News & Reviews:   ASUS ZenFone 4

Most cameraphones offer users a number of features that aren't available to standard smartphones that have cameras. This includes fast focus, better quality lenses and better resulting images or videos. Quite often, you won't find such features in an entry-level smartphone much less one going for below RM300, which is why we were quite impressed with the performance shown by the ASUS ZenFone 4, the company's entry-level offering for their new range of ZenFone smartphones. How exactly does the ASUS ZenFone 4 impress and does it offer more than just cameraphone capabilities? Check out our full review of the ASUS ZenFone 4 below to find out.

The OPPO Neo fills out the role of the entry-level smartphone in OPPO's first wave of smartphones for the Malaysian market and like the rest of it's first wave siblings, it packs in a unique design with key features you won't find in most other entry-level smartphones. The question remains though, are these features enough for you to buy the OPPO Neo? Read our full review of the OPPO Neo to find out.

After some delay we can finally confirm that yes, the ASUS ZenFone 4 is now available in Malaysia for RM299. Featuring an 1.2GHz Intel Atom Z2520 processor, 1GB RAM, 4-inch display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3, 5MP PixelMaster rear camera and dual-SIM support this is clearly aimed at the entry-level market. Some of these tech specs and features cannot be found on other smartphones of the same class or price range, which should make things very interesting for Malaysian smartphone buyers. True to their word, ASUS Malaysia have brought in the ZenFone 4 at least a week earlier than the end of May 2014 as was earlier reported. We'll be covering more about the ZenFone 4 as soon as we get the review unit so stay tuned for more details.

While many users are impatiently waiting for the delayed ASUS ZenFone smartphones, ASUS Malaysia has spoken up. According to their Facebook page, they said that stock for the ASUS ZenFone 4 would be coming in before the end of May 2014. According to them it could be even earlier, however, there still is no word yet on the ASUS ZenFone 5 or ZenFone 6 smartphones just yet. The Intel powered smartphones offer a number of interesting tech specs and features which many users would like to try out, but the recent delay has caused many to look elsewhere. Pricing for the ZenFone 4 looks to remain at RM299 for now. Hopefully, this latest announcement will be true so do stay tuned for more developments.

While we've already seen the Motorola Moto E and all it's tech specs, Motorola have finally done the official announcement for the company's answer to new entry-level smartphones. Featuring the same rounded look with many differently coloured plastic shells, the Motorola Moto E is a 4.3-inch display smartphone with a dual-core processor and other above average tech specs at a fairly reasonable price of $129 (RM416). The most important feature remains the fact that it is running on Android 4.4 KitKat right out of the box and will likely get updates faster than normal. While there is still no specific Malaysia release date or localized pricing, it is expected to arrive in the next few weeks. Confirming some of the tech specs we covered earlier, the Motorola Moto E comes packing with the following tech specs:

• 1.2GHz Dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor
• 1GB of RAM
• 4GB of internal memory + up to 32GB microSD
• 4.3-inch display (480 x 854 pixel resolution)
• 5MP rear camera (no led flash)
• 124.8 x 64.8 x 12.3 mm |140 grams
• Supports 3G connectivity, Wi-Fi, FM-radio, Dual-SIM
• 1980 mAh battery
• Android 4.4 KitKat

It isn't a big secret that the new range of ASUS ZenFone smartphones are powered by Intel processors, but what most users in Malaysia are asking is "when will the ASUS ZenFone 4, ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 6 arrive in Malaysia?". After the regional launch in Jakarta about a month back, the entry-level to midrange smartphone market in Malaysia has erupted into what appears to be the beginnings of a price war, while the ASUS ZenFone's appear to have been delayed. Intel Malaysia has since teased the ASUS ZenFone's low-light capabilities on their Facebook page, hinting as well that they should arrive on 10 May 2014. We think that such features are certainly worth waiting for, so stay tuned for more developments.

The ASUS ZenFone 4, ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 6 were recently announced for South East Asia, including Malaysia. One of the most notable features of the ASUS ZenFone smartphones is the PixelMaster Camera Technology. While each of the ASUS ZenFone smartphones are competitively priced below RM1000 (RM299 for the ASUS ZenFone 4, RM599 for the ASUS ZenFone 5 and RM899 for the ASUS ZenFone 6), ASUS spared no expense for the camera components. This includes a 5-element Largan lens, high quality camera sensors from Sony and Panasonic and some really awesome camera filter algorithms.

The ASUS ZenFone smartphone range caught our attention when it was first announced at CES 2014 due to it's design, price and performance. Now ASUS already have several smartphone devices in the market, but the ASUS ZenFone smartphone range look to be the first to seriously target the entry-level to midrange market with it's focus on price and performance. Rather than go for a Malaysia launch, ASUS Malaysia were kind enough to invite us for the ASUS Regional launch where the ASUS ZenFone 4, ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 6 smartphones were announced each for below RM1000. Check out the tech specs below for a refresher of the ASUS ZenFone 4, ASUS ZenFone 5 and ASUS ZenFone 6:

• ASUS ZenFone 4
• 1.2GHz dual-core Intel Atom Z2520 processor
• 1GB RAM
• 4GB storage + microSD
• 4-inch TN TFT
• 5MP rear camera
• 124.4 x 61.4 x 11.2mm | 115g
• supports Dual-SIM, 3G, WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, MicroUSB
• 1170 mAh battery

The Red Dot Design Award highlights great design combining innovation, functionality, egonomics and quality amongst others, so it comes as no surprise that ASUS recently won it for their new ZenFone range of smartphones. The ASUS ZenFone range of smartphones consists of the ASUS ZenFone 4, ASUS ZenFone 5 and ASUS ZenFone 6, with all of them utilizing the same ergonomic design and solid build quality. The screens are well-protected with Corning's Gorilla Glass 4 while the ASUS ZenUI brings Android 4.3 based energy efficiency together with smooth working functionality. We're all set for the upcoming regional release of the ASUS ZenFone series in the middle of April 2014 so stay posted for more details on the ASUS ZenFone range of smartphones.

We've been looking forward to the ASUS ZenFone 4, ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 6 for quite some time, but it appears that China may get the new range of smartphones before we do. The Intel Atom powered smartphones will apparently be available in China on 11 April 2014, as announced by ASUS on Weibo. The ASUS ZenFones will be running the new Android 4.3 Jelly Bean based ZenFone UI with an Android 4.4 KitKat update expected later in the year. Confirming earlier reports that the ASUS ZenFone range of smartphones would be priced below RM1K, the pricing in China is expected to go for $100 (RM329) for the ASUS ZenFone 4, $150 (RM494) for the ASUS ZenFone 5 and $200 (RM659) for the ASUS ZenFone 6. We'll be attending the regional launch in April as well with Malaysia release dates expected after the middle of the month. Stay tuned to Technave.com for more ASUS ZenFone coverage coming to you soon.