The ZenFone 2 was one of the best budget phones to launch last summer, and the Laser variant (named after a laser auto-focus module) was a good follow-up. Now the latter (ZE500KL model) is getting its Android 6.0 update, WW_13.10.6.16_M3.6.44.

That's a big deal. Cheaper handsets weren't this good a few years back, and they generally didn't receive much support. Times have changed.

But what some owners may consider a bigger deal is the sheer amount of bloatware that won't come pre-loaded following the update. Over twenty apps make the list.

Bloatware Removed:

  1. Omlet
  2. Data Transfer
  3. Photo Frame
  4. ASUS Backup
  5. Dr. Safety
  6. What's Next
  7. Party Link
  8. Remote Link
  9. PC Link
  10. Yahoo Shopping
  11. EZ Ding
  12. TripAdvisor
  13. Zinio
  14. iReader
  15. Dr.eye
  16. Google+
  17. Puffin Browser
  18. Mirror
  19. Google settings (Integrated in ASUS Settings)
  20. Asus Email
  21. Asus Calendar
  22. Asus Messaging

That's not to say owners are completely out of the woods. This over-the-air update does add Google Calendar, Google Messenger, and Dr. Booster. One of these is not like the others.

Asus suggests that you move all apps to internal storage before updating, as Marshmallow won't support APP2SD. See the link below for more details. And if you own a different ZenFone device, your turn may be coming up.

You can download the full 1.42GB ZE500KL (Z00E/Z00ED/Z00EDA/Z00EDB: V13.10.7.1 for WW SKU only) update here.

UPDATE: 2016/06/06 10:51am PDT BY

The 5.5" version of the Zenfone 2 Laser (ZE550KL) has just also received the Marshmallow update, almost a month after the ZE500KL.

[ZenFone 2] [ZenFone 2 Laser] [160517] ZE550KL_WW_V21.40.1220.1615 (Android M)

【Version】

V21.40.1220.1615

【Model Name】

ZenFone Laser (ZE550KL)

【Release Date】

2016/06/06

(It takes about one week for the system to complete the autopush, if you did not receive the updation, please go to 【Setting】->【About】->【System Update】to update manaully)

【Release Note】

Software update to Android 6.0 Mashmallow. Internal storage will decrease slightly after update, suggest to back up data and relocate media file (pictures & video clip) to SD card to reserve enough storage before starting the software update.

Android Marshmallow won't support APP2SD. Please move apps to internal storage before system upgrades.

Multi-user function won't be supported if the account is deleted. Please keep your account to continue usage.

UPDATE: 2016/06/15 1:54am PDT BY

ZE500KG, the Zenfone 2 Laser without LTE, just got its 6.0 update.

[ZenFone 2 Laser] [160523] ZE500KG_ WW_13.10.10.25_M3.6.45

【Version】

13.10.10.25_M3.6.45

【Model Name】

ZenFone Laser (ZE500KG)

【Release Date】

2016/06/15

【Release Note】

1.Software update to Android 6.0 Mashmallow. Internal storage will decrease slightly after update, suggest to back up data and relocate media file (pictures & video clip) to SD card to reserve enough storage before starting the software update.

2.Android Marshmallow won't support APP2SD. Please move apps to internal storage before system upgrades.

3.Multi-user function won't be supported if the account is deleted. Please keep your account to continue usage.

4."The apps listed below will no longer be pre-loaded once your device has been upgraded to Android 6.0 (Marshmallow).

1. Omlet

2. Data Transfer

3. Photo Frame

4. ASUS Backup

5. Dr. Safety

6. What's Next

7. Party Link

8. Remote Link

9. PC Link

10. Yahoo Shopping

11. EZ Ding

12. TripAdvisor

13. Zinio

14. iReader

15. Dr.eye

16. Google+

17. Puffin Browser

18. Mirror

19. Google settings (Integrated in ASUS Settings)

"

5."Add new features and new apps:

1. Google Calendar

2. Google Messenger

3. Dr. Booster"

6.Remove Asus Email, Asus Calendar, Asus Messaging won't preload in this software version. You can use Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Messenger for relevant services.

UPDATE: 2016/07/09 1:56pm PDT BY

The hits just keep on coming: the 5.5" ZE551KL model, plus both the 6-inch versions, the ZR600KL and ZE601KL, have been updated as well.

【Version】

V21.40.1220.1708(Android M)

【Model Name】

ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE551KL)

【Release Date】

2016/06/30

【Release Note

1.Software update to Android 6.0 Mashmallow. Internal storage will decrease slightly after update, suggest to back up data and relocate media file (pictures & video clip) to SD card to reserve enough storage before starting the software update.

2.Android Marshmallow won't support APP2SD. Please move apps to internal storage before system upgrades.

3.Multi-user function won't be supported if the account is deleted. Please keep your account to continue usage.

【Version】

V21.40.1220.1698

【Model Name】

ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE600KL)

【Release Date】

2016/07/06(It takes about one week for the system to complete the autopush, if you did not receive the updation, please go to 【Setting】->【About】->【System Update】to update manaully)

【Release Note

1.The Android system upgrade to the Android Marshmallow

2.APP2SD won’t be supported in Android 6.0 (Marshmallow). Please move apps to the internal storage before system upgrade.

3.Multi-user and SnapView will not be supported. If you wish to continue to use multi-user, please keep using current account.

4."Add new features and new apps:

- Google Calendar

- Google Messenger

- Motion Gesture"

5.Remove Asus Email, Asus Calendar, Asus Messaging, ASUS Browser, and ASUS Music after Factory Reset. You could use Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Messenger, Chrome and Google Play Music for relevant services.

6.Can't offer the macbook through USB sharing network

7.Fix facebook upload video, camera,picture dysfunction

8.update APN table

9."The apps listed below will no longer be pre-loaded once your device has been upgraded to Android 6.0 (Marshmallow).Thanks for your support.

(1)ASUS Backup

(2)Mirror

(3)Remote Link

(4)PC Link

(5)PhotoFrame

(6)What's Next

(7)Omlet

(8)Data Transfer

(9)EZ 訂 (TW SKU)

(10)Dr. Eye (TW SKU)

(11)Yahoo 購物中心 (TW SKU)

(12)Puffin Browser(13)Tripadvisior

(14)Zinios

(15)ZenFlash (Can be downloaded from Google play)"

10.Improve media sound volume overall stability

11.APP2SD won’t be supported in Android 6.0 (Marshmallow).

12.Please move apps to the internal storage before system upgrade.

【Version】V21.40.1220.1698

【Model Name】

ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE601KL)

(It takes about one week for the system to complete the autopush, if you did not receive the updation, please go to 【Setting】->【About】->【System Update】to update manaully)

【Release Date】

2016/07/06

【Release Note

1.The Android system upgrade to the Android Marshmallow

2.APP2SD won’t be supported in Android 6.0 (Marshmallow). Please move apps to the internal storage before system upgrade.

3.Multi-user and SnapView will not be supported. If you wish to continue to use multi-user, please keep using current account.

4."Add new features and new apps:

- Google Calendar

- Google Messenger

- Motion Gesture"

5.Remove Asus Email, Asus Calendar, Asus Messaging, ASUS Browser, and ASUS Music after Factory Reset. You could use Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Messenger, Chrome and Google Play Music for relevant services.

6.Can't offer the macbook through USB sharing network

7.Fix facebook upload video, camera,picture dysfunction

8.update APN table

9."The apps listed below will no longer be pre-loaded once your device has been upgraded to Android 6.0 (Marshmallow).Thanks for your support.

(1)ASUS Backup

(2)Mirror

(3)Remote Link

(4)PC Link

(5)PhotoFrame

(6)What's Next

(7)Omlet

(8)Data Transfer

(9)EZ 訂 (TW SKU)

(10)Dr. Eye (TW SKU)

(11)Yahoo 購物中心 (TW SKU)

(12)Puffin Browser(13)Tripadvisior

(14)Zinios

(15)ZenFlash (Can be downloaded from Google play)"

10.Improve media sound volume overall stability

11.APP2SD won’t be supported in Android 6.0 (Marshmallow).

12.Please move apps to the internal storage before system upgrade.

Source: Asus ZenTalk Forum