5 Things to Love About ASUS Zenfone 2 Laser 5.0

As a food and lifestyle blogger, I don't just love eating out, cooking and trying out products, but also enjoy the process of taking photos and sharing them online. And ever since I've started this blog, I've always had my ol' trusty Canon DSLR to thank for the decent photos I put up on here and on my social media accounts. But truth be told, it's not always a good experience to lug a heavy and bulky camera around. More often than not, it takes up a big space in my purse and can put a toll on my shoulders.

And that's where smartphones come in handy! At times when taking my DSLR along isn't convenient, a smartphone is enough to capture the moment.

I've owned smartphones for many years now. However, I haven't been quite happy with their photo outputs despite their claim of taking good shots. For the past month though, I've been trying out the new ASUS Zenfone 2 Laser 5.0. And finally, I can say that I've found a smartphone that can accompany me to events, food trips, adventures and misadventures!

Display: 5.0" 720 x 1280 pixels (~294 ppi pixel density)
Application Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 Quad-core 1.2 GHz
Network: GSM / HSPA / LTE
OS: Android OS 5.0.2 (Lollipop)
Memory: 2GB RAM, 8/16GB Internal + microSD slot (up to 128GB)
Camera:
Main(Rear): 8MP with f/2.0, laser autofocus, dual-LED flash
Sub (Front): 5MP with f/2.2, laser autofocus
Dimensions (HxWxD): 143.7 x 71.5 x 10.5 mm (5.66 x 2.81 x 0.41 in)
Weight: 140 g (4.94 oz)
Standard Battery: 3,000 mAh
Talk Time (3G): up to 36 hours
Others: Dual-microSIM
Colors: Osmium Black | Sheer Gold | Glacier Gray | Glamour Red | Ceramic White | Twilight Purple

1. Sleek Design & Colors

The ASUS Zenfone 2 Laser 5 comes in a variety of colors. And while you can call me shallow, it's one of the great things I love about this phone. Just look at all the gorgeous shades it comes in! You can really show your personality through the phone color choice. And while at first I wanted the Twilight Purple, I have fallen in love with my elegant Sheer Gold Zenfone 2 Laser! (n˘v˘•)~♡

Apart from the color choices, the design itself is also very sleek. It's thin and have a curved back that fits nicely on the grip. The placement of the buttons and everything about this phone also look so sharp, sophisticated and bourgeois.

2. Fast Laser Autofocus

The biggest selling-point of the ASUS Zenfone 2 Laser 5 is its fast laser autofocus, which is why it was named Laser. With focus speeds of up to 0.3 seconds, this phone is by far the fastest focusing camera phone I've ever used!

Finally, I can take clear and sharp photos of moving objects, or when I'm moving myself.

I've always had problems taking photos of my cat, as he moves around a LOT!

But not anymore! I can now capture sharp photos of him. ଘ(੭ˊ꒳ˋ)੭✧

Taken on the road at 90kmph!

3. PixelMaster 2.0 Camera

At the moment, Zenfone 2 Laser is the first phone in its price range to have an 8MP camera with a laser autofocus and dual-LED real tone flash. It also features an f/2.0-aperture Toshiba lens that focuses the subject in a snap and captures them with good details, saturation and contrast, especially in day-light conditions.

Manages even under lower light situations

Perfect for IG food photography!

Still captures details under ambient lighting

From over a month of experience using the ASUS Zenfone 2 Laser 5, I found it the perfect photography companion when I'm not in the mood to bring my DSLR. It might be quite a pain to work with under low light conditions, but it's a really gorgeous camera phone when used under natural lighting. d(๑^ں^๑)♡

4. Real-Time Beautification Mode

Apart from the main camera, ASUS Zenfone 2 Laser 5 also carries a 5MP front camera with autofocus. And while I'm not one who revels in taking multiple selfies, I have to say that this is the first time in a while that a camera phone brought out my inner selfie queen.

Left: Selfie with Beautification (skin softening)
Right: Selfie with Beautification
(LVL 10 cheeks thinning & eyes enhancement, bright red blush)

Okay, okay... I know I look nothing like the photo on the right as it looks too plastic surgerized. However, I just wanted to show you the extremities of the Zenfone 2 Laser's Beautification Mode. So far, from all the phones I've tried, this is the best built-in beautification mode!

• Skin Softening - to smooth out blemishes and make skin look flawless
• Skin Brightening - to make skin whiter
• Blush - to add a touch of blush from a good selection of blush shades (no live preview)
• Eye Enhancement - to make the eyes appear bigger and more doll-like
• Cheeks Thinning - to make cheeks appear thinner and get that V-line

You can tweak and customize until you're satisfied with the best you. Most of the beautification features have level 1 up to level 10 intensity, so you can go from natural, subtly enhanced, or photoshop goddess.

5. Good Value for Money

While I love all the features of Zenfone 2 Laser 5, the best thing about it would be the good value it offers versus its price. If you didn't know yet, this phone only retails at P7,295. Its design, interface, camera, and everything about it feels premium. And while I'd pay good money for a unit, at its price point, I can say it's a steal!

ASUS Zenfone 2 Laser 5 (ZE500KL) retails at P7,295.

After over a month of using my ASUS Zenfone 2 Laser 5, I've really come to love it and treat it as my companion. Although it doesn't do that well under low light, it makes up for it by excelling in taking moving shots and sharp, vivid photos under natural lighting. And how can I not mention the crazy Beautifcation Mode that won't only make you look your best you, but is also tons of fun? I can also easily say that at just over P7,000, it doesn't look and feel cheap. Instead, it looks so elegant with its thin edges and curved back. If you didn't know the price, it can look like in the P20,000+ price range! o(≧∇≦o)

So if you're in the market for a good phone but in the P7,000 budget, then I highly suggest you to check out the ASUS Zenfone 2 Laser 5 and #SeeWhatOthersCantSee. ໒( ” ¤ ‿ ¤ ” )७


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