Asus Zenfone 2 Laser ZE550KL Specs Prices Pros & Cons Revealed

Introduction to Asus Zenfone 2 Laser ZE550KL

The Asus Zenfone 2 Laser ZE550KL, announced in August 2015 and released in September of the same year, is a smartphone that was designed to cater to mid-range buyers looking for premium features. Although it is now discontinued, it has made a mark with its impressive specifications and affordable pricing. This article delves into the detailed features of the Asus Zenfone 2 Laser, including its design, display, camera capabilities, hardware, software, and more, to offer a comprehensive understanding of this device.

Design and Build

The Asus Zenfone 2 Laser boasts a robust design with dimensions measuring 152.5 x 77.2 x 10.8 mm and a weight of 170 grams, making it a device that offers a comfortable grip. The phone features a sleek body available in five different colors: Black, White, Red, Silver, and Gold. Its dual SIM capability is an advantage for users who require separate lines for personal and professional use. The placement of buttons and ports is intuitive, enhancing the user experience.

Display

The device is equipped with a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display that ensures vibrant visuals and wide viewing angles. The screen-to-body ratio stands at approximately 70.8%, offering a satisfactory screen space for users who enjoy multimedia consumption. With a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 267 ppi, the display delivers clear and sharp images. Moreover, Corning Gorilla Glass 4 protection adds durability, safeguarding the screen against scratches and accidental drops.

Camera

One of the zeniths of the Asus Zenfone 2 Laser is its laser autofocus system on the main camera. The rear camera is a single 13 MP shooter with an aperture of f/2.0, supplemented by a dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, and HDR features, providing excellent image quality even in low light conditions. It is capable of capturing videos at 1080p@30fps. The 5 MP front camera, also with an f/2.0 aperture and autofocus, caters well to selfie enthusiasts and video callers, ensuring clarity and detail.

Hardware

The internal hardware of the Zenfone 2 Laser ZE550KL stands out with its Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 chipset for the model with a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, and a Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 chipset for the octa-core variant. This dual option provides a balance between performance and energy efficiency. Accompanied by an Adreno 306 GPU (for Snapdragon 410) or Adreno 405 (for Snapdragon 615), the phone supports decent graphics performance for everyday applications and moderate gaming.

The device comes with two options of internal storage: 16GB with 2GB RAM or 32GB with 3GB RAM, which can be expanded further with a dedicated microSDXC slot. This versatility makes the phone adaptable to various user needs, accommodating apps, games, and multimedia storage requirements.

Software

Running on Android 5.0 Lollipop out of the box with a customizable ZenUI, the Zenfone 2 Laser is upgradable to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. ZenUI adds a suite of enhancements and features such as gesture controls and quick settings that add to the user experience by making the interface more intuitive and user-friendly.

Battery and Performance

The device comes powered by a removable 3000 mAh Li-Po battery, providing stamina enough to last a full day of moderate use. The removable nature of the battery is a feature valued by users who prefer to carry spare batteries for extended usage without access to power sources.

Network and Connectivity

Supporting GSM, HSPA, and LTE, the Asus Zenfone 2 Laser ensures fast and reliable connectivity options. The phone supports 2G, 3G, and 4G bands, providing flexibility in usage across different network types. Its 4G capability with LTE Cat4 allows download speeds up to 150 Mbps and upload speeds up to 50 Mbps, which benefits users in need of fast mobile internet service.

Additional Features

The phone encompasses a range of other commendable features such as a 3.5mm headphone jack, FM radio, and various sensors including an accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass. Communication is made versatile with Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, and microUSB 2.0 connectivity supplemented by USB OTG support for additional peripheral connections. However, it lacks NFC functionality, which may be a consideration for users desiring contactless payment options.

Conclusion

Overall, the Asus Zenfone 2 Laser ZE550KL presents itself as a strong contender in the mid-range smartphone arena, with its competitive pricing and robust feature set. While it stands discontinued today, the device still holds appeal for users valuing a balanced smartphone with essential functionalities, supported by its innovative camera technology, sufficient processing power, ample storage options, and a dependable battery life.