The Ultimate ASUS Zenfone 3 Buyer’s Guide

It was in May 2016 when ASUS launched its latest smartphone lineup, the Zenfone 3. And just like with the previous Zenfones, the new series was expanded with new models. There’s plenty to choose from so if you’re having problems deciding which Zenfone 3 to get, we have compiled this guide for you.

ASUS Zenfone 3

First up is the base Zenfone 3. It comes in two models – the 5.5-inch ZE552KL and the 5.2-inch ZE520KL. The two Zenfones are basically twins with similar specs except for the size, battery capacity, and pricing. The ZE552KL is priced at Php18,995USD 324INR 27,440EUR 308CNY 2,357, while the ZE520KL is at Php16,995USD 290INR 24,551EUR 276CNY 2,109. You can read our review here.

ASUS Zenfone 3 specs:
5.5-inch Full HD Super IPS+ display, 401ppi (ZE552KL)
5.2-inch Full HD Super IPS+ display, 424ppi (ZE520KL)
Corning Gorilla Glass 3, 2.5D
Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 2.0GHz octa-core CPU
8 X ARM Cortex A53
Adreno 506 GPU
4GB RAM, 64GB internal storage
up to 128GB via microSD (SIM 2 slot)
16MP rear camera w/ Laser & PDAF AF, 4-axis OIS, dual-LED flash
8MP front camera
4G LTE Cat.6
Dual-SIM
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP
GPS with aGPS, GLONASS
USB Type-C
Fingerprint scanner
3,000mAh battery (ZE552KL)
2,600mAh battery (ZE520KL)
Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow w/ ZenUI 3.0
152.6 x 77.4 x 7.7 mm, 155 g (ZE552KL)
146.9 x 74 x 7.7 mm, 144 g (ZE520KL)
Sapphire Black, Moonlight White, Shimmer Gold

ASUS Zenfone 3 Deluxe

Next is the Zenfone 3 Deluxe. It’s the most powerful Zenfone 3 device and also comes in two variants – the 5.7-inch / Snapdragon 820 / 6GB RAM / 64GB storage ZS570KL model, and the 5.5-inch Snapdragon 625 / 4GB RAM / 64GB storage ZS550KL model. The former also has a more powerful model which ASUS calls the Special Edition with Snapdragon 821, 6GB RAM, and 256GB storage. As for price, the ZS550KL model is at Php22,995USD 392INR 33,219EUR 373CNY 2,854, the ZS570KL model at Php34,995USD 596INR 50,554EUR 568CNY 4,343, while the Special Edition is at Php44,995USD 767INR 65,000EUR 730CNY 5,584. You can read our review here.

ASUS Zenfone 3 Deluxe (ZS570KL) specs:
5.7-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display, 386ppi
Corning Gorilla Glass 4
2.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 quad-core CPU (Special Edition)
2.15GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 quad-core CPU
Adreno 530GPU
6GB RAM
64GB UFS 2.0
256GB UFS 2.0 (Special Edition)
up to 128GB via microSD (SIM 2 slot)
23MP rear camera w/ Laser & PDAF AF, 4-axis OIS, dual-LED flash
8MP front camera
4G LTE Cat.13
Dual-SIM
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP
GPS, A-GPS
NFC
FM Radio
USB 3.0 Type-C
Fingerprint scanner
3,000mAh battery w/ Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0
Android 6.0 Marshmallow w/ ZenUI 3.0
156.4 x 77.4 x 7.5 mm
170 grams

ASUS Zenfone 3 Deluxe (ZS550KL) specs:
5.5-inch Full HD Super IPS+ display, 401ppi
Corning Gorilla Glass 4
2.0GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 octa-core CPU
Adreno 506 GPU
4G LPDDR3 RAM
64GB storage
up to 2TB via microSD (uses SIM 2 slot)
16MP PixelMaster 3.0 camera w/ Laser AF, LED flash
3-axis EIS
8MP front camera
Dual-SIM
4G LTE
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP, EDR
GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS
5-magnet speakers w/ NXP Smart Amp
IR sensor
Fingerprint scanner
Android 6.0 Marshmallow w/ ZenUI 3.0
3,000mAh battery w/ Quick Charge 3.0
151.45 x 76.7 x 7.8 mm
150 g

ASUS Zenfone 3 Ultra (ZU680KL)

For those who prefer a smartphone with a large screen, the Zenfone 3 Ultra (ZU680KL) is the one you’re looking for. At 6.8-inches, it’s almost a tablet. Powering the device is a Snapdragon 652 CPU, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, 23MP camera, and a 4,600mAh battery. It is priced at Php32,995USD 562INR 47,665EUR 536CNY 4,095. You can read our review here.

ASUS Zenfone 3 Ultra (ZU680KL) specs:
6.8-inch Full HD IPS display, 324ppi
Corning Gorilla Glass 4
1.8GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 octa-core CPU
Adreno 510 GPU
4GB RAM
64GB internal storage
Expandable via microSD, up to 200GB (uses SIM 2 slot)
23MP rear camera w/ Laser & PDAF AF, 4-axis OIS, dual-LED flash
8MP front camera
4G LTE Cat. 6
Dual-SIM
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP, LE
GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS
FM Radio
USB Type-C
Fingerprint scanner
Android 6.0 Marshmallow w/ ZenUI 3.0
4,600mAh battery w/ Quick Charge, Power Bank Mode
186.4 x 93.9 x 6.8 mm
233 g
Glacier Silver, Titanium Gray, Metallic Pink

ASUS Zenfone 3 Laser (ZC551KL)

While the Zenfones mentioned above are a bit pricey, ASUS has offered another model with a lower price but doesn’t skimp on specs. The ZF3 Laser, as the name suggests, packs a laser AF to the 13MP Sony camera. Worth noting for a smartphone in this price range is the 5.5-inch Full HD display, 4GB RAM, 32GB storage, and 3,000mAh battery. It is priced at Php11,995USD 204INR 17,328EUR 195CNY 1,489. Check out our review here.

ASUS Zenfone 3 Laser (ZC551KL) specs:
5.5-inch IPS LCD @ 1080 x 1920 pixels, 401ppi
Corning Gorilla Glass 3
1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 octa-core CPU
Adreno 505 GPU
4GB RAM
32GB internal storage
Expandable via microSD, up to 256GB (uses SIM2)
13MP Sony IMX214 sensor Laser AF rear camera w/ dual-tone LED flash
8MP front-facing camera
Dual SIM (Micro-SIM)
4G LTE
Wi-Fi 802.11ac
Bluetooth 4.2 A2DP, EDR, LE
GPS w/ A-GPS, GLONASS
Fingerprint scanner
microUSB
USB OTG
FM Radio
3,000mAh battery
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
149 x 76 x 7.9 mm
150 g

ASUS Zenfone 3 Max

Those looking for a smartphone with above average battery life might want to look at the Zenfone 3 Max. It also has two models a 5.5-inch / Snapdragon 430 ZC553KL, and the 5.2-inch MediaTek MT6737T ZC520TL. Both have 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, a large 4,100mAh battery, and competitive price tags. The 5.2-inch model is at Php8,995USD 153INR 12,994EUR 146CNY 1,116 while the 5.5-inch model Php10,995USD 187INR 15,883EUR 178CNY 1,364. You may read our review of the ZC520TL and ZC553KL via the links provided.

ASUS Zenfone 3 Max (ZC520TL) specs:
5.2-inch IPS LCD @ 1280 x 720 pixels, 282ppi
1.5GHz MediaTek MT6737T quad-core processor
Mali-T720 MP2 GPU
3GB RAM
32GB internal storage
Expandable via microSD (uses SIM2)
13MP autofocus rear camera w/ LED flash
5MP front-facing camera
Dual SIM (Micro-SIM)
4G LTE
Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.1
GPS w/ A-GPS, Glonass
Fingerprint scanner
Android 6.0 Marshmallow

ASUS Zenfone 3 Max (ZC553KL) specs:
5.5-inch Full HD IPS display
2.5D contoured glass
64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 octa-core CPU
Adreno 505 GPU
3GB RAM
32GB internal storage
up to 128GB via microSD (uses SIM2)
16MP rear camera w/ Laser AF, LED flash
8MP front-facing camera
Dual SIM
4G LTE
Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.1, A2DP, EDR
GPS w/ A-GPS, GLONASS, BDSS
Fingerprint scanner
USB OTG
4100mAh battery with reverse charging
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
151.4 x 76.24 x 8.3mm
175g

ASUS Zenfone 3 Zoom (ZE553KL)

Last, but not the least, is the Zenfone 3 Zoom. The company’s camera-centric smartphone and the first one to feature a dual 12MP rear camera setup. It is powered by a Snapdragon 625 CPU, 4GB RAM, and a large 5,000mAh battery. The ZF3 Zoom launched in the Philippines in April for Php23,995USD 409INR 34,663EUR 389CNY 2,978. You can check out our review here.

ASUS Zenfone 3 Zoom (ZE553KL) specs:
5.5-inch Super AMOLED display @ 1920 x 1080 pixels
2.0GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 octa-core CPU
Adreno 506 GPU
4GB RAM
64GB internal storage
Expandable via microSD, up to 128GB (uses SIM 2 slot)
Dual 12MP laser AF rear camera (2.3x optical zoom) w/ dual-LED flash, OIS
13-megapixel front-facing camera
4G LTE
Wi-Fi 802.11ac
Bluetooth 4.1
GPS w/ A-GPS
Fingerprint scanner
USB Type-C
5000mAh battery w/ fast charging
Android 6.0 Marshmallow w/ Zen UI 3.0

And there you have it. If you’re planning to buy a new Zenfone we hope this guide can help you make a decision. We have also summarized the pricing (arranged by price from lowest to highest) below for easy perusal. We will update this article if there are new additions.

Zenfone 3 Max ZC520TL – Php8,995USD 153INR 12,994EUR 146CNY 1,116, Php8,495USD 145INR 12,272EUR 138CNY 1,054 (as of Feb. 2017)
Zenfone 3 Max ZC553KL – Php10,995USD 187INR 15,883EUR 178CNY 1,364, Php9,995USD 170INR 14,439EUR 162CNY 1,240 (as of Feb. 2017)
Zenfone 3 Laser ZC551KL – Php11,995USD 204INR 17,328EUR 195CNY 1,489
Zenfone 3 ZE520KL – Php16,995USD 290INR 24,551EUR 276CNY 2,109
Zenfone 3 ZE552KL – Php18,995USD 324INR 27,440EUR 308CNY 2,357
Zenfone 3 Deluxe ZS550KL – Php22,995USD 392INR 33,219EUR 373CNY 2,854
Zenfone 3 Zoom ZE553KL – Php23,995USD 409INR 34,663EUR 389CNY 2,978
Zenfone 3 Ultra ZU680KL – Php32,995USD 562INR 47,665EUR 536CNY 4,095
Zenfone 3 Deluxe ZS570KL – Php34,995USD 596INR 50,554EUR 568CNY 4,343
Zenfone 3 Deluxe ZS570KL Special Edition – Php44,995USD 767INR 65,000EUR 730CNY 5,584