ASUS Rocks CES With The Low-Price, High-Spec ZenFone 2: 4GB RAM, Lollipop, And Flagship Looks Starting At $199
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Despite some impressive tablet, laptop, and combination devices, ASUS has left its smartphones mostly in the budget and mid-range end of the pool. That changes with the Zenfone 2 announcement at CES: while the new device probably won't set the world on fire, it's a definite competitor to offerings from the likes of HTC, Samsung, and LG at an amazing price. The ZenFone 2 is the first phone anywhere to be equipped with 4GB of dual-channel RAM (on the high-end model), and the rest of the specs are no slouch either.
The phone is impressively styled, with a brushed metal body that tapers to just 3.9mm on the edges, not unlike the Moto X. The metal body is reminiscent of an HTC design, but the rear-mounted power and volume buttons look more like an LG affectation. That said, the textured metal is similar to ASUS' own high-end tablets. There's no denying that the ZenFone 2 is a looker.
The phone's other specs are impressive, if not class-leading. Its 5.5-inch screen is a mid-range 1080p IPS panel, plus ASUS' proprietary TruVivid technology. Underneath is a 64-bit Intel z3580 processor (probably thanks to ASUS' close relationship with Intel on the desktop side). The 3000mAh battery uses a proprietary fast-charging technology that gets you 60% juice in just 39 minutes, on par with Qualcomm's Quick Charge. The LTE-Category 4 phone features dual SIM slots on at least some models, a big draw for budget markets. The rear camera is a 13MP shooter with a decent F/2.0 lens, and its software suite includes a host of photo-improving tools.
Speaking of software, the ZenFone 2 is running Lollipop. That's the good news - it's also running an updated version of ASUS ZenUI software layer. Depending on your confidence in the company's software skills, that could be a good thing or a bad thing.
So what will it cost you to get a hold of the ZenFone 2? It starts at $199 USD, with a launch planned in March. That $199 model may not include that amazing 4GB of RAM, but even so it's an impressive bit of design. We'll have a hands-on with the ZenFone 2, hopefully with more concrete specification information, later on at CES.
ASUS today unveiled ZenFone 2 (ZE551ML), the flagship smartphone in the new-generation ZenFone family. With a gorgeous all-new ergonomic design, a 5.5-inch Full HD IPS display, 13MP/5MP PixelMaster cameras, a 2.3GHz 64-bit Intel Atom processor with 4GB RAM and 4G/LTE connectivity, ZenFone 2 delivers powerful all-round performance.
Building on the resounding worldwide success of ASUS ZenFone, which sold 1,500,000 units per month in the fourth quarter of 2014 and garnered enthusiastic reviews from journalists and users alike, the much-anticipated ASUS ZenFone 2 premieres many evolved features including a new version of ASUS ZenUI & which has the world&s first fully-customizable interface & and Trend Micro& security software for safe web browsing.
"The passion behind the design of ZenFone 2 is our never-ending desire to empower luxury for everyone,& said ASUS Chairman Jonney Shih, &We have drawn on our considerable engineering expertise and experience with our popular ZenFone to create a smartphone that embodies this ambition. That device is the incredible new ZenFone 2 & luxury that everyone can enjoy."
Luxurious, ultra-thin Ergonomic Arc design
ASUS ZenFone 2 has a stunning, all-new design employing iconic ASUS design elements that echo the spirit of Zen, with a luxurious brushed-metal finish and distinctive concentric-circle detailing. ZenFone 2 introduces new and evolved aesthetic refinements, including a graceful curved case that tapers to an incredibly thin 3.9mm at the edges to lend ZenFone 2 a bold yet elegant look. This curvature provides exceptional comfort and a secure grip, and intuitive control and convenience is further enhanced by the rear-mounted volume control key & ideally-positioned for the user&s index finger.&
ZenFone 2 has an incredibly sharp and vivid 5.5-inch Full HD IPS display with a 403ppi pixel density and a wide 178-degree viewing angle, ensuring lifelike photos and videos and great-looking apps. ASUS TruVivid technology enhances display performance even more with bright, brilliant colors. The display has an ultra-narrow 3.3mm bezel, giving ZenFone 2 a remarkable 72% screen-to-body ratio for a maximized viewing experience, and is covered with Corning& Gorilla& Glass 3 for superior resistance to damage and fingerprints. An anti-fingerprint coating reduces friction by 30%, giving a luxuriously-smooth feel to touch gestures.
ZenFone 2 is available in five unique colors that, together with the beauty and customizability of ASUS ZenUI, result in a smartphone that is truly personal, both inside and out. The ZenFone 2 color portfolio includes Osmium Black, Sheer Gold, Glacier Gray, Glamor Red and Ceramic White. Special Transfusion and Illusion covers are available that give users even more choices to match their own unique style.
PixelMaster camera: See what others can&t see
ASUS ZenFone 2 has a 13MP PixelMaster camera with an f/2.0 wide-aperture lens to capture stunning, high-resolution photos with zero shutter lag. This industry-leading Low Light mode employs pixel-merging technology to capture up to 400% brighter photos at night, or in low-light scenes, without the need for a flash. When a flash is preferred, ZenFone 2 is equipped with a Real Tone flash to ensure warm skin tones and accurate color.
The ZenFone 2 camera also has Backlight (HDR) mode to let users capture vivid, evenly-exposed photos in challenging backlit scenes such as sunset portraits. By using pixel-enhancing technology to increase contrast by up to 400%, Backlight (HDR) mode ensures that foreground subjects stand out clearly and are free of shadows.For those seeking fine-grained control over camera settings like ISO, shutter speed and more, Manual mode offers users a DSLR-like experience right on their smartphone.
ZenFone 2 is also equipped with a 5MP front-facing camera with a wide, 85-degree field of view perfectly engineered for taking selfies with real-time beautification. For those wanting to capture a group of friends, or include scenery in their selfie, ZenUI Selfie Panorama mode captures panoramic selfies with up to a 140-degree field of view.
Powerful performance for today, and beyond
ASUS ZenFone 2 is powered by an up to 2.3GHz 64-bit Intel Atom processor Z3580 and has 4GB RAM to deliver up to seven times (7X)1 faster gaming performance than its predecessor. A 60ms touch response time ensures lag-free input, and OpenGL 3.0 provides incredible gaming performance.
ZenFone 2 has built-in 4G/LTE connectivity for blazingly-fast data speeds of up to 150Mbit/s plus 802.11ac Wi-Fi, ensuring stutter-free streaming of video and music as well as a smooth all-round mobile experience. Dual-SIM capacity with Dual Active technology makes ZenFone 2 the perfect travel or business companion, allowing users to have two active phone lines on their device so they can keep in touch from anywhere.
Users will spend less time waiting and more time enjoying ZenFone 2 with its high-capacity, 3000mAh battery that provides more than a full day of use on a single charge. Fast-charge technology enables recharges to 60% battery level in only 39 minutes.
A simpler, smarter, more personalized ZenUI experience
Freedom, connection, and expression form the foundation for ASUS&s ZenUI mobile user interface. These three pillars have also inspired the evolutionary changes to ZenUI for ZenFone 2. This latest version offers a simpler and smarter user experience, with a stylish new layout that utilizes white space for a cleaner design, and which places information front and center for a simpler, smarter user experience.&
ZenFone 2 is the world&s first smartphone to give everyone the ability to completely customize it to match their personal style and usage preferences, including ZenUI's launcher, themes, fonts, icons, and more.
ZenUI has many great new features & including ZenMotion, SnapView, Trend Micro& security and ZenUI Instant Updates & th ensure
and deliver a seamless user experience.&
&& ZenMotion is a collection of intuitive touch gestures, each providing a new way of interacting with ZenUI, and allowing quick and easy access to frequently-used features such as One Hand mode or Do It Later.&
&& SnapView is a security feature that ensures privacy for apps, photos, and files. SnapView lets users easily keep their personal and business information separate.&&
&& Trend Micro security is integrated with the ZenUI browser for the total mobile web browsing security.&
&& ZenUI Instant Updates is a seamless new method of keeping ZenUI apps up to date. With ZenUI Instant Updates, ASUS app developers can make updates available immediately, avoiding delays between app releases and ensuring the best experience for ZenFone 2 users.
Will (or would!) you use Android Pay when it launches?
Yes, definitely - I want to use my phone to tap to pay for EVERYTHING I can.
Yes, but mostly just to try it. I'm not sure I'd make a habit out of it.
Maybe, just out of curiosity, but I'm not particularly interested in it.
Probably not.
No, I definitely will / would not.
&Loading ...Apple iPhone 5S, 5C: features, colors, price, release date.
Apple Announces Two New iPhones
The new iPhone 5S will come in gold, &space grey,& and silver. It boasts a juiced-up processor, improved camera, and a fingerprint sensor on the &home& button.
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
At a launch event in Cupertino, Calif., on Tuesday, Apple unveiled its latest hardware, replacing the iPhone 5 with two alternatives: the high-end iPhone 5S, which starts at $199, and the cheaper iPhone 5C, which starts at $99.
The big news, in short: The 5S has an unprecedented 64-bit processor and a fingerprint sensor on its "home" button, while the 5C has a plastic case and comes in a wide variety of colors. Both will go on sale Sept. 20 in the United States.
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The iPhone 5C is, in the company's words, "beautifully, unapologetically plastic." The casing for each phone is made from a single piece of polycarbonate, reinforced with steel and containing an embedded antenna. As widely anticipated, it comes in a splash of color options: blue, white, pink, yellow, and green. Like the iPhone 5, it will have a four-inch screen, an 8-megapixel camera, and an A6 processor, along with a revamped "Facetime HD" front-facing camera and a slightly larger battery. The 5C will start at $99 with a two-year contract for a 16-gigabyte version. A 32-gigabyte version will run $199.
The iPhone 5C is essentially a revamped iPhone 5 in a brightly colored plastic case, and with a cheaper price.
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
The iPhone 5S is the shinier, fancier sibling, billed as the world's first 64-bit smartphone. Its aluminum body will come in silver, gold, and "space grey." While it will still run 32-bit apps, Apple has redesigned the phone's native apps to run on the new, 64-bit A7 processor, which the company says will make it twice as fast as the iPhone 5 and 5C. The phone appears to be optimized for graphics and gaming, with a demo at the event prompting my colleague Farhad Manjoo to remark, "" Battery life will reportedly be the same as in the iPhone 5, which in my experience has not been great.
The 5S also comes with something called an M7 motion coprocessor, which harnesses the phone's accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass to get a fuller sense of your movements, including the ability to tell whether you're driving, walking, or standing still. The camera has also been upgraded, with a larger sensor and the ability to take multiple photos in rapid succession and then choose the sharpest one. A two-tone dual-LED flash is meant to result in more natural-looking colors when you take a picture in low light. And you can shoot video at 120 frames per second, which can be played back in crisp slow-motion.
But the most novel feature is the fingerprint sensor. The touch sensor, built into the phone's main "home" button, allows you to scan your fingerprint so that only your touch will unlock the phone. You can also set it up to require your fingerprint rather than a password when downloading new apps or buying things on iTunes. To prevent someone from stealing your fingerprint, the scan is not copied to Apple's servers.
The iPhone 5S sports a sapphire &home& button that can recognize your fingerprint, as an alternative to typing in a password.
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
As with the iPhone 5 when it came out, the 5S will start at $199 for 16GB, $299 for 32GB, and $399 for 64GB, all with a two-year contract. While the iPhone 5 will no longer be produced, the previous-generation 4S will still be available, now free with a two-year contract.
The new phones will go on sale Sept. 20. That's two days after Apple's new mobile operating system, iOS 7, is scheduled to be available for download,
from the iPhone's interface.
As usual, Apple executives were
when it came to describing the new phone. Phil Schilller called the 5S "perhaps the most-forward thinking phone anyone has ever made." As for the 5C, Jony Ive weighed in with a somewhat : "It's quite remarkable when something feels familiar and yet is new at the same time." Jony, I think the word you were looking for is "disappointing." As in, it's quite disappointing when a supposedly new iPhone feels so familiar.
Slow-motion videos and fingerprint sensor notwithstanding, the new phones may not have enough gotta-have-'em gewgaws to rebuild Apple's momentum. A dip in the company's shares on Tuesday suggests Wall Street, at least, was not overawed. On the other hand, the 5S seems to be quite a substantial upgrade from a technical standpoint, which should ensure that those customers who do upgrade are not disappointed. For now, Apple seems content to leave the gimmicks to its competitors&particularly Samsung, whose phones have been sprouting features like
and optional $300 .
For a while there, Apple's products were both the most inventive and the most refined on the market. At this point, they'll have to settle for being the most refined.
This post was updated as more information became available.
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With two new iPhone models at two different screen sizes launching later this month, preordering the iPhone 6 may be the most difficult decision yet for Apple fans. AppleInsider is here to help with a breakdown of options before preorders begin on Friday, Sept. 12.Deciding on a model
Before you can preorder, you have to decide which version of the iPhone 6 is right for you. For many, this may be the most difficult choice, considering both the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus feature a larger form factor than any iPhone before them.
To help simplify, AppleInsider reader Jeremy Anticouni
that when printed on standard-size 8.5-by-11-inch paper at 100 percent scale displays the footprint of Apple's iPhone 5s alongside the larger 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus. Some may be able to use this tool to decide whether the iPhone 6 is big enough for them, or if they need the extra real estate offered by the iPhone 6 Plus.
Beyond screen size, the iPhone 6 Plus is also the only model to sport optical image stabilization for the rear-facing camera. This hardware feature will result in better focus on pictures, compensating for any slight movements that may be made when the picture is snapped. The base iPhone 6 will feature software stabilized images, but this will presumably produce lesser results.
The larger screen size and hardware OIS give the iPhone 6 Plus a $100 premium over the iPhone 6. That means the jumbo-sized handset starts at an entry price of $299.
But other than screen size, form factor and OIS, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are identical. Both sport the same A8 processor, 8-megapixel iSight camera with focus pixels, Touch ID fingerprint sensor, and Reachability for easier-one handed use. Both also come in color options of silver, gold and space gray, and feature the same general design and appearance, including a new placement of the lock button on the upper right side of the handset.
Once you've settled on the iPhone 6 or the iPhone 6 Plus and a color, you'll need to choose capacity. Here, things are a little more tricky, as Apple did away with a 32-gigabyte option.
The entry 16-gigabyte model costs $199 for the iPhone 6 and $299 for the iPhone 6 Plus. This is a good option for anyone who doesn't capture many pictures, listen to too much music, or download a number of apps.
But it seems likely that most day-one adopters will take the value proposition and at the very least get a 64-gigabyte iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus. Doing so quadruples the capacity of the device for just $100 more, priced at $299 for the iPhone 6 and $399 for the iPhone 6 Plus. Anyone who has downloaded an album or various apps to their iPhone should probably opt for more storage.
For those who need even more space than that, capacity can be doubled to 128 gigabytes for $399 on the iPhone 6, and $499 on the iPhone 6 Plus.
Of course, those prices are subsidized with a new two-year service contract. Depending on your carrier, that may not be an option. If you're buying unlocked and contract-free, the iPhone 6 carrier a $450 premium.
That means the 16-gigabyte iPhone 6 starts at $649, and prices go all the way up to $949 for an unlocked, contract-free 128-gigabyte iPhone 6 Plus.Preorders begin Friday Sept. 12 at midnight Pacific
Now that you've selected a model, you can set your alarm to preorder on Friday, Sept. 12. Apple hasn't said when it will begin accepting preorders at its online store other than the date, which could suggest a 12:01 a.m. Pacific, 3:01 a.m. Eastern start time.
Customers can also preorder starting Friday through their carrier. In the U.S., AT&T and Verizon have indicated they will begin preorders at 12:01 a.m. Pacific, 3:01 a.m. Eastern.
Sprint is currently advertising that it will begin taking preorders at 2 a.m. Central Time, which is midnight Pacific and 3 a.m. Eastern &&a minute earlier than the competition. T-Mobile hasn't given a specific time for when it will start taking preorders, but the carrier has said it will begin on Sept. 12.
The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will also be available for preorder through authorized resellers, including Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Radio Shack, and Sam's Club.
Customers who can't preorder can also visit an Apple Retail Store beginning at 8 a.m. local time on the launch date, Sept. 19. Apple typically ensures it has a number of units available for walk-up purchases on launch day.
Launch-day units may also be available at authorized resellers, depending on availability, but in years past have been inconsistent.
And for those outside the U.S., the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are also launching Sept. 19 in Canada, the U.K., France, Germany, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan.
Apple has pledged to make the iPhone 6 available in 115 countries around the world before the end of 2014, making it the fastest roll-out ever of a new iPhone model.Trade-ins, promotions & early upgrade programs
One last thing to consider are the various deals, trade-in offers and early upgrade programs available when buying the iPhone 6. For existing iPhone users who may not want to deal with selling their old model on eBay or Craigslist, services like Gazelle offer the ability to trade in for cash, while others like Amazon offer store credit.AppleInsider partner Gazelle is
in cash on trade-in for for an old iPhone. Users can lock in the trade-in value on their unit and don't need to send it in until Oct. 10, a few weeks after the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will hit store shelves.
And NextWorth is also
with the promo code INSIDER20. Trade-in values at NextWorth come with a 30-day window. AppleInsider's
list a number of other competing buyback services, along with current payouts from top-tier vendors.
Apple too offers trade-ins on older iPhone models online and at its own retail stores, where credit can be applied toward the purchase of a new iPhone 6. And U.S. carriers and retailers also run trade-in programs online and at select retail locations.
Generally speaking, trade-in services unsurprisingly pay less than a user might be able to obtain for a used iPhone when selling directly. But of course the services offer the convenience of not having to haggle or deal with bidding sites.
Finally, for those who regularly upgrade their smartphone, all four major U.S. carriers offer subscription programs that may be attractive for certain customers. These programs require that users pay a monthly fee, and trade in their previous smartphone when upgrading to a new model.
Sprint this week went one step further, announcing a new Apple-specific hardware rental plan called "iPhone for life" which allows consumers to pay a
and essentially lease their iPhone. The plan's terms require a $20-per-month rental fee for base iPhone models, with more expensive versions like the iPhone 6 Plus or increased capacity running extra. Renting instead of buying allows users to avoid paying sales tax on the cost of an unsubsidized handset.
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Previous Comments
16Gb should have been 32Gb standard..
Originally Posted by simtub
16Gb should have been 32Gb standard..
YES. 32 is the best start.
But, the gap between 16 and 64 pushes people to buy 64 GB.
Hopefully we get confirmation that apple is going live on there site at 12:01 on the 12th. I would hate to be up all night thinking is it time yet, but if carriers are doing 12:01 I don't see why apple wouldn't. It would have been nice to if you elaborated more on the apple trade in program. So 8 am launch day the 19th you bring your current phone, and hand it over? Does it need to be backed up or do they transfer everything in store? Do you need to bring the lightening cable and 5w power adapter? Is there a rough estimate of what credit will be applied to your order?
Besides optical image stabilization, there's also some pretty big differences in battery life. 24 hours of 3G talk time and 16 days of standby time on the iPhone 6 Plus versus 14 hours of 3G talk time and 10 days of standby time on the iPhone 6 is worth noting.
Well, this isn't -EVERYTHING- I need to know. I'd like to know whether Verizon's Edge plan can be signed up for at the Apple Store or if I have to actually go to a Verizon Store. If it's the latter, I'm worried that they may not have enough phones in stock. Plus, I'd like to know what kind of monthly bill I'd be on if we went with the Edge plan. I stopped by a Verizon store this morning, but they couldn't tell me because they said they don't know final pricing.
Originally Posted by tkrunner1738
Hopefully we get confirmation that apple is going live on there site at 12:01 on the 12th. I would hate to be up all night thinking is it time yet, but if carriers are doing 12:01 I don't see why apple wouldn't. It would have been nice to if you elaborated more on the apple trade in program. So 8 am launch day the 19th you bring your current phone, and hand it over? Does it need to be backed up or do they transfer everything in store? Do you need to bring the lightening cable and 5w power adapter? Is there a rough estimate of what credit will be applied to your order?
I'm just hoping that Apple's site handles this better than they did the live stream yesterday
For some reason I'm not feeling these iPhone updates. They just seem 'meh', especially the 4.7" device. And the 5.5" device looks absolutely massive. Now we're getting into Samsung territory. I love the compact size of my 5s and it works great so I think I'll keep it another year.
Originally Posted by johnnyb0731
I'm just hoping that Apple's site handles this better than they did the live stream yesterday
LMAO, johnnyb. Talk about a major disappointment, the live stream was awful. I've never seen such a bad display from Apple. As far as the phone itself, I'm with rogifan - anything bigger than the 6 and I'll be close to my iPad mini. Not a fan of the 5.5" model.
Originally Posted by johnnyb0731
I'm just hoping that Apple's site handles this better than they did the live stream yesterday
Pretty sure Apple didn't have a line directly from that location. They would've contracted with someone. Akamai maybe?
As for the Chinese translator overlapping the audio stream issue, I don't know who gets the blame for that one.
Originally Posted by AppleInsider
Customers can also preorder starting Friday through their carrier. In the U.S., AT&T and Verizon have indicated they will begin preorders at 12:01 a.m. Pacific, 3:01 p.m. Eastern.
Don't fall for it, people!
It will be 3:01 AM eastern.
Don't miss out!
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