Category: Asus

No Flash Sales Here! Asus Zenfone 2 Arriving in India Soon

At the Mobile World Congress this year (MWC 2015), all the buzz was around Samsung’s latest flagship the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. But one smartphone managed to turn some of the limelight focused on Samsung towards itself. That phone was the Asus Zenfone 2, and according to the Asus, this awesome device is coming to the Indian shores soon.

Asus Zenfone 2 has the potential to be the new affordable superstar. The device flaunts a 5.5. Inch Full HD display with a pixel resolution of 403 PPI. It was launched with two processor options. The first one is powered by a 1.8 GHz, Quad-core Intel Atom Z3560 processor with 2 GB RAM. The other variant handles its processing tasks through a 2.3 GHz, Quad-core Intel Atom Z3580 along with 4 GB RAM.

Zenfone 2 is available in 16, 32 and 64 GB storage options which are all expandable up to 64 GB. The device sports a 13MP camera on the back while a 5MP front shooter is ready for your selfie needs.

Asus has offered the Zenfone 2 with a 3000 mAh battery which will keep it going for a good long while. It runs ZenUI based on Android 5.0 Lollipop.

Zenfone 2 is expected to compete against the likes of Moto G, Redmi Note, Mi 4 and their likes and will be priced accordingly. The device will be available without a flash sale which can in fact be advantage for it over its competition. This phone’s spec sheet looks impressive, and we had a good time playing with it at the MWC albeit for a brief duration.

Read our hands-on experience with the Zenfone 2 here and keep visiting iGyaan for more hands-on and in-depth reviews.

March 24, 2015

Hands On | ASUS Zenfone 2

Asus Zenfone line of smartphones has done well in the market. These devices offer high-quality specs with unique features at affordable prices. The company has already launched the Zenfone 4, 5 and 6 in the Indian market. This year the company unveiled a new addition to the portfolio with the Zenfone 2. We got to take a look at this device at MWC 2015, and here we bring you our hands-on experience with the device.

Zenfone 2 flaunts a Full HD, 5.5 inch display that is protected with Gorilla Glass 3. It comes in two processor variants; a Quad-core 2.3 GHz, Intel Atom Z3580 processor and a Quad-core 1.8 GHz Intel Atom Z3560 processor along with 2 and 4 GB RAM options. It is available in 6/32/64 GB storage variants that can be further expanded up to 64 GB. It gets its juice from a 3000 mAh battery.

On the camera front, the device has a 13 MP shooter on the back along with the dual-LED flash. On the front sits a 5 MP selfie shooter. The front camera has an 85-degree field of view which will let the users click wider selfies.

Like its other Zenfone siblings, Zenfone 2 has also received some visually appealing design features. The front is dominated by the massive 5.5 inch display. It has a premium look and feel, especially with the brushed metal finish on the back.

The device runs Asus ZenUI based on Android 5.0 out of the box. ZenUI offers multiple customization and scheduling options that can make life easy for the users. It also has a unique option called Share link through which you can share content such as photos, videos, music, apps and APKs without the internet. The UI also has an easy mode that allows users with low technical skills to easily operate the device.

The device looks promising and has a great design. The vast number of options in the specs listing might confuse the consumers. The device is expected to be launched in $199 (approx Rs. 12,400) price bracket that would make it a steal. Keep checking iGyaan for an in-depth review of the new Asus Zenfone 2 and all the latest happenings at MWC 2015.

Specs	Asus Zenfone 2
Display	5.5-inch Full HD 403 PPI
CPU	2.3 GHz,Quad-core Intel Atom Z3580 and 1.8 GHz,Quad-core Intel Atom Z3560
RAM	2 and 4 GB
Internal Storage	16GB/32GB/64GB
Expandable Storage	64 GB
Main Camera	13 MP
Front Camera	5 MP
Battery	3000 mAh

March 4, 2015

ASUS Brings Out the Fonepad 7 and MeMOPad 8 in India

Taiwanese device maker, Asus has unveiled two new tablets in the Indian market. The Fonepad 7 and MeMOPad 8 are the new addition to the company’s tablet portfolio in India. The device made by Asus are appreciated in India, and the company is also known for unique products like the Padfone Mini.

The Asus Fonepad 7 is powered by a Dual Core 1.2 GHz, Intel Clover Trail Plus processor, along with 2 GB RAM. It comes with 16 GB storage that is expandable up to 64 GB. On the camera front, the tablet has an 8 MP shooter on the back and a 2 MP selfie camera in the front. The display on the device is a 7 inch WSVGA (1024×600) IPS display.

On the other hand, the MeMOPad8 sports a 8 inch WUXGA (1920×1200) IPS display protected with Gorilla Glass. It gets its processing power from a quad-core, 1.83 GHz, Intel Atom processor. It comes with 2GB RAM along with 16 GB internal storage. Asus also offers 5 GB lifetime ASUS Web storage space with an additional 11GB for the first year. This tablet has a 5 MP camera on the back and a 1.2 MP camera on the front.

The Fonepad 7 comes in black and white color option whereas the MeMOPad 8 comes white, pink and blue color variants. MeMOPad also has support for a 1.5 mm tipped stylus pens. Fonepad 7 will be priced at Rs. 10,999, and the MeMOPad 8 will be available for purchase at Rs. 19,999.

March 3, 2015
ASUS Brings Out Zenfone C Priced at Rs. 5,999 in India

The Taiwanese multinational company ASUS today launched a budget device in the sub-Rs. 6,000 category. The new handset titled ASUS Zenfone C (ZC451CG) is dual SIM and comes at a price of Rs. 5,999. The phone is available on Flipkart today onwards and on ASUS exclusive stores starting 18^th February.

Coming to the specifications of the phone, the Zenfone C sports a 4.5-inch FWVGA (480×854) display. The phone is powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core Intel Atom Z2520 processor together with Hyper-Threading Technology. The Zenfone C runs on Android 4.4 KitKat with company’s Zen UI on top.

The internal storage capacity of the device is 8 GB, which can be extended up to 64 GB via MicroSD card. The new Zenfone C features a primary shooter of 5 MP with autofocus and flash, along with a 0.3MP snapper at the front for video calling. Connectivity options comprise of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Micro-USB. With 2100mAh battery, the phone can withstand 260 hours on standby.

In this price bracket, the handset faces a tough battle with devices like Iris Win 1, Redmi 1S and the Moto E.

February 11, 2015
Next-Gen ASUS ZenWatch’s Battery Might Last One Whole Week on a Single Charge

Smartwatch battery is a big issue that has taken centre stage and it seems like ASUS is taking this matter gravely. The Taiwanese multinational company is working on its ASUS ZenWatch successor, which is said to be have a battery life which would last an entire week. Smartwatches are judged on the basis of their battery life; no one wants another device that needs constant recharge.

The ASUS Chairman has hinted of the extended lifespan of the next smartwatch saying that the forthcoming ZenWatch will have a more simplified central processing unit (CPU) and operating system (OS). The lighter version will lead to a battery support that can go for up to seven days on a full charge. If the company stands true to its words then the ZenWatch 2 can hold the limelight this year as usually all smartwatches have a battery support of maximum two days. Recently Apple faced the heat when rumours emerged about Apple Watch’s terrible battery life.

The electronics giant also stated that the upcoming smartwatch will be independent and one will be able to make voice calls without being tethered to a smartphone. The original ASUS ZenWatch touts a 1.63-inch AMOLED touch display, 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processor, 512 MB of RAM, and 4 GB of internal storage capacity.

ASUS is geared to launch two low-price wristbands this year. These wristbands will combine health tracking features like keeping a record of footsteps, heartbeat, pulse and blood sugar.

The ZenWatch 2 (temporarily titled) will only be available by the third quarter of 2015. It is expected to launch at a price tag of $199.

January 27, 2015
ASUS Introduces 19.5-inch All-in-One PC with Hand Gesture Control

ASUS India has added one more laptop to its range of next-gen computers. The new addition called All-in-one PC ET2040INK is priced at Rs. 25,999 and will be available online through Amazon and ASUS exclusive stores.

It sports a widescreen 19.5-inch HD LED display which is an excellent size to enjoy movies. Running on Windows 8.1, the device houses an Intel Pentium J2900 2.41GHz quad-core CPU along with 2 GB of RAM, which should give users a fine computing speed. Along with that, it has a 500GB hard drive and comes bundled with 100 GB of cloud storage capacity on ASUS WebStorage and smart backup power to prevent data loss.

The highlight of the computer, other than its 19.5-inch HD widescreen, is the innovative Hand-Gesture Recognition Software (HGRS) that allows you to navigate within the interface through hand movements. The technology uses the in-built webcam of 1M to interpret hand movements. The company claims that the software makes hands-free entertainment possible. Users can play songs, adjust player settings, zoom or rotate photos through hand gestures.

The ASUS laptop is quite a good option for those who wish to replace their old PCs with something which is not too heavy on the pocket.

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January 27, 2015
ASUS Brings Out the Fonepad 8 in India for Rs. 13,999

Today Asus launched one more product for the Indian market – the Fonepad 8 (FE380CG). The new Fonepad supports 3G functionality and comes at a price of Rs. 13,999. The 8-inch device, initially launched at Computex 2014, is a modified version of Fonepad 8 tablet. It runs on Android 4.4 KitKat out-of-the-box and features dual-SIM support.

The device flaunts an 8-inch 1280x800p display and is powered by 64-bit Intel Atom Z3530 1.33GHz quad-core processor, paired with 2 GB of RAM. The tablet runs on the company’s Asus ZenUI; comes with 16 GB of inbuilt storage that can be expanded up to 64 GB via MicroSD card.

On the camera front, the Fonepad 8 (FE380CG) has a 5MP rear camera along with a 2MP secondary camera. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, MicroUSB, Bluetooth v4.0, GPS, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The device houses a 4000mAh battery that the company claims can last up to 21 hours of talk time.

For now, the Fonepad 8 will be available exclusively on Flipkart. The device will come in two colour variants – Black and Gold.

January 20, 2015
Asus Brings the Super Sleek EeeBook to India for Rs. 20,000

Asus has won a lot of hearts in India over the last year with its ZenFone line of smartphones. The Taiwanese electronics company has a healthy portfolio of devices in India which includes, notebook, tablets, desktops and a lot more. The company is now going to bring the affordable and stylish EeeBook to India for a price of Rs. 20,000.

Asus EeeBook will take a direct aim at Google’s Chromebook-based devices. The EeeBook is a lightweight notebook which is powered by a 1.33 GHz Quad-core Intel Atom processor along with 2 GB RAM. It comes with a-11.6 inch display with a screen resolution of 1366×768.

Just like the Chromebooks, the EeeBook is a cloud based device. In the UK, the device comes with a one-year subscription to Office365 and 1TB of OneDrive storage, which is worth £60. There is also a free two-year subscription to Asus’s WebStorage service with 500GB of space. So in terms of space, the cloud will come to your rescue. The 32 GB internal storage gets used up really fast so you’d have to keep an external storage device on you.

The Asus EeeBook gives more functionality than the average Chromebook, as it runs on the Windows operating system so you can use all your favorite softwares on the device. This bit makes it more practical and a better purchase for a country like India where internet connectivity is limited. The pricing of the EeeBook is also lower than the Chromebooks in the market which gives it an extra edge.

January 15, 2015
CES 2015 : Asus Brings Out Zenfone 2 and Camera-focused Zenfone Zoom

Asus, Taiwanese smartphone maker, has launched two new variants of its blockbuster phone, Zenfone at CES 2015. The Zenfone 2 and Zenfone Zoom, both are based on the same hardware platform and run on Android 5.0 Lollipop.

The Second Gen Zenfone flaunts a 5.5-inch full HD (1920×1080 pixels) IPS display, with evidently narrower bezels than its earlier devices. In fact, the company claims that the phone features 72 percent screen-to-body ratio. As for power, the smartphone is powered by Intel’s 64-bit Atom Z3580 quad-core processor clocked at 2.3GHz, and it is paired with 4GB of RAM.

On the software side ASUS is now packing Android 5.0 Lollipop and the latest version of its Zen UI custom overlay. On the photography front, the smartphone features a 13-megapixel “Pixelmaster” camera with an f/2.0 aperture, zero shutter lag, and according to the company, “the world’s best HDR technology.”

On the front, there is a 5-megapixel selfie snapper with different features including a Beautification mode, which offers real-time image enhancement, skin softening and brightening, blush and colour correction, eye enhancement and cheek thinning. The Zenfone 2 gets its juice from a 3,000 mAh battery with fast charging capabilities.

On the other hand, the Zoom boast the similar specifications as Zenfone 2 but with serious focus on imaging. The Zoom sports a 13MP camera that has 10-element lens, 3X optical zoom, and optical image stabilization. The back of the smartphone is reminiscent of the Nokia Lumia 1020.

The Zenfone 2 is priced at $199 (Rs 12,600 approximately), and will be available later this year in March. However, the availability and price of the Zoom is yet to be announced.

January 6, 2015

The Stylish ASUS ZenWatch Likely to Hit Indian Shores by March 2015

ASUS ZenWatch is all geared up to launch in India by March 2015. The stylish looking watch has already made its mark in the smartwatch arena and is the hot favourite in the Android wear smartwatch league. The device is expected to be priced below Rs. 20,000 in the Indian market, though there is no official statement from the company in terms of pricing. We can expect the ZenWatch to be strategically priced, as the Moto 360 (its main competitor) is selling in India for Rs. 17,999. The other first-gen Android wearables like the LG G Watch and Samsung’s Gear Live are priced at Rs. 14,999 and Rs. 15,900 respectively.

ASUS ZenWatch has already received some rave reviews and is claimed to be one of the best Android wearables currently in the market. The smartwatch is one hell of a looker and comes with a 1.63-inch 320×320 AMOLED display. The screen is curved to give off a 2.5D effect and the watch is powered by a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor along with 512 MB RAM. Check out the key specs in the table below:

Specifications	ASUS ZenWatch
Display	1.63-inch AMOLED, 320×320 pixels
Processor	1.2 GHz Snapdragon 400
Storage	4 GB
RAM	512 MB
Battery	1.4Wh
Operating System	Android Wear
Dimensions	50.6×39.8×7.9 mm

It is also rated IP55 for water and dust-proofing, so it can easily handle those accidental splashes. The ZenWatch also has a 9-axis sensor for tracking activities and movements like step counts, heart rate and relaxation levels. In short, it’s a personal wellness manager that helps users keep a close watch at their fitness goals.

Overall, this unique piece of hardware is one heck of a device we just can’t wait to get our hands on it.

December 1, 2014

ASUS Brings its Hybrid Device PadFone Mini for Rs. 15,999

ASUS has won a lot of hearts in India with its Zenphone series. The low cost – high specs approach has helped the company to make grounds for itself in the saturated market of India. The Taiwan-based company has now brought its innovative PadFone mini to India.

The PadFone mini is a hybrid device which runs on ASUS’s ZenUI, which is based on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. It comes with two modules, a 4-inch smartphone, which is fully functional in itself and the time you dock the smartphone in the 7-inch display and voila, you have a tablet!

The processing bits of the 4-inch PadFone are handled by a dual-core 1.6 GHz Intel Atom Z2560 processor along with 1 GB of RAM. The internal storage on the device stands at 8 GB and can be expanded up to 64 GB. ASUS also offers 5 GB free lifetime cloud storage on ASUS WebStorage.

PadFone mini comes in multiple color options.

The 4-inch smartphone has a resolution of 800x480p. The 7-inch tablet, on the other hand, has a resolution of 1280x800p, which would make it a good multimedia device. The PadFone mini gets its juice from a 2100mAh battery, which seems rather ill-equipped for a tablet. The phone has a battery of 1200 mAh that might give a satisfactory performance on the 4-inch display.

The company claims that it will be updating to Android KitKat 4.4 soon. This might be an alternative to people who go for phablets instead of tablets. The pocket-sized phone coupled with a 7-inch display makes this a multi-functional device. There is no alternative to this device so it won’t face a lot of competition. At an affordable price of Rs. 15,999, the device will find a good number of takers whether it’s some tech connoisseur or ordinary folks looking to try something new.

November 25, 2014
Asus Plans to Unveil 2nd Gen ZenFone Smartphones at CES 2015

Asus, Taiwanese smartphone maker, has revealed its plan for the next quarter. Asus CEO Jerry Shen on Thursday said that the company plans to introduce the successors to the popular ZenFone 2 series of smartphones next year at CES 2015.

Shen also said that the company is going in to business with another chip maker to swell their shipments next year. He stressed that the new chip maker will help the company produce affordable devices which can be priced as low as NTD 4,990 which is Rs. 10,000 approximately.

Currently, Asus uses chipsets from Intel for its devices starting from the price tag Rs. 5,999 for the ZenFone 4 in India. However, Shen did not reveal the name of the chip maker. The company is planning to bring second generation of ZenFone series with two of the biggest Chinese carriers – China Mobile Ltd and China Telecom Corp, along with various other models designed for global market.

“All of the new phones scheduled for release at the annual trade show will be powered by Intel Corp. chips and will support 4G LTE connectivity. LTE-enabled phones will account for about 30 percent-40 percent of Asustek’s total smartphone shipments in 2015,” Shen said in an interview.

He also added that 4G-LTE handsets powered by Intel chipsets will start at the price of NTD 9,990 (Rs. 20,000 approximately). This is quite high comparing to the current offerings by Asus in India.

The Taiwanese handset maker estimates that it will ship 8 million smartphones by the end of this year and 16 million next year. It intends to double its shipments with availability of its ZenFone series to about 6 new markets, currently the company is present in 14. Shen said that the company will now focus on China and Japan.

November 15, 2014
ASUS ZenWatch: The Best Smartwatch is Yet to Arrive!

India’s smartwatch shelves are filling up while major companies are releasing their models in the country. ASUS surprised everyone with its latest smartwatch at IFA Berlin this year. The ASUS ZenWatch is touted as the best Android Wear smartwatch in the market currently and it has received some rave reviews. The smartwatch looks real classy and has options for user-replaceable 22 mm watchband. The ZenWatch is expected to arrive soon to the Indian stores.

ASUS ZenWatch comes with a 1.63-inch 320×320 AMOLED display. The screen is curved to give off a 2.5D effect and the watch is powered by a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, along with a 512MB RAM.

The ZenWatch is stylish, classy and slim.

The feature that makes it desirable is the user removable 22 mm watchband. You can adjust its size according to your convenience. It is rated IP55 for water and dust-proofing, so it can tolerate accidental splashes. The ZenWatch also has a 9-axis sensor for tracking activities and movements like step counts, heart rate and relaxation levels. In short, it’s a personal wellness manager that helps users keep a close watch at their fitness goals.

ASUS has inducted several gesture controls and pre-loaded features on the device, and they set it apart from its competition. It provides features like unlocking your phone or tablet by tapping on the face of the ZenWatch, auto-opening a function you set with a double-tap. To mute the watch, you can just cover it. The device also helps you to find your phone and operate the camera remotely. However, for these feature to work, you are required to install a separate, ASUS-created Watch Manager app in addition to Android Wear on your companion device. But that won’t be too much trouble, and you’ll get used to its convenience really soon.

Overall, this is one heck of a device that you simply cannot miss. If you were still making up your mind on which smartwatch to buy, then the ZenWatch can be your no-second-thought-needed purchase.

November 5, 2014
Asus Confirms Android 5.0 Lollipop Update for Zenfone, Padfone

Taiwanese manufacturer Asus has joined the list of manufacturers officially confirming the Lollipop update for its smartphones. The company has officially announced the Android 5.0 update for the Zenfone 4, Zenfone 5 and Zenfone 6 smartphones. Also receiving the update would be the Padfone S and Padfone Infinity (A86) devices. Meanwhile, the LTE version of the Zenfone 5 will also receive the update.

However, the updates will take a long time to arrive. According to Asus, the update will come to Zenfones in April 2015, which makes it highly possible that Asus is working on the next version of the Zen UI for Android.

Asus now joins the likes of Motorola, Sony and HTC with this announcement, who have also confirmed the update for a select few devices. Being the Nexus manufacturer, Motorola was the first to confirm the update, followed by Sony announcing the update for the entire Xperia Z series.

While Samsung also teased the update for the Galaxy Note 4, though it is rumoured to be working on a revamped version of its TouchWiz UI for Android 5.0. For more information, check out our article on a complete list of devices that will get the Android 5.0 Lollipop update.

October 28, 2014
Diwali Giveaway : Asus Zenfone 4 and Xiaomi In-Ear Earphones

Consider this the beginning of many exciting giveaways to come for this festive season. With this giveaway, we give you the chance to win a pair of these sleek earphones by Xiaomi and the Asus Zenfone 4. Simply enter the sweepstakes below.

Follow the instructions carefully and read the terms and conditions on the form as well as given here. This Giveaway is open only for residents of India.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Watch our unboxing and hands on video with the Asus Zenfone 4 here:

October 7, 2014

Category: Asus

Specs

Asus Zenfone 2

Specifications

ASUS ZenWatch