ASUS ZenFone 2 16GB, now with 4GB RAM

[KeithP]

Just an FYI, looks like ASUS is now shipping another variant of the ZenPhone 2. The entry level model that had 16GB/2GB is now available in 16GB/4GB of RAM. $229 on Amazon.

http://9to5google.com/2015/09/17/ps...6-gb-zenfone-2-variant-w-4-gb-of-ram-for-229/

This seems like a good move. I doubt the processor speed upgrade on the more expensive version is noticeable and many people simply don't need a lot of storage. Although speaking for myself, I would buy to the 64GB version but its nice to have choices.

-KeithP

 

[Red Storm]

It's amazing what kind of phone $229 gets you today compared to years back. Heck even compared to just a few years ago.

 

[mmntech]

I think I'd prefer they'd double the storage instead. 4GB of RAM isn't mission critical, but 16GB internal storage is. At least until Android M comes out and finally (allegedly) lets you install apps to the MicroSD.

 

[luv2liv]

this is a great phone! received as a gift and i love it. just ordered a 64gb microsd card for $18 from slickdeals yesterday too.
wish it has wireless charging and IR blaster. oh wells.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I think I'd prefer they'd double the storage instead. 4GB of RAM isn't mission critical, but 16GB internal storage is. At least until Android M comes out and finally (allegedly) lets you install apps to the MicroSD.

That is the rub about these Zenphones though. Who knows how long after Android M comes out these devices will actually get that OS? And it isn't like the XDA community can cover the gap, as these Intel CPUs are the odd man out for Android development.

Specs are all becoming a blur and only really matter when an OEM screws them up (example: OnePlus Two). I would love to see more companies commit to stock Android and fast updates.

 

[Red Storm]

That is the rub about these Zenphones though. Who knows how long after Android M comes out these devices will actually get that OS? And it isn't like the XDA community can cover the gap, as these Intel CPUs are the odd man out for Android development.

Specs are all becoming a blur and only really matter when an OEM screws them up (example: OnePlus Two). I would love to see more companies commit to stock Android and fast updates.

Yeah the update situation is the reason why I wouldn't actually buy one of these phones, despite the great price.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Yeah the update situation is the reason why I wouldn't actually buy one of these phones, despite the great price.

What is sad is this situation is kinda driving us backwards due to higher standards in the ecosystem despite hardware prices going down.

Back in 2011 when I got my first Android phone all I cared about was hardware specs, namely the most power I could get with my subsidy. I didn't care about updates, or the OS setup, because every phone worth a darn had an unlockable bootloader and there were only a couple of phones worth buying so their XDA communities (and therefore their ROMs) were excellent. CM, or AOKP or Paranoid Android were just projects back then, mostly focused on giving everyone the stock OS updates quickly that we simply weren't getting from the hardware maker. It wasn't perfect but I was ignorant of better.

Fast forward to today and many of THE most popular Android phones are locked down if you buy them at the carrier store, which kills the size of those communities. Even if they aren't you have to jump through hoops like Rootcloak (which SOMETIMES work) in order to play ball with services like Android Pay if you take the update process into your own hands via ROMing. The actual ROM developers like the CM team now are in a race to add their own (buggy) features on top of stock Android, just like the Samsungs of the world do. Suddenly the need the stock ROM to be clean is paramount, and few companies are delivering on that need. They keep putting out cheaper and cheaper phones I don't want to buy, and the one hope (GPe and then Android Silver) died out.

I really wish the new Moto X had a fingerprint reader, I would have bought it by now for the ROM alone.

 

[Red Storm]

What is sad is this situation is kinda driving us backwards due to higher standards in the ecosystem despite hardware prices going down.

Back in 2011 when I got my first Android phone all I cared about was hardware specs, namely the most power I could get with my subsidy. I didn't care about updates, or the OS setup, because every phone worth a darn had an unlockable bootloader and there were only a couple of phones worth buying so their XDA communities (and therefore their ROMs) were excellent. CM, or AOKP or Paranoid Android were just projects back then, mostly focused on giving everyone the stock OS updates quickly that we simply weren't getting from the hardware maker. It wasn't perfect but I was ignorant of better.

Fast forward to today and many of THE most popular Android phones are locked down if you buy them at the carrier store, which kills the size of those communities. Even if they aren't you have to jump through hoops like Rootcloak (which SOMETIMES work) in order to play ball with services like Android Pay if you take the update process into your own hands via ROMing. The actual ROM developers like the CM team now are in a race to add their own (buggy) features on top of stock Android, just like the Samsungs of the world do. Suddenly the need the stock ROM to be clean is paramount, and few companies are delivering on that need. They keep putting out cheaper and cheaper phones I don't want to buy, and the one hope (GPe and then Android Silver) died out.

I really wish the new Moto X had a fingerprint reader, I would have bought it by now for the ROM alone.

Perhaps at some point down the road some of these OEMs will see stock (or close to stock) software with fast updates as another way to distinguish themselves from their competitors. I don't have high hopes, but as the costs go down, they'll look for ways to separate from the pack.

 

[ThisIsChrisKim]

Perhaps at some point down the road some of these OEMs will see stock (or close to stock) software with fast updates as another way to distinguish themselves from their competitors. I don't have high hopes, but as the costs go down, they'll look for ways to separate from the pack.

My guess is they'll probably use closer to stock as a necessity to cut costs. All that software development in most OEM's skins must cost lots of time and money to develop.

 

[Bman123]

Perhaps at some point down the road some of these OEMs will see stock (or close to stock) software with fast updates as another way to distinguish themselves from their competitors. I don't have high hopes, but as the costs go down, they'll look for ways to separate from the pack.

Motorola seems to be doing the best about it right now. The moto x pure 2015 is such a great deal for the price, the software is damn near stock and updates come fast too

 

[KeithP]

My guess is they'll probably use closer to stock as a necessity to cut costs. All that software development in most OEM's skins must cost lots of time and money to develop.

I have never understand that about the low cost Android OEMs. It would seem clearly less expensive to not skin Android but they do it anyway. Are these guys really that deluded that they have something compelling to offer GUI-wise?

-KeithP

 

[N2gaming]

Two weeks ago I got my wife the ZenPhone 2, 16GB/2GB and she loves it and btw, she is one of those peeps that could care less about a cell phone as she had been using a flip phone (remember those )

Anyway, I have the Sammy Galaxy 5 and after trying out her new cell I am very, very, impressed with it. Its super fast surfing the web and watching videos on YouTube and also very impressive is using the app where you just touch the Google mic (search engine)

and then speak a command and BAM the results comes in quicker then my Galaxy 5. Pretty sweet for a cheap-o cell. And we got it for only $119.oo. I think its similar to a LG cell as it has a very similar shape and that rocker switch on the back which is no big deal...

Anyway, I just thought I would give my $.02, Have a good day folks!!

 

[Bman123]

The galaxy S5 isn't that good of a phone. I had one before I bought my nexus 6 which I returned for my moto x 2015. I had the S5 for 6 months

Touchwiz is just bad tho, it lags on the S5 and older phones. I haven't tried a S6 or note 5 so I can't comment on that.

After using the nexus for a week and now having my moto x 2015 for a week I'll never buy a Samsung phone again. People can rant and rave about samsung build quality all they want, its not enough for me to deal with touchwiz.

Samsung doesn't update the phones they make for shit, I'm not putting all the blame on Samsung tho as I know the carriers have to push the updates after they install the bloatware on it.

My S5 got updated to 5.0 and it fucked the phone up, battery life got progressively worse and I notice more UI lag. I always go in to developer settings and change all the animation stuff to zero so the phone is snappy and it didn't help.

I'll never buy another carrier branded phone or a Samsung phone unless Samsung makes a nexus

 

[N2gaming]

Well, I have had Samsung before and I really didnt have any problems but my next cell will not be a Samsung as it will probably be a Moto or an LG.

My upgrade time is this coming December.

 

[Bman123]

Get a moto x if you don't mind spending $400 up front for a phone. I love mine

 

[StrangerGuy]

I have never understand that about the low cost Android OEMs. It would seem clearly less expensive to not skin Android but they do it anyway. Are these guys really that deluded that they have something compelling to offer GUI-wise?

-KeithP

It's funny, really. All these Android customizations and skins surely is a net negative in consumer appeal yet they still want to waste needless R&D money on bad.

 

[poofyhairguy]

All these Android customizations and skins surely is a net negative in consumer appeal

Obviously not. Samsung wouldn't build Touchwiz if focus groups didn't tell them that the populace wants smartphones to feel like kids toys. Even Chinese OEM's ape the iPhone for maximum appeal. If stock Android was seen as a benefit at any point then we would have more of it. Levono does it with Moto for the differentiation, and only because Google set Moto on that path.

The truth is stock Android is full of sharp edges, and most people don't like change (aka updates) when they learn a system. So the market gives us skinned phones with slow updates to match their wishes.

If the market wanted what we wanted the Nexus phones would be huge sellers. The mobile market is shaped by the legacy left by Apple, aka an emphasis on femininity and ease of use.

 

[mmntech]

The truth is stock Android is full of sharp edges, and most people don't like change (aka updates) when they learn a system. So the market gives us skinned phones with slow updates to match their wishes.

This. The vast majority of people with Android devices are not power users. Android's greatest advantage has been its open nature, but most folks simply don't care about that. They want something easy to use that they cannot possibly break. There's probably a lot of people who actually love those bloatware apps Samsung crams on their devices.

In hindsight, Google really should have kept a tighter leash on Android. A lot of hardware makers view software as simply a means to an end rather than an integral part of their device. It's given a low priority once that device gets shipped out the door. Things have been this way almost as long as computers have existed.

Having each handset maker have their own custom ROM is proving to be a ticking time bomb. Critical security updates take forever to get patched, if they do at all. What's different in those ROMs anyway? Skins, apps, drivers. All stuff that doesn't really require a custom build. Google needs to re-evaluate their policies to ensure all devices (or at least all current devices) get updated more reliably. That might rattle the jimmies of some handset makers, but where else are they going to go? Windows Phone?

 

[luv2liv]

just ordered this 4gb ram with 16gb space for step father. i told him the 2gb ram that i have is more than good enough. but he still wanted the 4gb ram. total about $250 after taxes to PA.

 

[sweenish]

To me, it's a funny looking spec disparity.

You can't possibly expect to get maximum use out of that RAM with such pathetic storage.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Having each handset maker have their own custom ROM is proving to be a ticking time bomb. Critical security updates take forever to get patched, if they do at all. What's different in those ROMs anyway? Skins, apps, drivers. All stuff that doesn't really require a custom build. Google needs to re-evaluate their policies to ensure all devices (or at least all current devices) get updated more reliably. That might rattle the jimmies of some handset makers, but where else are they going to go? Windows Phone?

That horse is already out of the barn. Google did learn from it, which is why Chrome OS, Android Auto and Android Wear cannot be skinned, but I don't think even Google thinks they have the leverage to force OEMs to not skin the phone ROMs. The real danger for Google is someone like Samsung making a fork, further fragmenting the OS ecosystem. Google has tried for YEARS to get device makers to commit to updates, or to push out faster updates, but every time the plan falls apart. They now just say "well we do it right for Nexus users" implying that everyone else has to fend for themselves.

In fact it is obvious with Lollipop that they kinda quite trying to get OEMs to play ball. Almost every major component of the OS in Lollipop can be updated through the Play Store, so Android users can get the new shiny that previously required OS updates via app updates. It is not the best way to solve the problem technically, but it is obvious that Google has less control over Android then one might assume.

 

[KeithP]

You can't possibly expect to get maximum use out of that RAM with such pathetic storage.

I am curious, how would having more storage allow you to get more use out of 4GB of RAM?

-KeithP

 

[Red Storm]

The beauty of Android is choice. If Google had to maintain absolute control over the software on every phone then half the choice is kinda gone. I may not like Touchwiz overall, but I appreciate some of the improvements and features that Samsung implements. What's great is that I can choose to either go with Samsung's play on Android, or I can go with HTC's. Or Sony's. Or OnePlus. Or Huawei. Or Motorola. Or one of the other companies. If you put an extreme amount of value in having the absolute latest OS as soon as it comes out, well you get a Nexus, yet another choice. If everything was the same, we'd have a more boring mobile landscape. Giving companies that freedom to innovate and implement their own features helps push the overall industry forward faster.

The real issue is the carriers. But, in my experience it hasn't been a true issue for years now. Most of the new features come via app updates when they are ready. They aren't artificially held for some arbitrary annual date. Google's method differs from Apple, but I'd say Apple's is more misleading (older iPhone gets the newest update... but doesn't actually get key features of the new update).

 

[sweenish]

I am curious, how would having more storage allow you to get more use out of 4GB of RAM?

-KeithP

It's not sound thinking, but 16 GB barely lets you put any apps on your phone. If you don't have a large quantity of apps, why do you need so much RAM?

I get that there's always the browser, taking all the RAM it can, but that was my thinking.

I realize it doesn't stand to much scrutiny, but that's still my gut reaction when I see those two specs next to each other.

 

[jhu]

What is sad is this situation is kinda driving us backwards due to higher standards in the ecosystem despite hardware prices going down.

Back in 2011 when I got my first Android phone all I cared about was hardware specs, namely the most power I could get with my subsidy. I didn't care about updates, or the OS setup, because every phone worth a darn had an unlockable bootloader and there were only a couple of phones worth buying so their XDA communities (and therefore their ROMs) were excellent. CM, or AOKP or Paranoid Android were just projects back then, mostly focused on giving everyone the stock OS updates quickly that we simply weren't getting from the hardware maker. It wasn't perfect but I was ignorant of better.

Fast forward to today and many of THE most popular Android phones are locked down if you buy them at the carrier store, which kills the size of those communities. Even if they aren't you have to jump through hoops like Rootcloak (which SOMETIMES work) in order to play ball with services like Android Pay if you take the update process into your own hands via ROMing. The actual ROM developers like the CM team now are in a race to add their own (buggy) features on top of stock Android, just like the Samsungs of the world do. Suddenly the need the stock ROM to be clean is paramount, and few companies are delivering on that need. They keep putting out cheaper and cheaper phones I don't want to buy, and the one hope (GPe and then Android Silver) died out.

I really wish the new Moto X had a fingerprint reader, I would have bought it by now for the ROM alone.

I feel it's still about the same. At least now some of the manufacturers have official ways of bootloader unlocking (HTC, Motorola, Google). It's mainly the carriers that want locked booyloaders for some reason.

With regard to the ZenFone 2, it supposedly has an official bootloader unlocking method. Should be community supported for quite a while.