Asus Zenfone 4 2014 Comprehensive Specs Prices and Reviews

Overview of Asus Zenfone 4 (2014)

The Asus Zenfone 4, launched in 2014, is designed as an entry-level smartphone that targets budget-conscious users looking for basic functionalities without sacrificing performance. As part of the early Zenfone series, the Zenfone 4 struck a balance between affordability and essential smartphone capabilities, serving as a viable option for users transitioning to smartphones or those requiring a reliable secondary device.

Design and Build Quality

The Asus Zenfone 4 sports a compact design with dimensions of 124.4 x 61.4 x 6.3 - 11.2 mm and weighs about 115 grams. This lightweight form factor ensures it is portable and manageable, fitting comfortably in hand and pocket. The device features a dual SIM slot, allowing users to maintain two different numbers on a single phone, which is a valuable feature for travelers and users who need to separate personal and professional communications.

The smartphone is available in several colors, including Charcoal Black, Pearl White, Cherry Red, Sky Blue, and Solar Yellow, giving users multiple options to express their personal style.

Display

The Zenfone 4 is equipped with a 4.0-inch TFT display, with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 233 pixels per inch (ppi). Despite its basic resolution by contemporary standards, the screen offers satisfactory clarity for its size, sufficient for browsing, texting, and light media consumption.

An added layer of protection comes from Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which enhances the screen's resistance to scratches and minor impacts, thus prolonging the lifespan of the display.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Asus Zenfone 4 (2014) is powered by an Intel Atom Z2520 chipset, which includes a dual-core 1.2 GHz processor. The inclusion of Intel's technology in the chipset ensures decent processing capabilities for a device in its class, enabling users to perform everyday tasks such as calling, messaging, and light app usage without much hassle. The device also features a PowerVR SGX544MP2 GPU, aiding in graphics processing for basic gaming and multimedia tasks.

Memory-wise, the phone comes with 1GB of RAM coupled with either 4GB or 8GB of internal storage. The available storage can be expanded thanks to the dedicated microSDXC card slot, which offers additional space for photos, videos, and apps—a necessary feature given the limited onboard storage.

Camera Capabilities

The photography department is handled by a single 5 MP rear camera with autofocus capabilities. This allows users to capture decent quality photos in good lighting. The camera can also record videos in 1080p at 30fps, providing satisfactory video quality for personal use.

While the device lacks a specific selfie camera, users can utilize the main camera in conjunction with the screen's live view for capturing self-portraits. Given the device's budget nature, camera performance aligns with expectations for its price segment.

Battery Life

The battery within the Zenfone 4 is a removable Li-Po unit with a capacity of 1600 mAh, providing a moderate usage period for typical tasks. This results in standby times of up to 192 hours and talk times of up to 10 hours, making it reasonably effective for daily use without frequent recharging.

The removable nature of the battery offers convenience, allowing users to replace the battery when needed and prolong the device's overall lifespan.

Software

The device initially ships with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and is upgradable to Android 4.4.2 KitKat. This software path ensures users benefit from smoother performance and improved features that were brought with KitKat, albeit lacking support for newer apps and features introduced in subsequent Android versions.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The Zenfone 4 supports GSM and HSPA networks, with data speeds of up to 42.2/5.76 Mbps. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, a mobile hotspot, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS with GLONASS, and microUSB 2.0 with USB On-The-Go support.

Among its features, the phone includes essential sensors such as an accelerometer and proximity sensor and retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of headphones and earphones.

Market Position and Conclusion

Upon its release, the Asus Zenfone 4 was positioned as an entry-level smartphone targeting consumers in emerging markets or those seeking a reliable secondary device. Priced around 130 EUR, it offered significant value by combining adequate performance, dual SIM capability, and a robust design in a highly competitive price segment.

Although discontinued, the Zenfone 4 stands as a testament to Asus's ability to produce budget-friendly smartphones that cater to users' basic needs while ensuring quality and reliability. It remains a part of the legacy that helped Asus establish itself as a reputable player in the smartphone market.