The latest Asus ZenPad Z8 tablet is available now for preorder exclusively through Verizon Wireless and will be available in Verizon stores starting June 23.
The new device features a 7.9-inch QXGA In-Plane Switching (IPS) 2K touch-screen display (2,048-by-1,536 resolution), a Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 hexa-core 1.8GHz 64-bit processor with a Qualcomm Adreno 510 graphics processing unit, 2GB of memory and 16GB of onboard storage.
In addition, it includes an 8-megapixel rear-facing Asus PixelMaster camera, which has a low light mode that merges four pixels into one to capture more light. The feature automatically increases low-light brightness in images by up to 400 percent, according to Asus.
Also included are a 2-megapixel front-facing camera, a 4,680mAh nonremovable lithium-polymer battery and one USB Type-C port. The machine runs on the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow operating system.
The tablet uses Asus’ VisualMaster technology to enhance and optimize on-screen contrast, sharpness and motion clarity while viewing all forms of content. It also includes dual front-facing stereo speakers and DTS-HD support for a premium audio experience.
Plus, a microSD slot that accepts memory cards of up to 128GB is included to expand storage as needed.
The tablet supports Verizon’s 4G LTE network using an integrated X8 LTE modem and also includes 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity capabilities.
The Z8 tablet is 8.08 inches long, 5.37 inches wide and 0.30 inches thick and weighs 11.29 ounces. The device comes in black.
The Z8 is available for preorder from Verizon with several purchasing options. It can be bought outright for $249.99 or for $149.99 with a two-year cellular service contract. It can also be purchased for $10.41 per month under a 24-month no-interest payment plan (total payments $249.84).
In late May, Asus announced a trio of top-of-the-line ZenFone 3 smartphones as well as a new Zenbo home robot, three new Transformer 2-in-1 convertibles and a new ZenBook 3 laptop, according to a recent eWEEK story.
The ZenFones include three distinct models, each aimed at giving consumers just the right mix of features that they are seeking. The flagship ZenFone 3 Deluxe includes an advanced camera, while the ZenFone 3 offers premium design, features and performance. Completing the ZenFone 3 family is the ZenFone 3 Ultra, which is built around a large, 6.78-inch full HD display for watching videos on the go.
The all-new Asus Zenbo home robot is “designed to provide assistance, entertainment and companionship” to users through its ability to move independently and understand spoken commands, according to the company. The Zenbo robot can also be used to monitor a home for emergency situations such as falls and can immediately notify specified family members on their smartphones, according to the company. The notified family members can then remotely control the Zenbo robot to use its built-in camera to visually check on their loved one.