How important is price when deciding whether to buy a Zenfone 4?

We’ve ran a poll on the site for a long time regarding features you most want from a Zenfone. Battery life and price are the top choice, by a long shot.

As we are quickly approaching the Zenfone 4 launch, let’s look at price.

Asus has remained steadfast on their new pricing. They are set on being just below the Apple and Samsung flagships. They appear not interested in compromising, as Asus CEO Jerry Shen feels customers have accepted the new pricing strategy. Or has the consumer accepted the strategy?

One thing seems quite clear. The China smartphone manufacturers are dealing with large orders and thus they can get better pricing on components. However the latest OnePlus model was being criticized even though it’s packing top end hardware. People expect that to be priced like the previous generation which has led to some public negativity. Seems like a pretty fickle audience out there who want the best for cheap.

Our sense is that the Zenfone 4 series is going to maintain the pricing tradition of the Zenfone 3 series. Be assured that the 2017 Zenfone 4 will not be near the Samsung and Apple pricing, but it will offer equal hardware and equal or better design.

At a recent Asus investors conference Asus CEO Jerry Shen said the Zenfone 4 will be about sales. What did he mean by that? The true way to gain sales in today’s market is by having cheap prices. So if the price remains at a similar level as to the Zenfone 3, how will you react? With the increased competition driving prices down, how can Asus expect more sales with holding steady on their higher pricing model?

It has begun. Asus Taiwan puts out 4 new Zenfone 4 teaser images

Asus is now officially starting the ramp up to the Zenfone 4 release, at least for the Taiwan market. Europe and North America are likely waiting well into September although nothing have been confirmed by Asus just yet. We’ve only seen a Zenfone 4 invitation to Rome which was on September 21st if our memory serves us correctly.

So let’s first take a look at the snippets that Asus is showing with their four teaser images:

  • Time to be clearer
    • Night is more beautiful
  • Time to see more than one
    • Shoot more
  • Time to be more than one
    • Add one more to
  • Time to see more
    • See More

So if you didn’t notice, cameras seems to be a big aspect of the Zenfone 4 series. We did see news quite some time ago that Asus brought in a significant group of experts regarding photography which should result in something amazing. You would at least hope it will be a difference maker.

So these teasers indicate dual lens, likely front and back, with wide angle photography, better night photography and impressive zoom capabilities.

How excited are you about dual lens cameras and overall improved photography on the Zenfone 4 series?

[source: Asus Taiwan Facebook]

Update brings RAW image support to Zenfone AR (ZS571KL)

There is a new software update from Asus for the Zenfone AR (ZS571) and it brings RAW image support.

Version: ZS571KL_ WW_14.1600.1706.21

Release Date: 2017/07/17

You can update manually by going into your system settings, about, system update.

The Zenfone AR is set to release in more markets including the US exclusive for Verizon. That particular model will have 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. That was from the original press release although those specs may change. We’ve seen the Canadian specs which show 6GB RAM and 64GB storage. We are expecting a release for North America in days, not weeks at this point.

[source: Asus Zen Talk]

Sources indicate August 17th Zenfone 4 launch event in Taiwan

Through some Google translation, we believe that the Zenfone 4 line-up will be unveiled in Taiwan at an event scheduled for August 17th. This event has not been officially announced from what we can see, but apparently invitations have gone out. This date lines up with a recent Digitimes article which indicated an August Zenfone 4 launch.

This news comes with indications that South Korean star Kong Liu will be the Asia Pacific spokesperson for the Zenfone 4 launch. Endorsements don’t come cheap but clearly Asus is looking to establish their smartphone line-up and garner media attention and coverage in the Asia region. As competition rises, having a movie star who is ultra popular that endorses your product can only help sales.

With one month until a likely unveil, we are hoping to catch some looks at new models coming. Asus never ceases to innovate so I’m sure they have something interesting to bring to the table. Price is going to be the biggest determining factor however. It’s not quite clear if Asus will hold steadfast on their desire to be lumped in with Samsung and Apple price models.

[source: Sogi.com.twtranslated / Mirrormedia.mg]

Zenfone 4 Max (ZC554KL) shows up at the FCC

This is a significant development for the Zenfone 4 series in North America. We’ve just spotted the Zenfone 4 Max (ZC554KL) at the FCC which means 4-8 weeks before hitting retail. Four weeks is very unlikely but pre order could happen in that time frame. Just because we peg this at a possible eight weeks, it can also take longer than that.

The Zenfone 4 Max made quite the incredible and sneaky launch in the Russian market and is in a pre order phase already. In terms of what price the Zenfone 4 Max will be in North America, in the US and Canada, we know one certainty. This will be the cheapest Zenfone 4 model of the bunch. Asus keeps the Max as the most budget, outside of the limited availability “Go” series. For most markets, the Max series is the budget model.

A better display, improved cameras and design style are all improvements for the 4th generation Zenfone Max from what we’ve seen come out of Russia.

A while back Asus CEO Jerry Shen was suggesting that Zenfone 4 models will be about gaining sales. I’m sure that’s always the end goal, but in comparison to say the Zenfone 3, Shen was emphasizing the need for sales. Keep in mind that the smartphone arm of Asus is not their primary business. They are working on building their brand name in association with smartphones, but they are very cautious and careful about financial risks in the smartphone business.

What are we hoping for? A cheap price. A price that will offer a “wow” factor. The Zenfone 3 Max is cheap, but given that the Zenfone 4 Max is a bit more capable in terms of hardware and specs, we hope that the price provides a “more for less” win for consumers.

Our sense is that things are going to start to get interesting in the world of the Zenfone 4. This may be the start of some hot new juicy information and details. So far, Asus has kept things quite under wraps. Good for them, not so good for those wanting to know what’s coming up.

Just to clarify, the FCC filing is for the X00ID model which is the ZC554KL.

[source: FCC]