The Asus ZenFone 2 is actually two phones in one, thanks to a second SIM-card slot that allows you to add a second phone account-even from a different provider. This is a GSM-based phone, which means you can use it with providers such as AT&T and T-Mobile, but not Sprint or Verizon. It's a great option for anyone who needs a second smartphone, such as for travel or business use, but only has the budget-or pockets-for one. Call logs and texts from either account can be conveniently viewed on one screen, and you can even respond to incoming calls and texts using your alternate number. But the phone makes no assumptions about account preferences. Each time you place a call or send a text, you have to tell the ZenFone 2 which number to use by selecting SIM1 or SIM2. Something else to keep in mind while shopping for plans: Only the main SIM card (SIM1) can access a cellular data network for e-mails, the Web, and apps. Of course, if you're only using one account, the ZenFone 2 behaves pretty much like any other smartphone. The ZenFone 2 has some handy Touch Gesture features. For instance, you can double-tap the display to wake up or turn off the screen, and even launch the camera by tracing the letter "C" on the screen using your finger-even when the screen is sleeping. Tracing a "W" calls up the Web browser, while swirling an "E" calls up your e-mails. There are more shortcuts. One Hand Mode shrinks the screen to about 4 inches, in portrait orientation, so the phone keypad and keyboard and other screen elements are more accessible. You do this by simply double-tapping the home button. The volume controls are in an uncommon spot: on the back of the phone, below the camera lens. Asus said it did this to make those controls equally accessible to left- and right-handed users. But we found it made performing certain functions more difficult, such as adjusting the volume while on a call or when playing a video-especially when the phone was tilted on its side for wide-screen viewing. Battery life overall was only fair. The fast charging capability, in our tests, took about 30 minutes to bring a drained battery to roughly 50 percent capacity using the included charger and cable. The ZenFone 2 also has several power management battery modes including Ultra-saving, Balanced, Smart-saving, and more. But ZenFone 2 doesn't have a removable battery which means owners will have to bring their phone to a service center to replace the battery. Its MyASUS app provides a list of service locations and supports real-time checking repair progress. The ASUS support app supplies assistance and tips for apps, settings, and more. The ZenFone 2 also has an excellent virtual keyboard. In portrait orientation, the keyboard features five rows (a rarity among phones) with dedicated keys for numbers across the top row. And its height can easily be adjusted to short, normal, or tall.
The ZenFone 2 has an excellent 5.5-inch, high-definition (1080p) display that's easy to see in bright light. It's also sensitive enough to use with gloves on-a handy option to have during the cold winter months, or while wearing work gloves. The ZenFone 2 provides easy access to all main functions via a highly responsive touch screen that supports up to seven home screens of apps, programmable shortcuts, as well as back, home, and recent apps keys. The recent apps key launches a stack of screen shots of your most recently used apps. Tap any one of them, and you can jump to that app. The ZenFone 2 provides a straightforward way to add apps, widgets, or change wallpaper, tailor home screen grids, modify folder styles, and other customization options. You simply press and hold a blank spot on the screen or press and hold the recent apps key. You can also launch the phone, messaging, or camera directly from a locked screen without the need to first unlock the screen. You do this by swiping upward on any one of app icons that are visible on the locked screen. There is also an Easy Mode, which provides a simpler interface and layout as well as larger font sizes, for beginners.
The ZenFone 2 lets you perform Google searches by voice command, and lets you download applications, services, and games, and more from the Google Play Store. Its multi-touch screen lets you zoom in and out of photos or Web pages using two fingers (for instance, your thumb and index finger). It also has a handy on-screen drop-down status bar that alerts you to and takes you to new messages, upcoming appointments, and other items that need your attention, even when your screen is locked. Its Android OS offers better text editing tools and controls for managing data usage, and enhanced voice-activated navigation and dictation.
The ZenFone 2 support Near Field Communication (NFC), a short-range wireless communication technology that allows the phone to read "smart" tags, or other items that have NFC capability in them. Though the technology is not yet widely deployed for mobile phone users, it could ultimately allow you to pay by phone at the register. The ZenFone 2 supports a "4G" LTE network (and HSPA+ too), allowing fast streaming, downloading, and uploading of high-definition videos and other large files. The fast network also facilitates better Web browsing experiences. The WiFi connection provides another way to access the Web, e-mail, and other Internet-based content, without using your data plan allowance. But this phone is heavier than many of the smart phones we've tested.
MESSAGING: The virtual keyboard was excellent to use. In portrait orientation, the keyboard features five rows (a rarity among phones) with dedicated keys for numbers across the top row. And its height can easily be adjusted to short, normal, or tall. It supports a method that allows users to type words without lifting a finger-literally. You enter a word by dragging your finger across the screen from letter to letter. Though it's initially awkward to use, we eventually had a lot of success "typing" quickly and accurately. The phone comes with common preset text messages and allows you to create your own custom preset messages for your individual special situations or frequent use. If you find the phone a bit too wide or large while holding you can shrink the keyboard. Good e-mail readability and attachment capabilities. The ZenFone 2 also supports Microsoft Exchange and Outlook for work e-mail. When connected to Windows or Macintosh computers, this phone can appear on the computer as another drive. You can then transfer data to and from your phone as you could on a regular drive. But this phone doesn't allow you to create and edit Word documents or Excel spreadsheets out of the box, nor can you open them.
PHONE: We tested this phone under a variety of conditions to simulate environments ranging from the quiet indoors to noisy roadsides. We found good voice quality when talking and listening. Talk time was adequate, measuring 13 hours in our tests. This phone has a very good mixture of controls and features for making and taking calls. Excellent keypad readability under most lighting conditions, even in bright light. If you find the phone a bit too wide or large while holding you can shrink the dial pad. Its voice command allows you to conveniently dial numbers from your phone book by speaking the name, without the usual training. You can also dial numbers by pronouncing the digits. It has Bluetooth for wireless hands-free voice communication. This model can simultaneously be on a phone call and an Internet-based connection over the cellular network. Can be used internationally. But the incoming number readability was worse than many other smartphones we've tested.
MULTIMEDIA: The 12.6-megapixel camera produced fair quality pictures at ISO settings up to 800. The camera performed acceptable under low-light conditions. Camera has a flash, autofocus, manual ISO settings, face detection, and can record HD video. Its touch focus feature lets you override the autofocus by tapping on any subject on the screen. The camera's built-in flash and ISO-setting controls help improve your chances of taking better pictures under low-light conditions. Its face detection comes in handy when you're snapping pics of babies, toddlers, or other fussy subjects. The camera includes more than a dozen apps such as GIF animation, Smart Remove, Super Resolution, rear-camera selfies, and more. The camera took decent 1080p video, probably adequate for casual use such as uploading to the Web. You can also pause a video in record mode and then restart the recording to make one continuous video file. You can also snap a still picture at any moment while shooting a video. But the camera has a long shutter lag. The front-facing, high-resolution 4.9-megapixel camera allows easy self-portraits, and can support video chats. It can also record at 1080p. You can also take pictures using the volume buttons.
The music player has the capabilities and controls of a typical stand-alone MP3 player, including an equalizer, music shuffle and repeat controls and options for sorting music by album, artist, etc. This model also supports Bluetooth stereo headsets, can download music over the phone network, and has an FM radio. Its Bluetooth data support enables the phone to wirelessly share pictures, contacts, and other files with compatible printers, computers, and mobile devices.
GPS navigation capability provides spoken turn-by-turn directions and automatic re-routing. The ZenFone 2 supports the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) standard. This lets the phone connect via WiFi to share content with other compatible certified devices such as a TV, printer, and computer. The ZenFone 2 can act as a mobile hotspot for WiFi-enabled devices. It has 16- or 64GB of built-in memory and supports memory cards of up to 64GB. Its memory capacity is beneficial for storing music, videos, pictures, and other types of files. But the battery is non-removable. And the memory card is hard to access.
