Asus Zenfone 2

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shrub

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#173400 21-May-2015 18:56

This is looking interesting has anyone here got one? I'm keen to know if its any good for the price $500 seems to good to be true.
5.5" ,32gb, 2.3ghz intel atom quad core with 4gb ram and dual sim.

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#1309476 21-May-2015 19:11

You're meaning asus? I know a few that own one, I guess you can say, you get what you pay for.

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Inphinity

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#1309479 21-May-2015 19:14

They're good phones for the price, in my experience with them. There are variants on them, some of the parallel imported ones I've seen don't support the right bands for, say, Spark, so double check with the retailer that it will fully work with your preferred service provider.

shrub

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#1309484 21-May-2015 19:19

zocster: You're meaning asus? I know a few that own one, I guess you can say, you get what you pay for.

Yea fixed it, So its cheap quality and wont last long?

NZtechfreak

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#1309534 21-May-2015 20:04

zocster: You're meaning asus? I know a few that own one, I guess you can say, you get what you pay for.

You know a few with that particular ASUS model? The new just-out one? Or others like the Zenfone 5/6 etc? The latter seems more likely to me, and is so not particularly applicable to the question in hand if so.

FWIW I had the Padfone Infinity and it was great. Anandtech seem fairly impressed with the one the OP is referring to, at least for that money: http://www.anandtech.com/show/9261/asus-zenfone-2-preview

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Insanekiwi

592 posts

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#1309559 21-May-2015 21:19

I just ordered one for my mother in law who needs a bigger phone than her current Moto G.

I got the 551 model with 2g RAM + 32GB storage from eBay Australia. It's going to be shipped from Taiwan which has LTE 700 support. The price was $339+$10AUD shipping. Should be arriving within a week or so. It's still cheaper than local shops which are parallel imports anyway.

I thought about the 4G ram but I don't think my MIL will appreciate the difference - and it won't go over the $400 mark so can reduce that extra $100 GST sting.

I will report back how it performs. This particular model was 1.8Ghz / 32GB / 2G RAM. Silver Grey back. I think she will be happy with it.

gzt

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#1309571 21-May-2015 21:37

Very close in price at PBTech with local support I presume. I considered it (one of few dual sim available in NZ) but went Moto G2 instead for established brand (but less spec).

Insanekiwi

592 posts

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#1309575 21-May-2015 21:43

$505 dollars for a 4GB model. Didn't want to spend another $120 dollars for extra 2G ram.
Local support in PB tech - I am not sure how good they are for parallel imported goods.

I was on the same boat. I was tossing between G2 and this. She wanted a bigger screen for easier typing and readability.

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gzt

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#1309577 21-May-2015 21:45

They have 2gb model also.

Insanekiwi

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#1309578 21-May-2015 21:46

link?

(by the way the ones they are selling are 16GB with ZE550 model. Not full HD)

gzt

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#1309580 21-May-2015 21:56

Insanekiwi: Local support in PB tech - I am not sure how good they are for parallel imported goods.

Don't know either. But speaking for myself have some history and trust with them for warranty etc they have sorted things pretty quick when needed. + being NZ based CGA is a factor if ever needed.

gzt

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#1309583 21-May-2015 21:57

Insanekiwi: link?

(by the way the ones they are selling are 16GB with ZE550 model. Not full HD)

Yep. You are exactly right. : )

heylinb4nz

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#1311853 26-May-2015 10:17

Partner got one last week from Expansys. About $550 after we got stung for GST.

551ML 4GB/32GB

Impressions

a) Excellent performance (scored 44,000 on Antutu)
b) like the double tap to lock\unlock feature
c) curved back a bit annoying
D) screen quality nice, good brightness, colour and clairty
e) brightest flash ive ever seen on a phone

Verdict

Having seen the prices of Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Galaxy S5, MotoG & X etc, its a good value phone for the price point with some nice features.

I still however keep coming back to my previous advice

By a Zopo 980+ and flash it with Kitkat ROM....for $360NZ shipped off ebay you wont really find a better phone in terms of screen quality, camera quality and performance specs. Its a seriously underated phone, and oh so good since the Kitkat rom came out.

kendo

213 posts

Master Geek

#1312513 27-May-2015 10:14

heylinb4nz: Partner got one last week from Expansys. About $550 after we got stung for GST.

551ML 4GB/32GB

Impressions

a) Excellent performance (scored 44,000 on Antutu)
b) like the double tap to lock\unlock feature
c) curved back a bit annoying
D) screen quality nice, good brightness, colour and clairty
e) brightest flash ive ever seen on a phone

Verdict

Having seen the prices of Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Galaxy S5, MotoG & X etc, its a good value phone for the price point with some nice features.

I still however keep coming back to my previous advice

By a Zopo 980+ and flash it with Kitkat ROM....for $360NZ shipped off ebay you wont really find a better phone in terms of screen quality, camera quality and performance specs. Its a seriously underated phone, and oh so good since the Kitkat rom came out.

Its better than the Zenfone 2? Hows the warranty?

heylinb4nz

656 posts

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#1312781 27-May-2015 14:34

kendo:
heylinb4nz: Partner got one last week from Expansys. About $550 after we got stung for GST.

551ML 4GB/32GB

Impressions a) Excellent performance (scored 44,000 on Antutu)
b) like the double tap to lock\unlock feature
c) curved back a bit annoying
D) screen quality nice, good brightness, colour and clairty
e) brightest flash ive ever seen on a phone

Verdict

Having seen the prices of Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Galaxy S5, MotoG & X etc, its a good value phone for the price point with some nice features.

I still however keep coming back to my previous advice

By a Zopo 980+ and flash it with Kitkat ROM....for $360NZ shipped off ebay you wont really find a better phone in terms of screen quality, camera quality and performance specs. Its a seriously underated phone, and oh so good since the Kitkat rom came out.

Its better than the Zenfone 2? Hows the warranty?

I think the Zopo 980+ is better where it counts (ie actual features you use vs Antutu numbers..although Zopo is 30,000 so its no slow poke)

a) 5" 1080P screen with 440ppi density
b) 13MP camera that takes stunning daytime pics and 1080P video (low light like most cameras is not greatest)
c) Good responsiveness
d) premium feel, nice weight
e) acceptable battery life (24 hours with hard use)
f) price <$380 !!!
g) cheap accessories and replacement parts
h) easy to root using Kingo

Warranty is 12 months, ive never had an issue with mine (dropped it, sat on it, use it every day). Did I mention the beautiful display and camera already :)

UPDATE: after trying out the Zenfone 2 551ML, I must say I absolutely hate ZenUI and the inability completely move away from it and use your own launcher. Add to the sucky fact its not rooted either.

Insanekiwi

592 posts

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#1313656 28-May-2015 19:01

Depends on what you are after: I received 2GB 32GB storage version of 551ML. I paid $377+exchange fee = $385 shipping inclusive.
No GST was required.
Very nice screen 5.5", speedy processor, has a quick charge ability using the included charger. Well built with solid feel and no creaks.
I didn't mind the Asus UI to be honest, I haven't noticed any lag yet. The camera seems reasonable too.
I decided to go with 1.8GB with 2Gig version, and happy with it. This is for my mother in law and I am sure she will be impressed with it.

I didn't know if I could find a 5.5" device with this sort of feature (4G and 700 frequency support if you buy Taiwanese version) for under $400. Very impressed with it overall. I purchased it through eBay com au. I could have got 10% discount if I used a correct voucher if I knew about it. Too bad...

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