News & Reviews:   ASUS ZenFone 5 LTE A500KL

Versatile, powerful and affordably priced, the ASUS ZenFone 5 (A501CG) is currently one of the most well-balanced and versatile smartphones in the Malaysian market. So, what more could you ask from ASUS? 4G LTE? A non-Intel processor? This is exactly what ASUS hope to answer with the release of the ASUS ZenFone 5 LTE smartphone. While the ZenFone 5 LTE bears practically the same design how does it perform compared to it's 3G Intel powered smartphone sibling? To find out the answer to this and other questions, do check out our review of the ASUS ZenFone 5 LTE (A500KL) below.

Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor and packing in 4G LTE connectivity, the ASUS ZenFone 5 LTE or A500KL continues the ZenFone smartphone range promise of affordably priced yet attractive smartphones. While this is the first ZenFone we've seen to sport a shiny metallic purple back cover it certainly looks as good as the other ZenFone smartphones. The ASUS ZenFone 5 LTE is expected to cost around RM709 with the following tech specs. Nevertheless, if you're interested in seeing how this purple colour ASUS ZenFone smartphone looks like up close, do check out our ASUS ZenFone 5 LTE hands-on video:

• 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm MSM8926
• 5-inch display (IPS, 1280 x 720 pixel resolution)
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB storage + 5GB ASUS Web Storage + up to 64GB microSD
• Supports Single-SIM, 4G LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS
• 8MP rear camera (F/2.0, PixelMaster) + 2MP front camera (F/2.4, PixelMaster)
• Android 4.4
• Comes in Black, Gold and White
• RM709.00

Almost all of the ASUS ZenFone smartphones offer 3G connectivity, which for most Malaysians is more than enough. However, for those looking for a faster connection, ASUS Malaysia have come out with the ASUS ZenFone 5 LTE or A500KL. Featuring a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor that supports 4G LTE connectivity, the ZenFone 5 LTE offers nearly all the same tech specs and features as the 3G ZenFone 5 while maintening the same look and feel as the original. ASUS Malaysia were kind enough to provide us with a review unit for an unboxing video which you can see in this article.

ASUS are doing quite well with their new ZenFone range of smartphones and seem to be filling up every niche they can with the recent introduction of the ASUS ZenFone 5 LTE (A500KL) and 4.5-inch display ASUS ZenFone 4 (A450CG). Now, rumours are saying that a 5.5-inch display ZenFone could be coming, perhaps to be called the ASUS ZenFone 5 A550CG? Rumours indicate that it would come with the next processor refresh for the ASUS ZenFone range, perhaps powered by Intel SoFIA processors. We expect some tech specs to remain the same such as 2GB of RAM, 16GB storage, 4.5-inch display with 720 x 1280 pixel resolution, 8MP rear camera, 2MP front camera and 2110 mAh battery. No Malaysia release dates or pricing yet but rumours indicate that it could come during CES 2015. Right now, ASUS seem to be filling up the niches according to screen size and connectivity, but so far they have no Selfie centric offerings just yet. An ASUS ZenFone smartphone with a 5MP front camera doesn't sound too far fetched though but with all of these rumours, do remember to take them with a pinch of salt.

The ASUS ZenFone 5 LTE (A500KL) has already been on the market for some time but we finally got some more concrete numbers from Dynamics Distribution. While ASUS Malaysia have yet to come out with the official announcement, the main distributor in Malaysia has revealed that the local ASUS ZenFone 5 LTE will be priced at RM709, making it one of the more affordable 4G LTE devices in the Malaysian market. They also revealed the full tech specs list for the ASUS ZenFone 5 LTE which you can see below:

• 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm MSM8926
• 5-inch display (IPS, 1280 x 720 pixel resolution)
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB storage + 5GB ASUS Web Storage + up to 64GB microSD
• Supports Single-SIM, 4G LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS
• 8MP rear camera (F/2.0, PixelMaster) + 2MP front camera (F/2.4, PixelMaster)
• Android 4.4
• Comes in Black, Gold and White
• RM709.00

The ASUS ZenFone range of smartphones are selling quite well here in Malaysia, which could be the reason why they may be bringing in new models for it. This includes the ASUS ZenFone 5 LTE (A500KL) and the ASUS ZenFone 4 (A450CG). The major differences in these two new models is that the ZenFone 4 (A450CG) will sport a 4.5-inch display while the ZenFone 5 (A500KL) will have 4G LTE connectivity. Still no word from ASUS Malaysia on the exact tech specs for these smartphones but it could have tech specs that include an 8MP rear camera, 8GB storage, larger 1740 mAh battery and weigh in at 134g as opposed to the 115g of the ASUS ZenFone 4. Based on direct distributors, it seems that the ASUS ZenFone 4 (A450CG) is already available in the Malaysian market but the ASUS ZenFone 5 LTE has yet to be officially available.