Asus

Asus Zenfone AR: Pros and Cons

Android OS v7.0 (Nougat)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 MSM8996 Pro
Adreno 530
6 GB / 32 GB
5.7 inch (1440 x 2560 px)
23 MP, 5488 x 4112 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization

Asus announced the launch of the Zenfone AR smartphone in 2017. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.7 inch Super AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 MSM8996 Pro SoC, and 6 GB of RAM. It comes with Android OS v7.0 (Nougat) out of the box, and a Li-Po 3300 mAh, non-removable battery. The phone comes with a high-quality AMOLED display. This smartphone has a single camera on the back (23 MP, 5488 x 4112 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization). Is this phone a good value for its price? My review aims to answer that question by the end.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Asus Zenfone AR 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 AR / 1

Asus Zenfone AR specifications

BrandAsus
NameZenfone AR
ModelZS571KL
Release date2017

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight6 oz
Dimensions6.25 x 3.06 x 0.35 inch
Colorsblack
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of Asus Zenfone AR is about 6 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).

Asus Zenfone AR / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v7.0 (Nougat)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 821 MSM8996 Pro
CPUQuad-core, Dual-core 2.35 GHz Kryo, Dual-core 2 GHz Kryo
GPUAdreno 530

The Asus Zenfone AR comes with Android OS v7.0 (Nougat) out of the box. The Android operating system uses the Linux kernel as its foundation. It includes a user interface, middleware, and many pre-installed applications. The mid-range CPU can deliver fast, efficient performance for many tasks. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.

Asus Zenfone AR / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeSuper AMOLED
Screen size5.7 inch
Resolution1440 x 2560 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 5.7 inch phone comes with AMOLED display. Smartphones use the AMOLED, which is a type of OLED display. The 5.7 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

Asus Zenfone AR / 3

Memory, storage

RAM6 GB
Internal storage32 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The Asus Zenfone AR comes with 6 GB of RAM, which is considered to be sufficient for most users' needs. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The Zenfone AR has 32 GB. You can expand the internal storage (32 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Asus Zenfone AR / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera23 MP, 5488 x 4112 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 AR has optical image stabilization (OIS). It counters camera shake.

Asus Zenfone AR / 5

Connectivity, network, wireless

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

Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. This phone like all modern smartphones, is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Zenfone AR smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS. The Zenfone AR has a built-in NFC chip, which allows it to support various NFC applications and services. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Asus Zenfone AR / 6

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 3300 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 3300 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The battery of Zenfone AR isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Asus Zenfone AR / 7

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, barometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, hall, light, proximity
SpecialsCorning Gorilla Glass 4, Dual SIM, Quick Charge, ZenUI

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The Zenfone AR smartphone has an accelerometer. The Zenfone AR 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. The fast charging technology comes in handy when you need quick juice on your device. Corning Gorilla Glass is a type of chemically strengthened super-glass.

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

  • Super AMOLED display
  • adequate memory
  • microSD slot
  • optical image stabilization (OIS)
  • Dual SIM support
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • single camera setup
  • no 5G support
  • 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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