The launch of OnePlus 2 has triggered a strong wave of competition in the smartphone industry. Touted as the "2016 flagship killer", OnePlus 2 aims at taking on leading smartphones from different manufacturers, including Samsung, Apple, HTC and others. OnePlus 2 hit bull's eye in terms of pricing, which is more inclined towards the mid-range category. Hence, we compare the OnePlus 2 with Asus Zenfone 2, which grabbed attention for its spacious RAM and mid-range pricing.
Display
OnePlus 2 features a 5.5-inch Full HD 1080p screen with in-cell display technology protected by Gorilla Glass shield. It has a pixel density of 401ppi to deliver crisp images and videos. On the other hand, Asus Zenfone 2 also packs a 5.5-inch Full HD IPS screen with Gorilla Glass 3 protection and a pixel density of 403ppi. Both phones offer 178-degree viewing angles.
Processor
OnePlus 2 is powered by octa-core 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 v2.1 SoC and Adreno 430 GPU takes care of the graphics. As we chose the high-end Asus Zenfone 2 variant, it is powered by a 2.3GHz 64-bit Intel Atom processor with PowerVR G6430 GPU.
RAM and Storage
OnePlus promoted its 2015 flagship to feature 4GB LPDDR4 RAM, which is found on Samsung Galaxy S6 and makes it a compelling add-on to prevent any lags, while using the device. On the storage front, OnePlus 2 comes in 16GB or 64GB variants priced effectively to match consumer needs.
Asus Zenfone 2 ZE551ML comes in either 2GB or 4GB RAM options alongside 16GB/32GB/64GB storage models. The 4GB RAM variants come paired with either 32GB or 64GB integrated storage cards with expandable option.
Camera
Both phones have identical camera sensors on paper, but real life comparison might bring up the difference. OnePlus 2 features a 13-megapixel rear-facing laser auto-focus camera with f/2.0 aperture, OIS and dual LED flash. On the front side of the device is a 5MP wide angle lens to cater to your selfie needs. You will find the same 13MP and 5MP camera sensors on Asus Zenfone 2, backed with Real Tone flash and the same f/2.0 aperture.
Battery
OnePlus 2 packs a bigger 3,300mAh battery compared to Zenfone 2's 3,000mAh unit, which is equipped with fast charge technology. OnePlus 2 smartphone gets future-proof with its USB Type-C port as standard.
Add-ons
OnePlus 2 takes a jab at Asus Zenfone 2 and any other smartphone in this range. It has an integrated fingerprint scanner, metal frame, dual DIM 4G slots, USB Type-C port, Alert slider and a multi-colour LED notification light. Instead of standard colour options, OnePlus offers the new flagship in Bamboo, Black Apricot, Rosewood and Kevlar options.
Asus Zenfone 2, on the other hand, gets its popular ZenMotion, SnapView, Trend Micro integrated Zen UI browser, 4G support, dual SIM among other standard features. Asus Zenfone 2 is available in Glacier Gray, Osmium Black, Glamour Red, Ceramic White and Sheer Gold colours.
Price
Asus Zenfone 2 might beat OnePlus 2 in terms of pricing, but the latest Oxygen OS based handset compensates with its add-on features. Asus Zenfone 2 32GB model is priced at ₹19,999, while the 64GB variant comes with a ₹22,999 price tag.
As for the OnePlus 2, the 16GB variant is launched at ₹22,999 and the 64GB model sells for ₹24,999
Availability
Asus Zenfone 2 is available online through sites like Flipkart as well as offline stores. However, OnePlus 2 is in demand and is sold only via invite-only system. Buyers need to receive an invite to purchase the handset.
Verdict
OnePlus 2 offers a fresh take on flagships and brings features that are not seen in any other smartphones in its price range. At base price of ₹22,999, you get a great looking handset with industry's first USB Type-C port as standard and fingerprint scanner. It has a challenging camera, lasting battery and an impressively fast processor that is backed by LPDDR4 based 4GB RAM. Sadly, the handset is sold via invite-only system, which can be a turn off for many. This, however, serves as an advantage to Asus Zenfone 2 in this comparison, which is available more freely than the former.
