.0 aperture, wide-angle 85 degree lens)
• 158.9 x 78.84 x 11.95 | 185g
• supports 4G LTE Cat4, 802.11ac WiFi, WiFi Direct, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, dual micro-SIM, GPS
• features Selfie Panorama, 400% Low-light mode, Backlight HDR, Enhanced one-touch beautification mode, Manual mode, Zero Shutter lag 
• 3000 mAh battery
• Android 5.0 Lollipop + ASUS ZenUI
• Available in Meteorite black / Glacier white

ASUS officially announced the ASUS ZenFone 2 ZE551ML smartphone at CES 2015 recently. Instead of offering 3 new versions of the original ASUS ZenFone 4, ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 6, the new ZenFone 2 is just a single size with a 5.5-inch display (which is a good direction we think). The overall rounded back and metallic front panel with concentric circle design remains the same but the bezel is thinner at 3.3mm while the side is also slimmer at 3.9mm. The back looks like brushed metal (but is probably still anodized plastic) and features a dual LED true tone flash (amber LED + white LED). As we predicted, there is a Rear Key control as well for volume and perhaps scrolling. According to ASUS, there will be two versions. Both will feature the same 5.5-inch display but the more premium one will be the world's first smartphone with 4GB of RAM while the other one will remain at 2GB of RAM. Other notable tech specs include a 64-bit 2.3GHz Intel Atom Z3580 processor and 5MP front camera retailing at $199 (RM707).