Introduction
World domination was surely on the mind of at least one top exec over at Asus headquarters, when the crew gathered to outline the Zenfone 2 game plan. The smartphone will be sold globally, and the stores in a few lucky countries already have their shelves well stocked. The company is aiming to sell 30 million phones this year, with the Zenfone 2 being a chief contributor to that number.
Now, Asus doesn't make it easy on the prospective buyer as they offer the Zenfone 2 in a number of model variants - a range of devices under one and the same name. The entry-level ZE500CL comes with a five-inch 720 display, Intel Atom Z2560 chipset with its quad-core processor clocked at 1.6GHz, and 2GB of RAM. The ZE550ML ups the screen size to 5.5 inches, while keeping the HD resolution. The processor inside the Atom Z3560 ticks at 1.8GHz, and RAM is the same.
Then there's the ZE551ML, which sports a 5.5-inch diagonal and a FullHD resolution. Even the ZE551ML moniker wouldn't tell you what's packed inside, as there's a version with the same Atom Z3560 and 2GB of RAM and a top model, sporting an Atom Z3580 with specs going all the way up to 2.3GHz and 4GB of RAM.
To give Asus credit, probably not all models will be available on all markets and that may settle it for you, depending on where you live. The one we have at the office is the ZE551ML with the lower-specced hardware, meaning an Atom Z3560 and 2 gigs of RAM.
With that confusion cleared up, we're now moving to the task at hand.
Key features
- 5.5-inch IPS capacity touchscreen with 1080p resolution and 403ppi density, Gorilla Glass 3 protection
- Intel Atom Z3560 chipset with a 1.8GHz quad-core processor, PowerVR G6430 GPU
- 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage and a microSD slot for further expansion
- Dual-SIM, Dual Standby capability
- LTE Cat.4, NFC, Bluetooth; GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS
- Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi hotspot; microUSB 2.0 port, MHL, USB host
- 13MP main camera with dual-LED dual-tone LED flash, 1080p@30fps video recording; 5MP front camera
- 3,000mAh battery, fast charging to 60% in 40 minutes
- Android 5.0 Lollipop out of the box with Asus ZenUI overlay
- Nice build quality, sleek looking back cover
Main disadvantages
- No 2160p video recording
- Non-removable battery despite the removable back cover
- Rather large and hefty
- Zenfone 2 has a confusing naming convention - not only are there several of them, but ZE551ML comes in two hardware versions
The Zenfone 2 ZE551ML is also a looker, sporting a plastic back, which emulates brushed steel, and does so quite successfully. Our unit is dressed in Glamor Red but multiple color options are available to please a wider target audience.
Asus Zenfone 2 official photos
What all that adds up to is a proficient package, positioned in the upper midrange. At a price point around the $220 mark, it's also a compelling offer, hard to say no to. You could opt for the faster processor and double the RAM, and that would set you back around $280, still a bargain. Mind you, those are the numbers valid for most of Asia, while European figures are noticeably higher with the top model priced at €299 for a limited time, after which the price will become €349.
With that aside, join us on the next page for the usual unboxing and hardware.
Standard retail package
The Zenfone 2 comes in an eye-catching red retail package (matching the red phone inside). Inside you'll find the usual set of accessories, but nothing special. You get a headset with an in-ear design, tangle-free flat cables and a single-button remote. Extra earbuds are also provided.
There is a two piece charger with a rather short USB-to-microUSB cable. The AC adapter is instrumental in providing that fast charging feature and puts out a maximum of 2amps at 9volts for a whopping 18W of maximum charging power.
Retail package covers the basics
Asus Zenfone 2 ZE551ML 360-degree spin
The Asus Zenfone 2 ZE551ML measures 152.5 x 77.2 x 10.9 mm, which is about right for 5.5-inch device. The LG G3 manages a smaller footprint, but it has on-screen buttons eating up screen space. The iPhone 6 Plus on the other hand is even taller at 158.1mm, which goes to show that even premium offerings don't come with an advantage in compactness. That said, the 5.7-inch Samsung Galaxy Note 4 comes in a body only marginally larger than the Zenfone 2.
The 10.9mm thickness might look huge in today's smartphone world, but the back has a nice curve which brings the thickness to less than half towards the edges, and it's not that big of a problem. At 170g, weight also isn't stellar, but it's bearable.
There are no two ways about it - the Zenfone 2 is quite large and hefty, but in phablet territory, you should be prepared to tolerate a bulkier device for the added benefit of the larger screen.
Design and build quality
The Asus Zenfone 2 sports a simple, yet attractive design aesthetic. The front is dominated by the 5.5-inch display, flanked by rather generous bezels. The strip with the capacitive Back/Home/Task switcher buttons is below.
Asus Zenfone 2 front
The back cover is certainly more striking. The cover borrows design clues from the LG G3 and sports a brushed steel effect despite its otherwise plastic nature. A more confident Asus logo is joined by an Intel inside inscription to demonstrate its allegiance to the non-ARM camp in the Android realm.
All in all, the rear cover looks great, it doesn't make smudges visible and it's removable at that. Popping it off gives you access to the array of slots inside. You get two micro-SIM slots and a dedicated microSD slot. The battery is sadly not user-replaceable, even though you can access it from here.
Asus Zenfone 2 back • Rear cover removed for access to SIM and microSD slots
Controls
The Zenfone 2 has a rather unusual control layout. In another move, inspired by LG, you get a volume rocker on the back right under the camera lens. It's positioned exactly where your index finger typically rests and it's surrounded by a gentle indentation to easily locate it by touch alone.
The main camera lens is immediately above the rocker, joined by the dual-LED dual-tone flash further up.
Towards the bottom of the back you get a speaker grille, but don't let its size fool you as the actual speaker is only a quarter of its size, located at the far left. It was apparently a push for symmetry and the dual-tone flash might have cost a night's worth of sleep to a more obsessed designer.
Asus Zenfone 2 back
The sides of the smartphone are both completely bare, if you don't count the thin slit on the bottom right, which is used for removing the cover.
Asus Zenfone 2 sides
On the top you'll find the power button dead center, flanked by a 3.5mm headphone jack and a secondary microphone. The bottom is home to the microUSB port in the middle and the pinhole for the primary mic.
One thing worth noting is that with a phone this big it's hard to reach the top-mounted power key.
Asus Zenfone 2 top and bottom
Handling
The Zenfone 2 handles well for a 5.5-inch device. The back surface is reasonably grippy and the curve on the back together with the slim sides work to deliver a comfortable feel in the hand. The capacitive keys are well positioned and easy to reach, while the side bezels are large enough to avoid touch input from your thumb.
Handling the Zenfone 2
The power button on top requires two handed use or stretching your index finger, together with repositioning your grip, and is not at all comfortable. The button doesn't have much travel either. Thankfully, the smartphone supports double-tap to wake, so you'll only need the physical button for powering off.
5.5-inch FullHD IPS panel
A 5.5-inch display adorns the front of the Zenfone 2. It utilizes an IPS panel of 1080p resolution which results in 403ppi, well above what's considered a Retina-grade 300ppi. Indeed, the display is sharp enough not to let you distinguish individual pixels and text is crisp even at very tiny sizes. The viewing angles are good, and despite the noticeable brightness and contrast fallout when viewed sideways, the screen remains clearly legible.
The screen is covered in Gorilla Glass 3 for scratch and shatter resistance. It's very prone to smudges though and care must be taken to keep it clean. There is a dedicated glove mode for increased touch sensitivity at the expense of slightly shorter battery life.
Asus has the Splendid app, which lets you adjust your screen color profile. The default setting out of the box is Vivid, which produces pleasing colors with plenty of punch. However, if the Vivid setting is too much for your taste, you can opt for a more subdued Balance mode and both have a slider for color temperature adjustment.
Reading mode brings the saturation further down and provides another slider, which gives whites a progressively yellowish tint, to make it easier on your eyes in long research sessions. Finally, a Customized mode lets you adjust both hue and saturation separately.
Zenfone 2 display settings
Our microscope revealed a standard RGB matrix with an equal number of subpixels for all three colors.
The Zenfone 2 didn't impress with brightness and at the maximum setting posted only average results. The high black value also means a less than stellar contrast. At the 50% setting the display is actually closer to a quarter of maximum brightness and is in fact quite dim. Contrast deteriorates further as well.
| Display test | 50% brightness | 100% brightness | ||||
| Black, cd/m2 | White, cd/m2 | Black, cd/m2 | White, cd/m2 | |||
| 0.13 | 107 | 796 | 0.44 | 390 | 879 | |
| 0.39 | 317 | 805 | 0.75 | 598 | 799 | |
| 0.33 | 280 | 842 | 0.68 | 580 | 852 | |
| 0.1 | 149 | 1522 | 0.45 | 667 | 1495 | |
| 0.18 | 235 | 1299 | 0.45 | 598 | 1327 | |
| - | - | - | 0.63 | 594 | 947 | |
| 0 | 142 | ∞ | 0 | 389 | ∞ | |
| 0 | 175 | ∞ | 0 | 349 | ∞ | |
| 0.09 | 130 | 1450 | 0.43 | 626 | 1453 | |
| - | - | - | 0.65 | 562 | 867 | |
The smartphone did manage an average sunlight legibility ratio despite its low maximum brightness. In reality, while you'll be able to discern what's shown on the screen, you're better off finding a shade.
Sunlight contrast ratio
- Nokia 808 PureView4.698
- HTC One (E8)2.185
- Oppo N32.181
- Nokia Lumia 9202.17
- Huawei Honor 62.169
- HTC One X2.158
- Asus Zenfone 2 ZE551ML2.149
- Nokia N82.144
- Nokia Lumia 6202.142
- Nokia 5152.134
- Archos 50 Diamond2.134
- HTC Desire 5002.129
- Samsung Galaxy mini 21.114
Battery life test
The Zenfone 2 ZE551ML is equipped with a 3,000mAh battery, which is sadly not user-replaceable despite the back being removable. This sort of capacity is about average for a 5.5-inch smartphone.
While the scorecards below omit the standby times, our procedure includes measuring those as well and they are calculated in the overall rating. Our tests revealed that the Zenfone 2 can last as much as 10 days in standby when a single SIM card is used, which drops to about 8 and a half days when you pop in a second SIM. Voice calls will drain your battery in a bit under 16 hours which a respectable achievement as well.
Video playback longevity is nothing special but at 8 and a half hours it's adequate. What's more troubling is the browser department where the Asus Browser was nearly twice as quick at depleting the smartphone's battery, compared to Chrome and scored a measly 4 and half hours. Having that in mind, we chose to use Chrome when calculating the Zenfone 2's endurance rating - it's only natural that the user will opt for the more efficient solution, especially with such a great difference in longevity.
Connectivity
The Zenfone 2 ZE551ML is well stocked on connectivity options. First off, there's quad-band 2G/GPRS/EDGE on both SIM cards and that's where the second card is capped. SIM 1 also gets quad-band 3G and a multitude of LTE bands, which are region dependent.
Dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac radios are on board as well, with Wi-Fi Direct and hotspot support.
Bluetooth is in its 4.0 version and offers A2DP support for audio streaming. We're seeing increasing adoption of the newer 4.1 iteration which fixes issues with Bluetooth/LTE interference, but not on the Zenfone 2.
A GPS receiver with A-GPS and GLONASS should provide precise tracking. NFC functionality is also present.
The microUSB port comes with USB host support for attaching your choice of peripherals and MHL support. The headphone jack is the standard 3.5mm affair, allowing you to plug in just about any set of headphones out there.
There's also a dedicated microSD card slot for storage expansion which takes cards up to 64GB.
An FM radio receiver is provided for listening to music on the go without generating data traffic. There's no IR blaster, though, so you can't control home appliances with the Zenfone 2.
Thoroughly customized Android 5.0
The Zenfone 2 ZE551ML comes with Android 5.0 out of the box, hard to expect anything less from a smartphone carrying so much on its shoulders. Google's OS has been the object of a total makeover by Asus, and the overlay is called ZenUI. It's not merely a skin too, instead the company has added a host of proprietary apps. For a quick overview of the UI, check out the video below.
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With the power button all the way up on top, you'll be grateful there's a double tap to wake feature. Sending the phone back to sleep works by double-tapping on an empty area of the interface. If you're running a full-screen app, double-tapping on the notification bar will do the trick. You could disable the feature in settings, if you want that extra 1-2 percent of standby endurance, but we don't see ourselves doing that.
The lockscreen is a typical Asus affair. You're greeted by a time and weather widget, but also three shortcuts to the camera, dialer and messaging apps. They are customizable too, and you can assign any installed app of your choice to either of the three slots.
The list of notifications follows and, unlike some other Lollipop builds, double tapping on one, takes you straight to the app that pushed it. Unlocking only works with an upwards swipe and there's no shortcut to Google Now from the lockscreen.
Asus themed lockscreen
Beyond the lockscreen is the Android homescreen with four customizable shortcuts docked at the bottom, the app drawer shortcut always in the middle. You cannot add more icons beyond these four, but there is folder support. Removing one does not rearrange the others, leaving a oddly vacant placeholder.
There are preloaded Asus and Google folders, packed to the brim with a selection of applications from the respective companies - custom Asus apps in one, and the default Google apps in the other.
Default homescreen
A pinch zoom lets you rearrange your homescreens, as well as select a default homescreen and add additional ones up to seven total, which can be cycled. Unlike other custom Android overlays, which omit the app drawer altogether, Asus have opted to stick with it.
Holding your finger on a homescreen brings a popup menu. It gives access to icon packs (of which there's only one on board, but the Play Store has plenty), scroll effects (a grand total of 11) and wallpapers. Additionally, it provides another way to get to the app drawer and settings menu.
You can have a total of seven homescreens • Customization menu
The notification area has seen extensive customization as well. A single-finger pull-down only brings up the notifications and no quick toggles. Side swiping removes the notifications and a "clear" button does away with all of them at once. A second swipe from just below the date reveals the toggles, and whatever notifications you have left get squished to the little space underneath.
A two finger pull-down gets you straight to this state, which features a brightness slide with an auto mode, a 4-in-a-row set of quick tools and a 3x4 grid of toggles. Both the quick tools and the toggles can be chosen and rearranged, but you need to have exactly 4 tools and at least 8 toggles lined up.
Notification shade with tools and toggles
The task switcher is the standard Lollipop style virtual rolodex, but with a twist. In between the typical "Close all" button and shortcut to the Apps section of the Settings menu, you get a pinning option. What that does, is keep the selected app in view regardless of taps on the capacitive buttons. It's a bit fiddly to get out of requiring a press-and-hold on the back and task switcher buttons simultaneously.
Task switcher with pinning
Quick trigger is Asus' answer to the problem of handling large devices single-handedly. It's evoked with a double tap on the home button, provided you've enabled it first in settings. What it does is shrink the entire interface to a portion of the screen, which is resizable and can be moved around to suit left or right handed use. Very similar to what Samsung introduced with the Note series.
With the touchscreen always-on for the double-tap-to-wake feature, Asus was able to implement a few other nifty shortcuts. For example, drawing the letter "C" on the screen while it's sleeping will wake the phone and straight up launch the camera app. "W" launches the browser and presumably stands for Web. While the letters are preset and you get six of them, you can assign any app of your choice to any letter - very convenient!
Quick trigger simplifies one-handed operation • Touch gestures
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