Here’s the ASUS Zenfone 2 Deluxe in the Flesh!
We’ve been using the ASUS Zenfone 2 Deluxe as our everyday smartphone workhorse for the last few days and we’d like to share with you guys our findings. To those who are not yet familiar with this phone, it basically has the same specifications as the ASUS Zenfone 2 except for a super generous serving of 128GB internal storage (which supposedly uses better storage tech as well) and a more glamorous back plate.
Here’s a refresher of the specifications:
ASUS Zenfone Deluxe Spec Sheet
SRP: Php17,995
- 64-bit Intel Atom 2.3GHz Z3580 quad-core processor
- 4GB of RAM
- 5.5-inch full HD IPS display with Gorilla Glass 3, 1920 x 1080 resolution
- 128GB of storage, expandable via microSD up to 64GB
- 13-megapixel rear camera, f/2.0-aperture, 5-element, autofocus with dual-color Real Tone flash
- 5-megapixel front camera, f/2.0-aperture, wide-angle 85-degree lens with Selfie Panorama
- Dual SIM
- 3G, LTE
- WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, A-GPS, NFC
- Android 5.0 Lollipop with ZenUI
- 3000mAh battery
Biggest Visible Difference? The Back Plate.
In terms of design aesthetics the only major difference really is the back plate. Instead of the usual smooth brush metal or glossy finish, we get a textured one with multiple triangular curves. The color also changes a bit when you change your viewing angle and the light bounces off it. It’s a pretty mesmerizing and can definitely make a for a great conversation piece.
Everything else is the same. The placement of the buttons, the camera, the front panel, etc. In fact, if you switch the normal ASUS Zenfone 2 back plate on this, no one could actually tell the difference unless they open your phone and check your internal storage capacity, hehe.
By the way, if you’re rocking a Zenfone 2 and plan on upgrading to this, the bad news is that your tight fit cases probably won’t fit anymore. The glass and hard type cases we used for the Zenfone 2 didn’t fit but the silicone one was able to mostly due to it’s malleable material.
Marginal Improvement in Performance?
When it came to performance we didn’t really notice any boost or upgrade. Battery life, processing power, graphics, and display output were the same. However upon checking Antutu Benchmark Scores we noticed that the ASUS Zenfone Deluxe consistently outperformed the original Zenfone 2 by a few hundred points. The screenshot above is the score of the Deluxe while the one below is from the Zenfone 2.
Our theory here is that the hard drive technology they used for the Deluxe is more optimized. This is one factor that contributes to the over-all Antutu score. Take note though that you will barely, if at all, feel any difference in power or smoothness.
128GB of Juicy Internal Storage!
The real reason anyone would ever want the Deluxe is the juicy 128GB internal storage. You can literally cram multiple seasons of your favorite TV series and several movies in this thing without even needing to buy a micro SD card. If 128GB still isn’t enough for you then put in a 64GB micro SD card. That’s probably overkill already though, hehe.
So should you get one?
If you’ve set your sights on the Zenfone 2 64GB ROM 4GB model, you might actually just want to go for the Zenfone 2 Deluxe. You’ll be spending a couple of thousand pesos anyway for a 64GB micro SD card. Might as well just spend a little more and just go for this one. You get a cool and mesmerizing back plate to boot. 😛
That pretty much wraps up this review. If you want to see photo samples, battery life tests, etc., we encourage you to just check out our review of the ASUS Zenfone 2 since the specs are the same. You can find links to all of your ASUS Zenfone reviews below.
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