While I have plenty of geekings on a daily basis, I have to admit that it’s been ages since I’ve done a tech review. Due to the nature of my current and previous roles, I’ve always been into software and networking trends rather than hardware except if it’s in line with gaming or cameras. Today though, I’m making an exception as I stumbled on a reasonably good buy that’s actually an (almost) perfect fit for the blogger in me.
Say hello to my new phone: the ASUS ZenFone Selfie (ZD551KL). It’s big (too big for my hands actually), bright, and VERY pink! :)
Prior to purchasing the ASUS ZenFone Selfie (Php 11,995), I’m a (very) satisfied iPhones 5C and iPhones 6 user. Like a lot of iOS snobs I know, I’ve always stuck with the iPhone for the last 3-4 years because of the overall build plus stable and crisp platform. On top of that, I sync all my Apple products and pay for apps (and stickers!). As long as I’m using the same Apple ID, my purchases are available on all of my (as applicable) iOS devices. Sleek, right?
Recently though, my overseas travels have been more frequent and rather than renting a wi-fi device, I purchase sim cards upon reaching my destination since I make frequent voice calls to local numbers. Changing sims on my 2 iPhones is not an option which always bring me to pop the foreign sim card into a 3rd phone. Carrying 3 phones ain’t fun when you also have a Go Pro, point and shoot camera, and other whatnots. Can you imagine how heavy my bag is? LOL The ASUS ZenFone Selfie totally saves me in the baggage and power arena since it’s already dual sim and packs 3000MAH worth of batt life. Definitely beats my iPhones in these feats.
While there are plenty of other dual sim phones in the market, the ASUS ZenFone Selfie won me over because of its camera. I was initially gunning for the ASUS ZenFone Deluxe model but when I learned about the Selfie, I just had to research about it. When I saw Jackie and Earth toting the ASUS ZenFone Selfie on their IGs, I just had to check it for myself. Tinkering here and there — SOLD!
Frankly, there are a lot of Android features I don’t think I can use in this lifetime. When I popped the box open, I checked on its equivalent apps vs. my iPhone and began my setup from there. I had to save the camera as the last feature to stress test because I knew that testing would take a while. Batt life wise, on LTE, the ASUS ZenFone Selfie survived me from 8am to 5pm on a lazy weekend. My iPhone 6 can only survive me for 3-5 hours under such circumstances with limited options how to optimize the power left. While an app can do that, power management apps are already pre-installed on Android phones (my Motorola Luge has something similar). While I’m on apps — can I share how much I love this detailed weather forecast? It even has a UV level indicator! :)
Now let’s jump to the meat of it all — the camera. To put things into perspective, aside from selfies, I like to take photos of food and my “at the moment” view when I travel so here goes the much awaited sample shots from my weekend at Tagaytay. :)
ASUS ZenFone Selfie Auto
ASUS ZenFone Selfie HDR (my favourite setting!)
ASUS ZenFone Selfie Super Resolution
If you’re already impressed with the rear camera, wait til you see the front cam output! I have to give the ASUS ZenFone Selfie a LOT of props on this because it was able to take in so much detail (hello, pores!). The first two snaps were taken facing a window in broad daylight. While these are unaltered save for cropping, I also have to admit that my foundation’s on point when it comes to smoothness (it’s from Fasio, as previously featured). If there’s con I have to say about the front cam, it had to be the color temperature. The shots below are slightly warmer in real life, something I don’t usually worry about when using an iPhone. It can easily be tweaked using right about any app and hey — its absolute clarity totally makes up for it! Agree? :)
Here’s another test shot using the front camera, this time with my girlfriends (indoors, natural light). No edit nor filter done.
Aside from the color temperature bit and how iOS apps get updates faster than Android, I think this phone’s totally worth carting if like me, you’re also a self-confessed selfie star who loves to be on the go and connected 24/7.
my then travel tech must-haves
While there are plenty of other dual sim phones in the market, the ASUS ZenFone Selfie won me over because of its camera. I was initially gunning for the ASUS ZenFone Deluxe model but when I learned about the Selfie, I just had to research about it. When I saw Jackie and Earth toting the ASUS ZenFone Selfie on their IGs, I just had to check it for myself. Tinkering here and there — SOLD!
Frankly, there are a lot of Android features I don’t think I can use in this lifetime. When I popped the box open, I checked on its equivalent apps vs. my iPhone and began my setup from there. I had to save the camera as the last feature to stress test because I knew that testing would take a while. Batt life wise, on LTE, the ASUS ZenFone Selfie survived me from 8am to 5pm on a lazy weekend. My iPhone 6 can only survive me for 3-5 hours under such circumstances with limited options how to optimize the power left. While an app can do that, power management apps are already pre-installed on Android phones (my Motorola Luge has something similar). While I’m on apps — can I share how much I love this detailed weather forecast? It even has a UV level indicator! :)
Now let’s jump to the meat of it all — the camera. To put things into perspective, aside from selfies, I like to take photos of food and my “at the moment” view when I travel so here goes the much awaited sample shots from my weekend at Tagaytay. :)
iPhone 6 HDR
ASUS ZenFone Selfie Low light on HDR
ASUS ZenFone Selfie under the shade on HDR
ASUS ZenFone Selfie under the sun on HDR
If you’re already impressed with the rear camera, wait til you see the front cam output! I have to give the ASUS ZenFone Selfie a LOT of props on this because it was able to take in so much detail (hello, pores!). The first two snaps were taken facing a window in broad daylight. While these are unaltered save for cropping, I also have to admit that my foundation’s on point when it comes to smoothness (it’s from Fasio, as previously featured). If there’s con I have to say about the front cam, it had to be the color temperature. The shots below are slightly warmer in real life, something I don’t usually worry about when using an iPhone. It can easily be tweaked using right about any app and hey — its absolute clarity totally makes up for it! Agree? :)
Here’s another test shot using the front camera, this time with my girlfriends (indoors, natural light). No edit nor filter done.
Aside from the color temperature bit and how iOS apps get updates faster than Android, I think this phone’s totally worth carting if like me, you’re also a self-confessed selfie star who loves to be on the go and connected 24/7.
