ASUS ZenFone Zoom Pro Reviews

Similar to the "Shot on iPhone" ad campaign showcasing the stellar photos taken by the iPhone 6S, professionals will likely be able to work small wonders with the Zoom, too. The Zoom costs $100 more than the ZenFone 2, but is improved in ways that some may not care about. As the name hints, the camera is the real focus. The lackluster lens found in last year's Asus phone hasn't just been overhauled, it has been replaced in its entirety in the Zoom. If optical zoom in a smartphone appeals to you, your options are limited. At that, the Asus ZenFone Zoom is currently your best bet. There are a few more reasons to enjoy this souped-up camera phone, but with it, also come some frustrating design choices that get in the way of a breezy user experience.

The Asus ZenFone Zoom puts cool new camera tech to work, but its bloated software and poor overall performance keep it from being a phone you'd want to buy.

The Asus ZenFone Zoom is a camera-centric unlocked phone with a 3x optical zoom lens, but it's held back by average sensor quality, a slow camera app, and a lack of 4K video recording.

Asus established itself as a formidable competitor in the mid-range segment with the introduction and release of its ZenFone 2 last year. Since that time, they've diversified its ZenFone line with an assortment of variants – including this latest one in the ZenFone Zoom. Despite the camera-centric approach, the phone feels a bit underwhelming at the end of the day, partially because it is launching a whole year after its announcement. But without question, we appreciate the meticulous approach to its design and the added versatility brought on by its 3x optical zoom. And with a sticker price of $399, it definitely has the appeal to lure consumers who don't want to spend a fortune on a decently performing smartphone. Ultimately, few phones, would give you the convenience of 3x optical zoom, allowing you to get closer to a particular shot without sacrificing image detail. On the other hand, the overall quality of the photos produced by the ZenFone Zoom isn't a huge departure from what we've seen already in its previous phones. Add to that, its lack of some modern conveniences we get in many smartphones, such as 4K video recording, doesn't really suggest that it's the top-of-the-line phone for hardcore shutterbugs.