The idea of integrating a DSLR-like camera isn’t being a new stuff to us since we already have seen the Lumia 1020 and a couple of smartphones from Samsung highlighting the cameras with optical zoom and now ASUS has stepped into it making a smartphone with a DSLR-like camera. The ASUS Zenfone Zoom recently launched in India with a point and shoot camera optics at the back. It’s a flagship smartphone from ASUS priced at ₹37,999. Having said that, what ASUS has to offer at this price point other than the camera itself. So, here’s the ASUS Zenfone Zoom hands-on images.
The Zenfone Zoom has a 5.5-inch FullHD display covered by Corning Gorilla Glass 4. It is powered by a 64-bit Intel Atom Z3590 clocked at 2.5 GHz, a PowerVR 6430 GPU along with 4 GB RAM and a massive storage of 128 GB internal with options to expand it with another 128 GB storage using a MicroSD.
ASUS Zenfone Zoom Specifications
- Display: 5.5-inch FullHD IPS Display (403 ppi pixel density) with 60ms touch response and protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4
- Software: Android 5.0 (Lollipop) with ZenUI
- Processor: 64-bit Intel® Atom Z3590 2.5GHz
- GPU: PowerVR 6430 clocked at 640MHz
- Memory: 4GB LPDDR3 RAM (64-bit Dual-Channel)
- Storage: 128 GB eMCP internal storage, Expandable up to 128 GB using MicroSD, Lifetime 5 GB free ASUS WebStorage
- Main Camera: 13 MP, 10P HOYA lens, 3X optical zoom, 4 Stop OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) support, Laser autofocus, dual tone LED flash, Real dedicated Shutter and Recording Buttons
- Front Camera: 5 MP wide angle lens, 140-degree Selfie Panorama
- Connectivity: WLAN 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth V4.0 + EDR, NFC, GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, SBAS, BDS, 3.5 mm Audio Jack, Micro USB port
- Sensors: Accelerator, E-Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Ambient Light Sensor, Hall Sensor
- Network: Single SIM, supports 4G LTE network, Nano SIM Slot, LTE Cat4 150 Mbps Download, 50 Mbps Upload
- Battery: 3000 mAh Li-Polymer (non-removable)
- Dimensions: 158.9 mm x 78.84 mm x 11.95 mm (5 mm edge)
- Weight: 185 grams
- Color Variant: Black and White
The front of the Zenfone Zoom looks completely identical to the Zenfone 2 series. You can’t make a guess which smartphone it is from far away. The Zenfone Zoom is quite bulky unlike the regular 5.5-inch smartphones that weigh even lighter, but it is noticeably lighter if you consider the big camera lens on the back. What makes it different is the camera giving it an 11.95 mm thickness, nevertheless, the edges are just 5 mm that makes it comfortable to hold in the hands.
Unlike the previous Zenfones that hold a plastic frame, the ASUS Zenfone Zoom is covered with a metallic frame on the sides giving a tad premium design outlook.
Just as the camera package is the usual 13MP and 5MP camera combination that’s found in many budget smartphones, it sounds like the Zenfone Zoom isn’t bragging the megapixels for its camera performance. The font has a 5 MP camera, a proximity sensor, and an ambient light sensor. ASUS didn’t keep the backlit buttons at the bottom despite being a flagship.
Here comes the stunner, the main camera is a 13 MP 10P HOYA lens featuring a 3X optical zoom (12x in total) and a 4 Stop OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) support along with a dual tone LED flash. The big camera lens at the back that doesn’t pop out. The camera also has a laser autofocus as seen in the Zenfone 2 Laser.
The textured back has a burnt leather finishing cover that is removable however the 3000 mAh Li-Polymer battery is fitted and not-user-replaceable. It supports single nano SIM card with 4G connectivity. Below are the speaker grill and an ASUS branding and in between is a small hump that aids the camera when you place the phone on a table or a shelf.
ASUS has provided a dedicated camera shutter key and a direct recording button to capture Full HD videos. The volume keys are labeled as ‘W’ for Wide and ‘T’ for Telephoto. It definitely feels like a you are holding a digital camera. The power button is kept on the right side while there are no keys on the left side.
Moving to the top has a 3.5 mm audio jack and a microphone. Another microphone is placed at the bottom along with Micro USB port. The lanyard hole found in most of the point and shoot cameras is placed at the bottom-left corner.
In our first look, the camera is the main highlight followed by a powerful hardware. As we have the ASUS Zenfone Zoom for a short time, we are yet to play with it and cover everything in detail in our Zenfone Zoom review. Until then, share your views about this smartphone in the comments.
