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With its latest top-of-the-line ZenFone 3 smartphones, Asus is releasing 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.
In a myriad of announcements at the Computex 2016 trade show in Taiwan on May 30, Asus also debuted its new Zenbo home robot, as well as three new Transformer 2-in-1 convertibles and a new ZenBook 3 laptop. Prices, availability dates and details on which nations and regions the products will be sold have not yet been released.
The ZenFone 3 Family
Asus’ ZenFone 3 Deluxe is the company’s flagship handset, featuring an aluminum alloy unibody, a 5.7-inch Full HD (1,920-by-1,080) Super AMOLED touch-screen display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, an Adreno 530 graphics processor, and up to 6GB of memory and 256GB of onboard storage, depending on the market.
The Deluxe includes a 23-megapixel rear-facing main camera that’s equipped with a Sony IMX318 image sensor, an f/2.0 aperture lens and four-axis optical image stabilization for steady shots. Also included is an 8MP front-facing camera, three-axis electronic image stabilization for steady 4K Ultra HD videos and an Asus TriTech auto-focusing system.
Plus, it includes a built-in, rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for user security, a 3,000mAh battery, fast charging and a USB 3.0 Type-C port for connecting the phone to other devices. The handset also features a smart amplifier and a five-magnet speaker for good audio quality, as well as WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity capabilities.
All of the ZenFone 3 smartphone models run on the Android Marshmallow operating system. The Deluxe model is available in Titanium Gray, Glacier Silver and Sand Gold colors.
The standard Asus ZenFone 3 includes a 5.5-inch Full HD (1,920-by-1,080) Super In-Plane Switching (IPS+) display, as well as scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass front and rear covers for durability. Also featured are a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 octa‑core processor, an Adreno 506 graphics processor, and up to 4GB of memory and up to 64GB of onboard storage, depending on the market.
In addition, the handset includes a 16MP rear-facing main camera with an f/2.0 aperture lens, Asus TriTech auto-focus, dual LED flash, optical image stabilization, an 8MP front-facing camera, a built-in rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for user security, a 3,000mAh battery, and WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity capabilities. The standard ZenFone 3 will be available in Shimmer Gold, Aqua Blue, Sapphire Black and Moonlight White colors.
Completing the ZenFone 3 family is the ZenFone 3 Ultra, which is built for multimedia lovers, with an integrated 6.8-inch Full HD (1,920-by-1,080) touch-screen display that features Asus’ Tru2Life+ Video technology, using a high-end 4K UHD TV-grade image processor to optimize the pixels in each frame before they are displayed. This provides ultra-clear images, according to Asus.
The ZenFone 3 Ultra also features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 octa-core processor, Adreno 510 graphics, and up to 4GB of memory and 128GB of onboard storage, depending on the market. The phone comes with the same 23-megapixel rear-facing main camera used in the ZenFone 3 Deluxe, including its Sony IMX318 image sensor, its f/2.0 aperture lens and the same four-axis optical image stabilization for steady shots. Also included is an 8MP front-facing camera, three-axis electronic image stabilization for steady 4K Ultra HD videos, an Asus TriTech auto-focusing system and dual LED flash. High-performance audio is also built in using two five-magnet stereo speakers and a NXP smart amplifier, while headphone listeners using certified headphones can experience Hi-Res Audio (HRA).
Asus Debuts 3 ZenFone Models, Zenbo Robot, New 2-in-1s and More
Plus, the ZenFone 3 Ultra includes a built-in, rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for user security, a 4,600mAh battery, fast charging and a USB 3.0 Type-C port for connecting the phone to other devices. The Ultra, which features WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity capabilities, will be available in Titanium Gray, Glacier Silver and Rose Pink colors.
The Asus Zenbo Home Robot
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.
“Zenbo is designed for everyone, but he has specific functionality that helps senior family members safeguard their health and well-being as well as enjoy a connected digital life,” Asus states in its announcement. “As a home care assistant, he proactively provides convenient, spoken reminders of important information, such as doctor’s appointments, medication and exercise schedules, and anything else that needs to be remembered.”
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.
In addition, Zenbo can be used to make video calls; communicate through social media; and perform online shopping, movie and video streaming and more, using voice commands and guided help. The robot can also be used to read interactive stories to children and play songs, answer the front door and more. Plus, it can assist in households by connecting to and controlling many smart home and traditional devices, including lights, TVs and air conditioners, according to Asus.
The Latest Asus Transformer 2-in-1 Machines
The new Asus Transformer 3 Pro 2-in-1 computer features a 12.6-inch display with a 2,880-by-1,920 resolution, an Intel Core i7 processor, up to 16GB of 2,133MHz memory and up to a 1TB PCIe x4 solid-state drive (SSD) drive for storage. Also included is a 13MP rear camera, a front-facing camera, a USB Type-C connector, a Thunderbolt 3 connector, and USB 3.0 and HDMI ports for additional connectivity.
The Transformer 3 Pro has an aluminum body and dual stereo speakers, is 0.32 inches thick, and is available in Icicle Gold and Glacier Gray colors. An integrated metal kickstand lets users position the machine in almost any viewing angle up to 170 degrees. The included Asus Transformer Cover Keyboard is a backlit keyboard that is available in Stone, Charcoal, Taupe and Amber colors to complement the device.
Also in the Transformer 2-in-1 line is the standard Transformer 3, featuring a 12.6-inch display with a resolution of 2,880 by 1,920, seventh-generation Intel Core processors, up to 8GB of memory and up to 512GB SSDs for storage. The aluminum Transformer 3 includes a detachable Asus Transformer Sleeve Keyboard and Harmon Kardon-tuned audio with four speakers. The Transformer 3 comes in Icicle Gold and Glacier Gray colors, while the keyboard comes in complementary Stone, Charcoal, Taupe and Amber colors.
Completing the Asus Transformer line is the Transformer Mini 2-in-1, featuring a magnesium-aluminum alloy chassis and a 10.1-inch display. The Transformer Mini runs on the Windows 10 operating system and includes a built-in fingerprint reader for security. The Transformer Mini is available in Quartz Gray for both the tablet and keyboard, or with a Pearl White tablet and an Amber, Mint Green or Icicle Gold keyboard.