[nextpage title=”Introduction”]
The ZenFone 6 is a new smartphone from ASUS, with a six-inch HD (1280 x 720) touchscreen and Android 4.4 “KitKat” operating system. It has an Intel Atom Z2560 1.6 GHz CPU, 2 GiB of RAM, and 16 GiB storage space (in the model we analyzed), a 13 MP main camera, and a 2 MP frontal camera. Let’s take a good look at it.
The ASUS ZenFone 6 is simply a bigger version of the ZenFone 5, which we already analyzed. It has a bigger screen and a better main camera, but besides that, they have the same characteristics. The ZenFone 6 is found with 8 GiB, 16 GiB, and 32 GiB storage space, and with 1 GiB and 2 GiB of RAM. The model we tested is an A601CG, and there is another model called A600CG, which has a faster CPU.
Figure 1 shows the box of the ZenFone 6.
Figure 1: box
Inside the box, besides the smartphone, there is a wall charger, USB cable, earphones, spare inserts for the earphones, and the user manuals.
Figure 2: accessories
Figure 3 reveals the ZenFone 6. The three buttons required for Android are present as touch buttons below the screen, and the camera is at the top right corner. The area below the touch buttons uses brushed aluminum plate, which gives a nice design to the phone.
Figure 3: the ASUS ZenFone 6
[nextpage title=”Overall Look – Part 1″]
The ASUS ZenFone 6 model A601CG uses an Intel Atom Z2560 processor, which has two cores (recognized as four cores due to the Hyper-Threading technology) running at 1.6 GHz. It has 2 GiB of RAM and 16 GiB of internal storage in the version we tested, but the phone can also be found with 1 GiB of RAM and/or 8/32 GiB of storage space.
The A600CG model has a different CPU; it uses an Atom Z2580, which has a 2.0 GHz clock rate.
The six-inch IPS LCD screen has a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, with an excellent image quality.
Figure 4 shows the back side of the device, which comes with a replaceable white cover. You can see the camera, the LED flash, and the speaker opening.
Figure 4: back side
Figure 5 unveils the top side of the ZenFone 6, where you will find the earphone connector and a microphone opening.
Figure 5: top
At the bottom of the phone is the Mini-USB/charger connector, and another microphone opening.
Figure 6: bottom
Figure 7 shows the right side of the ZenFone 6, where are the power button and volume buttons.
Figure 7: left side
There are no buttons or connectors ar the right side.
Figure 8: right side
[nextpage title=”Overall Look – Part 2″]
Removing the rear cover, you have access to the SIM card slots and to the microSD slot. (This smartphone supports two SIM chips.) The battery is not removable by the user.
Figure 9: cover removed
Figure 10 shows the ZenFone 5 and the ZenFone 6 side by side. As you can see, both phones have the same design, differing only by the size.
Figure 10: the Zenfone 5 and the ZenFone 6
[nextpage title=”Using the ZenFone 6″]
Like its smaller brother, the ZenFone 6 is smooth and fast to use. The bigger screen is clear and crisp, and it is better for the user who likes bigger screens, but it is a little less portable and may not fit smaller pockets or purses.
The Atom Z2560 CPU is fast and gives an excellent usage experience. The HD (1280 x 720) screen resolution if good, altough this screen size could take advantage of a Full HD resolution. However, such feature should significantly increase the product cost.
The Android 4.4 operating system is easy to use and intuitive. Figure 11 shows the initial screen when you turn on the ZenFone 6 for the first time.
Figure 11: main screen
Pressing the icon with the six dots, you enter the list of applications, shown in Figures 12, 13, 14, and 15. The ZenFone 6 comes with a highly customized Android version, with a user interface called ZenUI, which is simple and great to use.
Figure 12: list of applications
Figure 13: list of applications
Figure 14: list of applications
Figure 15: list of applications
You can install new applications using the Google Play Store, which has thousands of applications and games available.
The smartphone uses a 3,300 mAh lithium battery, which according to the manufacturer lasts up to 16 days and 14 hours in standby and 28 hours of talking.
The ZenFone 6 brings a 13 Mpixel main camera, and you can check the quality of unedited photos taken with the device by clicking here and here.
It can record videos up to 1080p at 30 fps.
The front camera (for video chats and “selfies”) has a resolution of 2 Mpixels.
[nextpage title=”Main Specifications”]
The main specifications for the ASUS ZenFone 6 (model A601CG) include:
- Dimensions: 6.6 x 3.3 x 0.38 inches (166.9 x 84.3 x 9.9 mm)
- Weight: 6.9 ounces (196 grams)
- Display: 6″, 1280 x 720, IPS touchscreen
- Operating System: Android 4.4 (“KitKat”)
- Main Processor (CPU): Intel Atom Z2560, 1.6 GHz, two cores, Hyper-Threading
- Graphics Processor (GPU): PowerVR SGX 544MP2, embedded in the CPU
- RAM: 2 GiB (also found with 1 GiB)
- Storage: 8 GiB (also found with 8 GiB and 32 GiB)
- Memory Card Slot: Yes, MicroSD
- GPS: Yes
- FM Radio: Yes
- Sensors: Accelerometer, proximity, compass, light, gyro
- SIM slots: Two micro-SIM
- Networks: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, HSDPA 850/900/1900/2100 MHz
- Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11b/g/n
- Bluetooth: Yes, 4.0
- Rear camera: 13 Mpixel
- Front camera: 2 Mpixel
- Flash: Yes
- Battery talk time: 28 h
- Battery: 3.7 V, 3,300 mAh Li Ion, not removable
- More information: https://www.asus.com
- MSRP in the U.S.: USD 300.00
[nextpage title=”Conclusions”]
The ASUS ZenFone 5 is an excellent smartphone for its price range, and the ZenFone 6 is actually a version of the ZenFone 5 for users who perfer a bigger screen. As a bonus, it brings a better camera.
Being only a little more expensive than the smaller version, the ASUS ZenFone 6 is an excellent smartphone (or “phablet”) with a great cost/benefit ratio.
Strong Points
- Excellent cost/benefit ratio
- High-quality, big, clear, and bright screen
- Fast and agile
- Many apps available
- Up-to-date operating system
- Frontal camera for video calls
- Supports microSD memory card
- Excellent main camera
Weak Points
- No support for 4G LTE networks
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