Asus Zenfone 2 Pegged for India Release in Q2; Camera-Centric Zoom Variant to Hit Stores in Q3: Report

Asus has confirmed that the new Zenfone 2 will hit store shelves in r India Release by June end, whereas its Camera-Centric Zoom Variant will get released by September, 2015.

CES 2015: Asus Launches ZenFone 2, Zoom Camera-Centric Smartphone; Specifications, Availability DetailsAsus Press Kit

Taiwanese PC maker Asus is reportedly planning to release the new Zenfone 2 smartphone models in India in a few months time.

The company's regional head of India Peter Chang, while speaking at the launch event of EeeBook X205 PC, confirmed that the Asus Zenfone 2 and its camera-centric variant will set foot in India by Q2 (June end) and Q3 (September end) respectively, reported Business Today.

Asus Zenfone 2 and Zenfone Zoom were originally unveiled last month at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2015, Las Vegas.

Zenfone 2 sports a 5.5-inch full HD IPS display and ships with latest Android 5.0 Lollipop OS (with custom ZenUI) out-of-the-box.

Under the hood, it houses 64-bit class Intel Atom CPU backed by sumptuous 4GB RAM, a 13.0-megapixel main camera, 5.0-megapixel snapper on the front and a 3000 mAh battery.

Whereas its sibling, ZenFone Zoom too flaunts a same 5.5-inch full HD display. USP of the Zoom variant is its feature-rich 13MP camera, which boasts OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), 3X optical zoom, 10-element lens that can further add 12X digital zoom for even finer close-up detail. It also features the laser auto-focus technology, which was first seen on LG G3.

For the uninitiated, this advanced auto-focus technology uses laser beam to measure the distance between the subject and the camera enabling quick capture of good quality photos even under low-light conditions.

Other key specifications of the ZenFone Zoom such as RAM capacity, storage, battery details are still under wraps. These details are expected to be disclosed during local launches later in the year.

Key specifications of Asus ZenFone 2:

Model	Asus ZenFone 2
Display	5.5-inch full HD (1920x1080p) IPS screen with wide 178-degree viewing angle. It also boasts of ASUS TruVivid display technology and is protected by Gorilla Glass 3 shield Pixel density: 403 ppi (pixels per inch)
OS	Android OS with custom Zen UI
Processor	64-bit class based 2.3GHz 64-bit Intel Atom processor Z3580
RAM	4GB
Camera	Main: 13.0-megapixel camera with PixelMaster technology, Backlight (HDR) mode, f/ 2.0 aperture, Real Tone flash Front: 5.0-megapixel camera with 88-degree field of view and also comes with ZenUI Selfie Panorama mode which can capture panoramic selfies with up to a 140-degree field of view.
Battery	3000 mAh;Comes with fast-charge technology where-in phone can get re-charged close to 60-percent battery capacity within 39 minutes
Network & Connectivity	4G-LTE, Wi-Fi (802.11ac), Bluetooth, dual-SIM slots
Add-ons	ZenMotion is a collection of intuitive touch gestures, each providing a new way of interacting with ZenUI, and allowing quick and easy access to frequently-used features such as One Hand mode or Do It Later. SnapView is a security feature that ensures privacy for apps, photos, and files. SnapView lets users easily keep their personal and business information separate. Trend Micro security is integrated with the ZenUI browser for the total mobile web browsing security. ZenUI Instant Updates is a seamless new method of keeping ZenUI apps up to date. With ZenUI Instant Updates, ASUS app developers can make updates available immediately, avoiding delays between app releases and ensuring the best experience for ZenFone 2 users.
Colours	Osmium Black, Sheer Gold, Glacier Gray, Glamour Red and Ceramic White
Price	around $199 (€166/₹12,600)