The ASUS Zenfone Zoom has had a pretty strange launch. It was first announced at CES 2015, then delayed and re-announced at CES 2016 earlier this month. However, it’s finally getting a launch this month in the US. But the strange things don’t end there. As B&H Photo is getting exclusivity for this smartphone. Many of you probably didn’t even know B&H Photo sold smartphones, but they do. As well as laptops and much more. The ASUS Zenfone Zoom is available for pre-order now for just $399.
One of the main features of the Zenfone Zoom is the 13-megapixel camera with 3x Optical Zoom on the back of the smartphone. The 3x optical zoom can go from 28mm to 84mm and can get some pretty spectacular up close images without being that close to the object that you are taking a picture of. This lens, ASUS states, was developed by HOYA who is a Japanese company. It’s a 10-element lens, and paired with the molded-glass lens system, it provides some great images. The Zenfone Zoom also provides a variety of camera modes for getting the perfect shot. As well as a manual mode which allows you to adjust the exposure, ISO, white balance, and many other settings to allow professional photographers to get the perfect shot out of the Zenfone Zoom.
ASUS is also using the Intel Atom Z3580 processor inside the Zenfone Zoom, which is indeed a 64-bit processor. That is paired with 4GB of RAM, making it great for multi-tasking. There’s also 64GB of internal storage here along with the Zenfone Zoom coming with 100GB of Google Drive storage. Great for saving those pictures at their original resolution into Google Photos. There’s also a microSD card slot inside which can support up to 200GB of storage. All powered by a 3,000mAh battery and there’s also a 5.5-inch 1080p display there as well.
B&H Photo’s website states that the devices will begin shipping on February 1st. So that is likely the launch date, especially with them having exclusivity over selling the device. It will work with both T-Mobile and AT&T’s networks, for those that might be wondering.
