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Asus Zenfone 3 Zoom ZE553KL Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Release Date
2017, February
Camera
12MP
Battery
5000mAh
Battery Type
18W
Processor
Snapdragon 625
Screen
5.5"
Storage
32GB/64GB/128GB , microSDXC
Ram
3/4GB RAM
Operating System
Android 6.1, up to Android 8, ZenUI 3

Design and Build Quality

The Asus Zenfone 3 Zoom ZE553KL boasts a sophisticated design characterized by its metal body, presenting a premium look and feel. With dimensions of 154.3 x 77 x 8 mm and a weight of 170g, it offers a comfortable grip for extended usage. The device houses a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for enhanced security and features a Hybrid Dual SIM slot, which provides flexibility for users who require dual SIM capabilities or storage expansion via a microSD card.

Display

The Zenfone 3 Zoom is equipped with a 5.5-inch AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. With a full HD resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 401 ppi, the display ensures crisp and clear imagery. The Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection guards against scratches and minor drops, enhancing durability. The screen-to-body ratio stands at about 70.2%, providing an immersive viewing experience.

Performance

Under the hood, the smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 chipset built on a 14 nm process. This octa-core processor, clocked at 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53, is paired with an Adreno 506 GPU, providing efficient performance and smooth multitasking capabilities. The device comes in variants of 3GB or 4GB of RAM, depending on the internal storage options, which range from 32GB to 128GB. For users requiring more space, the memory can be expanded using a microSDXC card in the shared SIM slot.

Camera Capabilities

The Asus Zenfone 3 Zoom's standout feature is its dual-camera setup on the back. It consists of a 12 MP main camera with an f/1.7 aperture, dual pixel PDAF, laser autofocus, and a 4-axis Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). The secondary camera is a 12 MP telephoto lens offering 2.3x optical zoom for distant shots. This combination allows users to capture high-quality images and shoot videos in 4K at 24fps or 1080p at 30fps. The device also sports a 13 MP front-facing camera with an f/2.0 aperture for clear selfies and video calls.

Battery Life

The Zenfone 3 Zoom is powered by a robust 5000 mAh non-removable Li-Ion battery, providing extended usage time without frequent charging. The device supports 18W fast charging, enabling quick energy replenishment, crucial for users on the go. Additionally, it offers a reverse wired charging option of 2.5W, which can be helpful in emergencies to charge other devices.

Software and User Interface

Launching with Android 6.1 (Marshmallow), the device is upgradable to Android 8 (Oreo), alongside Asus's ZenUI 3 overlay. The custom interface is designed to enhance user experience with added features and customization options. While it may not be the latest Android version, the ZenUI 3 provides a user-friendly interface with a variety of themes, icons, and gesture controls.

Connectivity

The device supports multiple network bands, including GSM, HSPA, and LTE, offering extensive connectivity options globally. It features standard connectivity options such as Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, and BDS for location tracking. Although NFC is not supported, other connectivity features include FM radio, USB Type-C 2.0 port, and OTG support for additional functionality.

Audio and Multimedia

The Zenfone 3 Zoom comes with a loudspeaker and a quintessential 3.5mm headphone jack, ensuring convenience for audio playback. The audio experience is balanced and suitable for everyday multimedia consumption. The inclusion of an FM radio provides users with access to local music and news broadcasts, catering to diverse audio preferences.

Sensors and Additional Features

Asus has equipped the device with essential sensors such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and compass, supporting various applications and functionalities. The fingerprint sensor, conveniently located on the rear, ensures quick and secure access to the device. These sensors enhance the overall usability and interactive experience of the smartphone.

Colors and Pricing

Available in three elegant color options - Navy Black, Glacier Silver, and Rose Gold - the Asus Zenfone 3 Zoom appeals to a broad range of style preferences. At the time of its release, the device was priced around 320 EUR, offering a competitive package in its segment, especially considering the camera technology and battery life it brings to the table.

Conclusion

The Asus Zenfone 3 Zoom ZE553KL stands out for its impressive dual-camera setup, remarkable battery life, and elegant design. Although it does not feature the latest software updates, its hardware components, and photography capabilities make it a substantial choice for users seeking reliable performance and enhanced mobile photography. The device's affordability and feature set provide added value, making it a notable option within the mid-range smartphone market.

Key Features of Asus Zenfone 3 Zoom ZE553KL

  • Network Technology: GSM / HSPA / LTE supporting diverse network bands.
  • Display: 5.5-inch AMOLED with Full HD resolution and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for protection.
  • Camera: Dual main cameras with a wide and telephoto lens featuring 2.3x optical zoom, capable of 4K video recording.
  • Front Camera: 13 MP wide-angle lens suitable for high-quality selfies.
  • Battery: Large 5000 mAh Li-Ion battery with fast charging and reverse wired charging capabilities.
  • Audio: Equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack and loudspeaker support.
  • Comms: Includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, GLONASS, and FM radio features.
  • Platform: Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor with up to 128GB storage and 4GB RAM.
  • Operating System: Originally Android 6.1, upgradable to Android 8 with ZenUI 3.
  • Sensors: Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, along with accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass.

Asus Zenfone 3 Zoom ZE553KL Drawbacks

  • Limited 4G LTE band support may result in connectivity issues in some regions.
  • Initially launched with the outdated Android 6.1 (Marshmallow), which may not support all modern apps and features despite being upgradable to Android 8 (Oreo).
  • Hybrid SIM slot means choosing between a second SIM card and a microSD card expansion, limiting simultaneous dual-SIM use and storage expansion.
  • No NFC support, which limits functionality for contactless payments and other NFC-based features.
  • Uses Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n standards, lacking dual-band or Wi-Fi ac support for faster wireless internet speeds.
  • The lack of water and dust resistance can pose durability concerns in adverse environmental conditions.
  • Despite having AMOLED display technology, screen-to-body ratio of ~70.2% is relatively low by modern standards, leading to thicker bezels.
  • Although equipped with a dual-camera setup, video recording is limited to 4K at only 24fps, which is lower compared to modern standards that usually offer 30fps or higher.
Network
Technology GSM / HSPA / LTE
2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bands HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Global
4G bands 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - Global
Speed HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps (Global), LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps (Taiwan)
Launch
Announced 2017, January
Status Available. Released 2017, February
Body
Dimensions 154.3 x 77 x 8 mm (6.07 x 3.03 x 0.31 in)
Weight 170 g (6.00 oz)
SIM Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Display
Type AMOLED
Size 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~70.2% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Protection Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Platform
OS Android 6.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 8 (Oreo), ZenUI 3
Chipset Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 (14 nm)
CPU Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53
GPU Adreno 506
Memory
Card slot microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual 12 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Laser AF, 4-axis OIS 12 MP, f/2.8, 59mm (telephoto), AF, 2.3x optical zoom
Features Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR
Video 4K@24fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video 1080p@30fps
Sound
Loudspeaker Yes
3.5mm jack Yes
Comms
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE
Positioning GPS, GLONASS, BDS
NFC No
Radio FM radio
USB USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
Features
Sensors Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Type Li-Ion 5000 mAh, non-removable
Charging 18W wired 2.5W reverse wired
Misc
Colors Navy Black, Glacier Silver, Rose Gold
Models Z01HD, Z01HDA, ZE553KL
Price About 320 EUR

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