Camera and audio: The device ships with a 13-megapixel rear camera with an 2.0 aperture lens. The 5-element lens comes with PixelMaster that increases brightness for photos and videos up to 400 percent and enables low-light photography.
The camera has a blue-glass infrared filter and zero-shutter lag, along with different modes that aim to make photography fun. There is also a pro mode and an alignment sensor. The pro mode, if not the most easy to use, is still better than most rivals. The 5-megapixel front camera comes with an 85 degree field of view and has panorama support.
In terms of sound, there is a dual microphone with noise cancellation for good call quality and Asus SonicaMaster for crystal clear sound and deeper bass.
Software: The Zen UI or user interface is an attraction but is a tad heavy on the device. A slew of apps from the Asus stable and backed by the firm comes preloaded along with motion gestures. Although we have talked about the disadvantage of having a power button on top, the user can choose to use motion gesture and double tap the screen to wake it up or go to sleep. There is a ZenLink app that aims to make connecting to other devices like a PC easier as well as connecting back to the phone easy.
Storage and Connectivity: The phone has a 32GB internal memory, including a 5GB lifetime Asus web storage option. Consumers can use a microSD to expand storage memory to 64GB. On the connectivity front, the device comes with the option of dual SIM and dual standby. While one SIM supports 2G/3G and 4G, the other only supports 2G.
Verdict: Has Asus also played the card of the flagship killer? We think yes. For the price proposition, the Zenfone 2 is a great option. Also, the phone is blazingly fast and quite suited for a multi-tasking user. The only negative is that the phone is bulkier than most of its rivals.
