Like every other OEM, ASUS also opened Android 11 Beta registrations for ZenFone 6 aka ASUS 6Z last month. Now, after weeks, the company has finally released first-ever build for the selected users. The update comes with build number 18.0610.2009.37 and weighs around 1.4GB in size.

ZenUI on ASUS smartphones is now closer to stock Android than ever before. However, the company still takes time to roll out updates. For instance, Xiaomi and OPPO have already released Android 11-based MIUI 12 and ColorOS 11 for multiple devices. On the other hand, the Taiwanese company has only rolled out its first Android 11 Beta build for a single device.

Anyway, the update is here (via XDA Developers) and it brings all the core features of Android 11 like Chat Bubble, Notification History, Bluetooth in Airplane mode to name a few. Further, it finally adds support for gesture navigation for third-party features. We are not sure why ASUS waited until Android 11 to add it.

Interestingly, rather than adding new features, Android 11 for ZenFone 6 removes some old functions and apps like Private Listening, ZenUI Help, Smart group, Icon alignment, Icon packs, and Avast scanning engine. The new update also integrates PowerMaster features into Battery settings.

That said, although ASUS has seeded out the initial Android 11 Beta build for ZenFone 6, it is yet to announce a proper timeline regarding the delivery of subsequent beta builds and stable release.

UP NEXT: Asus Zenfone 7 Pro teardown video reveals new flip up camera mechanism

The post ASUS releases initial Android 11 Beta build for ZenFone 6 appeared first on Gizmochina.

ASUS is gearing up to launch the Zenfone 7 series next week. On the other hand, the Taiwanese company has opened registrations for Zenfone 6 (aka ASUS 6Z) Android 11 Beta. For those unaware, this phone launched with Android Pie and was updated to Android 10 late last year. The forthcoming update will be its second Android update.

The ASUS Zenfone 6 is known for offering stock Android like software experience apart from its signature flip camera. Both are expected to return for its successor, which is slated to launch first in the company’s home country om August 26.

Talking about the Android 11 beta program, users need to be on build number 17.1810.2008.171 to enrol. If you are a Zenone 6 user and want to try out Android 11 on your handset before anyone, make sure you are updated to the mentioned build and then, head over to “System update” in Settings. On this screen, tap on the gear icon present at the top right corner and finally, tap on “Enroll in the Beta Test Program”.

The recruitment is open till September 4 and selected users will be notified on September 9. The only requirement specified by ASUS is that your device bootloader shouldn’t have never unlocked. That means users who previously unlocked and relocked the bootloader may not get recruited for the program.

UP NEXT: Android 11 removes camera picker function in favor of the built-in camera app

(Via)

The post ASUS opens registrations for Zenfone 6 Android 11 beta program appeared first on Gizmochina.

Asus 5Z flagship smartphone was launched in July last year and the company slashed the phone’s pricing in India a few months ago. Now, the company has announced yet another price cut on the smartphone.

Along with that, the Taiwanese company has also slashed the pricing for its flagship smartphone of the current year — Asus 6Z. The Asus 5Z has got a price cut of up to ₹7,000 while the 6Z has got price cut of up to ₹5,000.

The 6GB RAM + 64GB storage and 6GB RAM + 128GB storage model of the Asus 6Z is now available for ₹27,999 and ₹30,999 instead of its original price of ₹31,999 and ₹34,999. The top-end model with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, which was launched for ₹39,999, is now available for ₹34,999.

On the other hand, the Asus 5Z with 6GB RAM and 64GB storage was launched at ₹29,999 while the 6GB + 128GB model was launched at ₹32,999. Both of them recently got price cut, bringing down the pricing to ₹21,999 and ₹24,999 respectively. Now, with this new price cut, the devices are available for just ₹16,999 and ₹18,999 respectively.

The top-end model of the Asus Zenfone 5Z with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage was launched for ₹36,999 but the smartphone’s pricing was slashed earlier this year to ₹28,999. With this new price cut, the device is now available for purchase at just ₹21,999, representing a massive price drop of ₹7,000.

EDITOR’S PICK: Xiaomi to launch a phone with better cameras than the Mi CC9 Pro

The Asus Zenfone 5Z features a 6.2-inch Full-HD+ LCD notched display and is powered by Qualcomm‘s Snapdragon 845 processor, coupled with Adreno 630 graphics processor for ensuring a smooth experience with gameplay and graphics.

It comes with a dual-camera setup on the back consisting of a 12-megapixel primary camera with Sony IMX363 sensor, 4-axis OIS, 3-axis EIS, f/1.8 aperture and phase detection autofocus, and an 8-megapixel secondary sensor with f/2.2 aperture, OV8856 sensor, and 120-degree wide-angle lens.

There’s an 8-megapixel snapper with support for Face Unlock feature. It also has a fingerprint sensor placed on the backside, which according to Asus, can unlock the device in 0.3 seconds. The phone runs Android 9 Pie operating system out-of-the-box and is powered by a 3,300mAh battery with ASUS BoostMaster fast charging.

On the other hand, the Asus 6Z features a 6.4-inch IPS LCD notch-less display that carries support for Full HD+ screen resolution and is protected by Gorilla Glass 6 on top. Under the hood, the device is powered by the Snapdragon 855 octa-core chipset.

It comes with flip camera design that houses the dual rear cameras which also double as the selfie shooters. Specs wise, the main camera is a 48MP Sony IMX586 primary sensor with f/1.79 aperture, teaming up with a 13MP ultra-wide angle sensor with a 125-degree field of view. The camera module also includes laser autofocus and dual-LED flash.

The smartphone is running Android 9 Pie operating system out-of-the-box and the device comes powered by a massive 5,000mAh battery that has support for 18W fast charging as well as 10W reverse charging.

UP NEXT: Purported Sony Xperia 3 leaked photo reveals large punch-hole display

The post Asus 5Z and Asus 6Z smartphones get price cut in India; now starts at ₹16,999 appeared first on Gizmochina.

Taiwanese tech giant ASUS took the path of launching the flip camera-packing Zenfone 6Z as ASUS 6Z in India. This was as a result of a court ruling that barred the company from launching any phone in India with the “Zenfone” moniker. Thus, the device was eventually announced in India on June 26 even though the launch was initially scheduled for June 19.

The ASUS 6Z came in three regular models; 6GB+64GB, 6GB+128GB, 8GB+256GB versions. The base variant has been on sale exclusively on Flipkart with a price tag of INR 31,999 ($460). The higher variants are now set to go on sale in India from July 1. As for the pricing, the 6GB+128GB variant is priced at INR 34,999 ($505) while the 8GB+256GB variant will retail for INR 39,999 ($580).

Considering the sleek design and powerful specs lineup which the 6Z brings to the table, these prices are just fair. As a remider the ASUS 6Z features a 6.4-inch IPS LCD notch-less display that carries support for full HD+ screen resolution and is protected by Gorilla Glass 6 on top. Under the hood, the device is powered by the Snapdragon 855 octa-core chipset. Despite the robust storage options available, the  Zenfone 6/ASUS 6Z also has a microSD card slot allowing users to further expand the phone’s storage capacity up to 256GB.

Perhaps, the most spectacular feature is the flip camera design which the phone adopts. With the design, the dual rear cameras also double as the selfie shooters. Specs wise, the main camera is a 48MP Sony IMX586 primary sensor with f/1.79 aperture, teaming up with a 13MP ultra-wide angle sensor with a 125-degree field of view. The camera module also includes laser autofocus and dual-LED flash. The phone also packs a massive 5,000mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging as well as 10W reverse charging.

UP NEXT: Xiaomi recruiting MIUI closed beta testers for Poco F1, Mi 6 & Redmi 6/6A

(source)

The post ASUS 6Z 6GB+128GB and 8GB+256GB variants to go on sale July 1 in India appeared first on Gizmochina.

Recently, Asus launched its flagship smartphone Asus 6Z in the Indian market. The phone is the re-branded version of the Asus Zenfone 6 for India since the company has been barred from using Zen or Zenfone branding in India due to the ongoing lawsuit over the use of the trademark.

Now, the phone will finally be available for purchase in India from today and is all set to go on sale exclusively via Flipkart from 12:00 PM local time. The pricing of the base variant which packs 6GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage is Rs. 31,999 (approximately $461).

On the other hand, the 6GB RAM + 128GB storage and 8GB RAM + 256GB storage variants of the Asus 6Z (Full Specs) are priced at Rs. 34,999 (~$505) and Rs. 39,999 (~$577). All three models come in two color options — Midnight Black and Twilight Silver.

As for the launch offers, Flipkart is offering its Complete Mobile Protection plan at just Rs. 99 to the Asus 6Z buyers. Additionally, as a part of the ongoing offers at Flipkart, the Asus 6Z buyers will be able to get 5 percent instant discount with EMIs on ICICI Bank Debit or Credit cards or 5 percent discount with Axis Bank Buzz Credit Card.

The smartphone features a 6.4-inch IPS LCD notch-less display that carries support for full HD+ screen resolution and is protected by Gorilla Glass 6 on top. Under the hood, the device is powered by the Snapdragon 855 octa-core chipset, coupled with up to 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage. There’s also a microSD card slot allowing users to further expand the phone’s storage capacity up to 256GB.

As for the camera, the smartphone features a flip camera setup that also doubles up as the front-facing camera. The 48-megapixel Sony IMX586 primary sensor with f/1.79 aperture is coupled with a 13-megapixel sensor with a 125-degree field of view. The camera module also includes laser autofocus and dual-LED flash.

Some of the photography features that are available on the smartphone include Portrait Mode, Pro Mode, Super Night Scene Mode, 4K video shooting at 60fps with EIS, up to 480fps slow-motion video recording and time-lapse. There’s also a fingerprint sensor on the back panel.

The device also comes with a customized smart key for accessing the Google Assistant. The smartphone runs Android 9.0 Pie operating system out-of-the-box and the company’s own ZenUI 6 on top. It is fuelled by a 5,000mAh battery and comes with support for 18W fast charging as well as 10W reverse charging.

Up Next: Lenovo Z6 design details revealed; Arriving as world’s lightest phone with 4,000mAh battery

The post Asus 6Z to go on sale in India from today, pricing starts at Rs. 31,999 ($461) appeared first on Gizmochina.

Asus Zenfone 6 is one of the best smartphones in the affordable flagship segment right now. The phone comes with powerful internals and more features than what’s usually found on higher-end flagships. But the flip camera, without a doubt, is its biggest attraction. However, flip cameras aren’t always durable, which is why it’s important to see whether the Zenfone 6 is built to last. That’s exactly what JerryRigEverything checked in his recent video.

JerryRigEverything confirms that the Zenfone 6 has an all-metal design. This is why the phone passed his bend test pretty easily. It didn’t even flex a bit in the bend test which was a very good sign. Also, the Zenfone 6 passed the standard scratch and burn tests comfortably. So, no real issues in these departments.

However, the real test was always going to be the phone’s flip camera. JerryRigEverything tried to twist the camera setup, stop it in between retraction, scratch it, and even banged it on the desk a couple of times. None of these actions seemed to have affected the phone’s camera setup. However, it is worth noting that the motor that drives the flip camera isn’t very powerful, so you can easily stop it mid-way with your hand or any other object. You’ll soon get a notification that the camera setup is obstructed and it goes away once you allow it to move freely.

Just like the OnePlus 7 Pro, Asus Zenfone 6’s flip camera will retract automatically in case of accidental drops. The retraction process is much faster in such a scenario ensuring that the camera is pushed back into its housing before it hits the ground. It is indeed a very useful feature to ensure minimum damage to the camera setup.

Unfortunately, with a flip camera, the Zenfone 6 isn’t waterproof. So, make sure to keep the phone away from water at all costs.

Overall, it looks like Asus has made a solid flagship once again. So, cast away your worries as the Zenfone 6 is built to last.

UP NEXT: Vivo’s 120W Super FlashCharge can power 4,000mAh battery in 13 minutes!

The post Asus Zenfone 6 & Its Flip Camera Passes Durability Test with Flying Colors! appeared first on Gizmochina.

After the success of the Zenfone 5z, Asus just launched the Zenfone 6 in the Indian market under a new moniker: Asus 6z. The handset has a lot of competition in the peninsula, especially in the affordable flagships segment. That is why it will be hard for people to choose the flagship with the highest value for money. With this post, we want to make your mind clearer by comparing the Asus 6z with other trending flagships in the Indian market. We believe that the Oppo Reno 10x zoom and the vanilla OnePlus 7 are the perfect candidate for a comparison like this, so here we go.

Asus 6z vs Oppo Reno 10x zoom vs OnePlus 7

Design

As long as you do not hate the flip camera, Asus 6z is the smartphone with the most interesting design alongside the Oppo Reno 10x zoom. I would exclude the OnePlus 7 as it is the classic phone with a waterdrop notch and a glass back, it is not even available in the outstanding Nebula Blue color variant, unlike its Pro version. My favorite one is the Oppo Reno 10x zoom with its shark fin pop-up camera and a stunning glass back with a clean and gorgeous look. But Oppo Reno 10x zoom is all but a compact phone: Asus 6z is smaller and easier to keep in a pocket; that is something you should consider if you always travel.

Display

Despite its IPS panel that is all but trending nowadays, the Asus 6z has been praised for its amazing color reproduction thanks to the HDR standard and a 100 percent DCI-P3 coverage. The Oppo Reno 10x zoom only comes with high DCI-P3 coverage, as well as the OnePlus 7, but the Oppo’s flagship has a bigger display which may be very useful for those who are searching for a productivity phone for professional uses. Unfortunately, the display of the Asus 6z does not integrate a fingerprint reader: it is placed on the back of the phone, under the flip-up camera.

Hardware/Software

If you are deciding which device you want to buy from this trio, do not mind so much about the hardware department. They all have awesome flagship-class performances as they are all powered by the Snapdragon 855 chipset, and you can not expect a better SoC in 2019. Just note that OnePlus 7 does not have expandable storage, while Asus 6z and Oppo Reno 10x zoom do. Keep in mind that only the Asus 6z has a dedicated micro SD slot (allowing to use dual SIM slot at the same time) and it gives the chance to expand the internal storage up to 1 TB (Reno 10x zoom stops at 256 GB).

Camera

OIS, laser autofocus, periscope camera with 5x optical zoom and a bright focal aperture: Oppo Reno 10x zoom is one of the most amazing camera phones and it clicks gorgeous photos. It wins the camera comparison when it comes to camera quality, but Asus 6z is as interesting as the Oppo Reno 10x zoom for a simple reason: the flip-up camera. You can use the dual rear camera as a selfie camera too, but that is not all: you can regulate the position of the flip-up camera on several angles in order to shoot photos comfortably in almost every direction.

Battery

Asus 6z is the last-gen mainstream flagship with the biggest battery ever among the ones equipped with the Snapdragon 855 SoC. And it even has a great optimization in terms of energy consumption, so it is the perfect battery phone. It can also be used as a power bank thanks to reverse wireless charging. Right after, there is the Oppo Reno 10x zoom which still provides a long battery life (one day with most of the usages).

Price

Asus 6z carries a $450/€400 price tag in India, OnePlus 7 starts from €421/$472, and Oppo Reno 10x zoom costs €640/$720. Overall, Asus 6z definitely has the highest value for money, despite I define the Oppo Reno 10x zoom a slightly better handset for advanced users.

• Read More: ASUS Zenfone 6 arrives with Flip Camera, 5000mAh battery, and SD855 for €499

Asus 6z vs Oppo Reno 10x zoom vs OnePlus 7: PRO and CONS

Asus Zenfone 6

PROS

• Flip up rear cameras
• Good display
• Micro SD dedicated slot up to 1 TB
• Huge battery
• Stereo speakers

CONS

• Nothing particular

Oppo Reno 10x zoom

PROS

• Bigger display
• Great cameras
• Good design
• Big battery

CONS

• Costlier

OnePlus 7

PROS

• Affordable price
• High performance
• Stock and well optimized Android version
• Stereo speakers

CONS

• No MicroSD

The post Asus 6z vs Oppo Reno 10x zoom vs OnePlus 7: Specs Comparison appeared first on Gizmochina.

Through a dedicated launch event in India, ASUS has unveiled the ASUS ZenFone 6z smartphone. It is a flagship phone powered by the Snapdragon 855 chipset. However, the USP of the phone is that it comes with a unique flip-up camera system that doubles up a selfie snapper. The smartphone has arrived with a starting price of Rs. 31,999 in India.

ASUS 6z Price in India

The ASUS 6z has arrived in India in three versions such as 6 GB RAM + 64 GB storage, 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage and 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage. These models are respectively priced at Rs. 31,999, Rs. 34,999 and Rs. 39,999. The smartphone comes in two color options such as Midnight Black and Twilight Silver. The ASUS 6z will go on sale for the first time on June 26 exclusively through Flipkart.

Editor’s Pick: Asus blocked by Delhi High Court from using Zen or ZenFone branding in India

ASUS 6z Specifications

The ASUS 6z features an IPS LCD display of 6.4 inches. The notch-less screen carries support for full HD+ resolution. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass 6. The Android 9.0 Pie OS comes preloaded on the device along with ZenUI 6. It comes with a microSD card slot for additional storage apart from its internal storage of up to 256 GB.

The Snapdragon 855 chipset powers the ASUS 6z with up to 8 GB of RAM. There is no selfie camera on the device. The rear side of the phone is fitted with dual-LED flash enabled 48-megapixel + 13-megapixel motorized flip-up camera module. The 5,000mAh battery of the ASUS 6z is coupled with 18W fast charging. The smartphone also supports for 10W reverse charging.

The ASUS 6z features a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner. The connectivity features of the phone include dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, USB-C and 3.5mm audio jack. A customized smart key is available on the device for accessing the Google Assistant.

UP NEXT: ASUS ROG 2 Gaming smartphone launching on July 23

The post ASUS 6z launched in India; Pricing starts at Rs. 31,999 appeared first on Gizmochina.

The Zenfone 6 is one of the most surprising phones released this year. The phone not only packs flagship specs at an affordable price but also has a brand new user interface that has gotten much praise from reviewers.

Already available for purchase in Europe and Taiwan, the Zenfone 6 is also supposed to launch in India later this month. However, there is a lawsuit that ASUS is currently dealing with.

A Delhi High Court has ruled that ASUS can’t sell or use the Zenfone branding in India as the trademark belongs to Telecare Network India Pvt Ltd., an Indian company that sells feature phones and entry-level smartphones.

While ASUS has appealed the decision, it appears it doesn’t intend to wait for the new ruling, so it has decided to rename the phone. The new promotional page on Flipkart – its partner distributor, shows the Zenfone 6 will now launch as the ASUS 6z. It also reveals the phone will be announced on June 19.

Other than the name change, the ASUS 6z is the same as the Zenfone 6 sold in other markets. It has a 6.4-inch NanoEdge Display with Gorilla Glass 6 protection and a 92% STB ratio. There is a Snapdragon 855 processor inside, paired with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB of storage.

The ASUS 6z has a Sony IMX586 48MP primary rear camera that is paired with a 13MP ultra wide-angle secondary camera. Thanks to its motorized design, the rear cameras also double as the front-facing cameras. It is currently the phone with the highest selfie camera score on DxOMark’s camera ranking list.

The camera app packs a lot of features such as Super Night Mode, motion tracking video, 480fps slo-mo recording, HDR+, 180° horizontal and vertical panorama and lots more.

The ASUS 6z runs ZenUI 6 based on Android 9 Pie which has a near stock UI with tons of useful features including a system-wide dark mode. ASUS has also promised it will be updated to Android Q and Android R. Another selling point of the phone is its massive 5000mAh battery with support for Quick Charge 4.0 which should last up to 2 days on a single charge. It also has a 3.5mm audio jack and a dedicated MicroSD card slot.

UP NEXT: The ASUS ZenScreen Touch is a portable display for your smartphone or computer

The post Zenfone 6 to launch as ASUS 6z in India on June 19 appeared first on Gizmochina.