ASUS Announces ZenFone 3
Award-winning, feature-packed 5.2 and 5.5-inch smartphone brings agility, beauty, clarity and empowering performance to everyone
KEY POINTS
- Exquisite new all-glass-covered design with contoured edges and sandblasted aluminum frame is recipient of a 2016 Computex d&i Award
- World’s first smartphone to use 14nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor with 4GB RAM to deliver empowering performance
- Feature-packed specifications include Full HD IPS display, 16MP camera with TriTech auto-focus, rear fingerprint sensor and 802.11ac MU-MIMO Wi-Fi
Singapore (26th Aug 2016) — ASUS today announced ZenFone 3, the agile, beautiful and feature-packed lead model in the new ZenFone 3 Series of premium Android-powered smartphones. ZenFone 3 brings exquisite design and empowering performance to everyone, and is built around a gorgeously clear 5.2 and 5.5-inch Full HD (1920 by 1080) Super IPS+ display with up to 600cd/m2 brightness for an incredible visual experience that makes apps, videos, and games look their best. ZenFone 3’s narrow bezel provides a 77.3% screen-to-body ratio for a maximized viewing area in a slim and compact body. The front and rear of the phone are covered with scratch-resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass that is gently contoured to make the edge of the phone completely smooth. The stunning design of ZenFone 3 has already achieved industry recognition, winning a prestigious 2016 Computex d&I Award.
ZenFone 3 includes an advanced 16MP camera, featuring ASUS TriTech auto-focus that automatically selects second-generation laser, phase detection and continuous auto-focus to achieve precise focus in just 0.03 seconds, resulting in sharp images in any lighting conditions.
ZenFone 3 is the first smartphone worldwide to be powered by the new Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 625 octa-core processor — the first Snapdragon 600 Series processor with 14nm Fin Field Effect Transistor (FinFET) technology that increases energy efficiency by 35% compared to the previous generation. It also has an integrated X9 4G LTE modem, and 802.11ac MU-MIMO Wi-Fi connectivity, plus PC-grade graphics and up to 4GB RAM that together deliver outstanding mobile performance with improved efficiency and excellent battery life.
ZenFone 3 also has integrated biometric authentication, with a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor that unlocks the phone in just 0.22 seconds.
Exquisite design inspired by the beauty of nature
ZenFone 3 is the definition of refined craftsmanship. Encased in contoured Corning Gorilla Glass and tapering to a thin 7.69mm edge, ZenFone 3 has a fluid, multi-dimensional design that’s finished with diamond-cut chamfered highlights. To hold ZenFone 3 is to appreciate a contemporary work of art — the passion of imagination realized.
Under ZenFone 3’s tough glass rear cover the aluminum body features the iconic ASUS spun-metal finish, with its Zen-inspired pattern of concentric circles. This pattern interacts with light to create beautiful dynamic reflections that shift as the viewer’s gaze changes.
| 2.5D contoured glass edges |
| Diamond-cut metallic chamfered edge |
| Aluminum-alloy frame with rounded, finely sandblasted edges |
| Smooth, matte-textured surface created by sandblasting with hyperfine particles |
Both the front and rear glass panels have 2.5D contoured edges, aping the natural meniscus of a water droplet on a flat surface. This contouring blends seamlessly into the diamond-cut metallic edges of ZenFone 3’s aluminum-alloy frame, which also has curved edges that make ZenFone 3 incredibly comfortable to grip.
| Ultra-slim metal frame
6.16mm
|
For added security and convenience, ZenFone 3 has a fingerprint sensor that is conveniently positioned near the top of the rear panel, allowing the user’s index finger rest naturally on it. The fingerprint sensor allows rapid locking or unlocking of the phone, and can also be used for authentication by other apps. It registers up to five separate fingerprints, and accurately detects fingerprints regardless of the orientation of the finger on the sensor.
ZenFone 3 comes in three colors named after the natural elements that inspired their choice: Sapphire Black, Moonlight White and Shimmer Gold.
| Sapphire Black
|
| Moonlight White
|
| Shimmer Gold
|
Wide, bright and detail-packed display
ZenFone 3 has a fabulous up to 5.5-inch Super IPS+ wide-viewing-angle display with 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolutions to show every detail, and intense 600cd/m2 brightness for easy viewing under even the brightest light conditions. Indoors or out, everything is clear on ZenFone 3. And with an ultra-slim 2.1mm bezel and up to a remarkable 77.3% screen-to-body ratio, it’s one of the world’s smallest 5.5-inch smartphones.
Unrivalled smartphone audio with SonicMaster 3.0
Matching ZenFone 3’s impressive display is its class-leading sound, powered by ASUS SonicMaster 3.0 audio technology. It features a five-magnet speaker with a metal voice coil and an expansive sound chamber, driven by an NXP smart amplifier that delivers powerful, emotional audio and also protects the speaker from damage. As ZenFone 3 is certified for High-Res Audio (HRA), users can plug in their favorite HRA-compatible headphones or earbuds and experience true HRA quality anywhere they go with ZenFone 3’s studio-grade 24-bit/192kHz playback — that’s 4X better than CD-quality sound.
PixelMaster 3.0 captures reality, fast and steady
Next-generation PixelMaster 3.0 lifts ZenFone 3’s photography far above the smartphone norm. To capture real-world authenticity, PixelMaster 3.0 packs a 16MP camera, large f/2.0-aperture lens and subject-tracking TriTech auto-focus that locks on at any distance and in any light conditions in just 0.03 seconds. With both optical and electronic image stabilization for blur-free shots and video, and color-correction sensor for true color photography, ZenFone 3 redefines smartphone photography — the PixelMaster 3.0 revolution is here.
ZenFone 3 uses a Sony® Exmor RS™ IMX298 16MP sensor which has a higher resolution than other smartphones in its class, allowing incredibly detailed full-resolution photos. These photos can then be printed onto very large photo media or cropped in post-processing with minimal detail loss compared to smartphones with lower resolutions. The sensor also enables ZenFone 3 to shoot smooth and detailed 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution videos.
ZenFone 3 also introduces the new TriTech auto-focus system that automatically selects the best focusing method — second-generation laser, phase detection, or continuous contrast-detection autofocus — for near-instant 0.03-second focusing and subject tracking. The laser auto-focus system focuses on subjects at a distance of up to 1.5 meters — which is about three times the distance of conventional laser auto-focus systems.
Other advanced PixelMaster 3.0 technologies in ZenFone 3 include:
- Color-correction sensor – A sensor that detects the lighting in the scene and automatically adjusts colors in the photo to look natural and accurate
- Four-axis photo OIS – PixelMaster 3.0’s optical image stabilization (OIS) system detects and eliminates shakes caused by hand movements by moving the sensor to compensate. This enables the photographer to use shutter speeds that are up to four stops slower, and results in sharper photos — especially in low-light environments.
- Three-axis video EIS – This electronic image stabilization (EIS) system automatically detects and corrects shaking motion in videos using an advanced software algorithm.
- Super Resolution mode – This mode creates ultra-high resolution, 64MP photos by capturing and combining four native 16MP photos to create a single image of exceptional 4X clarity with greater detail and less noise.
- Low Light mode – This mode increases the light sensitivity of the sensor by up to 400% by combining four neighboring pixels on the sensor into a single one with greater light sensitivity, allowing photos to be shot in low-light conditions without the harsh, overpowering illumination of a flash.
- Comprehensive preset modes – A collection of preset modes enables optimized shooting of almost any subject in any environment. Highlights include special-effects filters, Miniature mode to mimic tilt-shift photography to make subjects appear like miniature toy figures, automated unwanted element removal, the automated Beautification mode for capturing attractive portraits, and an automated time-lapse mode.
- Professional manual creative controls – These settings give keen photographers advanced control of ZenFone 3’s camera, giving them the ability to change settings like white balance, exposure value (EV), ISO sensitivity, shutter speed, and focus. This makes it a powerful tool for learning the fundamental skills of photography and allows users to shoot scenes with many different creative interpretations.
Full speed on every front
ZenFone 3 delivers exceptional performance from its 64-bit, 2.0GHz octa-core Snapdragon 625 processor, 4GB memory and desktop-grade Adreno 506 graphics. ZenFone 3’s processor also has the revolutionary 14nm FinFET architecture with 35%-lower power consumption. With 300Mbps 4G LTE, 802.11ac MU-MIMO Wi-Fi and reversible USB-C, ZenFone 3 has superb connectivity and the power to smoothly run even the most demanding games. ZenFone 3 offers generous internal storage of up to 128GB that can be expanded via the hybrid micro SD/SIM slot for a micro SD card when a second SIM is not in use.
AVAILABILITY & PRICING
ASUS ZenFone 3 will be available in two variants, 5.2” and 5.5”. The retail price (without contract) is
SGD 398 and 498 respectively. It will be available from 27-Aug 2016 in the three Telcos – Singtel, Starhub and M1, all ASUS Authorized resellers and ASUS Brand Stores.
List of shops of availability:
Telcos
- Singtel
- StarHub
- M1
IT retailers
- Challenger
- Best Denki
- Gain City
- Newstead
- Cybermind
ASUS concept stores
- SIM LIM Square: 1 Rochor Canal Road, Sim Lim Square #01-52, Singapore 188504
- Cause way point: 1 woodland square, causeway point #03-11 Singapore 738099
- Marina Square: 6 raffles boulevard, Marina Square #02-261 to 267 Singapore 039594
*Enjoy Early Bird Special Promotion for ZenFone 3 with 3’Mendous Package. The 3’Mendous Package offers premium giveaway worth SGD $107
(Consists of 1 x ZenPower Power Bank, 1 x Zen3 Original Flip Cover and 1 x USB Type C Cable)
| Retailer | Address | Phone number | |
| Challenger | 313 Orchard Road, #04-01/02 313@Somerset Singapore 238895 | 6339 9008 | |
| Newstead | 6 RAFFLES BOULEVARD, MARINA SQUARE (#02-261 to 267), Singapore 039594 | 6358 3997 | |
| Best Denki | 1 HarbourFront Walk #02 -07 VivoCity. Singapore 098585 | 6276 6636 | |
| Gain City | 71 Sungei Kadut Drive, 729577 point 1 | 6899 1212 |
| SPECIFICATIONS[1]
ASUS ZenFone 3 (ZE520KL) |
||
| Display | 5.2-inch Super IPS+ LCD
77.3% Screen-to-body ratio |
| Construction | Front and rear Corning® Gorilla® Glass panels with 2.5D contoured edges and metal frame |
| Processor | Octo-core 14nm 2.0GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 625 |
| GPU | Adreno™ 506 |
| RAM / Memory | 3GB RAM/32GB storage |
| Main camera sensor | 16MP ASUS PixelMaster 3.0 Camera (Sony® IMX298 sensor) |
| Main camera features | ASUS PixelMaster 3.0 camera: f/2.0, 6-element Largan lens, 0.03-second TriTech Autofocus (contrast / phase / 2nd-gen laser), 4-axis photo OIS, 3-axis video EIS, color-correction sensor, Dual-tone LED flash |
| Front Camera | 8MP, 85º wide-angle |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi: MU-MIMO 802.11ac
4G LTE: Cat 6 |
| Fingerprint sensor | Rear sensor
Five-finger registration / 360° recognition |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth® 4.2
USB- Type C (USB 2.0) |
| SIM / SD slots | Slot 1: Micro SIM (4G)
Slot 2: Nano SIM (3G) or Micro SD |
| GPS | GPS, AGPS, GLONASS, BEIDOU |
| OS | Android™ M with ZenUI 3.0 |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio
Five-magnet speaker |
| Battery | 2650mAh (non-removable) |
| Colors | Shimmer Gold
Sapphire Black Moonlight White |
| MSRP | $398 |
| SPECIFICATIONS[2]
ASUS ZenFone 3 (ZE552KL) |
| Display | 5.5-inch Super IPS+ LCD
77.3% Screen-to-body ratio |
| Construction | Front and rear Corning® Gorilla® Glass panels with 2.5D contoured edges and metal frame |
| Processor | Octo-core 14nm 2.0GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 625 |
| GPU | Adreno™ 506 |
| RAM / Memory | 4GB RAM / 64GB storage |
| Main camera sensor | 16MP ASUS PixelMaster 3.0 Camera (Sony® IMX298 sensor) |
| Main camera features | ASUS PixelMaster 3.0 camera: f/2.0, 6-element Largan lens, 0.03-second TriTech Autofocus (contrast / phase / 2nd-gen laser), 4-axis photo OIS, 3-axis video EIS, color-correction sensor, Dual-tone LED flash |
| Front Camera | 8MP, 85º wide-angle |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi: MU-MIMO 802.11ac
4G LTE: Up to Cat 6 |
| Fingerprint sensor | Rear sensor
Five-finger registration / 360° recognition |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth® 4.2
USB-C (USB 2.0) |
| SIM / SD slots | Slot 1: Micro SIM (4G)
Slot 2: Nano SIM (3G) or Micro SD |
| GPS | GPS, AGPS, GLONASS, BEIDOU |
| OS | Android™ M with ZenUI 3.0 |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio
Five-magnet speaker |
| Battery | 3000mAh (non-removable) |
| Colors | Shimmer Gold
Sapphire Black Moonlight White |
