Asus Zenfone 5Z

The Asus Zenfone 5Z was Asus’s answer to the growing demand for flagship-level specifications at a more affordable price point. Here’s an in-depth review of the Asus Zenfone 5Z:

Overview:

Launched in mid-2018, the Asus Zenfone 5Z was part of Asus’s revamped approach to the smartphone market. It aimed to compete directly with other value flagships, offering high-end specifications and features without the flagship price tag.

Features:

Operating System: Shipped with Android 8.0 Oreo, overlaid with Asus’s ZenUI 5.0.
Display: 6.2-inch Super IPS+ LCD with a resolution of 1080 x 2246 pixels, featuring a notch design.
Processor: Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 Octa-core.
Memory: Options of 4/6/8 GB RAM with 64/128/256 GB internal storage, expandable via microSD.
Camera: Dual rear camera setup – 12 MP primary sensor with OIS and an 8 MP secondary wide-angle sensor. An 8 MP front camera.
Battery: 3300 mAh non-removable battery with fast charging support.
Other Features: Rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, face unlock, USB Type-C, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Pros:

Performance: Powered by the Snapdragon 845 chipset, the Zenfone 5Z ensured top-tier performance, suitable for gaming and multitasking.
Display Quality: The Super IPS+ LCD display was sharp and offered good color reproduction and brightness levels.
Camera Capabilities: The camera setup, especially the wide-angle lens, allowed for versatile photography.
ZenUI Improvements: Asus’s ZenUI 5.0 was more streamlined and closer to stock Android than previous iterations, improving the overall user experience.
Value Proposition: The Zenfone 5Z provided flagship specifications at a significantly lower price point than many competitors.

Cons:

No Water or Dust Resistance: The device lacked any official IP rating for water and dust resistance.
Battery Life: While decent, the battery life wasn’t standout, especially with heavy use.
ZenUI Bloatware: Despite improvements, ZenUI still came with some pre-installed apps that not all users found useful.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In 2018, the Asus Zenfone 5Z faced competition from various flagship and value flagship devices:

OnePlus 6: Known for its performance, OxygenOS, and value proposition.
Samsung Galaxy S9: Samsung’s flagship with its Dynamic AMOLED display and variable aperture camera.
LG G7 ThinQ: Featuring a bright display, wide-angle camera, and Quad DAC for audio.

Launch Date:

The Asus Zenfone 5Z was announced in February 2018 and released in July 2018.

Common Issues/Problems:

Software Bugs: Some users reported occasional software glitches in ZenUI, especially related to notifications and app management.
Camera Processing: While the hardware was capable, some users felt the camera software sometimes produced inconsistent results, especially in low light.
Audio Quality: Despite having a 3.5mm jack, some users felt the audio output wasn’t as high quality as some competitors.

Conclusion:

The Asus Zenfone 5Z was a significant step forward for Asus in the smartphone market, offering a compelling blend of features, performance, and value. It catered to both enthusiasts looking for high-end specifications and regular users seeking good value for their money. While it had areas for improvement, especially in terms of software refinement, the overall package made the Zenfone 5Z a noteworthy contender in the 2018 smartphone landscape.