Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a foreign term for millennials. Human-shaped robots are already up and running with the help of AI and this technology has been injected in our everyday gadgets like mobile phones to help make certain features easier. Other brands have previously introduced AI for cameras and smartphone AIs that can help monitor our day-to-day tasks, but it’s our first time to hear about a smartphone that is way too smart to the point that it can learn what time we usually sleep and wake up (individually!), identify what type of photos we take, suggest photo effects, and charge on its own. Perhaps it’s time to bid adieu to smartphones and usher in the new era for “intelligent phones”, spearheaded by ASUS.

Media, bloggers, and ZenFans gathered at One Esplanade in Pasay City on Saturday (April 14, 2018) to witness the launch of the latest Zenfone Series – Zenfone 5, Zenfone 5Z, and Zenfone 5Q – and check if they’ve guessed the corresponding prices correctly. The prices are so aggressive and you can check it below after we take you through the specs. ASUS brought together their Global CEO, Jerry Shen; ASUS Global Marketing Operations Head, Marcel Campos; ASUS Philippines’ Country Manager, George Su; Qualcomm President and VP for Southeast Asia, Manholtra Mantosh; and Zenfone Brand Ambassador, Gerald Anderson to take us through the notable features.

“Today, we have elevated mobile photography to a new level with the ZenFone 5’s AI-powered cameras, and we are proud to introduce the dawn of Intelligent ZenFones that are sure to give you the greatest photography prowess smartphones can offer,” states Shen. Together with these new offers, ASUS is also celebrating the opening of their 100th store in the Philippines, which is located at Ayala Malls Feliz in Marcos Highway.

“One of ASUS’ top most priorities is to bring the best innovations closer to your homes,” Su shared. “I, on behalf of the ASUS family, would like to invite you all to come over and continue to share the experience of incredible technology with us.”

Now, on to the specifications, pricing, and availability of Zenfone 5, Zenfone 5Q, and Zenfone 5Z:

ZENFONE 5 vs ZENFONE 5Z

	ZENFONE 5	ZENFONE 5Z
Display	6.2-inch Full HD (2246x 1080) Super IPS display 90% screen-to-body ratio Auto Color Temperature Smart Screen On Corning Gorilla Glass for screen protection	6.2-inch All-Screen Display 90% screen-to-body ratio Auto Color Temperature Smart Screen On Corning Gorilla Glass for screen protection
Design	Front and rear 2.5D curved glass display	Front glass, aluminum body
CPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 Mobile Platform with 14nm, 64-bit Octa-core Processor with AI capabilities and AI Boost 636 Mobile Platform	Powered Flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon SDM845 with 10nm, Octa-core 845 Mobile Platform with AI capabilities and AI Boost Multi-core AI Engine
GPU	Qualcomm Adreno 509	Qualcomm Adreno 630
Memory	4GB RAM / 64GB ROM	6GB RAM / 128FB ROM UFS 2.1
Main Rear Camera	12MP Sony IMX363 flagship sensor F1.8 aperture 83⁰ field of view 24mm focal length	12MP with Sony IMX 363 Sensor F1.8 aperture Phase detection autofocus
Second Rear Camera	8MP with 120⁰ wide-angle camera 200% wider view	8MP with 120⁰ wide-angle camera 200% wider view
AI Photograpy	AI Photography: AI Scene Detection in 16 types AI Photo Learning Real-time portrait & beautification	AI Photo Learning: AI Scene Detection in 16 types AI Photo Learning Real-time portrait & beautification
Rear LED Flash	Yes	Yes
Main Front Camera	8MP with F2.0 aperture Auto (with Night HDR and Portrait), Beauty, Selfie Panorama, and GIF Animation	8MP with F2.0 aperture gyro EIS, 1080p
OS	Android Oreo New ASUS ZenUI 5.0	Android 8.0 Oreo
Battery	3300 mAh capacity BoostMaster	3300 mAh capacity BoostMaster
AI Charging	Yes	Yes
AI Ringtone	Yes	Yes
Audio	Dual speaker with dual NXP Smart AMP Hi-Res Audio DTS Headphone X Dual internal microphones with ASUS Noise Reduction Audio CODEC integrated into PMIC	Dual speaker with dual NXP Smart AMP Hi-Res Audio DTS Headphone X Dual internal microphones with ASUS Noise Reduction Audio CODEC integrated into PMIC
Connectivity	600 Mbps (Cat 12/13 LTE)	1.2 Gbps (Cat 12/18 LTE)
SIM Cards	Dual 4G SIM	Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Radio	FM	Yes
Fingerprint Scanner	Yes	Yes
Facial Recognition	Yes	Yes
Colors	Midnight Blue, Meteor Silver	Midnight Blue, Meteor Silver
Weight	155g	155g

AI Features:

• AI Cameras are intelligent cameras that learn to think like you. There are 16 AI Scene Detection Modes, AI Photo Learning, Real-time Portraits, and Real-time Beautification.
• AI Power contributes to the performance of both battery life and the phone’s responsiveness.
• AI Display immerses users to a smarter and more gorgeous screen that lets us see more, while still being able to fit comfortably in our hands.
• AI Charging suggests a personalized charging schedule based on a user’s charging habits to provide maximum on-the-go stamina.
• AI Mobile Experience enables a more convenient facial and fingerprint unlock system.
• AI Ringtone helps the phone adapt itself with a user’s environment, which aids in recording and call quality.
• AI Audio showcases AI-enhanced software that brings in state-of-the art audio quality at the palm of your hands.

ZENFONE 5Q

	ZENFONE 5Q
Display	6-inch Full HD (2160 x 1080) IPS display 80.3% screen-to-body ratio Bluelight filter for eye care Capacitive touch panel with 10 points multi-touch
Design	Front and rear 2.5D contoured glass panel 1.79mm slim bezel
CPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 Mobile Platform with 14nm, 64-bit Octa-core Processor
GPU	Qualcomm Adreno 508 (SDM630)
Memory	4GB RAM / 64 GB ROM
Main Rear Camera	16MP F2.2 aperture Instant camera switching 0.03 seconds phase-detection autofocus
Second Rear Camera	8MP with 120⁰ wide-angle camera 200% wider view
AI Photograpy	None
Rear LED Flash	Yes
Main Front Camera	20MP Sony IMX376 image sensor with F2.0 aperture Instant cameras switching ASUS SelfieMaster technology
Second Front Camera	8MP with 120⁰ wide-angle camera 200% wider view
Front LED Flash	Softlight LED flash
OS	Android Nougat New ASUS ZenUI 4.5
Battery	3300 mAh capacity
AI Charging	None
Audio	Loud speaker Audio CODEC integrated into PMIC Dual internal microphones with ASUS Noise Reduction
SIM Cards	Triple Slots: Dual SIM & one microSD card
Radio	FM
Fingerprint Scanner	Yes
Facial Recognition	Yes
Colors	Midnight Black, Moonlight White
Weight	168.3g

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

Zenfone 5 and Zenfone 5Q are already available nationwide and both can be purchased with 0% interest on Home Credit for 6 months, from April 14, 2018 to June 30, 2018.The Zenfone 5 is priced only at P19,995 and the Zenfone 5Q for the affordable rate of P16,995. Purchases made from April 14 – April 24, 2018 will count as a raffle entry to their Toyota Vios E giveaway (which is priced at P841K in case you’re interested to buy one).

ZenFone 5Z will hit the market within June 2018 for P29,995.

MILLENNIAL VERDICT

The prices are reasonable enough, given the special features embedded within each model. What we loved most about these new breeds are the AI-powered cameras that can automatically identify what photo you’re taking so you won’t need to manually change the setting to the best option, and the powerful AI Ringtone that can adjust its volume based on the environmental noise that it picks up. Plus, users will also have access to Zenimojis – moving emojis! Check out the samples in ASUS’ partner stores nationwide for a closer look at the models. For now, all we can say is: #MillennialApproved ✔️

For instant updates and a peek at our whereabouts, don’t forget to follow Manila Millennial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For more details and hassle-free purchasing of ASUS products, visit:

www.asus.com/ph

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Lazada: ASUS Philippines Official Store

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