Smartphone ASUS Zenfone 5 16Gb: description, features and reviews

Smartphones, which are manufactured by Asus, have already proved themselves from the best side. So, these devices have gained fame of reliable, stylish, functional phones, which are also available at a low price. It is due to this that they gained such a high popularity in the market.

In today's article, we'll talk about not the most "fresh", but still present in the line of smartphones gadget - Asus Zenfone 5 16Gb. The model that we will discuss will be subject to deep technical analysis and, to some extent, criticism. As a result, we hope to find out what positive and negative qualities the device is endowed with, what are its strengths and weaknesses, and what, in fact, should be expected of the buyer who purchases this smartphone. At the end of the review, let's hope you have your own impression of what you read about the device.

general characteristics

Let's start the presentation of the smartphone with its general description. The device was introduced at the end of 2014, and after it a whole line of Zenfone devices was presented. Nevertheless, in terms of its technical characteristics, it remains quite relevant (for the budget class) and meets the requirements of the market as a whole. At a price of $ 200 (during the debut, it probably reached $ 250-300) the device is equipped with a suitable even for a demanding customer (at the time of the release - this is for sure). And the technical parameters presented by the developer, taking into account the cost, are the reason for such a keen interest in the phone from the public. A large number of reviews and recommendations are the clearest proof of this.

The model has 2 GB of RAM, a medium-quality camera, a Snapdragon 400 processor and a nice screen with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels.

However, we will not run ahead and create a false impression among readers that the model works with obsolete systems. No, in fact the device functions smoothly and dynamically, due to the high level of optimization of the entire system, consisting of software and hardware components.

However, in order to present you the model in a more complete light, we have prepared this review, to which we turn directly.

Equipment

The phone comes in a familiar, classic box, made of thick dark cardboard. On the top cover, as it is, flaunts the image of the smartphone, as well as the inscription with its name and company name.

Inside the box, we find the device itself, a charger (represented by a cord for connecting to a PC and an adapter with a "plug"), as well as a standard headset. As noted by the dedicated ASUS Zenfone 5 16Gb reviews, the sound quality of the latter is pretty good, considering that this is a factory accessory. By definition, they must differ from what the buyer can buy on the "side".

In addition to the above in the kit of a smartphone, described by us, you can find instructions.

Design

The exterior of the device is made in the classic for Asus style - this design will be shown a little later on the Asus Zenfone 2 - a line consisting of three devices.

The front part of the ASUS Zenfone 5 16Gb A501CG is visually "folded" from two segments - a screen covered with glass, and a pseudometallic plate that is cast in the light. Between them are physical buttons - the navigation elements available on each Android device. At the top of the device you can see the slit of the speaker, as well as the logo of the developer.

The sides of the device are covered with a back cover, which with a single "cover" obscures them, together with the back side. Surprisingly, there are no difficulties in removing it - it lends itself easily and without difficulty. On the right side of the smartphone you can see the metal screen lock buttons, as well as the volume control. The upper edge became the place for the audio jack, and the lower one for the charging port.

On the back side of the phone you can see the camera's eye, under which you can find a flash and again the name of the brand.

The smartphone ASUS Zenfone 5 16Gb due to its budget is made of plastic. However, the device should not be underestimated because of this: its matte texture is very pleasant to the touch, because of what it is easier to work with the device - it does not slip out at all during the conversation.

The connectors for accessing the SIM cards and the memory card slot are located under the back cover. Here you can also see a non-removable device battery.

Screen

The display of the device has a diagonal of 5 inches - this is the normal size for a smartphone of this class. According to the reviews related to ASUS Zenfone 5 (2) 16Gb, this screen makes the phone quite convenient for working with basic functions and at the same time is not too cumbersome in terms of mobility.

The quality of the picture shown on the display can also be called high. The resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels contributes to the density of the screen is about 290 dots per inch. In practice, this is expressed in the fact that if you want to see the effect of "granularity" you can, but for this you will need to really carefully concentrate your vision at one point.

With other indicators, the screen of ASUS Zenfone 5 16Gb is good - here are decent viewing angles (thanks to which the image does not lose its color and saturation as a result of turning the device), capacitive multitouch (capable of reading up to 10 simultaneous clicks).

Also, you can praise the display and taking into account the characteristics of the glass that covers it. According to technical data, it is made of a material capable of resisting shocks and scratches. In addition, there is a quality oleophobic coating, thanks to which the screen does not leave traces of the user's fingers.

CPU

The smartphone is based on the Intel Atom Z2560 processor, which consists of two cores. The clock frequency of each is up to 1.6 GHz, which is quite enough to work with most of the applications presented in the Google Play catalog.

In parallel, the developers gave the device two options of RAM - 1 and 2 GB. Due to this, it can be argued that the second version of ASUS Zenfone 5 16Gb will be able to demonstrate greater performance. And, of course, this will be positively reflected on the everyday tasks facing the phone.

Memory

Shortage of space on the smartphone its users, most likely, will not notice. The developers have equipped a model of 16 GB of internal space and, in addition, connected a memory card module, with which you can further expand the space for uploading personal data. Thus, the smartphone ASUS Zenfone 5 16Gb A501CG will be available for those who like to work with a large amount of content without having to take care of the place on the device.

Battery

Another key factor that shows the level of comfort when interacting with the phone is the ability of the smartphone to work on a single charge. It is the autonomy of the model, its "endurance".

In the case of ASUS Zenfone 5 16Gb A501CG worry about how long the device will work, do not. The latter is equipped with a battery, whose capacity is 2110 mAh. This means that with the "normal" use of the device (consisting in performing everyday tasks), the battery charge will last for one day. If desired, you can use the economical mode of operation, which is expressed in disabling the data exchange mode when it is not needed. This will give an opportunity to "stretch" the work with the device for a couple of days. Alternatively, an alternative solution can be the purchase of a portable battery (Power bank).

The best thing about how the battery behaves in practice, ask the buyers themselves - those who directly engaged in "tests" of the smartphone. Their opinion will be presented at the end of the article, and we will also propose a simple but effective method of saving the charge.

Connectivity

Smartphone ASUS Zenfone 5 (2) 16Gb A501CG (Black) is able to support the work of two SIM-cards. In this, in fact, it is no different from most modern Android-devices. After installing them, the system asks the user to choose which card is the priority. After that, you can change this setting using the corresponding menu item.

Our test and review of ASUS Zenfone 5 16 Gb showed that the volume of the conversational dynamics, the stability of the connection and the ability to "catch the signal" are presented here at an altitude, whereby one can only praise the communication features of the model. Comments on the device "lose communication", as is often the case with some Chinese devices, we were not found.

operating system

The ASUS Zenfone 5 LTE 16Gb described by us operates on the basis of the Android OS version 4.3 (it was an actual modification at the time of the release of the smartphone). Today, apparently, is available version 6.0, which can be updated to with a Wi-Fi connection.

The graphical shell is designed specifically for this model - it's ZenUI, which in the future will also be present on the above-mentioned line of the second generation. It included, for example, ASUS Zenfone 2 Lazer 16Gb. The 5th version is thus its "predecessor" in the model range.

The new interface looks, in our opinion, more attractive than the standard "shell" from Android. The functions that are offered to the user of the smartphone are presented here in a more convenient form. In addition, of course, developed new icons, graphic backgrounds and transitions between different phone menus, which also gives some kind of visual "freshness" for those who are used to working with "bare" Android.

Camera

The device is equipped with two modules for shooting, located on the front and back of the device. The main camera has a resolution of 8 megapixels, while the front camera is equipped with a 2 Mp matrix. As noted by describing ASUS Zenfone 5 16Gb A501CG Black reviews, the quality of images can compete with photos created with more expensive models of smartphones. This is partly the result of the work of a high-quality hardware component. On the other hand, developers achieved this effect due to the optimized software basis. Still, as noted earlier, the device is equipped with a flash.

Reviews

Recommendations of users who worked with ASUS Zenfone 5 LTE 16Gb, pay attention to a number of shortcomings of the device. The most notable are low autonomy (they say, some people have a very short time, after which the battery sits down completely), as well as a fragile display. The second characteristic is expressed in that cracks appear on it not only because of falls and impacts, but also because of strong heating.

Combat the first problem by disabling the "cover ASUS" option, which, according to users, eats up to 40% of the charge. Of course, it is more difficult to cope with the second one, - some note that they had to contact the service center to replace the display with a warranty.

In other respects, the buyers' reviews are mostly positive in nature and they praise the device in every way for the merits that we managed to open earlier.

conclusions

What about the smartphone as a result? Now, of course, this model is obsolete, and to replace it were released new models of ASUS, endowed with stronger security and, accordingly, able to demonstrate completely different qualities.

At the same time, it is necessary to pay tribute to the model described. Zenfone 5 belongs to budget smartphones, because at the time of its release it was offered for only 8 thousand rubles (in the old exchange rate, at the end of 2014), and a little later its price rose to 15 thousand. This is a decent amount for the features that the device has. And they are presented in the form of attractive design, powerful software shell, hardware. Also, we should praise the quality of the assembly and how all the processes required to support the work of the model are optimized.

Thus, the bottom smartphone presented in our review is an excellent price-quality-opportunities ratio. It remains only to praise its creators, who designed a quality and inexpensive mobile phone.