ASUS is rolling out new updates to its 2020 and 2021 flagship phones – the Zenfone 7 and Zenfone 8 series respectively. The updates bring new features, enable others, and fix several bugs across all four devices.

The update arrives as v30.11.51.57 for the Zenfone 8, as v30.11.55.50 for the Zenfone 8 Flip, and as v30.41.69.66 for the Zenfone 7 and Zenfone 7 Pro. The Zenfone 8 series gets a new gesture detection sensitivity feature in one-handed mode as well as SMS-type QR code support in the camera app. VoLTE has also been enabled for several networks in Europe.

For the Zenfone 7 and Zenfone 7 Pro, ASUS has included new security patches and has fixed a bunch of issues one of which is an occasional reboot of the device when using the Wi-Fi hotspot. It has also added support for SMS-type QR codes in the camera app. You can check the full changelog for all devices here.

The updates are rolling out in stages, with a few users getting it now, and more later. However, you can manually check if you have not received a notification for the OTA update.

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ASUS launched the ZenFone 7 series in late August 2020. The two devices in the lineup, namely ZenFone 7 and ZenFone 7 Pro debuted with Android 10 out of the box. A month after the debut of these phones, the company started recruiting beta testers for Android 11. Now, they have finally started receiving the stable update.

According to a post on ASUS ZenTalk forums (via XDA Developers), the Taiwanese company has started rolling out Android 11 stable update for the ZenFone 7 and the ZenFone 7 Pro in its home country. The update comes with a common build number 30.40.30.93 and March 2021 security patches.

The official changelog for the update mentions key Android 11 features. Additionally, it also says that the firm has removed the one-handed mode.

ASUS ZenFone 7/7 Pro Android 11 Stable Update Official Changelog

• Upgrade system to Android 11
• Update applications such as smart housekeeper, contact person, phone, file management, computer, clock, picture library, weather, recording program, settings, one-key switch and local backup
• Support one-time permissions, improved file access permission control, automatic reset permissions and other privacy functions
• Supports maintaining Bluetooth connection when flying mode is turned on
• Adjusted to the Android 11 notification bar style, support for displaying notifications of ongoing conversations
• The classic power button style supports Android 11 device control and Google Pay.
• Added the use of buttons to adjust the volume and return to advanced gesture settings. Adjust the style and automatically switch the color setting of the system. Remove one-handed mode.
• Notification settings Added notification records and dialog settings
• Adjust the quick setting panel interface and support media control. Added nearby sharing option (need to be added manually)
• Some third-party software is not yet compatible with Android 11
• Please backup your data before upgrading. If you want to downgrade from Android 11 to Android 10, you can use the official software package, but all data will be erased
• The system update “Wi-Fi automatic download and installation” setting is turned on by default

The ASUS ZenFone 7 series Android 11 update is currently being seeded out in batches in Taiwan. There’s no official word on when it will be available in other markets. However, we can expect the company to start rolling it outside its home country in the coming weeks.

As of now, ASUS has only delivered Android 11 stable update for the ZenFone 6. Whereas, the ROG Phone 3 just got its first beta release earlier this week.

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In late September, ASUS started recruiting Android 11 beta testers for its 2020 flagship smartphone – Zenfone 7 Pro. Now, almost a month later, the company has begun to roll out the first-ever beta build for selected users. This smartphone has now become the second device from the brand to receive Android 11 beta update after Zenfone 6.

A number of OEMs are running Android 11 beta program for select devices worldwide. Some of them like OnePlus has already begun to seed stable builds. On the other hand, ASUS was one of the last companies to kick start beta initiative in late August starting with Zenfone 6.

Once the company rolled out the first Android 11 beta build for Zenfone 6, it began to recruit testers for Zenfine 7 Pro. Now, the latter device has also started receiving its initial beta build.

According to XDA Developers, the first-ever Android 11 beta build for Zenfone 7 Pro comes with build number 30.04.31.30 and weighs around 1.1GB in size. 

As per the changelog, in addition to Android 11-specific features, the update also brings revamped Mobile Manager, Contacts, Phone, File Manager, Calculator, Clock, Gallery, Weather, Sound recorder, Settings, Data Transfer, and Local backup apps. Further, the update also removes screenshot option from the power menu.

Having said that, ASUS is yet to announce Android 11 eligible devices. Also, it is not sure when it will roll out stable builds for Zenfone 6 and Zenfone 7 Pro.

UP NEXT: Asus Zenfone 7 Pro grabs top spot in DxOMark rankings for video recording

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Asus Zenfone 7 Pro, the company’s flagship smartphone continues with the unique flip-camera setup that was introduced with its predecessor. Thanks to the flip camera, it can be used as the main camera or front camera.

The phone offers a triple-camera setup that includes a 64-megapixel Quad-Bayer primary sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens with a 16.6 mm focal length, and an 8-megapixel tele lens that offers an 80 mm focal length.

Now, DxOMark has reviewed the smartphone’s camera and has given an overall score of 101. With the photo score of 104, the Zenfone 7 Pro grabs the second position in the list, just after Huawei P40 Pro.

Surprisingly, in the video department, the device has scored 96 points, making it the best smartphone for video recording according to the DxOMark rankings. It has taken the top spot in the rankings for the video department.

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The review says that the Asus Zenfone 7 Pro gets all the basics right when it comes to still photography, including good exposure in all conditions, wide dynamic range, and accurate colors with nice skin tones.

For the video, the review adds that the smartphone provides excellent texture and detail rendering, and good exposure even in very low light conditions. It captures natural skin tones and nice colors with very little image noise.

As for the drawbacks, the phone has a limited depth of field and a slightly unnatural rendering of skin texture. When looked closely at images captured, some detail looks a little oversharpened and too contrasty.

To know more about the flip camera setup on the Zenfone 7 Pro, check out our post that sheds light on the camera mechanism based on a teardown video.

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Smartphone OEMs have begun to work on delivering Android 11 to their devices. In late August, ASUS opened beta recruitments for ZenFone 6 and even seeded out the initial build last week. Now, the company has started recruiting Android 11 beta teasers for its newly launched ZenFone 7 and ZenFone 7 Pro.

ASUS has only launched a handful of smartphones this year – ASUS ROG Phone3 series and ASUS ZenFone 7 series. All the four devices in these two series ship with Android 10 out of the box. Although the company has not confirmed it yet, all of them should get an update to Android 11.

After rolling out the first Android 11 beta build to Zenfone 6, the company has now opened beta registrations for its latest ZenFone 7 and ZenFone 7 Pro. Interested users on build number 29.12.18.16 can apply for it by heading over to Settings > System update > Gear icon on the top right > Enroll in the Beta Test Program. 

According to the official announcement on ZenTalk Community (via XDA Developers), the registrations will be open till October 5. Further, the eligibility criteria for the program include locked bootloader and the user should be an active member in the official forums.

That means, we can expect the first Android 11 beta build for the ZenFone 7 series to drop in either the second or the third week of October.

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

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The Zenfone 7 series was announced last week in Taiwan. ASUS has now launched the new phones in Europe.

The Zenfone 7 and Zenfone 7 Pro keep the flip camera design of the Zenfone 6 but come with triple rear cameras. They also sport AMOLED displays with high refresh rates. However, they cost a lot more than their predecessor which was considered a flagship.

The Zenfone 7 has a price tag of €699 and will be available in a single variant with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. In Taiwan, this model is priced at NT$23,990 (~€682). The Zenfone 7 Pro is going to sell for €799 and it will come with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

The two phones have a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with HDR10+ and Gorilla Glass 6 protection. They also have support for storage expansion and have stereo speakers, side-mounted fingerprint scanners, and 5000mAh batteries with support for 30W HyperCharge fast charging. The two phones run Android 10 out of the box.

With respect to their differences, the Pro model has a Snapdragon 865+ processor under the hood. It has the same 64MP main camera + 8MP telephoto camera + 12MP ultrawide angle setup as the standard version but its telephoto camera has OIS which is not available on that of the Snapdragon 865-powered standard version.

There is no info on when the phone will be available for purchase and if it will be launched in India and North America.

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After weeks of leaks, ASUS has finally launched the much-awaited ZenFone 7 and ZenFone 7 Pro flagship phones through an unveil event in Taiwan. They are the only flagship phones of the year 2020 to sport flip-up camera modules. Moreover, the ZenFone 7 Pro comes with the more advanced Snapdragon 865+ mobile platform. Other exciting features of the ZenFone 7 series include notch-less displays with high refresh rates, huge batteries with fast charging support, and 64-megapixel triple cameras.

ASUS ZenFone 7 and ZenFone 7 Pro specifications and features

The ZenFone 7 has a 6.67-inch AMOLED display that offers a 20:9 aspect ratio, Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, and a 90Hz refresh rate. Other features of the display of the ZenFone 7 are Delta-E<1color accuracy, 700nits brightness, DC dimming, HDR10+, and Gorilla Glass 6 protection. The ZenFone 7 Pro features the same display.

The ZenFone 7 and ZenFone 7 Pro series are the only flagship phones of 2020 that come without dedicated front-facing cameras. The reason behind it is that the flip-up camera system of the ZenFone 7 can be used to capture topnotch selfie shots. The flip-up camera module of the ZenFone 7 and ZenFone 7 Pro comprise of a Sony IMX686 64-megapixel main camera with 113-degee FOV and f/1.8 aperture, a 12-megapixel Sony IMX686 ultrawide lens with f/2/2 aperture, and an 8-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and 12x digital zoom support.

The flip-up cameras offer photography features such as dual-LED flash, 120fps slow-motion video recording, and up to 8K video recording at 30fps. The only noticeable difference between the cameras of the two phones is that the ZenFone 7’s main camera is coupled with 4-axis OIS, whereas the main lens as well as the telephoto shooter of the ZenFone 7 are both equipped with 4-axis OIS. The flip-up cameras of the ZenFone 7 series have liquid metal housing and it’s powered by a new motor module for greater weight endurance. There is an angle sensor that can make the flip-up stay at pre-defined angles while shooting photos.

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The Snapdragon 865 fuels the ZenFone 7 and it comes in 6 GB / 8 GB LPDDR5 RAM variants. It has 128 GB of UFS 3.1 storage. On the other side, the ZenFone 7 Pro is fueled by the Snapdragon 865 Plus mobile platform and 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM. It comes with 256 GB of UFS 3.1 storage. For additional storage, both phones are equipped with microSD card slots.

The ZenFone 7 series comes preinstalled with ZenUI 7 based Android 10 OS. Both phones are backed by 5,000mAh batteries that support 30W HyperCharge fast charge technology and 27W Quick Charge 4.0 by Qualcomm. It also supports 18W USB Power Delivery. These phones offer some common features such as stereo speakers, triple microphones, side-facing fingerprint sensors, face recognition, dual SIM support, 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, dual-frequency GPS, NFC, and USB-C. These devices lack support for 3.5mm audio jack.

ASUS ZenFone 7 and ZenFone 7 Pro pricing and availability

The ZenFone 7 and ZenFone 7 Pro come in two colors such as Aurora Black and Pastel White. The 6 GB and 8 GB RAM variants of the ZenFone 7 are priced at NT$ 21,990 (~$749) and NT$23,990 (~$817). The ZenFone 7 costs NTS 27,990 (~$1,020). The sales of the ZenFone 7 series begins today in Taiwan.

The retail package of the ZenFone 7 series includes a ruggedized Active Case that helps in protecting the camera bump. There is no word on the international availability of the ZenFone 7 series.

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After launching the ROG Phone 3 gaming smartphone worldwide last month, ASUS schedules an event for August 26 to unveil Zenfone 7 series in its home country Taiwan. Ahead of it, this smartphone was benchmarked by someone on Geekbench earlier today revealing it to come with Snapdragon 865+ (Plus) chipset and 8GB RAM.

Last year’s Zenfone 6 aka ASUS 6Z is one of a kind smartphone with a motorized flip camera. Also, it debuted at a much lower price tag than flagship smartphones from other companies. Hence, its successor is one of the most anticipated smartphones by a niche audience.

Unlike the previous generation, the Zenfone 7 series is expected to have two models – regular and pro. These devices were spotted on multiple certification bureaus in the past few weeks. However, their design is still a mystery, which is kind of odd in today’s world of leaks.

Anyway, today’s Geekbench listings of the handset with model number ASUS_I002D, which could be either Zenfone 7 or Zenfone 7 Pro based on certifications confirms it to be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ (Plus) paired with 8GB RAM.

The listings were first spotted by 91Mobiles and they were also the one to confirm the chipset to be Snapdragon 865+ (Plus) and not the standard variant by digging inside the source code. This makes us believe this model be Zenfone 7 Pro and not the regular model.

That said, as per previous reports, the Zenfone 7 (Pro) will retain the flip camera and will feature WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, 5,000mAh battery, and 30W fast charging.

UP NEXT: The ASUS ROG Phone 3 has a hidden 160Hz refresh rate mode

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ASUS launched the ROG Phone 3 as its third generation gaming smartphone worldwide last month. Now, the company quietly schedules Zenfone 7 series launch event for August 26. However, this launch will be limited to its home country Taiwan. The live stream for the official announcement is already live on the firm’s Taiwanese YouTube channel.

The upcoming ASUS Zenfone 7 series is one of the least leaked smartphones of 2020 so far. Though the devices have passed through multiple certifications, the details about their design and specifications are scarce.

Anyway, according to previous reports, the Zenfone 7 is expected to retain the flip camera from its predecessor Zenfone 6 aka ASUS 6Z in India. Also, it is said to feature a larger 6.7-inch display compared to 6.4-inch on its predecessor.

Further, it may be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 instead of Snapdragon 865+ (Plus), which is present inside the ROG Phone 3. Like any other flagship these days, it will also feature a massive battery, 5,000mAh to be exact with support for 30W fast charging as per TÜV Rheinland certification.

Whereas, according to NCC, it will come with WiFi 6, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, and 512GB internal storage. However, there could be variants will lower storage configuration as well.

Unfortunately, nothing else is known about this smartphone, especially its design. That said, since we are still a week from the launch, the handset may leak in the coming days as it might have probably shipped to retailers and media by now.

UP NEXT: DxOMark ranks ROG Phone 3 as second best in audio performance

(Via)

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Recent reports have revealed that ASUS is working on the ZenFone 7 series of flagship phones. It is speculated that the lineup comprises of ZenFone 7 and ZenFone 7 Pro smartphones. In July, one of the ZenFone 7 series phones dubbed as ASUS_I002D with model number ZS670KS received approval from the National Communications Commission (NCC) in Taiwan. The device has now bagged certification from the Bluetooth SIG authority.

Apart from the ZS670KS model, the Bluetooth SIG authority has also certified the ZS671KS phone. It could be the ZenFone 7 Pro smartphone. A recent report had claimed that the ZenFone 7 is driven by the Snapdragon 865 mobile platform and its Pro edition is fueled by the Snapdragon 865+ chipset. The Bluetooth listing only reveals that the ZS670KS and ZS671KS carry support for Bluetooth 5.1.

Editor’s Pick: The ASUS ROG Phone 3 has a hidden 160Hz refresh rate mode

The NCC certification revealed that the ZS670KS is equipped with a 6.7-inch display. It is unclear whether the phone has an LCD or AMOLED panel. The device is equipped with connectivity features like Wi-Fi 6 and NFC. It has 512 GB of built-in storage.

The ZS670KS houses a 5,000mAh battery. The device is expected to arrive with support for 30W rapid charging. The other specs of the smartphone are currently under wraps.

There is a possibility that the ZenFone 7 will be arriving with a notch-less display like the predecessor ASUS ZenFone 6 (known as ASUS 6z in India). It is also speculated that the ZenFone 7 models will inherit the flip-up camera system that was made available on the predecessor. This time around the camera setup is rumored to include more than two cameras. The ZenFone 7 series is expected to arrive with up to 16 GB of RAM. It could be available in black and white color variants.

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(via)

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The Zenfone 6 was one of the more interesting smartphones released last year. Rather than a motorized pop-up selfie camera as seen on phones with a full-screen design, the flagship has a motorized flip dual rear camera setup that allows the rear cameras to double as front-facing cameras too. Now, a successor or two successors are on the way.

News of the Zenfone 7 first surfaced in February when Qualcomm shared a press release that included a list of some of the phones its Snapdragon 865 Mobile Platform will power. More recently, it was reported that there will also be a Zenfone 7 Pro. However, a new discovery has revealed that it will come with a more powerful chipset.

First reported by DealnTech, it was discovered in kernel sources that there are two different core clockspeeds for ASUS’s upcoming phones. The first is 2.84GHz and the other is 3.09GHz.

We already know that the clockspeed of the prime core in the Snapdragon 865 is 2.84 GHz while that of the newly-announced Snapdragon 865 Plus is 3.09 GHz (approximately 3.1GHz). Since Qualcomm already confirmed that the Zenfone 7 will have a Snapdragon 865 processor, it means the higher clockspeed is for the Snapdragon 865 Plus inside the rumored Zenfone 7 Pro.

ASUS has generally always released multiple versions of its Zenfone “x” line. However, last year’s Zenfone 6 didn’t come with any siblings. Seeing as most manufacturers now launch a “Pro” or “Plus” version of their flagship phone, we are not surprised it is joining the bandwagon this year.

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On July 22, ASUS will take off covers from the ROG Phone 3 gaming smartphone. It is speculated that the company may announce the ZenFone 7 series in the coming month. A recent leak had revealed that the lineup includes ZenFone 7 and ZenFone 7 Pro smartphones. A new ASUS phone ID number ASUS_I002D has been spotted at certification platforms like the National Communications Commission (NCC) in Taiwan and TUV Rheinland Japan. These listings have revealed its model number and several other vital information.

The NCC certification has revealed that ASUS ZenFone 7 (ASUS_I002D) has a ZS670KS model number. From the model number, it can be speculated that the phone has a 6.7-inch size. The NCC listing also shows that the phone is equipped with a massive internal storage of 512 GB. The device has support for NFC, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0.

The model number of the ZenFone 7’s battery is C11P1904. It’s TUV Rheinland certification reveals that it has a typical value of 5,000mAh. The certification platform also reveals that the ASUS phone supports up to 30W fast charging.

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Editor’s Pick: Asus ROG Phone 3 clears Taiwan’s NCC certification

While the ROG Phone 3 will be fueled by the Snapdragon 865 Plus mobile platform, the ZenFone 7 and ZenFone 7 Pro are rumored to be fueled by Snapdragon 865. The ZenFone 7 duo will retain the flip camera system that was introduced on the predecessor ZenFone 6. The last year’s model number had two cameras in the flip camera setup. ASUS is expected to increase the number of cameras on the ZenFone 7 series. The ZenFone 7 series is expected to arrive with a notch-less design, 5G support, and up to 16 GB of RAM. It is expected to arrive in black and white color editions.

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(source|via 1, 2)

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Last year, the ASUS launched the ZenFone 6 (ASUS 6Z) flagship phone with a notch-less display and a flip camera system that doubled as a selfie snapper. In February, Qualcomm released the list of phones that will feature the Snapdragon 865 SoC. The ZenFone 7 was mentioned in the list. However, the rumor mill has been silent on the specs and features of the ZenFone 7. A fresh report on TNNToday reveals that the Taiwanese manufacturer could be soon launching the ZenFone 7 series.

The report states that the ZenFone 7 will come in two variants. It will include a standard model called ZenFone 7 and an advanced version named ZenFone 7 Pro. These phones could be available in black and white color variants.

The ZenFone 7 and ZenFone 7 Pro are expected to inherit the flip camera system that was introduced on the ZenFone 6. Last year’s model came with a notch-less LCD screen and it did not feature a dedicated selfie camera. Instead, the rear camera could be flipped up to function as a front camera.

Editor’s Pick: Asus ROG Phone 3 clears Taiwan’s NCC certification

Hence, the ZenFone 7 and 7 Pro are likely to come with a notch-less display design. The ZenFone 7 series may also feature an in-screen fingerprint reader. With SD865 onboard, it will arrive with support for 5G connectivity. The ZenFone 6 had two cameras, but the successor models are expected to come with more cameras.

At present, there is no information on the other specs of the ZenFone 7 series. The report claims that it will be priced lower than the ASUS ROG Phone 3 that is all set to launch on July 22. The handset may arrive in India as ASUS 7z.

In June, a mysterious ‘asus ZF’ phone believed to be the ZenFone device was spotted on Geekbench. The listing revealed that it is an SD865 phone with 16 GB of RAM. The phone ran on Android 10 OS and it scored 973 and 3346 in the single-core and multi-core tests of Geekbench 5, respectively.

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(source)

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