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Back in late March, the lower-end version of the ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe (ZS550KL) began receiving its Android 8.0 Oreo update. Fast forward to a couple of days ago, and the more premium ZS570KL model of the ZenFone 3 Deluxe started to get Oreo as well. The ZenFone 3 Zoom (ZE553KL) has become the third phone in the ZF3 lineup to receive the update.
Like many manufacturers, ASUS has its own Android skin - ZenUI. Version 4.0 of the skin was introduced alongside the company's ZenFone 4 lineup, but ASUS also promised to bring the new version to the existing ZF3 series. The update process has now begun, with the ZF3 Zoom becoming the first device to be updated.
ASUS isn't always the best with updates. The company often releases phones with already-outdated software, like the ZenFone 3 Zoom that came with Marshmallow. In a similar vein, the ZenWatch 2 and 3 were some of the last watches to get Android Wear 2.0. But at the ZenFone 4 launch event, ASUS promised that the entire ZenFone 3 and 4 lineup would get Android O.
The Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom came out a few months back, packing a giant battery and dual camera array. However, it was also equipped with Android 6.0.1, which is unacceptable as we get on toward the middle of 2017. I guess Asus got the memo, and it's now rolling Android 7.1.1 out to the ZenFone 3 Zoom. Not only does it bring the usual Nougat goodies, this update addresses some of the problems with ZenUI.
Asus was not on the radar of most US phone buyers until the ZenFone 2 popped up a few years ago with solid specs for a reasonable price, but the ZenFone 3 family hasn't been as prominent. It took Asus ages to roll these devices out in North America, and the pricing was not as generous. However, there are more variants of the ZenFone 3 still trickling out, from the flagship-level "Deluxe Special Edition" to the low-cost "Laser." The ZenFone 3 Zoom is somewhere in the middle with its $329 price tag and mid-range Snapdragon 625 chip.
ASUS has just announced the general availability of the ZenFone 3 Zoom. With a focus on insane battery life and an impressive dual-camera set for instant dedicated optical zoom, ASUS has wrapped a pretty fantastic phone up inside a svelte 7.99mm all-metal build. I don't usually go for mid-end phones, but this is really attractive on paper. The $329 price tag is pretty fantastic, too.We took a look at it back in January, and after a short delay, it's finally here. It is still launching with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, though, as was mentioned in their original PR release earlier this year. I had hoped the gap might have brought an update, but that is sadly not the case. Still, ASUS has promised to update it to 7.0 Nougat.Specs include a 5,000mAh battery (!), Snapdragon 625, dual sims, a 1080p 500 nit AMOLED display, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, and a dual 12MP camera arrangement; one 25mm wide-angle lens and one 59mm lens for 2.3X zoom shots. It also sounds like ASUS has been working hard on making sure the software for that camera is just as impressive. It has a two-phase detection autofocus system, some new low-light secret sauce, a screen flash for selfies, continuous autofocus for 4K video, and support for RAW (with the coming Nougat update) and full manual camera control (including up to 32-second exposures).
The power capacity on this phone is pretty impressive. Combined with the power-sipping 625 this should last quite a while. With such a large battery, Asus is even advertising it as serving double-duty as a power bank for other devices, which is hilarious. The Moto Z Play has some serious competition to look forward to, especially given the ASUS undercuts it on price by $70 right now. I cannot wait for reviews of this phone.[EMBED_YT]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MxKnePpM2U[/EMBED_YT]The ZenFone 3 Zoom is available now at the ASUS store, Amazon, ABT, B&H, BestBuy.com, Fry's Electronics, and Newegg.