Asus Zenfone 3: Pros and Cons
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
- Asus Zenfone 3 specifications
- Weight, dimensions, colors
- System, chipset, performance
- Display type, size, resolution
- Memory, storage
- Cameras, flash
- Connectivity, network, wireless
- Battery type, capacity, charger
- Features, sensors, specials
- Verdict, pros and cons
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.
Asus Zenfone 3 specifications
Brand | Asus |
---|---|
Name | Zenfone 3 |
Model | ZE552KL |
Release date | 2016 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
Weight | 5.47 oz |
---|---|
Dimensions | 6.01 x 3.05 x 0.3 inch |
Colors | black, blue, gold, white |
SIM type | Nano 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.
System, chipset, performance
OS version | Android OS v6.0.1 (Marshmallow) |
---|---|
SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 MSM8953 |
CPU | Octa-core 2 GHz Cortex-A53 |
GPU | Adreno 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.
Display type, size, resolution
Display type | IPS |
---|---|
Screen size | 5.5 inch |
Resolution | 1080 x 1920 px |
Multitouch support | yes, 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.
Memory, storage
RAM | 3 GB |
---|---|
Internal storage | 32 GB |
Memory card slot | microSD |
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.
Cameras, flash
Main camera | 16 MP, 4608 x 3456 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization |
---|---|
Flash | Dual LED |
Selfie camera | 8 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.
Connectivity, network, wireless
GSM 2G bands | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
---|---|
Network coverage | 2G / 3G / 4G |
Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac |
Bluetooth | v4.2, A2DP |
GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS |
NFC | no |
FM radio | yes |
USB | USB Type-C |
Headphone | 3.5 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.
Battery type, capacity, charger
Type | Li-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
Sensors | accelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, hall, light, proximity |
---|---|
Specials | Corning 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
Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.