Asus

Asus Zenfone 3: Pros and Cons

Android OS v6.0.1 (Marshmallow)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 MSM8953
Adreno 506
3 GB / 32 GB
5.5 inch (1080 x 1920 px)
16 MP, 4608 x 3456 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization

Asus announced the launch of the Zenfone 3 smartphone in 2016. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.5 inch IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 MSM8953 SoC, and 3 GB of RAM. The Zenfone 3 series was launched with Android OS v6.0.1 (Marshmallow) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The IPS display panel has good color accuracy. It can display a wide range of colors, this makes visuals look more lifelike and vivid This smartphone has a single camera on the back (16 MP, 4608 x 3456 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization). Does this phone justify its price tag? I hope to provide clarity by the conclusion of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Asus Zenfone 3 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

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Asus Zenfone 3 specifications

BrandAsus
NameZenfone 3
ModelZE552KL
Release date2016

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.47 oz
Dimensions6.01 x 3.05 x 0.3 inch
Colorsblack, blue, gold, white
SIM typeNano SIM, Micro SIM

The weight of Asus Zenfone 3 is about 5.47 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a small chipcard for a subscriber identity module (SIM). A micro SIM is a smaller version of the standard SIM card used in mobile devices.

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System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v6.0.1 (Marshmallow)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 625 MSM8953
CPUOcta-core 2 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUAdreno 506

The Asus Zenfone 3 comes with Android OS v6.0.1 (Marshmallow) out of the box. Google has integrated many services with Android. These include Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Drive. An advanced scheduler manages this octa-core CPU. It assigns tasks to the CPU for real-time speed and power efficiency. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.

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Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5.5 inch
Resolution1080 x 1920 px
Multitouch supportyes, up to 10 fingers

The 5.5 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. The 5.5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

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Memory, storage

RAM3 GB
Internal storage32 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 3 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The Zenfone 3 has 32 GB. You can expand the internal storage (32 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

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Cameras, flash

Main camera16 MP, 4608 x 3456 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera8 MP

The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The main camera of Zenfone 3 has optical image stabilization (OIS). It counters camera shake.

Asus Zenfone 3 / 5

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv4.2, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBUSB Type-C
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The Asus Zenfone 3 supports 4G/LTE networks. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Zenfone 3 smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

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Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. The battery of Zenfone 3 isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, hall, light, proximity
SpecialsCorning Gorilla Glass 3, Dual SIM, ZenUI

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth). The Zenfone 3 phone has a fingerprint scanner. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use. Gorilla Glass is very scratch resistant. It reduces the likelihood of everyday scratches and abrasions.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Asus phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • microSD slot
  • optical image stabilization (OIS)
  • Dual SIM support
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • single camera setup
  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
  • low-capacity battery
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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