We have recently discussed the ASUS Zenfone Zoom launch event at Agra, ASUS has launched a new smartphone with 3X optical zoom and excellent battery life. The Asus Zenfone Zoom ZX551ML is powered by Intel Atom Z3590 2.5GHz quad-core, which runs on the latest Android lollipop version with 128GB built-in storage and 4 GB RAM. This is not something that makes Zenfone Zoom a unique smartphone, but the 3x optical zoom camera, in fact, is, read below post to check out a full review of the ASUS Zenfone Zoom smartphone.
Unboxing Zenfone Zoom
When you open your Zenfone Zoom box, wrapped with a small black box, you will find your handset, data cable, original charger, earphones, user guide, warrant card and hand strap. We have checked the SAR Value of Zenfone Zoom which is 0.343 W/kg head and 0.432 W/kg body.
Zenfone Zoom Design & Build
Zenfone Zoom smartphone comes with excellent finishing and build quality, one thing we have noted in all zenfone devices that is all devices have the same quality, Whether it comes to Zenfone Laser, Zenfone 2 deluxe or zenfone 6 devices. It comes with a metallic frame outside, the one we got has a metallic grey-coloured side all over with a shiny silver-coloured border. It has a curvy design, and on the back side, it comes with leather-type textures that are made of plastic.
We feel comfortable when we hold the device, but it seems a little bulky because of the camera module on the backside. Zenfone Zoom device comes with 3x optical zoom but still has a camera module on the back; it has moulded in such a way that it does not occupy extra space.
On the right-hand side, there is a volume up, and volume down button placed, that you can use to zoom in or zoom out while taking pictures from your device. You can also increase or decrease the volume using this button while listening to songs. Just below it, you will find the power button. To capture the screenshot of your smartphone screen, you can use the Power button + volume down button, which will capture an image of your smartphone screen.
An audio jack to plug your earphone is available on the top side, and a secondary mic is too there. At the bottom, you will find a micro USB port along with a primary mic and speaker is there on the backside.
The device uses a single sim that you will need a micro sim to play with, you will find a SIM card slot and a micro SD card slot there. You will find a micro SD card slot just below the camera, and just below that, there is a micro sim card to plug in.
Display
Zenfone Zoom device comes with a 5.5-inch wide screen that is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4, and its screen resolution is 1920 x 1080 pixels. If you check out its touch response it’s very good. Also, colour reproduction and touch sensors are very good.
Storage & Memory
For powerful performance, the Zenfone Zoom device comes with 4GB RAM and 128GB built-in storage. You will get 112GB out of 128GB for use, and 16.48 GB is system-reserved memory. If you want to use an external USB device like a pen drive, you can use an OTG cable that is supported by Zenfone Zoom. Zenfone Zoom by ASUS runs on ZenUI with Lollipop 5.0 version.
Powerful Performance
Zenfone Zoom device comes with the Intel Atom CPU Z3590 clocked at 2.5GHz coupled with PowerVR Rouge G6430. The performance of the device is very smooth, and the battery temperature is also under control. However, it seems it gets a little warm on using the internet with the device’s data plan, but not with WiFi.
The gaming experience is also quite good, I have played Modern Combat 5: Blackout game on high visual quality mode and it runs very smoothly, it has powerful performance and the experience was smooth without any lags. So you can consider Zenfone Zoom can play so many HD games on your device without any issues.
Camera
This device is specially created to focus on a camera and 3x optical zoom. The rear camera comes with a 13MP primary Laser Auto Focus camera (10 element HOYA lens with 4 steps OIS), along with dual-tone LED flash. The front camera has 5MP. The back camera has 3x optical zoom and 9x digital zoom, so you will get a total of 12x zoom with your zenfone zoom device.
As said in starting a paragraph, the volume button can be used to zoom in and zoom out of any pictures you are taking. If your device screen is off and you still want to take a picture, there is a dedicated camera button at the bottom right side. To load the camera app while your device screen is off, you just need to press the dedicated camera button and hold it until the screen is on. Mostly I have seen a dedicated camera button with a few Sony smartphone devices.
This feature helps you to instantly capture any image without opening your screen lock go to the camera app and then capture an image; you can immediately capture an image with the dedicated camera button. There is a tiny round button that is for video recording and a dedicated camera button used to capture images. Both need to be pressed and held until your device gets vibration.
With a rear camera, you can shoot FHD videos also slow motion videos in 720p screen resolution, which is quite good. ASUS zenfone zoom gives you the same experience that you get with a DSLR camera. You can use some of the features like colour balance, shutter speed that can be extended up to 32 seconds and manual focus like many other features that DSLR camera has, you can feel the same experience with your Zenfone Zoom device. The camera quality of the taken pictures is excellent.
Miscellaneous
This device allows you to use 2G/3G & 4G networks, I am not able to use 4G, but 3G worked for me. There is no issue with other things like GPS, Bluetooth and WiFi of the device. If you play songs on your device, the loudspeaker quality is quite good and clear without any issues. There are no network issues I have faced yet and also I have used the video calling feature on a device without any issues.
Battery backup
The battery is also very good; it can be charged up to 70% within 39 minutes. The battery of Zenfone Zoom comes with 3000 mAh & it’s non-removable. You can use the device continuously for up to 4-to 5 hours without any issues. However, it gets a little warm but not like other smartphones that get overheated. If you want to charge this smartphone, it will take around 90-95 minutes to get completely fully charged.
Check out the hands on the Asus Zenfone Zoom smartphone from the below video.
Final Verdict
If you are a professional photographer, you can use Zenfone Zoom in place of your DSLR camera. It does not completely replace your DSLR camera, but a very good option as compared to other smartphones available in the market regarding camera.
Performance is smooth; battery backup is very good and an awesome feature comes for a premium price. Asus Zenfone Zoom Price is Rs 39,999 and available to purchase on Flipkart store.
