Asus announces Android ZenFone line starting at $99 OFF-CONTRACT

[2298754]

http://www.engadget.com/2014/01/06/asus-zenfone/

It's been a while since we've seen an ASUS smartphone that wasn't meant to be used with (or as) a tablet, but the company is making up for that absence by launching the ZenFone line. The ZenFone 4, 5 and 6 all sport dual-core Intel Atom processors and a range of exotic color options. They also tout a new interface layer on top of Android 4.3, ZenUI, that promises both simplicity and a What's Next feature for tracking your daily schedule. Differences between models largely boil down to screen size and performance. The ZenFone 4 starts things off with its namesake 4-inch 800 x 480 LCD, a 1.2GHz Atom chip, a 5-megapixel rear camera and a front VGA shooter. Move to the ZenFone 5 and you'll get a larger 720p display with pen and glove support, a 2GHz Atom, an 8MP back camera and 2MP at the front. The ZenFone 6 builds on this with an even bigger (though still 720p) screen and a 13MP rear camera. ASUS hasn't said when the ZenFone series hits shops, although the absence of LTE suggests that the handsets won't reach 4G-obsessed US carriers in an official capacity. They'll definitely be cheap to buy off-contract, however -- the ZenFone 4 starts things off at $99, while its 5- and 6-inch counterparts will cost $149 and $199.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQkKCwfLOTY

http://www.engadget.com/2014/01/06/...s_semi&utm_source=engadget&utm_medium=twitter

ASUS is giving American tablet fans more than the PadFone X -- it just revealed at its CES event that the PadFone Mini will also be coming to the US for $249. The 4-inch smartphone and 7-inch tablet combo that will reach the US isn't quite the same as what surfaced in Taiwan, though. This version touts a phone with 1.6GHz dual-core Atom Z2560 chip, 8GB of storage and an 800 x 480 display rather than the Snapdragon, 16GB of space and 960 x 540 display from before. ASUS hasn't said exactly when we'll see this new Intel-powered PadFone, but we'll keep you updated.

 

[zbarvian]

5 inch 720p screen, 2030 mah battery, Z2580, all for $149. Not bad.

 

[2298754]

closer look

http://www.engadget.com/2014/01/06/a-closer-look-at-asus-zenfone-line/

 

[sentinelsx]

I like the idea of that notification/day management on lock screen. Hope google implements something similar in future.

Would be nice if the 4 inch device came with 720p as well...but this is $99 after all.

 

[jamezr]

http://www.engadget.com/2014/01/06/asus-zenfone/



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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQkKCwfLOTY

http://www.engadget.com/2014/01/06/...s_semi&utm_source=engadget&utm_medium=twitter

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That Padfone mini looks horrendous! What a fail…..

 

[itsmeorthedog]

I'm getting the 5. I've got the N7 2013 and I'm very happy with ASUS and their products.

 

[Savor]

Asus has shown time and time again how solid they make their devices at excellent prices. Most of the American market aren't familiar to them except for lower-end laptops/notebooks, some tablets/hybrids, and the Nexus 7. They have been one of the best at build quality along with the other Taiwanese company - HTC. Asus is actually better at battery life than HTC. Asus, Huawei, Lenovo, and Xiaomi will all become more familiar someday at different markets.

Kudos to Asus! I'm really looking at the 5 as well.

 

[blackhand1001]

Looks like decent offerings. Just wish they had gone the stock android route like Motorola. The skin on these looks weird. Why do manufacturers sirens money on developing these skins.