Introduction
A few months ago, we reviewed the ASUS ZenFone 5, which is a great phone that won’t cost you much. A few months later, the company launched the ZenFone 5Z, which offers almost everything the same, but with a better performance and storage. Without further ado, this is the ASUS ZenFone 5Z review!
*Duly note that this review is shorter than usual as there are many similarities to the ZenFone 5.
Same Design
In terms of design, the ZenFone 5Z actually looks the same as the ZenFone 5. Meaning you’ll still get the notch display on the front and the signature concentric circle design on the back. Nothing really changes since both phones basically using the same body.
Same Good Display
Like the ZenFone 5, the ZenFone 5Z also sports the same 6.2-inch Super IPS Full HD+ (2,246 x 1,080) 19:9 display that supports DCI-P3 color space. It still has the AMOLED-like display quality with deep blacks and eye-pleasing colors. However, IPS display will never able to achieve the same black level as an AMOLED display since each pixel can’t switch on and off individually.
Snapdragon 845 SoC
And now finally something different from the ZenFone 5 — Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. Our review unit is the 6GB RAM and 128GB storage variant, which works pretty fine for us. Everything just seems a lot faster on the ZenFone 5Z, since it has the most powerful Qualcomm chipset pairing with more RAM. Additionally, the phone now uses an even faster UFS 2.1 storage, which has faster write and read speeds. This actually helps a lot in loading photos, videos, and more, as well as shorten the image post-processing time, which we will cover in the camera section below. Furthermore, Snapdragon 845 processor also comes with a faster X20 LTE modem (vs X12 LTE modem), which means it should provide better cellular performance.
Same ZenUI
The ZenFone 5Z also runs on Android 8.0 Oreo with ZenUI 5.0 on top. Like the ZenFone 5, it comes with all sorts of AI features, from AI Cameras, AI Boost, to AI Charging. The overall user experience is quite similar to the ZenFone 5, just that the ZenFone 5Z is faster, though it’s not that noticeable.
Same Dual AI Cameras
Similar to the ZenFone 5, the ZenFone 5Z packs a dual-camera setup on its rear — 12MP f/1.8 Sony IMX363 sensor with PDAF, OIS, and EIS + 8MP f/2.0 OmniVision 8856 120° wide-angle sensor. Selfie wise, there’s an 8MP f/2.0 front camera. The ISP (Image Sensor Processing) is different, though — the ZenFone 5Z has Qualcomm Spectra 280 ISP (vs Qualcomm Spectra 160 ISP), thanks to the Snapdragon 845 processor. With a better ISP, the ZenFone 5Z has a faster image processing time, especially when saving RAW images.
In terms of image quality, it is basically the same as the ZenFone 5. Images have a good amount of detail and good dynamic range. When HDR is turned on, the photo turns out to be great and the colors are eye-pleasing.
Same 3,300mAh Battery
Despite having a more powerful processor, the ZenFone 5Z still has the same 3,300mAh battery as the ZenFone 5. It still supports AI Charging, which adjusts the charging rate of the phone to prolong the battery’s lifespan. Battery life isn’t as good as the ZenFone 5, I was still able to get through the end of the day, but with the screen-on-time of 3 hours 15 minutes, that’s 1 hour less than the ZenFone 5.
Final Words
Retailing at RM1,899 RM1,699 (6GB RAM + 128GB storage) and RM2,299 RM2,199 (8GB RAM + 256GB storage), the ASUS ZenFone 5Z is definitely a great smartphone you can get right now, especially if you want the high-end performance. Obviously, the phone still falls short behind in certain aspects when compared to those higher priced flagships like the Galaxy Note9 and Pixel 2 XL, but none of them cost you less than RM2k (base model), even the OnePlus 6.
Yay
- High-end performance
- Amazing camera
- Affordable
Nay
- A little bit too wide
- Literally just changing the processor, RAM, and internal storage from the mid-range ZenFone 5
- Battery life not as good as ZenFone 5