Asus is a master of confusion when it comes to its
smartphones' names — even if we disregard that it's the only manufacturer out
there using numbers to denominate generations instead of models, the company also
has a fondness for releasing multiple device models under the same name in
different regions. This is how we get one ZenFone 3 Deluxe that is considerably
better than another ZenFone 3 Deluxe.
The company is to the
displeasure of many, once again pulling its old tricks with its upcoming
ZenFone 4 series, which we're expecting to make its debut on August 17.
ZenFone 4
While this is the device bearing the name ZenFone 4,
it's arguably not the flagship model of this year's Asus-made smartphones (that
would be the ZenFone 4 Pro). And to make things even more fun, it'll actually
have two different variants of its own: one will be powered by the brand-new
Snapdragon 630, while the other will include it more powerful brother, the
Snapdragon 660 instead. Coupled with those will be 4 gigs of RAM, 64 GB of
internal memory, and a 3,300 mAh battery.
And just like the entirety of the ZenFone 4 lineup,
the device will come with a dual camera system, located on its back. It will
consist of two sensors, one 8 MP and another with 12 MP, which will offer a
120-degree field of view (presumably similar to the one found in the LG G6).
The ZenFone 4 has a 5.5-inch Full HD AMOLED display, and will come in either
black or white. The official listing for France puts it at € 499 (about US$ 580),
though it isn't entirely clear which version of the device this price applies
to.
ZenFone 4 Selfie and Selfie Pro
While we've previously heard of the ZenFone 4
Selfie, the Selfie Pro is a genuine surprise — especially considering the two
devices look identical on the outside (save for the colors; the red and the gold
devices in the pictures are both the Selfie Pro, while the black is the
Selfie).
Inside you'll find either a Snapdragon 625 or
Snapdragon 430 SoC (for the Selfie Pro and Selfie, respectively), coupled with
4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, and a 3,000 battery. Also, both devices will use
a 5.5-inch AMOLED display, with the
Selfie Pro's being a Full HD one, and the Selfie going for a 720p one instead.
But while all other ZenFone 4 devices are busy
having a dual camera on the back, the two Selfie models go against by having it
on the front instead. The Selfie Pro has a weird combo of a 24 MP and a 5 MP
sensor, while the Selfie opts for a 20 MP/8 MP combo instead. The Selfie Pro is
listed with a price of € 399 (US$ 470), while the Selfie is considerably cheaper at
€ 299 (US$ 350).
ZenFone 4 Max
If the above name sounds familiar, it's because
we've already seen a ZenFone 4 Max debut — but what we're looking at here is a
different device. This ZenFone 4 Max offers considerably lower specs than its
Russian counterpart including with a smaller, 5.2-inch 720p IPS panel. It also
settles on the Snapdragon 425, while the other Max offers an additional, SD430
variant.
But the biggest blow in terms of specs here is
definitely the battery: where the Russia-bound Max offered a staggering 5,000
mAh battery, this variant's will be a considerably smaller at 4,100 mAh
instead. Inside the device you'll also find 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB storage, and an
obligatory dual camera, this time with a 13 MP/5 MP sensor combo. The phone
will be sold for € 229, which translates to about US$ 270.
