Review – ASUS ZenFone 5: Best All-Rounder Smartphone Under RM1,300
ASUS ZenFone 5
RM 1,299
Pros
- Excellent build quality
- Excellent display quality
- Excellent camera image quality
- Ultra wide angle camera for that dope POV
- Superb HDR mode (photo)
- Clean ZenUI 5 build (minimum bloatware)
- Excellent performance
- Excellent power efficiency & battery life
- Value for money
Cons
- Slippery glass back
- Distortion and blurry edges (wide angle lens)
- Washed out colours (selfie)
- Less refined twin apps implementation
Build Quality & Design
Design
It doesn’t take long for one to notice the ZenFone 5 has a close resemblance to the infamous iPhone X. From the front top notch to the dual rear camera placement. Nonetheless, the ZenFone still kept some of its signature details such as the Spiral Zen reflection pattern at the back, which in my opinion, still looks amazing.
While some may say that ASUS is being lazy and copied directly from Apple. For me, I think the most important thing is to make sure the form actually serves the function. In this case, ASUS has been done really well as the phone has a perfect balance feel in the hands. It has good ergonomics especially with all the curves and rounded sides. The buttons and fingerprint scanner are well positioned so it doesn’t feel awkward when using it.
Display
The notch on the display is hard to ignore for some. Personally, I’m taking a neutral standpoint as I believe it is the way to maximise the screen real estate before we found a way to hide the front sensors, camera and earpiece. Then again, the chin bezel could have been thinner, otherwise, it doesn’t make sense to have the notch. Even though it may not be an OLED display, nonetheless, the quality is excellent with sharp details and great colour reproduction.
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