Asus Zenfone 5 ZE620KL Comprehensive Specs Pricing and Pros & Cons

Design and Build Quality

The Asus Zenfone 5 ZE620KL sports a modern design with a glass front and back, secured by an aluminum frame. The use of Corning Gorilla Glass ensures durability and adds a level of scratch resistance. It measures 153 x 75.7 x 7.7 mm and weighs 165 grams, making it a sleek device that is comfortable to hold and easy to operate with one hand. The Midnight Blue and Meteor Silver color options give it an aesthetic appeal that matches its robust build quality.

Display

The device features a 6.2-inch IPS LCD with a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 83.6%. The resolution of 1080 x 2246 pixels, with a 18.7:9 aspect ratio, provides a pixel density of around 402 ppi, ensuring sharp and vibrant visuals. Whether you are watching videos or playing games, the display quality remains impressively high, offering bright colors and excellent viewing angles.

Performance

Underneath the hood, the Zenfone 5 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chipset, built on a 14 nm process. This octa-core processor, combined with the Adreno 509 GPU, ensures smooth and efficient performance across various applications. The smartphone is available in configurations of 4GB or 6GB of RAM, allowing for seamless multitasking and faster processing speed.

Operating System and Software

Originally shipped with Android 8.0 Oreo, the Zenfone 5 is upgradable to Android 9.0 Pie, topped with Asus' ZenUI 5 interface. The user interface is intuitive and customizable, providing a range of features and enhancements over the stock Android experience, including gesture navigation, AI-enhanced functionalities, and user-friendly design.

Camera Capabilities

The Zenfone 5 is equipped with a dual-camera setup at the rear, comprising a 12 MP wide lens with an aperture of f/1.8 and a secondary 8 MP ultrawide lens. The camera benefits from Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF), 4-axis Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), and various modes such as HDR and panorama, ensuring high-quality, crisp images. It supports video recording at 4K@30fps and 1080p@60fps, with gyro-EIS for stability. The front 8 MP camera, with an f/2.0 aperture, handles selfies and video calls adeptly, providing 1080p video recording at 30fps with gyro-EIS.

Battery and Charging

The device houses a non-removable Li-Ion 3300 mAh battery, providing a reliable power source for daily usage. While the 10W charging speed might seem modest, the battery life is optimized for all-day performance, courtesy of the efficient power management settings in Android 9.0 and Snapdragon 636.

Network and Connectivity

The Asus Zenfone 5 supports a wide range of network bands, ensuring robust connectivity with GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks. Its dual-SIM capability, with a hybrid slot for either a second SIM or a microSD card, offers flexible usage. Connectivity features include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, FM radio, and USB Type-C 2.0 with OTG support. This array of options makes sure that users are always connected, no matter the scenario.

Audio and Entertainment

Equipped with dual speakers, the Zenfone 5 delivers a rich audio experience, with the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack for private listening sessions. The sound quality is clear and loud, making it suitable not just for calls but for media consumption and gaming.

Security and Additional Features

The inclusion of a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor ensures that unlocking the device is quick and secure. Coupled with other sensors such as accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass, the Zenfone 5 is adept at providing precise positioning, necessary for navigation and relevant applications.

Value for Money

Priced at about 320 EUR at launch, the Asus Zenfone 5 ZE620KL presents good value for the features it encompasses. Between its stylish design, competent performance, and robust camera system, it stands out in the crowded mid-range smartphone market.

Conclusion

Overall, the Asus Zenfone 5 ZE620KL is a compelling smartphone choice for users who prioritize aesthetics, performance, and photographic capabilities without breaking the bank. Its balanced feature set is designed to appeal to a broad range of users, from tech enthusiasts to everyday users seeking a reliable and stylish handset.