News & Reviews:   ASUS ZenFone Zoom

The invites are out and we now know that the ASUS ZenFone Zoom will finally be arriving here in Malaysia on 13.1.2016. Tech specs and features include an Intel Atom processor and a 13MP rear camera with laser autofocus, 3x optical zoom and optical image stabilization. Quite clearly, the ZenFone Zoom is targeted at the smartphone photographers out there but there are still no Malaysia pricing details just yet. In the meantime, check out the videos and tech specs in this article.

The ASUS ZenFone Max was also announced with the the ZenFone 2 Laser but had several major differences. This includes a first generation ZenFone design with the buttons on the side and a metal frame. However, its biggest tech spec or feature is probably its massive 5000 mAh battery (the same as a large tablet) while packing in a 13MP rear camera with laser autofocus and dual tone LED flash. It also looks like it will have an artificial leather back as indicated in a recently released promo video (which you can see below).

The power sipping Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor no doubt helps increase battery life exponentially so if you're looking for a premium yet affordable ASUS ZenFone, then this could be the one to wait for. No specific Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet but it could be a sign that the ZenFone Max is coming to Malaysia soon. This is in line with earlier reports that we would be seeing the ASUS ZenFone Max and ZenFone Zoom in December 2015. Some tips from friends in the industry say it could be coming as soon as next week, so stay tuned for more details.

We've been waiting for the ASUS ZenFone Zoom for a while now and it looks like the rollout has begun with the official release of the ASUS ZenFone Zoom ZX551ML in Taiwan. So far, 2 versions have been released at 13990 TWD (RM1809) for the 64GB storage version with a 2.3GHz Intel Atom Z3580 processor while the 128GB storage and 2.5GHz Intel Atom Z3590 processor version is going for 15990 TWD (RM2067). A new addition looks to be an artificial back as well which you can see on the ASUS Taiwan site.

Our initial hands-on pics of the ZenFone Zoom had it with plastic back but the rounded metal frame and all the other features remain the same. These include the signature 13MP rear camera with 3X optical zoom, laser auto focus, optical image stabilization and dual LED flash. Other tech specs include a 5.5.5-inch FHD display, 4GB RAM, Android Lollipop, 4G LTE and a 3000 mAh battery. No specific Malaysia release dates yet but earlier reports have the ZenFone Zoom coming to Malaysia this month with the ZenFone Max.

The ASUS Zenfone Zoom due for Malaysia soon has appeared at China's TENAA who have certified the device. Besides the leaked image, the tech specs are also revealed and it packs some serious power:-

• Quad-core 2.3GHz CPU
• 4GB  RAM
• 64GB expandable internal memory
• 5.5-inch IPS display with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
• 158.9 × 78.84 × 11.95 mm
• 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front shooter
• GSM, TD-SCDMA, TD-LTE, LTE FDD, WCDMA, 3G, Bluetooth, GPS, and USB 
• Android Lollipop (5.0)

An Anonymous source recently gave us some hands-on time with the upcoming ASUS ZenFone Zoom earlier dated for a December 2015 release here in Malaysia. Our first impressions of the ZenFone Zoom is that while it retains features of the ZenFone series (concentric circles, etc.) it doesn't look like any ZenFone we've seen so far, in a very good way. 

Asides from the ASUS ZenFone 2 Laser series, ASUS Malaysia recently held a media briefing that revealed a roadmap of coming ZenFones for 2015. This includes the ASUS ZenFone 2 Deluxe Special Edition, ASUS ZenFone Zoom and ASUS ZenFone Max. The ASUS ZenFone 2 Deluxe Special Edition will feature all the highest-end tech specs including a 64-bit Intel Atom processor, 4GB RAM and 128GB storage. ASUS will also include a 128GB microSD card as part of the package for a still unknown price tag sometime in November 2015. The ZenFone Zoom on the other hand offers a 3x optical zoom without any telescoping lens while the ZenFone Max will pack in a 5000 mAh battery, both with expected Malaysia release dates in December 2015. No pricing details yet, but we expect the ZenFone Deluxe Special Edition and ZenFone Zoom to range from at least RM1000 and above. While the battery is massive, the other tech specs on the ZenFone Max are decidedly midrange indicating a price tag of around RM799 or RM899 for the ZenFone Max. Stay tuned the next couple of months for more information.

The recently announced ASUS ZenFone 2 Deluxe looks to be getting an upgrade as the ASUS ZenFone 2 Deluxe Special Edition was recently announced for Brazil, this time packing in 256GB of storage over the previous 128GB. While 128GB is already huge, 256GB should make this Special Edition the videographers go to cameraphone along with other professionals who work with large files. Other tech specs remain the same as before though with a 64-bit 2.5GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3580 processor, 4GB RAM, up to 128GB microSD slot and 5.5-inch FHD display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3. There are also a 13MP Pixelmaster rear camera with double tone LED flash, 5MP front camera and 3000 mAh battery. It will have two backplates, an angled black line version and a white Illusion pattern. So far there are no Malaysia release dates or pricing details but it seems unlikely that it will reach Malaysia through official channels anytime soon, considering that we still haven't got the ZenFone Zoom and are now just getting the ZenFone Selfie next weekend. It'd be great if we were wrong, but if you still want the ASUS ZenFone 2 Deluxe Special Edition keep an eye on third-party sellers like SatuGadgetDotCom or DirectD.

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. 

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.

At a launch for their new ASUS Fonepad 7 FE171CG tablet and other devices, ASUS Malaysia have confirmed that the upcoming ASUS ZenFone 2 and ZenFone Zoom will be coming to Malaysia sometime in Q2. No exact Malaysia release dates or pricing details were offered but we should know more around March or April 2015. They have said that there will be no supply issues like the previous ASUS ZenFone range of smartphones and we hope that that will remain true when the actual relase date rolls about. They also revealed that the first-generation ASUS ZenWatch would not be coming to Malaysia but have not ruled out the likelihood of the ZenWatch 2 coming here instead. While they didn't reveal exact plans for 2015, they did reveal that their focus would be on achieving top rankings for their notebooks, desktops, Android tablets and smartphones.