The ASUS ZenFone AR came into Malaysia for a hefty RM3799 price tag. Yup, we know. That's really expensive for a smartphone but just so you know, this is a device that's Google Tango-ready and integrates both augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). But do you really need one? Is it more than just a gimmick? Read our review to find out.

A smartphone made ready for augmented and virtual reality, the Zenfone AR is Tango enabled and features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor, 8GB + 128GB memory capacity, 5.7-inch display that goes up to 2K or 1440 x 2560 resolution, a 23MP main camera accompanied by a 4-axis Optical Image Stabilization, EIS, 3x zoom, triple autofocus, and a 3300 mAh battery. It's priced at RM3799 and not something that you would just buy one for fun. Check out our video below and see ASUS's most sophisticated package yet.

So it’s official, the ASUS ZenFone AR has arrived to Malaysia and thanks to the early price leak from Lazada (Lazada has removed it already), the price stands at RM3799 (including GST) for a good reason. For one, it was designed in mind to focus on augmented reality and virtual reality technology, being the first smartphone to be Tango enabled and Daydream-ready. It was also the first smartphone to feature a huge 8GB RAM which is much needed to run those features. Below is the official specification.

Recent images of the ASUS ZenFone AR confirm that it will be coming to Malaysia on 4 July 2017. Apart from the fact that the ZenFone AR is the latest Google Tango phone it is also one of the few phones to be Google Daydream compatible with up to 8GB RAM, 256GB of storage and a flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor tech specs.

So according to a media invitation, the ASUS ZenFone AR will be making an official launch on 14 June 2017 in Taiwan. The Zenfone AR first made its appearance at CES 2017, then Computex 2017, it’s also reported that Malaysia will be getting it in July.

Combining two features together, both being high end imaging solution may not be easy – but ASUS has managed to do it. We talked about the leaked information yesterday, and now we have the official announcement of the ASUS ZenFone AR smartphone.

CES is just around the corner, and ASUS will be one of the big name that will be showcasing new products They have scheduled an event in Las Vegas in CES 2017, but their partner Qualcomm has accidentally revealed their upcoming smartphone before the official launch. The new ASUS Zenfone AR is their take on the Tango platform, and it is actually an interesting smartphone.

This weekly TechNave we've had quite a number of small but potent bits of news like Nokia smartphones coming in 2017, Huawei making a breakthrough in graphene-assisted heat resistant li-ion batteries and a well-known print magazine like Sports Illustrated actually using a smartphone for the image of its cover. Netflix now allows offline viewing and MediaTek announced new Helio X23 and X27 deca-core processors.

As ASUS continues to churn out their ASUS ZenFone 3 iterations, rumours from a reliable Mr. Anonymous has appeared stating that we may see the ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom and ASUS ZenFone AR in Q1 of 2017. According to this Mr. Anonymous, the ZenFone 3 Zoom will have dual rear cameras with one of them being a telephoto lens with more than the 3x optical zoom that the original ZenFone Zoom had (probably 5x). It will ditch the Hoya lens system though and probably use a Snapdragon 821 processor with 4GB to 6GB RAM tech specs.