ASUS Unveils ZenFone 2: New Flagship Smartphone Brings Empowering Luxury and Ultra-Thin Ergonomic Design

By Dan Stoltz

ASUS Unveils ZenFone 2: New Flagship Smartphone Brings Empowering Luxury and Ultra-Thin Ergonomic Design

Luxurious ZenFone 2 features all-new ergonomically-curved design with ultra-slim edges, 5.5-inch Full HD IPS display and 72% screen-to-body ratio

Las Vegas, NV (January 5th, 2015) ASUS today unveils the all-new ZenFone 2 (ZE551ML), a flagship smartphone in the next-generation ZenFone family. The ZenFone 2 delivers gorgeous looks and powerful performance with an all-new ergonomic design, 5.5-inch Full HD IPS display, 13MP/5MP PixelMaster cameras, quad-core 64-bit Intel Atom processor with 4GB RAM and 4G/LTE connectivity.

Building on the resounding global success of the ASUS ZenFone, which sold 1,500,000 units per month in the fourth quarter of 2014 and garnered enthusiastic reviews from journalists and users alike, the much-anticipated ASUS ZenFone 2 debuts many evolved features including a new version of ASUS ZenUI for Android 5.0 Lollipop, which is the worlds first fully-customizable interface, and Trend Micro security software for safe web browsing.

“The passion behind the design of ZenFone 2 is our never-ending desire to empower luxury for everyone, said ASUS Chairman Jonney Shih, We have drawn on our considerable engineering expertise and experience with our popular ZenFone to create a smartphone that embodies this ambition. That device is the incredible new ZenFone 2 luxury that everyone can enjoy.”

Luxurious, ultra-thin Ergonomic Arc design

ASUS ZenFone 2 has a stunning, all-new design employing iconic ASUS design elements with a luxurious brushed-metal finish and distinctive concentric-circle detailing that echoes the spirit of Zen. ZenFone 2 introduces new and evolved aesthetic refinements, including a graceful curved case that tapers to an incredibly thin 3.9mm at the edges to lend ZenFone 2 a bold yet elegant look. This curvature provides exceptional comfort and a secure grip. Intuitive control and convenience is further enhanced by the rear-mounted volume control key thats ideally-positioned for the users index finger.

An incredibly sharp and vivid 5.5-inch Full HD IPS display with a 403-ppi pixel density and wide 178-degree viewing angle, ensures lifelike photos, videos and great-looking apps on the ZenFone 2. ASUS TruVivid technology enhances display performance with bright and brilliant colors. The display has an ultra-narrow 3.3mm bezel, giving ZenFone 2 a remarkable 72% screen-to-body ratio for a maximized viewing experience. Corning Gorilla Glass 3 provides the ZenFone 2 with superior resistance to damage and fingerprints. An anti-fingerprint coating reduces friction by 30-percent for a luxuriously-smooth feel that maximizes the use of touch gestures.

The ZenFone 2 is available in five unique colors combined with the beauty and customizability of ASUS ZenUI to form a smartphone that is truly personal inside and out. Available colors for the ZenFone 2 include Osmium Black, Sheer Gold, Glacier Gray, Glamor Red and Ceramic White. Special Transfusion and Illusion covers are available to give users even more choices to match their own individuality.

PixelMaster camera: See what others cant see

A 13MP PixelMaster camera with a wide F/2.0 aperture lens enables the ZenFone 2 to capture stunning, high-resolution photos with zero shutter lag. This industry-leading Low Light mode employs pixel-merging technology to capture photos at night or in low light up to 400-percent brighter without the need for a flash. The ZenFone 2 is equipped with a Real Tone flash to ensure warm skin tones and accurate color when a flash is needed.

The dynamic Backlight (HDR) mode enables the ZenFone 2 to capture vivid, evenly-exposed photos in challenging lighting conditions such as sunset portraits. Backlight (HDR) mode ensures that foreground subjects stand out clearly and free of shadows by using pixel-enhancing technology that increases contrast up to 400-percent.

Manual mode provides full control over the camera settings, including ISO, shutter speed, aperture and more to provide a photographing experience similar to high-end cameras on the ZenFone 2.

The ZenFone 2 is also equipped with a 5MP front-facing camera with a wide, 85-degree field of view perfectly engineered for taking selfies with real-time beautification. ZenUI Selfie Panorama mode captures panoramic selfies with up to a 140-degree field of view for those that want to capture a group of friends or include a scenic background in selfies.

Powerful performance for today, and beyond

ASUS ZenFone 2 is powered by a quad-core 64-bit Intel Atom processor Z3560 (1.8 GHz) or Z3580 (2.3 GHz) and 4GB RAM to deliver up to seven times (7X)1 faster gaming performance than its predecessor. A 60ms touch response time ensures lag-free input while OpenGL 3.0 provides incredible gaming performance.

Lightning-fast 4G/LTE connectivity ensures data speeds of up to 150Mbit/s and 802.11ac Wi-Fi ensures stutter-free video and music streaming for smooth and fast data connectivity on mobile and Wi-Fi networks. Dual SIM card slots with Dual Active technology makes the ZenFone 2 the perfect travel or business companion and enables users to have two active phone lines on a single device to keep in touch from anywhere.

A high capacity 3000mAh battery provides more than a full day of use on a single charge so users can spend more time enjoying the ZenFone 2. Fast-charge technology quickly recharges the ZenFone 2 to 60% battery capacity in only 39 minutes.

A simpler, smarter, more personalized ZenUI experience

Freedom, connection and expression form the foundation for the ASUS ZenUI mobile user interface. These three pillars inspired the evolutionary changes to ZenUI for ZenFone 2. This latest version offers a simpler and smarter user experience with a stylish new layout that utilizes white space for a cleaner design and places information front and center for a simpler and smarter user experience.

ZenFone 2 is the worlds first smartphone to give users the ability to completely customize it to match their personal style and usage preferences, including ZenUI’s launcher, themes, fonts, icons and more.

ZenUI has many great new features, including ZenMotion, SnapView, Trend Micro security and ZenUI Instant Updates, that enhance usability, ensure security and privacy, and deliver a seamless user experience.

  • ZenMotion is a collection of intuitive touch gestures that provides a new way of interacting with ZenUI and allows quick and easy access to frequently-used features such as One Hand mode or Do It Later.
  • SnapView is a security feature that ensures privacy for apps, photos and files. SnapView lets users easily keep their personal and business information separate.
  • Trend Micro security is integrated with the ZenUI browser for total mobile web browsing security.
  • ZenUI Instant Updates is a seamless new method of keeping ZenUI apps up to date. ASUS app developers can make updates available immediately with ZenUI Instant Updates to avoid delays between app releases and ensures the best experience for ZenFone 2 users.

1 Performance improvements measured against the original ASUS ZenFone featuring Intels Clover Trail+ platform.

AVAILABILITY & PRICING

ASUS ZenFone 2 starts from USD199 (2GB RAM/16GB ROM), VAT excluded. Specifications, price and availability may vary by country, please contact your local ASUS representative for further information.