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Wednesday, October 5, 2016

GADGET REVIEW: ASUS ZenFone 3

ZenFone 3 or ZE520KL was launched in the Philippines last August as part of the Zen 3 Series and upon its initial release, the phones we sold-out.

You can read my first impressions here --- ZenFone 3 Preview

I've been using ASUS ZenFone 3 for about 3 weeks now and I find it way better than my beloved ZenFone 2. Everything that I fell in-love with my other phone is not just upgraded, but definitely way, way better.

Even in the "looks" department, the ZenFone 3 has an edge since it is both chic and sleek. You won't be ashamed to show-off this phone in formal parties. It exudes elegance especially with its Gorilla glass armor (front and back casing) and its "thin" body. Scratch-proof? Yes! No need for protective case.

Another new feature that I like is the "fingerprint" scanner. This makes it easier to open the phone vs key-ing PIN-codes. The fingerprint scanner is possible for multiple phone users. My daughter and I share phones especially for games. Also, I tend to forget PIN-codes so this is perfect. I mean, I don't think I'll be changing fingerprints, right? ;)

Using Apps and checking emails or surfing is also faster because of its 3GB RAM. Phone's memory is 32GB which is expandable up to 128GB. My other phone tends to "lag" especially when I haven't transferred photos and other files.

The display screen is also bright even if the brightness level is "low." I prefer to use low level of brightness on my phones because it saves battery but most of the time, it's hard to see the screen when I am taking photos indoors or outdoors especially when the sun is very bright. With ZenFone 3, no need to adjust the brightness level since the "low" level setting is bright and you can clearly see what's on the screen without squinting. PS. I am also using an iPhone 6 and display screen brightness is really different. I like ZenFone 3 better, no kidding.

USB cable though is different from the older ZenFone models so you really have to bring the charger just in case you need to charge batteries because you can't borrow. The ZenFone 3 has a USB Type-C cable.

The battery, however, is only 2600 mAh which I think is a bummer since you have no choice but to bring charger or powerbank. Keep in mind that battery drains fast if you watch videos a lot, play games, or use the phone to take endless photos.


It also has a Game Genie that allows you to record what you are playing or live via YouTube. Game Genie is available for the ZenFone series only. Here's a  Game Genie recording of --- Vain Glory


I watch iFlix on my mobile phone and I just think that the 5.2 screen of ZenFone 3 is small especially if you are not holding the phone. I prefer a bigger screen though. But I do like the crisp and vibrant colors. No problem there.


Listening to Spotify using this phone is also cool. Notable is the sound quality.


As for the ZenFone 3's camera, I am saving the best for last. Ang ganda!!! Really worth it especially if you are a photography buff. I mean, using a mobile phone is easier than bringing the DSLR. I used to bring my DSLR but for about a year now, I ditched it and alternate using ZenFone 2 and iPhone 6 because it is faster to post photos. I was quite happy and contented using my other two phones ... that is until ZenFone 3 happened.

What's notable with the phone's camera is its object/face detection and shutter speed. Just snap, and snap, and snap. It also boasts of a 16MP resolution. Even in low-light setting, the photo captured is not grainy.

Here are some of the photos I took using ZenFone 3. Love the camera!

Laksa 
Archangel Michael 
Eclairs 
Church  ***low-light camera setting

*** will update the photo links once I uploaded it all


Here's a time-lapse video of my daughter building gunpla --- Gundam Unicorn  and another one, a slow-motion video of her- pennyboarding.  The quality of both videos are crisp and clear.

I also used the phone's mini-movie maker --- Cosplay Mania 2016


I'm giving this phone a rating of 9/10 since using it really made me happy, and the camera is really, really great.


More photos here:

Saint Jude Church

San Miguel Church

San Sebastian Church 


viva manilena 

34 comments:

  1. I also use mobile phone in taking photos especially when I'm out except when I'm traveling because I need more memory. :) Asus has bigger memory pala.

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    1. This is one of the advantages of ZenFone 3 :)

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  2. I think Asus Zenphone is a promising one.. not that expensive too. Glad that the features are cool.. my only favorite apps on smartphone is iflix and spotify.. glad it works fine..

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  3. i just got my dad a birthday gift Asus Fonepad. He is super happy about it and keepa on saying how sturdy it is and how it takes beautiful and high quality photos.

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    1. Glad your dad is happy with his ASUS gadget. We are happy with ours, too :)

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  4. Good to see alternatives to the market leaders! Would love to try this too!

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  5. omg. my Asus is only expandable to 64 gig and that's a lot for me already. How much more a 120+ GB! Cool!

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  6. Yun lang battery life is not good :( Though I like how you can expand the memory into 128GB which can saves a lot of photos and data. Great review sis Edel :)

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  7. I have read so many good reviews about this gadget and actually is very tempting. But I still don't see any need to buy one.

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  8. This phone is in E's must have list! haha! He says it received great reviews and it really works well. With that 120GB memory there is a lot that you can do!

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  9. My family's phone are all ASUS, this Zenfone 3 na lang ang wala.

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  10. How safe is the Zenfone with no casing? I tend to be clumsy with gadgets and with the little ones might drop it so I really need a kid-proof phone!

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  11. I appreciate talaga that we now have a lot of options for mid range phones. I've read a lot of positive reviews about Zendfone 3 lalo na nga it's camera's resolution.

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  12. This is actually on my wish list as an excellent smartphone is really an indispensable gadget for blogging.

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  13. It looks so nice! There's no going wrong talaga if you choose an Asus. I'm using an iPhone but my laptop, power bank, tablet, and old phones are all Asus!

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  14. Ganda nga ng camera. Yan ang gusto ko sa smartphone. Yung may okay na camera talaga.

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  15. Wow! Its memory is expandable to 128 GB. That's gonna be a full load of pictures, I bet! :D And about the photos, I wish you've shared in this post some sample shots you made with Zenfone 3's camera. I am such a fan of phones with impressive cameras, really. And when you've said it's way better than photo taken from an iPhone got me soooo curious of how good its camera is. :D

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  16. I've been using my Zenfone 2 for a year now. I'd love to try the Zenfone 3. I'm pretty happy now with the Zenfone 2's camera but super excited upon learning here that the Zenfone 3's camera is even better. Would love to try it!

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  17. I can't wait to get my hands on this phone. Zenfone 2 is great and this one is even better.

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  18. Sounds perfect already! Except for the smaller screen and shorter battery life. I like bigger screens in my smartphone, better viewing that way.

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  19. This is very timely as i am shopping for a new phone. My trusted iphone 5s has a black mark and its eating the screen slowly. I need a new phone asap. And readinf this makes it all the more for me to decide.

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  20. Im an Asus user/fan. I like the quality and specs that they give to each of their products. Plus, their prices are so affordable.

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  21. I am really hearing and reading good things about asus zenfone having the best quality on camera. I will not going to upgrade my Iphone na and hope I could still try this one.

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  22. asus zenphone user is here saying yes your rating is right

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  23. I hope they've improved over the Zenfone 2. The Zenfone 2 looked good on paper but when push came to shove I felt it was under spec'd when I compared it with the Samsung Galaxy S5 I was using at the time.

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  24. This is a comprehensive review. I need to look for a new phone too.

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  25. Great review! I would like to try the Zenfone 3 myself!

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  26. Awesome review! Now, I want to get a new phone! :)

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  27. This looks good. My husband owned an ASUS tablet before, lasted him long until our son threw it and broke the screen. Toddlers. hahaha. Sayang, I just got a new phone. I had been canvassing a few weeks ago.

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  28. Love my Zenfone and if I will be given a gift, I'd love to have Zenfone 3!

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  29. I had a Zenfone 5 before and I really love its features. I'd still go for Asus Zenfone for Android if you would ask me but for now I'm so in love with my iPhone. Lol

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  30. Oh yes, Zenfone cameras are great once you orient yourself with the settings and all. My hubby takes the most beautiful IG photos with his Zenfone 2. He also wants a Zenfone 3.

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