Asus Zenpad 3S 10 Z500KL InDepth Review with Specs & Pricing

Overview

The Asus Zenpad 3S 10 Z500KL is a versatile tablet that caters to a broad range of users with its impressive display, powerful processor, and long-lasting battery. Released in January 2017, this device has been engineered to deliver a premium user experience, whether for personal entertainment, productivity, or communication purposes.

Design and Build Quality

The Zenpad 3S 10 Z500KL boasts a sleek and sophisticated design with a metallic finish that exudes quality. The device measures 242.3 x 164.2 x 6.8 mm and weighs 490 grams, making it relatively lightweight and easy to hold despite its large screen size. It features a hybrid dual SIM slot, offering flexibility in terms of connectivity by supporting both Nano-SIM and dual stand-by functionality. The overall build quality is robust, with a focus on durability, ensuring it can sustain regular use.

Display

Equipped with a 9.7-inch IPS LCD display, the Zenpad 3S 10 offers an immersive viewing experience with vibrant colors and excellent contrast. The screen resolution of 1536 x 2048 pixels ensures sharp and clear visuals, operating at a 4:3 aspect ratio with a pixel density of approximately 264 PPI. The inclusion of an oleophobic coating minimizes fingerprint smudges, preserving the screen’s clarity over extended usage periods.

Performance

Under its elegant chassis, the Asus Zenpad 3S 10 Z500KL is powered by the Qualcomm MSM8956 Snapdragon 650 chipset. It features a hexa-core CPU, consisting of 4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 and 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A72 cores, which ensures fluid multitasking and smooth operation across applications. The Adreno 510 GPU takes care of graphics processing, providing a satisfactory experience for gaming and multimedia consumption.

Memory and Storage

The device is equipped with 4GB of RAM, which complements the processing power, ensuring efficient performance even under heavy workloads. For storage, it offers 32GB of internal memory, which can be expanded via a microSDXC card, utilizing the shared SIM slot. This flexibility in storage options allows users to store a significant amount of data, applications, and media without concern over space constraints.

Camera Capabilities

The Zenpad 3S 10 Z500KL is fitted with an 8 MP main camera featuring autofocus, HDR, and panorama modes for capturing diverse scenes with relative ease. Despite being a tablet, it supports video recording at 1080p@30fps, making it suitable for creating decent video content. The 5 MP front-facing camera is competent for selfies and video calls, also capable of recording in 1080p at 30fps.

Audio Output

For audio enthusiasts, the device includes stereo speakers producing rich, dynamic sound. The presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack ensures compatibility with a wide range of audio accessories. The audio experience is further enhanced by support for high-quality Bluetooth audio codecs like aptX, allowing for high-fidelity wireless audio streaming.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The Asus Zenpad 3S 10 Z500KL supports a variety of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac with dual-band capability, Wi-Fi Direct, and Bluetooth 4.1 with A2DP and EDR. The device also offers GPS and GLONASS for precise location tracking. It is equipped with a USB Type-C 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. Sensor-wise, it features an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass, adding to the overall utility of the device.

Battery Life

One of the standout features of the Zenpad 3S 10 Z500KL is its impressive 7800mAh Li-Po battery, which is non-removable. This substantial battery capacity allows for extended use, providing up to 16 hours of multimedia playback. Additionally, the device supports 18W fast charging with QC3, ensuring minimal downtime during recharges.

Operating System

The tablet runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, offering a user-friendly interface with access to a wide range of Google services and applications. While it is not the latest version of Android, it remains functional for most mainstream applications and basic computing tasks.

Price and Value

Priced at approximately 350 EUR, the Zenpad 3S 10 Z500KL represents a sound investment for those seeking a reliable tablet with a balance of performance, display quality, and battery life. Its range of features makes it suitable for professionals and casual users alike, providing value that aligns well with its cost.

Conclusion

The Asus Zenpad 3S 10 Z500KL is a capable tablet that offers a harmonious blend of design, display quality, and performance. Its versatility in various applications, from multimedia to work, positions it as a suitable choice for a diverse range of users. Despite running a dated operating system, the hardware capabilities ensure it remains relevant and efficient in handling everyday tasks.