The newly announced ASUS ZenFone 2 and ZenFone Zoom smartphones are making waves around the world as ASUS have opted to make one really good ZenFone instead of a new version for each of the three previous original ZenFone smartphones. Due to the 5.5-inch display (which hits a very nice sweet spot in our opinion) the closest original ZenFone in terms of size would be the ZenFone 6, so we've used our tech comparison tool to compare all three smartphones. Key features that the new ZenFone 2 and ZenFone Zoom bring to the table are 64-bit Intel Processors, 5MP selfie-ready front cameras, 4G LTE cat 4 connectivity, dual tone LED flash and for the ZenFone 2, rear volume controls. While there are no Malaysia release dates yet, we expect the ZenFone 2 and ZenFone Zoom to reach us in the next few months or so as the original ASUS ZenFone smartphone range was launched regionally in April 2014.

Local Malaysia price details for the ASUS ZenFone 2 or ZenFone Zoom are also unknown still but based on the current US price of $199 (RM707) we expect the 2GB RAM ZenFone 2 to be priced around RM699. This would result in a drop in price for the existing ZenFone 6 and other previous ZenFone smartphones. Rumours indicate that AnTuTu benchmarks for the new ZenFone 2 could be around 39000 to 41000, which is a huge jump over the previous ZenFone 6 which scored 19661 on AnTuTu. Feel free to compare the ASUS ZenFone 2 or ZenFone Zoom with other smartphones using our tech spec comparison tool or check out the links below:

• ASUS ZenFone 2 vs ASUS ZenFone 5 vs ASUS ZenFone 6
• ASUS ZenFone 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs Huawei Ascend Mate 7
• ASUS ZenFone 2 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G vs Samsung Galaxy Grand 2

Samsung's next iteration of the Galaxy Grand series was spotted on the Chinese TENAA website, revealing important tech specs and details about the device. The current vesion, the Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 was announced back in November 2013 and has been quite popular among mid-range phablet users. So, it is about time we see the next generation of this device. According to the website, the Samsung Galaxy Grand 3 (SM-G7200) will feature a 64-bit 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor which will be mated with 1.5GB RAM and 16GB internal storage, further expandable up to 128GB via MicroSD. Instead of the rumored 5.5-inch screen up front, you get the same 5.25-inch 1280 x 720 pixel resolution display like its current generation. Samsung has managed to reduce the weight on this new device by almost 20 grams as compared to the earlier version, making the Galaxy Grand 3 weigh just 140 grams. It's even slimmer by almost 1 inch at 7.95 inches. There is a 13MP camera at the back and a 5MP camera on the front. The device features Android 4.4.4 KitKat OS. Samsung is yet to officially announce the Galaxy Grand 3, but expect more details like Malaysia pricing and release dates in the coming few weeks.  

U Mobile are currently offering the Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 from the very low price of RM0. The midrange phablet normally retails from RM1199 but U Mobile are now offering the Galaxy Grand 2 for RM0 to RM699 provided you sign up for a postpaid U58, U88 or U Plus plan under a 24 month contract. You will be expected to pay an upfront payment but for this pricing, the cost is well worth it. The upfront payment will be rebated back to you eventually but for more details check out the table and links in this article.

The Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 is finally available officially in Malaysia. Announced back in 2013, it is an update to the earlier Samsung Galaxy Grand and features a larger 5.25-inch display, better processor and tech specs along with an artificial leather backside. Notable tech specs and features include a 1.2gHZ quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor, 1.5GB of RAM, 8GB storage, *MP rear camera, 1.9MP front camera and dual-SIM support. While there is a version that offers 4G LTE support, the Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 released here does not have 4G LTE. At 163g and 8.95mm thin, the Galaxy Grand 2 is somewhat in the phablet range, complete with 2600 mAh battery. Samsung Malaysia are setting it's retail price at RM1199 but there are already sellers offering it from RM1085. Prices may vary depending on the retailer but it should be available at most Malaysia retailers.

While there isn't any official announcement just yet, Samsung has officially listed the Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo or GT-I9060 on the main website. Based on the Samsung Galaxy Grand 2, the Galaxy Grand Neo is placed in between the Galaxy Grand 2 and the Samsung Galaxy Grand. The variant offers tech specs which include a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, a 5-inch display with 480 x 800 pixel resolution, a 5MP rear camera with LED flash and autofocus, a VGA front camera and 2100 mAh battery. The smartphone will support HSPA+, WiFi, DLNA, Bluetooth 4 LE and weigh in at 163g. Other features include colours which include black, lime green, orange and white but there isn't any Malaysia pricing or release dates at this time. Initial estimates have it coming by the end of Q1 2014 though.

We've already covered the rumours about a more affordable version of the Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 which could be called the Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo or Samsung Galaxy Grand Lite, but some leaked documents have revealed what could be the real name of the new smartphone model. The leaked documents look to be internal Samsung documentation and reveal that this smartphone could be called the Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo. The document also revealed tech specs which include a 1.2GHz quad-core A7 chipset, 1GB RAM, 5-inch TFT PLS (confirming earlier PLS display rumours) display with 800 x 480 pixel resolution, 5MP rear camera with LED flash, VGA front camera, 8GB worth of storage and a 2100 mAh battery. The smartphone will feature microSD support along with Bluetooth 4.0, 3G, WiFi, microUSB and GPS with GLONASS. Pricing for the Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo is expected to be 299 Euro (RM1337) which should slot it in nicely between the Samsung Galaxy Grand and Samsung Galaxy Grand 2. No exact Malaysia release dates were available but it should be soon with this level of internal documentation.

Apart from the other rumoured Samsung Galaxy Grand Lite it appears that there could be another version coming as well called the Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo. Tech specs for this version could include a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, a 5-inch display and Android 4.3. The design is likely to follow the Samsung Galaxy Grand 2. While this could be just another name for the Galaxy Grand Lite it could be a slightly upper scale version (better screen, camera, etc) or it could be priced higher or targeted for a specific country or market. Unfortunately, there isn't any news on how much it might cost or any Malaysia release dates just yet. Stay tuned and we'll keep you posted.

The Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 continued the large but budget smartphone trend when it was released but fearing that the price for it may have been a bit too high, Samsung quickly came out with the Samsung Galaxy Grand Lite. Now, the Galaxy Grand Lite has yet to be officially announced, and is expected to be revealed at MWC 2014, but it has already passed the FCC in the US. This basically confirms it's existance along with it's model number which will be the GT-I9060. Unfortunately, the FCC isn't as revealing as Tenaa in China with the only other tech specs to be revealed being a 2100 mAh battery and the ability to connect via WiFi and Bluetooth.

When the Samsung Galaxy Grand first came out, it offered users a mid-range smartphone with average processor and a big but rather low resolution screen. Nearing the end of 2013, Samsung have officially announced the Galaxy Grand 2 which not only packs in a better processor but also a marginally bigger screen. This time around the Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 packs in a 5.25-inch screen with a bit more respectable resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. In terms of looks it now has a plastic artificial leather-like backing just like the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. Other tech specs and features have also received an upgrade with a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1.5GB RAM, 8GB storage with up to 64GB microSD support, an 8MP AF rear camera with LED flash, a 1.9MP front camera and a much larger 2600 mAh battery. No 4G LTE support but it does have a GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, dual-SIM and a couple of S applications like S Health and S Translator. The Grand 2 measures in at 146.9 x 75.3 x 8.9mm and 163g. It should come running Android 4.3 in black, pink or white. No news about Malaysia release dates or pricing but we expect the Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 to come soon.