Android Updates for ZenFone 6 – Android Q and R Guaranteed

May 26, 2019 Categories: Android Updates, ZenFone 6, ZS630KL by 0 Comments

People love their Android updates and clearly it’s a big selling point for phones. Most manufacturers are slow to update their Android versions to the latest and greatest. There is some good news if you are considering buying a ZenFone 6 based on promised future Android updates.

The ZenFone 6 ships with Android 9.0 Pie. ASUS has stated officially that you are promised Android Q and Android R. An awfully big promise and with their track record on rolling out Android updates, people remain skeptical. We say put the skepticism to bed because this is a legit promise that ASUS is making. Here’s why.

As you can see, ASUS is now part of the Google Android Beta Program. This guarantees upgrades to Android Q and Android R. The image above is a slide from the ZenFone 6 launch event so they are willing to put the promise into writing!

Let’s face it. Google is quite desperate to get all those Android phones updated to the newest versions of Android. It’s in their self-interest to make this happen. The Google Android Beta Program is Google’s way of helping manufacturers roll out updates in a more timely manner. You can read more about this program on the official Android Beta Program website here.

Aside from being assured of Android Q and Android R on the ZenFone 6, the Android Beta Program also means that you can install Android updates before they become official releases. So for example, even though Android Pie (9.0) is the official release, a few select phones can already start testing/using Android Q. By enrolling in the beta program, you can submit bug reports and give feedback to make the operating system and new features better.

ZenFone 6 (2019) Benchmark Score Results and Comparisons

May 25, 2019 Categories: Benchmarks, Comparisons, ZenFone 6 by 0 Comments

Given that the ZenFone 6 comes packed with most of the latest and greatest hardware available for mobile phones, expect some top-end results. If anything, the ZenFone 6 benchmarks will show top results on a phone that costs less than the other flagships on the market today.

Note: The numbers in bold/italics below are the benchmark scores for the ZenFone 6.

Geekbench 4.1 Multi-Core:

  • 10800 (using ZenUI power boost)
  • 10721 (normal mode)
  • 11181 Xiaomi Mi 9
  • 10943 OnePlus 7 Pro
  • 10081 Galaxy S10e
  • 10114 Huawei P31 (performance mode)
  • 9789 Huawei P30
  • 5176 Google Pixel 3a

Geekbench 4.1 Single-Core:

  • 3505
  • 3503 Xiaomi Mi 9
  • 4518 Galaxy S10e
  • 3402 OnePlus 7 Pro
  • 3351 Huawei P30
  • 1615 Google Pixel 3a XL

AnTuTu 7:

  • 377024 (using ZenUI power boost mode)
  • 361679 (using normal mode)
  • 372006 Xiaomi Mi 9
  • 364025 OnePlus 7 Pro
  • 325192 Galaxy S10e
  • 314595 Huawei P30 (performance mode)
  • 287960 Huawei P30 (normal mode)
  • 159110 Google Pixel 3a XL

Basemark X:

  • 45291 (using ZenUI power boost mode)
  • 45074 (nusing normal mode)
  • 45413 OnePlus 7 Pro
  • 45089 Xiaomi Mi 9
  • 44948 Huawei P30 (performance mode)
  • 43428 Huawei P30 (normal mode)

GFX 3.1 (4 different benchmark tests):

  • 71/57/42/36
  • 70/56/42/35 Xiaomi Mi 9
  • 68/33/41/19 OnePlus 7 Pro
  • 67/57/42/40 Galaxy S10e
  • 20/19/11/11 Google Pixel 3a XL

3DMark SSE 3.1 Unlimited:

  • 6282 (using ZenUI performance mode)
  • 6263 (using normal mode)
  • 6093 OnePlus 7 Pro
  • 5816 Xiaomi Mi 9
  • 4545 Galaxy S10e
  • 4329 Huawei P90 (using performance mode)

What do these ZenFone 6 benchmark scores tell us?

Consider the price of the competing phones. The ZenFone 6 holds its own against the big hitters from the larger name brands in the mobile phone space.

Notable to us is the ZenFone 6 domination over the Google Pixel 3a XL which should be on the mind of consumers shopping in that $499 price range. Yes the Pixel 3a XL is marginally cheaper but the benchmark scores tell you just how much performance you lose out on.

Even though the OnePlus 7 Pro beat the ZenFone 6 marginally in some benchmark scores, the price difference between the two phones is more substantial. In terms of sheer speed or processing power, it’s hard to justify spending more on the OnePlus 7 Pro just to eek out minimal speed benefits.

Xiaomi Mi 9 does score some solid benchmark scores, similar to that of the ZenFone 6 (ZS630KL).

There is also another conclusion that can be found here by analyzing the data. The ZenUI performance mode really works! So if you buy a ZenFone 6 (details here) then you really should make use of the “performance mode” when gaming.

Why the ZenFone 6 is the best ZenFone ever

May 17, 2019 Categories: Opinion, ZenFone 6 by 0 Comments

Can we go out on a limb for a moment? Calling something the best can always be debated but that’s part of the fun right?

With the launch of the ZenFone 6, we are now declaring this the best ZenFone ever.

It’s hard to think of ASUS being able to top that original ZenFone Zoom. How about the pristine look of the ZenFone 3 Deluxe? There have been some diamonds in all those ZenFone releases over the years to be sure. And some outright fails of course.

We’ve always considered ASUS to be risk takers and with their lack of inspiration in previous ZenFone generations, our faith started to waiver. ASUS has been following trends which put them as just another smartphone maker bringing the same experience as the top players in the market. The ASUS brand wasn’t enough, and there wasn’t a uniqueness that could help them rise above the crowd.

So then we have the ZenFone 6 with its flip camera. Maybe it’s been done before, but has it been done in this way before? ASUS has essentially wielded the notch killer! In one fell swoop, ASUS has seemingly turned the smartphone designs today on their ear.

I admit, and perhaps you can as well, that after seeing the ZenFone 6 flip camera in action, you had a moment of enlightenment. Perhaps you thought like me and truly realized just how dumb notches are especially when there is a solution. I’m sure most of us know that notches are dumb but I believe ASUS just put an exclamation point on it. There is in fact a better way!

Why is this the best ZenFone ever? It’s because ASUS is bringing some meaningful innovation to the market. Perhaps not an original concept, but certainly they brought it out into the mainstream and people have taken notice.

The battery of 5,000mAh is also part of our criteria. ASUS put a 5,000mAh battery way back in the ZenFone 3 Zoom and ultimately it should be a standard for any smartphone that calls itself a flagship. Ask yourself this. Who wouldn’t want 5,000mAh over 4,000mAh?

The ZenFone 6 is the best ZenFone ever because it’s different than the rest. ASUS has essentially thrown caution to the wind here and done something different. The reward of course would be impressive sales but that’s a very hard nut to crack. We think ASUS is back on course though where they choose to innovate and take risks.

 

 

How to pre order and buy a ZenFone 6 (2019) ZS630KL

May 16, 2019 Categories: Shopping and Deals, ZenFone 6 by 69 Comments

Update August 29: The ZenFone 6 has proven itself and it a GREAT option to buy. We look at a recent Reddit thread where long-time owners of the ZenFone 6 give a rating out of 10. A majority put it at 9 or 8 after having used it and owned it. Reddit is a tough crowd, but an honest crowd. The ZenFone 6 is a winner and worthy of your money. Now the harder part is where can you buy one. If you want one, don’t wait for sale prices or the cheaper model because the stock is low and supplies will be gone entirely. Most online retailers show no stock, so we are hopefully saving you some hassle with links and information.

Continue reading “How to pre order and buy a ZenFone 6 (2019) ZS630KL” »

Has ASUS learned anything from past ZenFone failures?

May 15, 2019 Categories: Opinion, ZenFone 6 by 0 Comments

Excited? We are! The new ZenFone 6 unveil is about to happen! Plenty of leaks out there and most of the details are known. As followers of the ZenFone series for years, we have one big question when it comes to the ZenFone 6. Has ASUS learned from past mistakes? We have been scratching our head over one thing ASUS seems to do on a consistent basis and it’s costing them sales.

The biggie for us is release date. Meaning, how long after the launch event will there be pre-orders available and when does the ZenFone 6 get into the hands of the people?

Each year a new ZenFone is launched, it’s a slow and monotonous road to the actual date you can buy or pre order. ASUS just can’t seem to hold off unveiling products far, far in advance of them being available to buy and this isn’t just a problem with the ZenFone product line. However for the phone market it plays a more important and significant role.

Unveils that don’t match the date of availability wastes all the hype that was generated for the unveil event. Especially in the ultra-competitive mobile phone business the time passes quickly, specs grow old, people forget, other products hit the market and then the ZenFone hits store shelves.

The failures of the ZenFone are well documented and even stated by the company themselves. But since they are staying in this game, they must realize that the big companies unveils with pre orders starting right away. Those companies put the phone in people’s hands within week, not months.

Obviously release dates stagger across regions and ASUS is prioritizing Taiwan and Asian markets. But the ASUS brand is strong in the US and Canada (thanks in large part to ROG) yet North America is far down on the list of priorities. If the Zenfone 6 gets unveiled in May and doesn’t get released until the fall in some regions, then we are going to be disappointed  for sure.

We say get the ZenFone 6 in the hands of the influencers out there who largely reside in North America. With the inevitable coverage of the launch, have pre orders ready to go! Change things up and maybe it works.

Yes we’re excited to see a new ZenFone from ASUS. Yes we hope they find some success. We just hope that ASUS for once can ramp up some sales immediately after the big unveil. It would show us that they see some past failings and are looking for ways to improve.

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