Specifications
- Dimensions: 124.42 x 61.44 x 11.5 mm
- Weight: 115 g
- Display: 4" WVGA (480 x 800 pixels) TFT
- Processor: 1.2 GHz dual-core Intel Atom Z2520
- RAM: 1 GB
- Memory: 8 GB, microSD card slot
- Camera: 5 MP Camera, 1080p video recording, VGA front
- Battery: 1,200 mAh
- OS: Android 4.3 Jelly Bean (Upgradable to Android 4.4 KitKat)
Unboxing
The retail package is very simply but nice. The box contains the device, microUSB cable, AC adapter, two batteries and manual guide. Unfortunately, the box doesn't come with earphones but adding an extra battery is a smart move from the company.
Design
Perhaps a phone with 4" screen like the ZenFone 4 is quite small, but the advantage of it is comfortable to hold as well as good for single hand operations.
Asus ZenFone 4 live photos
Looking at the front of it you will see the signature devo plate with spin cut design below the display. Although the power button and volume rocker are at the right side but you need to press very hard to make them work.
Asus ZenFone 4 handling
The back cover of the phone is made out of rubberized material which provides enough grip to hold the phone.
Display
The 4" TFT display is covered by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which is kind of surprise for an affordable smartphone.
The Asus ZenFone 4 has a 4" display
The display has below average contrast and just as usual, TFT display has bad viewing angle. Thankfully, with 480 x 800 resolution, viewing text on internet is not a big problem.
Performance
Just as usual Intel processor is always Asus priority. The ZenFone 4 is powered by 1.2 GHz dual-core Intel Atom Z2520 processor with 1 GB of RAM. The entry-level Intel Atom Z2520 chipset is unable to handle high graphics games well like Real Racing 3, but it should be no problem for mini games.
As you can see, the ZenFone 4 scored 5,872 on Quadrant Standard and 15,319 on AnTuTu benchmark. We're not surprise about these results as it is an entry-level smartphone.
Software
Here comes the main focus of the review. The Asus ZenFone 4 is running on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean with Asus latest ZenUI and it is upgradable to Android 4.4 KitKat in the future. The new ZenUI comes with simple and flat look, which is current trending look.
The new ZenUI has bigger and redesigned icons and most of the Asus key features are still present but with more polished look.
The lockscreen has a nice spotlight unlock effect and brings you to the homescreen. The ZenUI launcher has undergone a significant change that retains much of the familiarity of Android's homescrenn, but includes new, simpler app icons, a new folder design, as well as new widgets.
Long press the homescreen to add apps, widgets, wallpapers or new pages to your homescreen. You can also apply background tint with different tint colors on the wallpaper.
The notification bar is transparent by default. It integrates with the built-in Asus apps by changing color to fit with the currently ative app. Swipe down from the top left half of the screen to access the notification area while swiping down from the top right of the screen will show all the quick settings menu.
Camera
5 MP is common for an affordable smartphone. However unlike other phones, the ZenFone 4 comes with a few interesting modes thanks to the PixelMaster technology.
One of the features is time rewind, which is something like Sony TimeShift burst. The miniature and depth of field features bring mobile camera to another level.
Asus ZenFone 4 camera samples
Image quality considers good at its class although it is not sharp as it should be, but if you are the one who like to upload photos to your social media platform, then it is good enough.
Battery
Juicing up the device is a 1,200 mAh battery, which is quite small for the ZenFone 4. But don't worry as Asus has provided one more battery in the package, plus the ZenFone 4 battery is removable so that you can change the battery anytime and anywhere.
Based on our usage, the ZenFone 4 is able to last for nearly 5 hours on heavy usage. As for moderate usage, it should be last for around 14 hours.
Final words
You can't believe that the ZenFone 4 is only priced at RM 299 with these specifications. We don't know how and don't know why? There's no competitor at this class as it clearly wins out with its extremely low price tag but acceptable specifications.
Pros
- Impressive build material
- Impressive camera
- Extremely low price tag
- Guarantee upgradable to Android 4.4 KitKat
- Stable user interface
Cons
- Unimpressive battery life
- Unimpressive display
- Processor can't handle high graphics work
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