Asus Zenfone Live ZB501KL Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Revealed

Network Technology

The Asus Zenfone Live ZB501KL supports multiple network technologies to ensure reliable connectivity. The device supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE, which allows for a range of connection speeds depending on network availability. It is equipped with support for various bands:

• 2G bands: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
• 3G bands: HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100
• 4G bands: LTE bands 1, 3, 7, 8, 20

The phone can achieve speeds of HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps and LTE Cat4 with maximum capabilities of 150/50 Mbps.

Launch and Availability

The Asus Zenfone Live was first announced in February of 2017, and it became available to the market in March 2017. Upon its release, it aimed to offer an affordable smartphone option with some innovative features for the year.

Design and Build

The design philosophy of the Asus Zenfone Live revolves around elegance and simplicity. The phone has dimensions of 141.2 x 71.7 x 8 mm, and it weighs in at a light 120 g. It boasts a classic design featuring a glass front, aluminum back, and an aluminum frame that not only enhances durability but also adds a touch of premium aesthetic to the device. It comes equipped with a Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) capability, which is a versatile option for those who need to manage multiple SIM cards.

Display

The device is equipped with a 5.0-inch IPS LCD display, providing good viewing angles and color reproduction. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 68.1%, offering ample space for the display within its compact form. The resolution is set at 720 x 1280 pixels, with a 16:9 aspect ratio, yielding a pixel density of approximately 294 PPI. This resolution is suitable for everyday tasks, providing clear and vivid imaging.

Platform

Running on Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) with Asus's ZenUI 3.5, the software experience on the Zenfone Live offers a combination of Google's base Android functionalities with some added custom features for personalization and productivity. The phone is powered by the Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 chipset, built on the 28 nm process node. The CPU is a quad-core Cortex-A53 clocked at 1.2 GHz, offering adequate performance for basic to moderate smartphone tasks. It employs an Adreno 306 GPU, which is capable of handling casual gaming and multimedia content.

Memory

The Zenfone Live is available in two storage configurations: 16GB and 32GB, both of which come with 2GB of RAM. While the storage may be limiting for those who use numerous apps or store large media collections, the device compensates with a microSDXC card slot for expanded storage. However, it's important to note that the microSDXC slot utilizes the shared SIM slot, adding a layer of consideration for storage management and dual-SIM usage.

Main Camera

The device comes with a single 13 MP rear camera, featuring an f/2.0 aperture and autofocus capability. The rear camera is equipped with an LED flash, and it supports panorama in its shooting modes. The camera is capable of recording 1080p videos at 30fps, making it suitable for capturing day-to-day moments with reasonable quality.

Selfie Camera

The front-facing camera on the Zenfone Live is a 5 MP shooter, featuring an f/2.2 aperture and 1.4µm pixel size. One of the distinctive features is the inclusion of an LED flash on the front, which enhances selfie capabilities in low-light conditions. Although it does not specify video recording capabilities, the front camera is optimized for social media and video calling.

Sound

Audio playback is supported through a loudspeaker, with the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack allowing users to connect traditional headphones or external speakers. This ensures there are ample options for listening to music, podcasts, or any audio content.

Connectivity

Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with Wi-Fi Direct, allowing for fast and reliable wireless connections. The device also supports Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP for connecting to wireless peripherals. For navigation and location-based services, the Zenfone Live supports GPS and GLONASS. It does not feature NFC, but it does include an FM radio for listening to local broadcasts. Data transfer and charging are facilitated through a microUSB 2.0 port, which also supports OTG.

Sensors and Features

The phone incorporates several sensors that enrich the user experience. It includes an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. These sensors allow for enhancing app functionality and are useful for applications relying on direction, orientation, or motion detection.

Battery

The device houses a non-removable Li-Ion 2650 mAh battery. While the capacity might seem modest by today's standards, the efficient hardware and lesser power demands of the display and processor help the device maintain reasonable uptime for moderate usage scenarios.

Miscellaneous

The Asus Zenfone Live is available in a variety of colors to suit personal style preferences, such as Shimmer Gold/Rose, Pink, and Navy Black. It is marketed under the model number A007. At launch, the phone came with an approximate price tag of about 150 EUR, positioning it as an affordable option in the market.