News & Reviews:   ASUS ZenFone 6

ASUS has scheduled a press event on 5 January 2015, exactly a day before CES 2015. In the event, called "Experience 2omorrow", the company is expected to release a number of new ZenFone smartphones, including a 5.5-inch model. The entire event will be streamed live on the ASUS website. Most of the ZenFone models to be released next year are said to run on Intel's chipsets, just like current generation devices. There are also rumors that some may be powered by Mediatek processors. ASUS ZenFone smartphones are well-known for their decent specifications at an affordable price tag and the newer models are expected to retail under RM1100. The ZenFone smartphones running Intel chips are said to come with 4G LTE support and will be priced around $300 (RM1050). On the other hand, the Mediatek powered ZenPhones will be cheaper, around $150 (RM525) and will be limited to local Chinese markets. ASUS aims to launch the ZenFone lineup in 20 countries instead of the present 14 by next year. The company also plans to double its total units sold - from 8 million in 2014 to 16 million in 2015. The three main ZenFone models, the ZenFone 4, ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 6 were launched in Malaysia early this year and we expect these new models to come around the same time next year, perhaps in March or April 2015.

ASUS Malaysia recently announced that their online ecommerce portal, the ASUS Store is now officially open for business here in Malaysia. As mentioned earlier, key highlights of the site include the fact that ASUS devices like the ZenFone smartphones are sold at the recommended retail pricing. In addition, users have the option of paying for their devices either with Credit Card or cash on delivery (COD) so you don't need a credit card to get your favourite ZenFone. The first 20 ASUS Store customers who send in the redemption email can also get a free mystery gift while other freebies like a free bumper case for the ZenFone 4 smartphone are also available. ASUS Malaysia have said that more devices like the ASUS Fonepads, MeMO Pads and PadFones are expected to be sold at the ASUS Store soon, along with original accessories previously unavailable anywhere else.

Thanks to the GFX Benchmark database, we have some details about an upcoming ASUS ZenFone model. The device with the model number ASUS X002 was recently found in the database with a MediaTek processor. This marks a shift from the usual Intel processors found inside all the ZenFone models to date namely the ZenFone 4, ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 6. Tech specs include a 64-bit quad-core Mediatek MT6732 processor along with Mali-T670 GPU, 2GB RAM, 8GB storage which is expandable up to 32GB and a 5-inch display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. An 8MP rear camera at the back seems to confirm that it is a ZenFone 5 variant but this one also comes with a 5MP front camera marking it possibly as a selfie camera (other ZenFones pack in a 2MP front camera). It also supports a single SIM card slot and 4G LTE connectivity. It is expected in CES 2015 next year with a Malaysia release a few months later, sometime around April. No Malaysia release dates or pricing yet but we expect a drop in price considering the MediaTek processor.

Wanted to buy an ASUS ZenFone smartphone but got put off by distributors and sellers offering it at non-retail pricing? Well, ASUS Malaysia now have another option with their soft launch of the ASUS Store (http://store.asus.com/my). Designed to serve all the ZenFone smartphone buyers here in Malaysia, the site offers the ASUS ZenFone 4, ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 6 at the retail pricing of RM299, RM519 and RM699 respectively. Unlike other online stores, the devices for sale here are not going to be sold in batches. Instead, you can add them to your shopping cart at any time (sort of like a pre-order) and expect to get it within the next 1 ~ 2 working days. For East Malaysians the wait is extended by a day to 1 ~ 3 working days. So far, the number of colours available to choose from are limited but new colours like Yellow and Purple are expected soon. Also, there is no mention of the other ASUS ZenFone range of devices like the ZenFone 5 LTE or ZenFone 4 A450CG but we assume these should be added soon.

The ASUS PadFone series of smartphones feature smartphones capable enough to power a tablet dock and the new ASUS PadFone S could well be the best bang-for-your-buck PadFone of the bunch. Featuring water and shock resistance, 4G LTE, 4K and slow motion video recording the PadFone S is priced at a very affordable RM899. On top of that, it also has many more features and top-notch tech specs but for more details on that, do check out our full review of the ASUS PadFone S super smartphone in this article.

We could soon see new ASUS ZenFone smartphones and a new ZenWatch in the next 4 to 5 days as ASUS Japan has revealed a countdown timer page with teaser images of a ZenFone and a ZenWatch. While this could just be a local Japan release for the ZenWatch it seems unlikely for an existing ZenFone since most of them have already been released. There are still no Malaysia release dates or pricing for the ASUS ZenWatch smartwatch or for a new ZenFone smartphone just yet though. For Malaysia, ASUS have revealed the ZenFone 4, ZenFone 5, ZenFone 6, a ZenFone 4 with a 4.5-inch screen and the ZenFone 5 LTE. Is it the ZenFone 5 with a 5.5-inch display? The teaser image certainly seems so, as it looks too thin to be a ZenFone 4 and not wide enough to be ZenFone 6. Personally, we're still waiting for a ZenFone 6 LTE but it could just as likely be a refresh of the Intel Atom processors being used on the ZenFone smartphones. Stay tuned for more developments as the countdown time indicates we'll find out more on 28 November 2014.

As the phablet in the ASUS ZenFone smartphone range, the ASUS ZenFone 6 sports a larger 6-inch display to go with the usual great looks of the ASUS ZenFone smartphones. Other notable tech specs that set it apart include a 13MP rear camera with LED flash, a 2GHz Intel Atom processor and a 6-inch display with 1280 x 720 pixel resolution covered by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 3. We managed to get some hands-on time with it and put it through it's paces. From it's size alone, we feel that it would definitely be the gamer's ZenFone but do check it out for yourself in our hands-on video in this article.

The ASUS ZenFone range of smartphones are really making a big impact with their mix of well balanced design, great tech specs and features at very affordable pricing. The ASUS ZenFone 5 (A501CG) is the entry-level to midrange version of the smartphone and in our view is probably one of the most versatile smartphones in the Malaysian market. To find out why we think this is the ZenFone that can do everything check out our full review of the ASUS ZenFone 5 (A501CG) in this article.

The Android 4.4 KitKat update for the ASUS ZenFone 4, ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 6 is now available for download. Do note that ASUS Malaysia will be releasing the update in batches so if you haven't received the update notification yet, wait a while and it should be available soon. To update go to Settings > About > System Update > Check for update. As before, the update is supposed to be available for original ASUS Malaysia sets so do make sure which version you have first.

ASUS Malaysia has officially announced the availability of the 6-inch ZenFone 6 (A601CG) smartphone in Malaysia. While it has been available here and there, this is a newer version with a slower clocked Intel Atom Z2560 processor. As always, to get further info about where to buy your new ASUS ZenFone 6, do check out the ASUS Malaysia Facebook Page. For a refresher, tech specs and features for the ASUS ZenFone 6 include a 13MP PixelMaster rear camera, 6-inch Corning Gorilla Glass 3 covered display with 720 x 1280 pixel resolution, 2GB of RAM and 2MP front camera but now at much lower RM699 (the initially priced RM899 ASUS ZenFone 6 has a 2GHz Intel Atom Z2580). This RM699 pricing puts it closer to the overseas pricing and makes it a lot more attractive but do remember that you're gettting a slower clocked device. We expect a 4G LTE version to come out soon but the current ZenFone 6 (A601CG) still supports 3G and Dual SIM which is still good enough for most users.