ASUS Zenfone 2: 8 Reasons Why it can be Potential Threat to OnePlus One and Xiaomi MI4

The key reasons behind the success of OnePlus One and Xiaomi MI4 is no more a secret. Both the devices cater to the mid budget market by offering high end specifications. Walking on their shoes, big technology companies like ASUS and Huawei also launched ASUS Zenfone 2 and Huawei Honor 6 Plus. Both the smartphones are expected to be priced similarly to OnePlus One and Mi4.

Since both of them are new devices compared to the MI4 and OPO, they learnt from the flaws of previous devices. The ASUS Zenfone 2, which is expected to be available in India soon, offers a few advantages over its competitor. 

Here are the 6 reasons why ASUS Zenfone 2 can stay ahead of OnePlus One and Xiaomi MI4.

More Power

The ASUS Zenfone 2 features an Intel MooreField Z3580 SoC in comparison to OnePlus One and MI4's Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 SoC. Based on 64-bit architecture, both the processors have their strengths and weaknesses in few departments. A fool.com point out a benchmark comparison of both the SoC's done by Technology website AnandTech. The benchmarking score on GFXBench and 3DMark points out that the Intel Z3580 is much ahead of Snapdragon 801 in graphics performance. The report further shows the Intel MooreFiled SoC offers way better CPU performance than Snapdragon 801.

RAM

ASUS Zenfone 2 also packs more RAM memory than the OnePlus One and Xiaomi MI4. In reply to OnePlus One and Xiaomi MI4's 3GB RAM memory, the Zenfone 2 features 4GB RAM, which has even set a standard in the mid budget smartphone market.

Connectivity

Though OnePlus One offers 4G connectivity, it has a single SIM. The Xiaomi MI4 lacks the 4G connectivity. On the other hand ASUS Zenfone features two 4G micro SIM onboard, which might impress the consumers since Dual SIM connectivity is still an in thing for most of the consumers.

Camera

Though Xiaomi MI4 wins on the selfie camera specification by featuring an 8MP camera at front, the ASUS Zenfone packs its PixelMaster software, which offers low light shooting mode that claims to snap photos 400% brighter. If the Zenfone 2 is really able to achieve what they claimed, the ASUS Zenfone 2 will surely impress its customers on the photographic need.

All the three smartphones pack 13MP rear camera and OnePlus One and ASUS Zenfone 2 has a 5MP front camera.

Android Lollipop

All the three smartphones run on Android operating system. While the OnePlus One offers Cyanogen made Android version CynagenMod OS, the Xiaomi MI4 features Android KitKat 4.4 with an overlaid MIUI interface. On the other hand the ASUS Zenfone 2 runs on Android 5.0.1 Lollipop out of the box. Cyanogen has confirmed to deliver the Lollipop based OTA update CM12s to OnePlus One customers but Xiaomi is still remained tight lipped on the Android Lollipop availability.

The Lollipop is a significant Android update featuring several bug fixes, tighter security with a cosmetic interface.

Memory Expandability

Featuring a unibody design, the Xiaomi MI4 and OnePlus One both sacrifice the much required micro SD slot, which helps a lot if users require more storage in the device. Thanks to ASUS for featuring a micro SD card slot expandable up to 64GB further. Contextually, all the three smartphones are available in 16GB and 64GB variant.

Better Price-to-Specification Ratio

Asus Zenfone 2 hit the stores in Taiwan with a smart price tag. The 64GB variant is priced at TWD 9990 (around ₹19,850) while the 32GB model sells for TWD 8,990 (around ₹17,900). On the other hand, the OnePlus One offers their 16GB edition at ₹18,999 and 64GB model for ₹21,999. The Xiaomi MI4 64GB model is available at ₹23,999 and the 16GB model sells for ₹19,999.

Summing up the above mentioned price and features, the price-to-specification ratio clearly keeps the ASUS Zenfone 2 little ahead in race.

Availability

The OnePlus One is still available only through invitation process till date. Though the brand has acquired a lot of attention for the restricted selling process, there are users who chose to buy other smartphones due to the annoying invitation only sale. 

Though MI4 doesn't follow the pre-booking flash sales strategy of Xiaomi, the device is only available through its exclusive seller Flipkart in India.

But ASUS makes its phones available through all the leading online stores including Flipkart and SnapDeal with regular brick and mortar stores as well.

Key Specifications: