LAS VEGAS -- Asus launched its new flagship smartphone, the ZenFone 2, which has something different inside: a 64-bit Intel chip.
The ZenFone 2 packs one of Intel's newest quad-core 2.3GHz Atom processors, setting it apart from the vast majority of smartphones that opt for an ARM-based chip. The Intel chip, which can be paired with a whopping 4GB of RAM, is capable of 64-bit processing, putting it in the same league as Apple's more recent chips; 64-bit apps are supported in Android 5.0 "Lollipop," and that's exactly what the ZenFone 2 runs.
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So yes, this is a flagship. If there were any question, just look at the spec sheet: a 5.5-inch IPS (in-plane switching) full HD display, a 13-megapixel rear camera, support for 802.11ac Wi-Fi and several LTE bands, a 3,000 milliamp-hour (mAh) battery, and storage options up to 64GB. Dual SIM card slots betray the ZenFone's target market (i.e. not the U.S., where the company has virtually no market share).
Asus updated the design of the ZenFone with a curved, brushed-metal back and a minimal bezel around the screen. Similar to LG's phones, the ZenFone 2 puts volume buttons on the back, just below the camera.
Besides the ZenFone 2, Asus is also launching the ZenFone Zoom, a smartphone that remarkably includes a camera with a 3x optical zoom. While it's not the first phone with a zoom, Asus claims it's the world's thinnest. Backing up the 10-element lens is optical image stabilization, which can compensate for some camera shake, leading to fewer blurry pics.
Asus priced the ZenFone 2 to sell: A version with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage sells for just $199 US (that's with no contract), launching in the coming weeks. No pricing or availability yet on the ZenFone Zoom.
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