ASUS today announced a new line of Android-powered smartphones at CES 2014 in Las Vegas, skimping on a few important features as it aims for a lower price point.
Three ‘Zenfone’ models were announced at the event; a 4-inch, a 5-inch and a 6-inch model. The phones will all share the same colour metallic range of chassis and ASUS is planning on keeping the price for each model low. While official pricing is yet to be announced, the 4-inch model could sell for as low as US$100 outright, while the 5-inch phone might be just $150.
Intel inside
Perhaps more interesting still, all three phones run Android 4.3 on Intel Atom processors. While Intel is a household name for its computer components, it is still one the sidelines in mobile computing, with players like Qualcomm and Nvidia claiming the lion’s share of chips in phones and tablets.
Choosing Intel processors might be a natal fit for a computer company like ASUS but it does come with a major trade-off. Intel mobile processors don’t yet include 4G radios and so none of the Zenfone handsets will have 4G connectivity.
The handsets also have lower resolution screens compared with similarly sized devices from Samsung and HTC. The Zenfone 6, for example, has 1280x720 pixels while the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 has a full-HD 1920x1080 pixel resolution display. The Zenfone’s use IPS display technology, so we expect them to be crisp and clear.
ASUS has also designed a new user interface for its phones, dubbed ZenUI. This design appears to simplify the Android experience somewhat, making certain features easier to find, and with a nice, clean look and feel.
All in all, the new Zenfones do look like excellent value, especially if the rumoured pricing proves correct.
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