Tag: Asus

Asus ZenFone Devices in Line to Receive Android Lollipop This Month

Google’s latest operating system Android Lollipop with Material Design components is making its way to more smartphones this month. The handsets to mark themselves in the list of updated Lollipop devices are the ZenFone series phones from Asus like ZenFone 4, ZenFone 5, ZenFone 6, ZenFone 5 LTE and PadFone S. The update will roll out in different weeks of May for the devices.

Asus stated on its consumer forum –

We’ve sent the new version for the final verification and we expect to release the upgrade soon. We would request the kind consideration and understanding of our customers with regards to any inconvenience caused by this schedule changing.

The latest OS is expected to hit ZenFone 5 LTE in May first week, whereas the ZenFone 4, the ZenFone 5 and the ZenFone 6 may receive it by mid-May. The PadFone S is speculated to be last to find the Lollipop update on the handset.

The Taiwanese equipment manufacturer was supposed to roll it out in April, but some technical glitch kept the company away from making it public for the listed handsets.

Considering the changes that will come with Android 5.0 Lollipop, users will experience improved natural touch screen interactions. Besides that, the new Android update lets users have a look at the notifications on the lock screen itself and facilitates dismissing them without unlocking it. All in all, it offers users a pure, bloatware-free and seamless Android experience.

May 4, 2015

Spec Battle : ASUS ZenFone 2 Vs OnePlus One

The ASUS Zenfone series is a highly appreciated lineup in the Indian smartphone market. The Taiwanese electronics maker already has Zenfone 4, 5 and 6 in its India handset portfolio and today, it expanded its ZenFone range in the country with the launch of ZenFone 2. The latest iteration is a mid-range smartphone and known to boast the powerful 4GB of RAM.

Priced at Rs. 22,999, ZenFone 2 holds quite a good spec sheet. It has an edge over many the high-end smartphones and competes with devices like Huawei Honor 6 Plus, iPhone 5c, and LG G3. We have pitted it against the flagship killer of 2014 i.e. OnePlus One and here are the differences between the two.

Specs	OnePlus One	ASUS ZenFone 2
Display	5.5-inch Full-HD, 1080×1920 pixels	5.5-inch Full-HD, 1080×1920 pixels
Processor	2.5GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 801	2.3GHz quad-core Intel Z3580
RAM	3GB	4GB
Storage	64GB, non-expandable	64GB, expandable up to 64GB
Camera	13MP Rear and 5MP Front	13MP Rear and 5MP Front
Battery	3100mAh	3000mAh
Operating System	CyanogenMod 12	Android 5.0 Lollipop
Price	Rs. 21,999	Rs. 22,999

As you can see in the table above, both OnePlus One and ASUS ZenFone 2 bear nearly the same specifications. Both the devices have a 5.5-inch Full-HD display, 64GB onboard memory, 13MP primary shooter, and 5MP selfie camera. The One has a slightly bigger battery and stuffs a Snapdragon processor, while the new ZenFone houses an Intel chipset. The ZenFone is priced Rs. 1,000 higher than the OnePlus One.

OnePlus has an edge over the ZenFone as it give a variation to the users by offering CyanogenMod which can now be upgraded to CyanogenMod 12 or Oxygen OS now. The ZenFone 2, on the other hand, comes with Android 5.0 Lollipop. We won’t be able to give a final verdict till we’ve reviewed Asus’ new flagship. Stay tuned, more coming up on iGyaan.

April 23, 2015

ASUS Outs 4 Variants of ZenFone 2 in India; Pricing Revealed

The much-awaited flagship by Taiwanese consumer electronics firm has finally arrived in India. Today, ASUS introduced the latest ZenFone 2 with 4GB RAM in the Indian market. The smartphone was first showcased at CES this year. The ZenFone 2 enfolds some top-notch specifications that give it an edge over other smartphones in the budget segment. The device will be available in India exclusively on Flipkart.

ASUS has launched the ZenFone 2 in four variants – ZE551ML (4GB RAM) with 64GB and 32GB inbuilt storage, ZE551ML (2GB RAM), and ZE550ML. The former one is a top-tier device, while the other three have comparatively lower specifications. The ZE551ML with 4GB RAM comes in two storage versions. The one with 64GB storage space will cost customers Rs. 22,999, while the 32GB model will cost Rs. 19,999. The ZE551ML (2GB RAM) variant is launched at Rs. 14,999 and the ZE550ML will be available for Rs. 12,999.

ASUS ZenFone 2 ZE550ML (both 4GB and 2GB of RAM) sports a 5.5-inch full-HD (1920x1080p) IPS display with Gorilla Glass 3 protection. On the other hand, ZenFone 2 ZE550ML features a 5.5-inch HD screen. A 64-bit 2.3GHz Intel Atom processor Z3580 is equipped to the ZE550ML with 4GB RAM. It’s 2GB RAM version, along with ZE550ML has a 64-bit 1.8GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3560. All the handsets run on Android 5.0 Lollipop OS with custom ZenUI on top. All the variants can expand up to 64GB via MicroSD card.

The ZenFone 2 packs a 13MP PixelMaster rear camera with dual-LED Flash along with a 5MP selfie snapper. The rear shooter also offers 52MP Super Resolution mode. A 3000mAh non-removable battery is fitted with all the ZenFone 2 models. The handsets are dual-SIM and offer dual active support. The devices have ZenMotion touch and gesture control support features common in them.

Here’s the specs sheet of the four handsets:

Specs	ZenFone 2 ZE551ML (4GB RAM)	ZenFone 2 ZE551ML (4GB RAM)	ZenFone 2 ZE551ML (2GB RAM)	ZenFone 2 ZE550ML
Display	5.5-inch full-HD 1080p	5.5-inch full-HD 1080p	5.5-inch full-HD 1080p	5.5-inch HD 720p
Processor	2.3GHz quad-core Intel Z3580	2.3GHz quad-core Intel Z3580	1.8GHz quad-core Intel Z3560	1.8GHz quad-core Intel Z3560
RAM	4GB	4GB	2GB	2GB
Storage	64GB (Expandable up to 64GB)	32GB (Expandable up to 64GB)	32GB (Expandable up to 64GB)	16GB (Expandable up to 64GB)
Rear Camer	13MP with dual-LED Flash	13MP with dual-LED Flash	13MP with dual-LED Flash	13MP with dual-LED Flash
Front Camera	5MP	5MP	5MP	5MP
Battery	3000mAh	3000mAh	3000mAh	3000mAh
Operating System	Android 5.0 Lollipop with ZenUI	Android 5.0 Lollipop with ZenUI	Android 5.0 Lollipop with ZenUI	Android 5.0 Lollipop with ZenUI
Price	Rs. 22,999	Rs. 19,999	Rs. 14,999	Rs. 12,999

In case you missed our review of ASUS ZenFone 2, watch the video below:

April 23, 2015

Asus ZenFone 2 | Exclusive Unboxing and Hands On

Recently Asus introduced the successor to its affordable Zenfone series, the Zenfone 2. The company also announced that there are three variants of the device that would share the Zenfone 2 name. Chinese tech giants, Xiaomi and OnePlus, who have successfully created a niche in the Indian market, may find themselves facing severe rivalry in the mid-range category.

The Asus ZenFone 2 box consists of:

An Asus ZenFone 2 Handset.
Documentation including Warranty card and User Guide.
Earphones (Although, our box did not)
Standard Asus Charger
USB Cable

The phone is expected to launch on 23rd April, exclusively on Flipkart with an expected price tag of Rs. 19,000. The device comes with a 5.5-inch 1920x1080p IPS Display, protected by Gorilla Glass 3. It is powered by an Intel Atom 23580 Quadcore processor with 2.3 GHz CPU. One of its notable features is that the phone comes with two variants of RAM; 2GB RAM and 4GB RAM. The one we unboxed came with 4GB RAM. The juice is supplied by an adequate 3000mAh non-removable battery and the smartphone comes pre-loaded with Android 5.0 Lollipop.

The device is well-built and similar to the LG G3, and HTC One M8 in terms of its colour finish. Its User Interface was clean, fast and responsive. In our initial impressions, we did not experience any lag.

Asus Zenfone 2 has a 13MP primary camera and a 5MP front camera. The dual LED flash paired with the rear camera, comes in two colours, to help you get the right white balance. Both the microphones consist of the noise cancellation feature, thus enabling you to talk with least hassle.

To get a clearer idea of the specs, you can check out the table below:

SPECIFICATION	ASUS Zenfone 2
Operating System	Android 5.0 Lollipop
Screen Size	5.5-inch 1920x1080p IPS Display
RAM	4GB
Battery	3000mAh Lithium Poly-ion Non-Removable
Processor	Intel Atom 23580 Quadcore processor
CPU	2.3 GHz
Front camera	5MP
Rear Camera	13MP
Price	Rs 19,000 (Tentative)

Check out the in-depth video below

April 15, 2015

ASUS ZenFone 2 with 4GB RAM to Arrive in India on 23rd April

Finally, ASUS has put an end to all the speculations about the release of its next flagship in India. The Taiwanese electronics manufacturer has sent out media invites for the launch of ZenFone 2, that will take place on April 23 in New Delhi. The smartphone was first showcased at the extravagant Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this year.

As notified before, the device will launch in three variants in India. The dual-SIM handset stuffs 4G RAM, and unlike other handsets, ZenFone 2 offers an additional memory card support in spite of coming in three storage variants, 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB.

The device flaunts an original ergonomic design and features a 5.5-inch Full HD (1280x1920p) IPS display with Gorilla Glass 3 coating. A 64-bit 2.3GHz Intel Atom processor Z3580 with PowerVR G6430 GPU is fitted to the device to give it a faster processing speed. It runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop OS with custom Zen UI on top. The smartphone features a 13MP “Pixelmaster” rear camera along with a 5MP selfie snapper.

On the connectivity side, ZenFone 2 comes with 4G/LTE support that offers faster data speed, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The device comes with Dual Active mode that allows users to have two active phone lines at the same time.

ZenFone 2 equips a powerful battery of 3000mAh and comes in five different colour options: Osmium Black, Sheer Gold, Glacier Gray, Glamor Red and Ceramic White. Meanwhile, there is no information about its pricing. More details will be unveiled at the launch event itself. And as always, we’ll be bringing you the latest updates.

April 8, 2015
ASUS Confirms Three Different Zenfone 2 Variants Will Arrive in India

Since the launch of Zenfone 2 at CES 2015, folks have been eagerly waiting for the device to launch in the Indian sub-continent. Taiwanese electronics manufacturer has confirmed that the device will arrive in three variants in India. The firm hasn’t spoken about which models will be releasing, but the speculations are that these variants could possibly be the ZE551ML, ZE550ML, and ZE500CL.

Though, the company is yet to disclose a launch date of the handset.

3 variants of #Zenfone2 for India. Gear up to see what others can’t see. pic.twitter.com/p4n6BSC5rk

— ASUS India (@ASUSIndia) April 6, 2015

Till date, ASUS has three five variants of the Zenfone 2. The ZE551ML is the top-tier device with 4GB and 2GB RAM options with 32GB and 16GB storage capacities respectively. The other two devices, as we said can be ZE550ML and ZE500CL, fit well in the Indian market’s high-specs low price approach.

Talking about what all can be expected from the upcoming ASUS handsets, then Zenfone 2 ZE551ML boasts a 5.5-inch Full HD (1920x1080p) IPS display with Gorilla Glass 3 protection. It runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop OS with custom Zen UI on top. A 64-bit 2.3GHz Intel Atom processor Z3580 with PowerVR G6430 GPU is equipped to the device bundled with 4GB RAM. The Zenfone 2 ZE551ML packs 13MP “Pixelmaster” rear camera along with a 5MP selfie snapper. The device might arrive at a price of Rs. 18,000.

The Zenfone 2 ZE550ML also sports a 5.5-inch screen but has an HD IPS (1280x720p) display. It stuffs a 1.8GHz Intel Atom quad-core Z3560 with PowerVR G6430 GPU with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage. The model also runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop OS with custom Zen UI. With 13MP rear and 5MP front camera, the ZE550ML variant is expected to be priced at around Rs. 11,900.

The ZE500CL is a cheaper sibling of all and is anticipated to cost only Rs. 9,500. It features 5.0-inch HD (1280x720p) IPS screen, 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z2560, 2GB RAM and 16GB expandable memory space. The handset runs on the latest Android Lollipop, and flaunts 8MP rear and 2MP front shooter.

Precise details about the models and their pricing will unfold with the official launch.

April 7, 2015
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
NVIDIA GTX 960M and 950M Processors Bring High-Powered Desktop Gaming To Notebooks

Some time ago, NVIDIA had launched the GeForce GTX 980M and 970M processors for notebooks. Now, to turn up the heat on the competition a bit more, the chip maker has added GeForce GTX 960M and 950M to the GTX 900M lineup. Nvidia is mainly aiming for notebooks from ASUS, Lenovo, Alienware, Acer and HP. Both the processors features Maxwell architecture, including 640 CUDA cores and are built on 28nm process.

These new processors are very powerful and hence can be used for purposes other than gaming, for example video editing and creating 3D graphics. Acer has announced that a new batch of its existing line of Aspire V Nitro Black Edition laptops will offer the GeForce GTX 960M as an option.

Aspire V Nitro Black Edition laptop

One of the features of the processor is the BatteryBoost which lets users enjoy longer playtime than previous gaming notebooks. It provides more battery backup, even if the user is playing off-cord. Users can choose between the best graphics performance or the best battery life, according to the application they are using. Other features include ShadowPlay activation. Users can record full-resolution videos for sharing on YouTube or stream live to Twitch.

As of now, only the Acer V Nitro will be offering the GTX 960M service. Alienware, ASUS, HP and Lenovo would be releasing the upgraded version soon.

UPDATE

For a limited period, customers who purchase the GeForce GTX 980, GTX 970, and GTX 960 graphics cards, or a notebook with a GTX 970M or above, will get a code for a digital copy of the game. Labelled the ‘Undeniably Epic’ bundle, it will be authorized for purchases from Flipkart, Snapdeal and computer stores that are a part of Nvidia’s retail network.

March 13, 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
Lollipop 5.0.2 Slowly Rolls Out for 2012 and 2013 Cellular Nexus 7 Devices

Slowly but steadily, all Nexus devices are getting the latest Lollipop 5.0.2 update. Back in November, Google released the newest version of Lollipop for Wi-Fi only devices, and now the company has started releasing the same update for the cellular variants of the Asus Google Nexus 7 (both 2012 and 2013). Google has posted factory images on its official Developers page.

Users can download and install the update from the Google Developers > Nexus Factory Image.

The recent upgrade comes with build number LRX22G on the Nexus 7 (2012 and 2013) tablets. The company has directly jumped from Android 4.4.4 KitKat to Android 5.0.2 Lollipop, skipping Lollipop 5.0 and 5.0.1.

There is yet no information about the OTA (over-the-air) update and but users can keep a check on it by clicking Settings > System Update. The OTA update is expected to roll out soon.

February 2, 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

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

Tag: Asus

Specs

OnePlus One

ASUS ZenFone 2

Specs

ZenFone 2 ZE551ML (4GB RAM)

ZenFone 2 ZE551ML (4GB RAM)

ZenFone 2 ZE551ML (2GB RAM)

ZenFone 2 ZE550ML

Specifications

ASUS ZenWatch