Smartphone to intelligent phone: ASUS unveils Zenfone Series that can think for you

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.

Zenfone 5 and Zenfone 5Z both have amazing AI capabilities.

ASUS Team with Zenfone Ambassador Gerald Anderson during the Zenfone 5 Series launch at One Esplanade in Pasay City.

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.”

Zenfone ambassador Gerald Anderson also talked about his experiences in traveling with his own Zenfone Max.

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

Zenfone 5 on display during the #Backto5PH launch.

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

A preview of Zenfone 5Q’s front camera and face detection.

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 P16,995Purchases 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.

Zenfone ambassador Gerald Anderson tells us what he loves most about Zenfone: The battery life!

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 FacebookTwitter, and Instagram. For more details and hassle-free purchasing of ASUS products, visit:

www.asus.com/ph

Facebook: ASUS Philippines

Twitter: @ASUSph

Instagram: @asusph

Lazada: ASUS Philippines Official Store

#Backto5PH

#WeLovePhoto

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