The Asus Zenfone 3 Laser represents an intriguing entry in the mid-range smartphone market, aiming to deliver exceptional camera performance without breaking the bank. As a tech enthusiast, I've spent considerable time with this device, exploring its capabilities and limitations to provide a comprehensive review. Let's delve into the various aspects of this smartphone to determine if it lives up to its camera-centric promises.
Design and Build Quality: A Premium Feel in a Mid-Range Package
Upon first handling the Zenfone 3 Laser, it's immediately apparent that Asus has put significant effort into creating a device that looks and feels more premium than its price tag might suggest. The phone boasts a sleek metal unibody construction, measuring 149 x 76 x 7.9 mm and weighing a comfortable 150 grams. This places it squarely in the sweet spot for modern smartphones – large enough to provide a satisfying screen size while remaining manageable for one-handed use.
The 5.5-inch full HD display is protected by Gorilla Glass, adding a layer of durability that's crucial for daily use. Available in attractive color options like Sand Gold, the Zenfone 3 Laser strikes a balance between elegance and subtlety. The metal antenna bands, while functional, also serve as design elements that contribute to the phone's refined aesthetic.
Examining the device more closely, we find a thoughtful layout of components. The front panel houses three capacitive buttons below the screen, eschewing a physical home button in favor of a cleaner look. The top of the front panel contains the usual array of an earpiece, front-facing camera, and proximity sensor. The right side of the device features volume and power buttons, while the left side hosts a hybrid SIM slot – a feature that's becoming increasingly common in this segment.
On the back, we find the slightly protruding rear camera, accompanied by the laser autofocus sensor and dual LED flash – key components of the phone's photographic arsenal. Below the camera sits a fingerprint sensor, a welcome addition that enhances both security and convenience. The subtle Asus logo near the bottom completes the clean, professional look of the rear panel.
Display Technology: Vibrant Visuals for Everyday Use
The Zenfone 3 Laser's 5.5-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) display is a standout feature, offering a pixel density of approximately 401 PPI. This resolution strikes a balance between visual clarity and power efficiency, providing crisp text and detailed images without unnecessarily taxing the battery or processor.
In terms of display technology, Asus has opted for an IPS (In-Plane Switching) panel, known for its wide viewing angles and color accuracy. This choice pays off in real-world use, with the screen delivering vibrant colors that avoid the oversaturation often associated with AMOLED displays. The color reproduction is natural and pleasing to the eye, making it suitable for everything from photo editing to media consumption.
Brightness levels are commendable, with the display reaching up to 500 nits. This ensures comfortable outdoor visibility, even in bright sunlight – a crucial factor for a camera-centric phone that encourages outdoor photography. However, it's worth noting that the screen can be somewhat reflective, which may occasionally hinder visibility in extremely bright conditions.
The Gorilla Glass protection is a significant addition, providing resistance against scratches and minor impacts. This is particularly important for a device that's likely to be used frequently for photography, where accidental drops or bumps are always a risk.
Performance and Hardware: Balancing Act
At the heart of the Zenfone 3 Laser lies the Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor, an octa-core chip clocked at 1.4 GHz. This choice of processor has been a point of contention among tech enthusiasts, as it places the device firmly in the mid-range category in terms of raw performance. The Snapdragon 430 is built on a 28nm process, which, while not cutting-edge, offers a reasonable balance between performance and power efficiency.
Complementing the processor is 4 GB of LPDDR3 RAM, a generous amount for a device in this class. This allocation of memory allows for smooth multitasking and helps mitigate some of the limitations of the modest processor. The Adreno 505 GPU handles graphical duties, providing adequate performance for most day-to-day tasks and casual gaming.
In practical terms, the Zenfone 3 Laser's performance is a mixed bag. For everyday tasks such as web browsing, social media, and messaging, the device performs admirably. Apps launch quickly, and switching between them is generally smooth. However, when pushed with more demanding applications or games, the limitations of the Snapdragon 430 become apparent.
Benchmark results reflect this middle-of-the-road performance. In Geekbench 4, the Zenfone 3 Laser typically scores around 630 in single-core tests and 2400 in multi-core tests. These scores place it firmly in the mid-range category, outperforming entry-level devices but falling short of flagship performance.
Gaming performance is where the compromise is most noticeable. While casual games run without issue, graphically intensive titles like Asphalt 9 or PUBG Mobile struggle to maintain smooth frame rates at higher settings. Serious mobile gamers may find this performance lacking, especially when compared to similarly priced devices sporting more powerful processors like the Snapdragon 625 or 650.
Camera Capabilities: The Zenfone 3 Laser's Raison d'Être
The camera system is undoubtedly the centerpiece of the Zenfone 3 Laser, and it's here that the device aims to differentiate itself from the competition. The rear camera boasts a 13-megapixel sensor with an f/2.0 aperture, complemented by a dual LED real-tone flash and the namesake laser autofocus system.
The laser autofocus is a standout feature, capable of achieving focus in as little as 0.03 seconds. In practice, this translates to a camera that's always ready to capture the moment, with minimal lag between pressing the shutter button and capturing the image. This rapid focusing is particularly beneficial for action shots or photographing moving subjects, where every millisecond counts.
Image quality from the rear camera is generally impressive, especially in well-lit conditions. The sensor captures a good amount of detail, with accurate color reproduction that avoids the oversaturation sometimes seen in smartphone cameras. Dynamic range is commendable, though not class-leading, with the HDR mode helping to balance high-contrast scenes.
In low-light situations, the camera's performance is more mixed. The f/2.0 aperture allows for a decent amount of light gathering, but the small sensor size (typical of smartphone cameras) means that noise can become an issue in dimly lit environments. The camera software tends to compensate by brightening images, which can sometimes result in slightly unrealistic colors or loss of detail.
The front-facing 8-megapixel camera is competent for selfies and video calls, producing clear images in good lighting. However, the default beautification mode can be heavy-handed, often resulting in overly smoothed skin textures that may not appeal to users who prefer a more natural look.
One minor frustration with the camera system is the noticeable delay in image processing after capture. While this allows for more advanced post-processing techniques, it can be an annoyance for users who prefer to take rapid sequences of shots.
The camera app offers a plethora of shooting modes, including HDR Pro, Super Resolution, Low-light, and various creative options like GIF animation and Time Lapse. While some of these modes feel more like novelties, others, like the Low-light mode, can genuinely enhance the phone's photographic capabilities in challenging conditions.
Battery Life and Charging: Endurance Over Speed
Battery life is another area where the Zenfone 3 Laser shines. The 3000 mAh non-removable battery may not sound impressive on paper, but when combined with the power-efficient Snapdragon 430 and 1080p display, it delivers excellent endurance.
In real-world usage, the phone easily lasts a full day with normal to heavy use. This typically includes a mix of web browsing, social media, photography, and some light gaming. With more conservative use, it's not uncommon to stretch battery life into a second day.
However, the charging speed is a potential drawback. The lack of fast charging support means that topping up the battery can take 3-4 hours from empty to full. This could be a significant inconvenience for users accustomed to the rapid charging capabilities of more premium devices.
Software Experience: Zen UI 3.0 – Feature-Rich but Cluttered
The Zenfone 3 Laser runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, overlaid with Asus' custom Zen UI 3.0. This software experience is a double-edged sword, offering extensive customization options and features at the cost of simplicity and bloatware.
Zen UI 3.0 provides a wealth of options for personalizing the device, from themes and icon packs to granular control over system behaviors. Some of the added features, like enhanced power management options and gesture controls, can genuinely enhance the user experience.
However, the sheer number of pre-installed apps and the deviation from stock Android can be overwhelming, especially for users transitioning from other Android devices or iOS. The learning curve can be steep, and the cluttered interface may frustrate those who prefer a more minimalist approach.
It's worth noting that while the review unit ran on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Asus has since released updates to bring the device up to Android 7.0 Nougat. However, at the time of writing, there are no official plans for an upgrade to Android 8.0 Oreo or beyond, which may be a concern for users who prioritize long-term software support.
Storage and Connectivity: Flexibility for the Modern User
The Zenfone 3 Laser comes with 32 GB of internal storage, which is expandable up to 128 GB via a microSD card. This flexibility is welcome, especially for a device that encourages frequent photo and video capture. Additionally, Asus provides 100 GB of free Google Drive cloud storage for two years, offering a convenient backup solution for media and documents.
The hybrid SIM slot allows for either dual SIM functionality or the use of a single SIM with a microSD card. This versatility is particularly useful for frequent travelers or those who maintain separate personal and work phone numbers.
In terms of connectivity, the Zenfone 3 Laser supports 4G LTE, ensuring fast mobile data speeds where available. Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, and GPS with A-GPS and GLONASS round out the wireless capabilities, providing a comprehensive suite of connectivity options for most users.
Conclusion: A Niche Device with Clear Strengths and Compromises
The Asus Zenfone 3 Laser is a smartphone that clearly defines its target audience. Its strengths lie in its camera capabilities, particularly the rapid laser autofocus system, along with its premium design and excellent battery life. For photography enthusiasts on a budget, or users who prioritize these aspects over raw performance, the Zenfone 3 Laser presents a compelling option.
However, the device is not without its compromises. The Snapdragon 430 processor, while adequate for everyday tasks, falls short in more demanding scenarios, particularly gaming. The cluttered Zen UI may be off-putting to users who prefer a cleaner Android experience, and the lack of fast charging could be a significant drawback for some.
When considering the Zenfone 3 Laser, it's important to weigh these factors against your personal needs and preferences. If camera performance and build quality are at the top of your priority list, and you're willing to sacrifice some processing power, this device could be an excellent choice. However, if you're a power user or mobile gamer, you may want to explore alternatives with more robust processors, such as devices equipped with Snapdragon 625 or 650 chips.
Ultimately, the Asus Zenfone 3 Laser represents a focused attempt to deliver exceptional camera performance in the mid-range smartphone market. While it may not be the perfect device for everyone, it succeeds in its primary goal, offering a premium camera experience at an accessible price point. For the right user, this combination of features could make the Zenfone 3 Laser a satisfying and capable smartphone choice.
