News & Reviews:   ASUS ZenFone 2 ZE551ML

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. 

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 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).