ASUS today announced that it has won 15 prestigious 2017 iF Product Design Awards, setting a new record for the number of wins for the company in a single iF Design Award competition. Spanning three product categories – Telecommunication, Computer and Audio – the award-winning products represent the ASUS commitment to design innovation and engineering excellence. The award-winning products were selected from a competitive field of 5,575 entries from 59 countries.
Winners in the Telecommunication category were ZenFone 3 Deluxe and ZenFone 3 Deluxe View Flip Cover; ZenFone 3 and ZenFone 3 View Flip Cover; and ZenFone 3 Ultra and ZenFone 3 Ultra Folio Cover.
In the Computer category, award-winning products were the ZenBook 3 and ZenBook 3 Deluxe ultraportable laptops; the ZenScreen MB16AC portable monitor; the VivoMini VC66 Series of mini PCs; ROG GR8 II, the smallest gaming PC built for VR; the ZenBook Flip (UX360UA) convertible laptop; the ROG G31 Edition 10 gaming desktop; the Chromebook C202 educational computer; the Transformer 3 Pro (T303) and Transformer 3 (T305) detachable 2-in-1 PCs; the ROG XG Station 2 external graphics-card dock; and the Designo Curve MX Series monitors. ASUS Audio Pod won an award in the Audio category.
iF Design Awards are recognized worldwide as a seal of quality for products that excel in specific criteria including design quality, degree of innovation, functionality, ergonomics and more. An independent jury of 58 experts from all over the world assesses products and selects winners.
2017 iF Design Award Winners
ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe
ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe is the flagship model of the ZenFone 3 Series, and the world’s first full-metal smartphone with an invisible antenna design. The ultimate expression of ASUS smartphone design, it is constructed with a strong and light aluminum-alloy unibody, a rear surface free of unsightly antenna lines and an ultra-thin 4.2 mm edge.
ZenFone 3 Deluxe features a 5.7-inch Full HD (1920 by 1080) Super AMOLED display with a wide color gamut of over 100% NTSC for rich, vibrant colors, even in harsh, outdoor lighting. An ultra-thin bezel gives ZenFone 3 Deluxe a 79% screen-to-body ratio for a maximized display in a compact package. Inside, it has the world’s first Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 821 Series processor, Adreno™ 530 GPU, and integrated X12 LTE modem, as well as up to 6GB RAM to deliver the best performance and fast connectivity for demanding apps, games, and media.
ZenFone 3 Deluxe raises the bar for mobile photography with its incredible 23MP camera featuring the latest Sony® IMX318 image sensor, a large f/2.0 aperture lens, and four-axis optical image stabilization for high-resolution, blur-free, and low-noise photos in almost any lighting condition. It also features three-axis electronic image stabilization for steady 4K UHD videos, ASUS PixelMaster 3.0 technology and the ASUS TriTech autofocus system.
The innovative ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe View Flip Cover protects its beautiful display from scrapes and scratches, while keeping the information in full view. This cover is made from a single piece of high-quality artificial leather, and allows users to see all their important information and notifications without having to open it.
ASUS ZenFone 3
ASUS ZenFone 3 is a feature-packed smartphone that brings premium design and empowering performance to everyone. Built around a gorgeous 5.2/5.5-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) display with up to 600cd/m2 brightness, ZenFone 3 delivers an incredible visual experience that makes apps, videos, and games look their best. With a narrow bezel, ZenFone 3 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 encased in scratch-resistant 2.5D Corning® Gorilla® Glass that gently curves to make the edge of the phone completely smooth. ZenFone 3 is equipped with a Sony IMX298 sensor 16MP camera with an ASUS TriTech autofocus system that automatically selects laser, phase detection, or continuous autofocus to achieve precise focus in just 0.03 seconds. It also includes both an optical and electronic image stabilizer for blur-free images and stable video shots, and has the capability of recording videos in 4K UHD quality. ZenFone 3 is the world’s first smartphone powered by the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 625 octa-core processor for outstanding mobile performance with improved efficiency and battery life.
ASUS ZenFone 3 View Flip Cover protects the beautiful display of ZenFone 3 from scrapes and scratches, makes important information and updates available at a glance, and has a stylish, embossed leather design with rear etching for added grip. With the ZenFone 3 View Flip Cover, users can see all the information they need such as incoming calls or notifications, without having to open the case. Made out of soft polyurethane material, the phone cover protects the ZenFone 3 from dust and scratches, and fits comfortably in any pocket or bag.
ASUS ZenFone 3 Ultra
ASUS ZenFone 3 Ultra is a smartphone designed for multimedia lovers, featuring a 6.8-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) wide-view display and a wide 95% NTSC color gamut. ASUS-exclusive Tru2Life+ technology brings 4K UHD-TV-grade video processing technology to smartphones and optimizes every pixel in an image before it is displayed, resulting in superior contrast and clarity. ZenFone 3 Ultra also excels at audio with its powerful dual five-magnet speakers and NXP smart amplifier that provides clear, defined sound and also protects the speakers from damage. When listening over certified headphones, users can enjoy Hi-Res Audio (HRA) that provides up four-times-better sound quality than CDs, and virtual 7.1 surround sound with DTS Headphone:X.
ZenFone 3 Ultra has an incredibly slim and elegant full-metal unibody chassis — the world’s first to have invisible antenna lines. An ultra-slim bezel gives ZenFone 3 Ultra a 79% screen-to-body ratio, maximizing the viewing area while keeping the phone easy to hold and carry. ZenFone 3 Ultra is equipped with an extremely-high-resolution 23MP camera with an ASUS TriTech autofocus system that automatically selects laser, phase detection or continuous autofocus to achieve precise focus in just 0.03 seconds. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 octa-core processor, Adreno 510 graphics, and 4GB of RAM, ZenFone 3 Ultra delivers outstanding mobile performance. Its high-capacity 4600 mAh battery provides long-lasting performance on the go and QuickCharge 3.0 technology provides rapid recharge times. ZenFone 3 Ultra even works as a power bank with 1.5A output for quickly charging other mobile devices.
ASUS ZenFone 3 Ultra Folio Cover protects ZenFone 3 Ultra’s beautiful display from scrapes and scratches — and has a brilliant folding design that tilts the display to the ideal angle for everyday viewing. With one quick movement, ZenFone 3 Ultra Folio Cover folds in itself to create an instant stand for the smartphone. ZenFone 3 Ultra Folio Cover easily attaches to the ZenFone 3 Ultra with a strong, reusable adhesive pad that is crafted from a soft-feel material with a luxurious sheen.
ASUS ZenBook 3 Series: ZenBook 3 and ZenBook 3 Deluxe
The ASUS ZenBook 3 Series, which includes ZenBook 3 (UX390) and ZenBook 3 Deluxe (UX490), is designed to deliver unprecedented performance. ZenBook 3 is the next-generation ZenBook, and it has been completely redesigned with a gorgeous, ultra-sleek 11.9 mm chassis that weighs only 910g. ZenBook 3 has a unibody design crafted from aerospace-grade aluminum alloy; a premium material that is 50% stronger than the standard alloy used in laptops, and featuring the signature ZenBook spun-metal finish. It is available in three exclusive colors, Royal Blue, Rose Gold and Quartz Grey, and a special two-phase anodizing process was used the create the stunning golden highlights on its diamond-cut edges. This prestigious laptop delivers unprecedented performance with the latest 7th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 processors, 16GB of high speed 2133MHz RAM, up to 1TB PCIe® x4 SSD and a powerful quad-speaker audio system certified by Harman Kardon. A slim-bezel design provides an 82% screen-to-body ratio for the maximum display size with the minimum footprint.
The new stunning, all-aluminum ZenBook 3 Deluxe is a beautifully enhanced version of the ZenBook 3 with a 12.9mm-slim and 1.1kg-light 13-inch-class chassis that incorporates a gorgeous 14-inch ultra-narrow-bezel display, with an edge-to-edge covering of tough Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5, giving users the perfect balance between portability and productivity. ZenBook 3 Deluxe features the latest 7th Generation Intel Core processors, up to 16GB of 2133MHz LPDDR3 RAM and a blazingly-fast up 1TB PCI Express® (PCIe®) SSD — one of the largest-capacity SSDs available. Unrivaled expansion capabilities are provided by the two USB Type-C™ (USB-C™) ports, which are Thunderbolt™ 3-enabled with support for 40Gbps data transfers, dual 4K UHD external displays, and power delivery.
ASUS ZenBook Flip (UX360UA)
ASUS ZenBook Flip (UX360UA) combines elegant sophistication with the convenience and versatility of a 360°-flippable display. The laptop, which is only 13.9mm thick and weighs just 1.3kg, has a stepless 360° any-position hinge — featuring a jewelry-inspired design — that allows it to be used as a traditional touchscreen laptop, a convenient tablet or any option in between. ZenBook Flip is incredibly powerful, with an Intel Core i7 processor, up to a 512GB SSD and 16GB RAM, so it sails through everyday computing tasks with ease. The unibody chassis is crafted from a single block of solid aluminum and the lid features the signature spun-metal ZenBook finish with its Zen-inspired pattern of concentric circles. Its good looks are further enhanced by two sophisticated color options of Rose Gold and Mineral Grey. ZenBook Flip has an ergonomic backlit keyboard with full-size keys and its amazing battery lasts up to 12 hours between charges.
ASUS ZenScreen MB16AC
Weighing just 800g and only 8mm thin, the 15.6-inch ASUS ZenScreen MB16AC is the world’s lightest and slimmest Full HD portable monitor. At 6.5mm, the bezel is 60% thinner compared to previous models, bringing a more expansive view without compromising the styling. ZenScreen MB16AC features a hybrid USB Type-C port that supports power and video transmission, and is compatible with any laptop equipped with a USB-C or USB Type-A port. ZenScreen MB16AC has an ultra-thin foldable smart case, which not only provides protection but also can be turned into a horizontal or vertical stand. Users who do not have the case can simply insert a pen into the hole located at the right bottom corner of the screen to prop it up. The monitor comes with ASUS Eye Care technology, with TÜV Rheinland-certified Flicker-Free and Blue Light technologies to minimize eyestrain and protect users from harmful blue light.
ASUS VivoMini VC66 Series
ASUS VivoMini VC66 Series is a range of high-performance mini PCs powered by desktop-grade 7th Generation Intel Core (Kaby Lake) processors with DDR4 RAM. The versatile VC66 and VC66R mini PCs feature 4K UHD display support and all-round connectivity with six USB ports, including one reversible Type-C™ (USB-C™) port plus HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI-D and serial ports for compatibility with displays, digital signage, point-of-sale systems and computing kiosks. The VC66 model is available in two configurations: it can be specified with one M.2 solid-state drive (SSD) plus two 2.5-inch hard disk drives (HDD) or SSDs, or with one M.2 SSD, one HDD/SSD and a 2.5-inch optical disc drive. This gives users the flexibility to mix and match storage and optical drive options to best suit their needs. The VivoMini VC66R model also features built-in RAID support, making it ideally suited as a network attached storage (NAS) device or mini-server system.
ROG GR8 II
ROG GR8 II is the smallest gaming PC built for VR, and has the most advanced graphics in its class — offering full-on performance with a desktop-grade ASUS-customized NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1060 GPU, 7th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, and 32GB DDR4 memory. The PC is housed in a tiny 4-liter chassis powered by up to a 7th Generation Intel Core i7 (Kaby Lake) desktop-grade 65W processor and 32GB of DDR4 memory, and can run the latest AAA gaming titles smoothly. The graphics card outputs to two HDMI ports — resulting in a VR-friendly design to hook up to both a VR headset and display simultaneously. It has a specially-designed cooling system with an optimized airflow design, copper heat pipes and dual fans to purge heat from the system. Cleverly-designed vents and dedicated chambers for the processor and graphics card provide the right amount of airflow to each component for stable performance for non-stop gaming marathons; while gaming-friendly features such as ROG-exclusive SupremeFX, Sonic Studio III, Sonic Radar III and GameFirst IV technologies enable epic gaming experiences. In addition, the GR8 II has the very latest Intel Gigabit Ethernet (1219-V) for faster, smoother and lag-free online gaming. Next-level 802.11ac Wi-Fi with 2×2 dual-band 2.4/5GHz antennas offer up to 876Mbps. GR8 II also features ASUS Aura Sync RGB lighting, which has 12 light-synchronization modes with a variety of Aura Sync-compatible ROG peripherals for a myriad of customization options.
ROG G31 Edition 10
ROG G31 Edition 10 is a special-edition desktop PC designed to commemorate the ROG 10th anniversary. It features a compact, 20L chassis, one-click CPU overclocking, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 graphics with 2-way SLI for the ultimate 4K UHD gaming experience. It has a futuristic design with Mayan-inspired markings and ROG-exclusive 3D Vapor Chamber thermal technology with dual hidden airflow channels that help keep the system cool and quiet. A dedicated ESS audio DAC and amplifier headphone jack delivers hi-fi-grade audio to a gaming headset.
ASUS Chromebook C202
ASUS Chromebook C202 is a lightweight, ruggedized Chrome OS computer for education, developed to meet the daily rigors of intense usage by both students and teachers, inside and outside the classroom. It is designed to be durable and easy to maintain, featuring two strategically placed grips to provide better traction, a comfortable, spill-resistant keyboard and reinforced rubber-wrapped protective guards to reduce the impact from any accidents. Chromebook C202 delivers excellent ergonomics with its anti-glare display that reduces distracting reflections, and with up to 10 hours[1] of battery life students can get through a full school day on a single charge. ASUS Chromebook C202 is tough enough to withstand the daily rigors of classroom use, and combined with its hassle-free serviceability it helps schools and colleges to minimize downtime and maximize learning time.
ASUS Transformer 3 Pro (T303)
ASUS Transformer 3 Pro (T303) is a detachable 2-in-1 PC and the world’s most versatile PC, which combines unrivaled performance with incredible portability to create the ultimate mobile device for work and play.
Transformer 3 Pro is powered by an Intel Core i7 processor and has up to a 1TB PCIe® x4 ultra-fast SSD and 16GB of high-speed RAM for the ultimate performance. Its reversible USB-C connector supports USB 3.1 Gen 2 devices, and also incorporates Thunderbolt™ 3 for unbelievably fast 40Gbps data transfers and support for dual external 4K UHD displays. Transformer 3 Pro also comes with USB 3.0 and HDMI ports for convenient connectivity.
Transformer 3 Pro is only 8.35mm thin and weighs just 790g, and is available in gorgeous Icicle Gold and Glacier Gray color options. Transformer 3 Pro has an integrated metal kickstand with a stepless any-position hinge that lets users set the device at almost any viewing angle up to 170°.
The included ASUS Transformer Cover Keyboard is a backlit keyboard that provides laptop-grade 1.4mm key-travel for a comfortable typing experience, and is available in four attractive colors — Stone, Charcoal, Taupe, and Amber. Transformer 3 Pro has a beautiful 12.6-inch display with a 3K resolution of 2880 x 1920 and a 275ppi pixel density for pin-sharp, detailed images as well and a wide color gamut of 121 percent sRGB for rich, vibrant colors. Powerful front-mounted stereo speakers with audio by Harman Kardon provide spacious sound.
Transformer 3 Pro comes with superlative expansion capabilities provided by a range of accessories that extend its functionality and performance to give users a new level of flexibility and convenience from a mobile device. The accessories include ASUS Universal Dock, ASUS Pen that detects 1024 levels of pressure for completely natural note-taking and sketching experiences, and ROG XG Station 2 — that extend its functionality and performance, giving users a new level of flexibility and convenience from a mobile device.
ASUS Transformer 3 (T305)
ASUS Transformer 3 (T305) is a stylish, ultra-slim and compact 2-in-1 PC that provides users with the ultimate mobility, total convenience, and amazing expandability. Precision-crafted from aluminum, Transformer 3 weighs just 695g, is only 6.9mm thin, and has smaller dimensions than a sheet of A4 paper. Its compact and elegant design is accentuated by diamond-cut edges and an exquisite spun-metal finish.
Transformer 3 has a beautiful 12.6-inch display with a 3K resolution of 2880 by 1920 and a 275ppi for pin-sharp, detailed images, as well as 450cd/m² brightness and a color gamut of 121 percent sRGB for rich, vibrant colors. An ultra-thin bezel provides an 80 percent screen-to-body-ratio, maximizing the display area while keeping the device compact and highly portable.
Transformer 3 has an incredible quad-speaker audio system developed in co-operation with audio experts Harmon Kardon, an amazing feature for such a thin device. Each speaker is powered by a smart amplifier to deliver rich, detailed, and immersive sound, even at loud volumes. Transformer 3 automatically adjusts the routing of low and high audio frequencies to the correct speakers depending on the orientation of the device, ensuring users will always enjoy optimum audio quality.
Transformer 3 is powered by 7th Generation Intel Core processors, with up to a 512GB SSD and up to 8GB RAM to deliver fast performance for work and play. Its versatile, reversible USB-C connector supports USB 3.1 Gen 2 devices at speeds up to 10Gbps, and Thunderbolt 3 provides unbelievably fast 40Gbps data transfers and support for dual external 4K UHD displays.
Equipped with the detachable ASUS Transformer Sleeve Keyboard that has 1.4mm key travel, an integrated two-position display stand, and a glass-covered precision touchpad, Transformer 3 is available in gorgeous Icicle Gold and Glacier Gray color options.
ROG XG Station 2
ROG XG Station 2 is an external graphics-card dock that turns a Thunderbolt™ 3-enabled laptop into a VR-gaming powerhouse by increasing its graphics performance by more than ten times (10X). An internal 600W 80PLUS Gold power supply supports the latest NVIDIA GeForce GTX and AMD Radeon™ graphics cards. The Aura RGB lighting can be synchronized with compatible ROG Strix graphics cards so gamers can express their personal style. ROG XG Station 2 is easy to connect and can be unplugged without restarting the laptop, and it includes four USB 3.0 ports and a gigabit LAN socket for extended connectivity and convenience.
ASUS Designo Curve MX Series
The latest generation of ASUS Designo Curve MX Series monitors includes the ASUS Designo Curve MX34VQ and the ASUS Designo Curve MX38VQ. The ASUS Designo Curve MX34VQ is a stylish 34-inch curved monitor with a frameless 3440 by 1440 ultra-wide QHD panel featuring an 1800R curvature for panoramic viewing. Every point on the 21:9 aspect-ratio curved display is equidistant to the viewer’s eyes, delivering an even more immersive viewing experience. The monitor also features 8-watt stereo speakers incorporating ASUS SonicMaster audio technology, designed in cooperation with Harman Kardon, as well as a Qi wireless charging pad on its stand for Qi-enabled mobile devices, which are automatically charged the moment that they are placed onto the charging pad. The simple and elegant design was inspired by silverware and aurora, and the pad has built-in LEDs with emits an aurora-like glow during charging.
The ASUS Designo Curve MX38VQ is a 37.5-inch curved monitor with a wireless 2300R curvature and an ultra-wide QHD (3840 x 1600) IPS panel. In addition, MX38VQ features 8-watt stereo speakers incorporating Harman Kardon and ASUS SonicMaster audio technologies, as well as a Qi wireless charging pad on its stand for Qi-enabled devices. Its simple yet elegant design with a silver metallic finish, and a stunning sundial-inspired glass base, makes it a beautiful addition to any home or office workspace.
ASUS Audio Pod
The ASUS Audio Pod entertainment accessory is a Bluetooth® wireless or wired speaker system with four powerful speakers that deliver amazing 360° 5.1-channel virtual surround sound with rich, defined bass. It is the perfect companion for watching movies or listening to music on the go.
[1] Based on Chromium OS power_LoadTest. Battery life was determined by looping local video playback at higher than 80cd/m² and the default display brightness level. Battery life may vary depending on usage type and conditions.
