ZenFone 6: €499 For No Notch, Stock Android, Huge Battery, & Headphone Jack!

[jiyeon]

Sources: Dave2D | Engadget | Android Central

 

Asus has officially come out with the newest addition to the ZenFone lineup, the ZenFone 6, which looks to offer another option to Android lovers around the world with its arsenal of high-end hardware and stock Android to boot.

 

Quote

The ZenFone 6 features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset, up to 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage. It also has three dedicated slots for both Nano SIMs plus microSD expansion There's also a pair of speakers, dual-microphone noise cancellation, a headphone jack and NFC. You'll find these all packaged within a curved glass back plus a metallic frame, and these come in either "Midnight Black" or "Twilight Silver."

 

What may seem a little disappointing is the fact that the 6.4-inch FHD+ screen is LCD instead of AMOLED, but based on my brief hands-on, it's still an impressive IPS panel that supports HDR10.

 

The most notable things about the phone are the internal specs, boasting a Snapdragon 855, 8GB of RAM, a headphone jack (wow), and a huge 5000mAh battery.

 

Additionally, it's notchless. That's done through the flip camera.

 

Quote

It has a new software strategy built around near-stock Android and quick updates. And it has a fresh approach to the great technical challenge of a 2019 smartphone -- how to banish the display notch.

 

In doing so, it introduces a new rake on smartphone photography, with a mechanical flip camera serving as both the rear shooter and selfie snapper.

 

As for price, the ZenFone 6 will launch at €499 for the 6GB RAM variant.

 

Quote

Asus isn't holding back at all with the ZenFone 6's pricing. When the device launches in Europe today, it'll start at €499 (about $560) with 6GB of RAM plus 64GB of storage.

 

It seems Asus has really taken the time to make a phone that strays away from the bloatware-infested old iterations of the previous ZenFones and introduced a package with amazing internal specs and an equally impressive exterior with no notch and a unique flip camera, similar to the likes of old Oppo phones.

[Bouzoo]

That is a weird camera if I ever saw one. 

On a serious note, how is their OS? I haven't used one since the original. 

 

They also tell you what kind of camera it is, in case you DON'T NOTICE:

Spoiler

 

[Guest]

I’m just not ok with cameras like this. I feel like is going to wear out, and what about case options? 

[Trixanity]

Same sensor as OnePlus 7 but without OIS. However they share the quality of being kinda meh when compared to the top tier (Pixel, P30 Pro, S10).

 

It's a very interesting value proposition though. You can tell that's what they were going for. Apparently the idea was to maintain a €500 price point and they have succeeded with some comprises. I don't mind at all but apparently people are up in arms over the lack of AMOLED display. According to Asus fitting the 5000 mAh battery required them to either increase the thickness or reduce the charging speed so they decided on the latter which means it's limited to 18W. 

 

I'd probably pick this up if it weren't for the software. While initial impressions say it's pretty clean and Asus claims two years of support (with updates to Android Q later this year and R next year whenever) with bimonthly security updates, I'm not sure if I want to risk it. May end up quite disappointed later. Wouldn't be the first time either.

[Princess Luna]

Not a single photo? I'm disappointed at you Seoz!

 

Either ways this sounds like an ideal Android smartphone, my father has the ZenFone 3 and it's actually a really great device.

[jiyeon]

8 minutes ago, Bouzoo said:

On a serious note, how is their OS? I haven't used one since the original. 

I've not personally used a ZenFone myself, only ever seen it through videos.  Their OS on the previous ZenFones looked full to the brim of bloatware and pre-installed apps, an outdated UI, and what I can guess wasn't very supported in terms of software updates.

 

Looks like the ZenFones 6 will change this though, stock Android (or near-enough) and Asus says they look to have this phone to be one of if not the first on Android Q.

 

[D13H4RD]

Looks tempting, especially that big battery 

[Guest]

I don't think I could go back to LCD screens in phones. AMOLED is so good.

[Bouzoo]

56 minutes ago, seoz said:

the first on Android Q.

Is that so? Zenfone 5Z is currently (or will be) in the first batch of devices to go in Q beta, how do they think they will manage this? Interesting. 

[Senzelian]

This is certainly the most interesting phone this year so far and it is also what the OnePlus 7 should've been in many ways.
It's cheaper, it's more innovative and it has a giant battery.

 

The lack of an OLED is a bit disappointing tho - but then again, the price is simply great.

 

 

I think this is a good year for basically every price point in the Android market and I don't see any space left for a disappointing OnePlus 7 which now finally settled.
 

299€ - Motorola Vision One
399€ - Pixel 3A
499€ - ZenFone 6
599€ - ZTE Axon 10 Pro

699€ - Galaxy S10

799€ - Galaxy S10 +

899€ - Note 10 ?

[jiyeon]

2 hours ago, Medicate said:

I don't think I could go back to LCD screens in phones. AMOLED is so good.

1 hour ago, Senzelian said:

The lack of an OLED is a bit disappointing tho - but then again, the price is simply great.

When done right, LCD can be on par on with OLEDs minus the black levels of course. There's always that one compromise that phones have in the big picture, and the ZenFone 6's compromise is the screen.

 

I read a few comments on Dave2D's video saying they would pay $50-$100 for an OLED display on the ZenFone 6. Shows how much people wanted this to be the perfect device that checks every single box.

[williamcll]

I want to see the ROG phone 2

[Nowak]

I can't wait until they don't support it.

[Misanthrope]

Nice = stock Android

Meh = flip camera.

 

In fairness I am also not really that impressed with the OnePlus 7 Pro either: selfies cameras were neat when they were like an added bonus but punch holes, flip and pop-out mechanisms? Just use the camera on the back in a fucking mirror already.

[dizmo]

Looks super solid, especially with that 5000mah battery. The flip mechanism is actually pretty impressive. I'd have almost certainly gone for it if it wasn't for the LCD display, as it ticks almost all the boxes I look for in a phone. Might consider it still, though it depends largely on aftermarket case support. I still have yet to find a phone to peel me away from my S8.

 

8 hours ago, floofer said:

I’m just not ok with cameras like this. I feel like is going to wear out, and what about case options? 

They haven't had good case options even with regular phones It's not hard though. Simply leave the cut out in the top. It could wear out, sure. But there's tons of other things we use every day a lot more frequently with small motors that we don't worry as much about. People are just too paranoid.

8 hours ago, Trixanity said:

Same sensor as OnePlus 7 but without OIS. However they share the quality of being kinda meh when compared to the top tier (Pixel, P30 Pro, S10).

 

It's a very interesting value proposition though. You can tell that's what they were going for. Apparently the idea was to maintain a €500 price point and they have succeeded with some comprises. I don't mind at all but apparently people are up in arms over the lack of AMOLED display. According to Asus fitting the 5000 mAh battery required them to either increase the thickness or reduce the charging speed so they decided on the latter which means it's limited to 18W. 

 

I'd probably pick this up if it weren't for the software. While initial impressions say it's pretty clean and Asus claims two years of support (with updates to Android Q later this year and R next year whenever) with bimonthly security updates, I'm not sure if I want to risk it. May end up quite disappointed later. Wouldn't be the first time either.

I'd have liked an AMOLED display. IPS is just not as bright outside, which usually results in increased battery drain. Interestingly enough, because of the huge battery, it can charge 3,300mah of it's cell in less time than a faster quick charger can charge a phone who's cell is only 3,300mah.

 

I found Asus additions to be pretty helpful and not overly in your face.

8 hours ago, Princess Luna said:

Not a single photo? I'm disappointed at you Seoz!

 

Either ways this sounds like an ideal Android smartphone, my father has the ZenFone 3 and it's actually a really great device.

Agreed Photos are a must!

I liked my Zenfone 3 Zoom, but the compromises they made to fit that battery in a thin design (aka thin aluminium) resulted in a dead device.

7 hours ago, Senzelian said:

This is certainly the most interesting phone this year so far and it is also what the OnePlus 7 should've been in many ways.
It's cheaper, it's more innovative and it has a giant battery.

 

The lack of an OLED is a bit disappointing tho - but then again, the price is simply great.

 

I think this is a good year for basically every price point in the Android market and I don't see any space left for a disappointing OnePlus 7 which now finally settled.
 

299€ - Motorola Vision One
399€ - Pixel 3A
499€ - ZenFone 6
599€ - ZTE Axon 10 Pro 

699€ - Galaxy S10

799€ - Galaxy S10 +

899€ - Note 10 ?

I think people are way too hard on the OnePlus 7 Pro. It is, after all, the Pro model. It's still cheaper than the flagships, and has quite a few features that they've been lacking for a good while. It has some like UFS 3.0 that even the newer Samsung's don't have. No company aims to stay at the lowest price point. That's not how you grow.

7 hours ago, valdyrgramr said:

So at 499 my options are the S9, this, and the Razer Phone 2.  If this is the same price in the US.

...I'd probably still go S9.

6 hours ago, seoz said:

When done right, LCD can be on par on with OLEDs minus the black levels of course. There's always that one compromise that phones have in the big picture, and the ZenFone 6's compromise is the screen.

 

I read a few comments on Dave2D's video saying they would pay $50-$100 for an OLED display on the ZenFone 6. Shows how much people wanted this to be the perfect device that checks every single box.

Eh, they fail when it comes to brightness though. Which results in increased battery usage.

9 minutes ago, Nowak said:

I can't wait until they don't support it.

My Zenfone 3 Zoom was still getting excellent support before it met an untimely end. Asus also has an great user feedback forum, and they implement the changes people suggest there. Not many other companies do that.

[Guest]

41 minutes ago, dizmo said:

 

They haven't had good case options even with regular phones It's not hard though. Simply leave the cut out in the top. It could wear out, sure. But there's tons of other things we use every day a lot more frequently with small motors that we don’t worry that I snipped the rest of this.

Protection matters for me. Like you know $600 phone or whatever 499 Euros is in freedom dollars, $50 lifeproof case. Easy choice, I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t pair an expensive phone with an expensive case when screen replacements are now very costly.

[strajk-]

12 minutes ago, floofer said:

Protection matters for me. Like you know $600 phone or whatever 499 Euros is in freedom dollars, $50 lifeproof case. Easy choice, I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t pair an expensive phone with an expensive case when screen replacements are now very costly.

Had smartphones since the very first iPhone and not once did I break or scratch a screen, currently I own an Essential Phone and it's still in peak condition.

Had mobile phones since back in 1999 and not once did I break one due to lack of water resistance.

 

I just find it silly that looks, feel and texture is taken into account on a smartphone purchase and manufacturers actually try to innovate on that segment just for the user in the end to slap a skin or case on it.

But I get it, people are stupid or careless, so accidents happen, sometimes not even their fault, so the market for protection is there.

 

I'm looking for a Essential Phone replacement, and I almost pulled the trigger with the OnePlus 7 Pro, dealbreaker was not having wireless charging.

[kokakolia]

I find hilarious how problematic the front facing camera really is. We put up with notches and goofy looking hideaway cameras that flip or slide into the phone. Why don't they get rid of the front facing camera altogether!? 

[Phentos]

The flip cameras on this and the new Oneplus phones are so haggard and janky lol. 

 

No thanks on that feature. I'd rather have the notch.

[Trixanity]

@dizmo

I'm not sure how you perceive brightness but most AMOLED displays don't boost higher than 600-700 nits. This phone is advertised as 600 nits (not sure if it has a boost mode) so it should be comparable. Not to mention AMOLED being more sensitive to brightness and content on screen when it comes to power consumption.

Edit:

As you can see LCDs have a flatter curve because it doesn't really matter what content it displays whereas you'd need some low APL content to regain power efficiency on AMOLED. I can't remember exactly but I think it needs to be at least below 70% APL before AMOLED gains any upper hand so basically you'd need to be have a dark theme going in every app and definitely no web browsing to consistently get better efficiency. I'll see if I can find a graph that shows where they meet.

[strajk-]

16 minutes ago, Phentos said:

The flip cameras on this and the new Oneplus phones are so haggard and janky lol. 

 

No thanks on that feature. I'd rather have the notch.

It really depends how often you use the front facing camera, I use it once or twice a year.

If someone is narcissistic enough then the moving parts might pose an issue after a while.

 

I rather not have a front facing camera at all...

[rickymohk]

4 minutes ago, strajk- said:

It really depends how often you use the front facing camera, I use it once or twice a year.

If someone is narcissistic enough then the moving parts might pose an issue after a while.

 

I rather not have a front facing camera at all...

Yeah. Perfect for non-selfie guy. I found that this flip camera is even more useful as it can stay at different angle. You can view the sky while still holding the phone upright.

[strajk-]

Just now, rickymohk said:

Yeah. Perfect for non-selfie guy. I found that this flip camera is even more useful as it can stay at different angle. You can view the sky while still holding the phone upright.

Exactly, and in the rare occasion you actually need it, you got the best quality possible since it's the same camera as the rear one.

[Nena Trinity]

ASUS is really trying if anyone are after all these things then they should grab one! V_V

[kokakolia]

15 minutes ago, rickymohk said:

Yeah. Perfect for non-selfie guy. I found that this flip camera is even more useful as it can stay at different angle. You can view the sky while still holding the phone upright.

The problem with tagging yourself as a "non-selfie person" is that you never know when you'll randomly meet someone who likes to video chat almost exclusively. That happened to me and I end up using the front facing camera more than I want to admit. I have yet to produce a selfie however.