Smartphone Review ASUS ZenFone Live ZB501KL

Smartphones, or, translated from English, "smart phones", today are very popular among users due to their functionality. At the same time, manufacturers, focusing on the development of modern information technologies, release "thematic" products. For example, a smartphone for potential bloggers, which allows you to effectively broadcast video and take selfies. One of these is ASUS ZenFone Live ZB501KL.

How to choose a smartphone for blogging

The main criteria for choosing a device

• The amount of permanent memory. The required minimum is 32 GB. Video bloggers will need 64 GB or more to shoot videos. It is important to provide for the possibility of expanding the volume up to 128 GB, which is necessary for uploading photo and video materials in HD.
• High-speed performance. This parameter is made up of the characteristics of the processor and the amount of RAM. The optimal combination is a 4-core processor with a clock frequency of 1.5 Hz and the amount of "RAM" not less than 2-3 GB. Such indicators give the device the ability to work quickly with the maximum number of open applications.
• Autonomy. It is important for a blogger that a smartphone provides good communication, fast Internet navigation, data reception and transmission. For such intensive use of the device, a 4100-5000 mAh battery is suitable.
• Cameras: for the main one - the resolution should be at least 13-16 Mp, for the front - 8 Mp. It is desirable to have an optical stabilization function that can neutralize various disadvantages when shooting (trembling hands, bright sunlight or lack of it).
• The presence of a voice recorder.
• Convenience. Ergonomic models have diagonal sizes ranging from 5 to 5.5 inches.

List of the best manufacturers

Which company is the best smartphone to buy? In search of a phone with similar top-end parameters, users turn to popular models from well-known brands or select budget options from Chinese manufacturers that have the desired characteristics.

Where is it profitable to buy a smartphone? Russian consumers have two options. The first is to go to a specialized retail outlet: a cellular salon, a store or a hypermarket. The larger the settlement, the wider the list of such places. One of the advantages of this approach is the opportunity to get acquainted with the model "live", to receive a purchase guarantee, to save money if there is a promotion or a sale in the store. A significant disadvantage is that an inexperienced and gullible buyer can be imposed an outdated model or a novelty, but at an inflated cost, or they can offer to pay for a number of services like installing some programs that the user would be able to handle himself.

Another method that is gaining more and more popularity is online shopping. You can go, for example, to the official website of the store, set the necessary parameters for filters and select the desired model. Here are the reviews left by users. The advantages of the method are the possibility of a deliberate and unhurried choice, the availability of models that meet Russian standards.The disadvantage is the relatively narrow model range in the domestic retail, the risk of paid and untrue reviews.

A number of brands (Xiaomi, Huawei) can be purchased through the manufacturer's official online stores. Popular Chinese marketplaces such as AliExpress offer names that are not available in our offline stores (OnePlus, ZTE, Bluboo, and others). The advantages of buying on such services are a lower price, often free shipping, and a wide range of models. But there are also serious drawbacks: no guarantee, a long journey to Russia (usually at least a month) and a possible non-compliance of the model with our standards. For example, the lack of the Russian language or support for some LTE frequencies. In the first case, the problem can be solved "manually" by replacing the firmware, but not all users will want to do this, preferring to buy devices with which they will not need to tinker with extra.

Manufacturers:

Inexpensive models

• Fly (UK-India);
• ZTE (PRC);
• Alcatel (China).

Mid-range devices

• Xiaomi (PRC);
• Meizu (PRC);
• Huawei (PRC);
• ASUS (Republic of China);
• LG (South Korea);
• Lenovo (Hong Kong).

Premium segment

• Apple (USA);
• Sony (Japan);
• Samsung S series (South Korea).

Smartphone ASUS ZenFone Live ZB501KL

For a detailed review, we have selected a popular model, the advantages and disadvantages of which we will analyze.

Country of origin: Republic of China.

Average price: from 7500 rubles; 66 602 tenge.

The ZenFone Live line is marketed by ASUS as the world's first device capable of streaming online in real time.

Perfect streaming is provided by:

• Dual microphone recording voice in stereo mode, it significantly reduces the amount of background noise. Even if a blogger is broadcasting on a busy street or noisy event, viewers will hear him perfectly.
• BeautyLive app. Its purpose is to improve the transmitted image.
• Two cameras. They have a set of functions for creating high-quality pictures, allow you to take clear selfies in different conditions.

Equipment

The device is sold in a small cardboard box. The kit, in addition to the smartphone itself, includes a charger (amperage = 1 A), a USB-cable, a "paper clip" emoticon for removing a SIM-card, instructions and a warranty card.

Main parameters and design

Height - 141, 18 mm, width - 71, 74 mm, thickness - 7.95 mm. Weight - 120 gr. Compact model, fits comfortably in the palm of the user, non-slip.

The front panel is protected by a touch glass. Above the screen are the event indicator, earpiece, front camera and LED flash. At the bottom of the panel there are standard navigation buttons that are not backlit.

The material of the back of the smartphone is plastic, which externally imitates metal. The main camera can be found in the upper left corner.

On the left "side" of the device there is a hole for two SIM-cards or a combination of a card and memory, on the right - a button for turning the device on / off and adjusting the sound volume.

On the top of the case there is a hole for connecting headphones and an additional microphone, on the bottom there is a main microphone, a place for connecting a USB connector and a music speaker.

The disadvantage of the device is the lack of access to the battery: in case of malfunction, you will have to contact the service department to disassemble the case.

The smartphone is available in three colors: gold, black and pink.

Screen

The diagonal of the screen is 5 inches, the resolution is 1280x720 pixels, which is typical for budget smartphones. Such indicators provide a comfortable image sharpness for the user. The brightness and contrast values ​​allow you to read the information on the display with convenience for the eyes both during the day, in the sun, and in the dark. With the settings made in the "default" mode, the color rendition has some error, which can be corrected by setting the white temperature manually. The touchscreen has an oleophobic coating and can recognize ten simultaneous touches.

Interface

This ASUS model is equipped with the Android 6.0.1 operating system in combination with the ZenUi 3.0 shell. This shell is very functional: the user can change almost all parameters, adjusting everything to his liking - animation, icon size and location of labels, menu font and its colors, wallpaper. The main menu is located separately from desktops, so the grid size and position of icons can be easily adjusted.

The notification shade can be easily and easily filled with the options the user needs. Also, clients of common applications are already installed on the smartphone. The ZenCircle ecosystem is available to help bring your photos and homemade wallpapers to the public.

The set of applications for the device is quite rich, it includes, among other things, an FM receiver, however, it takes time to find it.

The model has a good keyboard for comfortable working with text, with functions such as a dictionary, the ability to continuously enter.

The owners of this smartphone can comfortably stay on the vastness of the world wide web. Google Chrome is selected as the browser.

An interesting option is the ability to work with gloves.

Cameras

According to user reviews, the quality of pictures from the front camera (5 megapixel) can be described as average. However, its plus is the ability to broadcast live using many different filters (Beauty Live application), which will noticeably improve your appearance, removing minor imperfections and flaws. The LED flash will help take a picture for lovers of night selfies. There is an autofocus option.

The rear camera (13 megapixel) has a rich set of settings, including manual ones, which allows you to take pictures with a fairly decent quality for the price of the device. There is the option of shooting at night, a set of ready-made scenes, the "HDR Pro" mode and others, standard for all smartphones.

Of the shortcomings, users highlight the following:

• Medium detail of indoor shots;
• Low resolution for pictures taken in panorama format;
• Photos taken at night do not always satisfy with their quality. The best results from the camera can be achieved on a sunny clear day;
• Not satisfied with the choice of brightness for penumbra in the "HDR Pro" mode.

Performance

It can be characterized as low enough to perform only simple tasks. The smartphone is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor, the release date of which is 2013. Still, for today this model can be considered somewhat outdated and it is not very clear why it is installed on the 2017 model.

The amount of RAM is 2 GB. The interface is fine-tuned, although sometimes you might encounter a slight lag. For fans of active games, the device may not be suitable: games that "weigh" a lot are better to turn on with minimal graphics settings.

Multimedia

The smartphone allows you not only to stay in touch, but also to take your leisure time listening to music and watching videos.

A video player is included in the Gallery application, although it does not play all formats, so you can alternatively install another program from the Market.

To listen to audio files, use the Google Play Music application. It is possible to collect your collection of your favorite music plus listen to it online using the services of the Google store.

The user can also use the built-in FM radio, however, according to some reviews, it has such a feature as monophonic sound, even when the radio station works in stereo.

The sound is characterized as quite loud and of high quality. The speaker volume is 78 dB, which is quite a lot.

Communications

Their combination is standard for a budget segment device.

• One of the SIM cards functions in the LTE network (it should be borne in mind that LTE support depends on the region of residence);
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g / n with Wi-Fi direct support;
• Bluetooth 4.0;
• GPS supporting A-GPS, GLONASS for navigation and positioning.

Autonomy

It can be described as average. One charge is enough for 12 hours of active use or for a couple of days in moderate use. The battery capacity is 2650 mAh.

The device is fully charged in about two hours. There is no quick charge option.

Outcome

• Quite good value for money;
• Makeup mode for live video streaming;
• A wide range of options and capabilities of the camera;
• Smart processor;
• High quality of communication;
• Good video quality;
• Attractive design;
• Low weight.

• Plastic case;
• There are complaints about focusing and the quality of pictures at close range;
• No headphones included;
• Lots of unnecessary apps;
• Non-removable back cover.

So, the model can be recommended to novice video bloggers as an affordable tool for creating selfies and conducting online broadcasts. Also, it should be considered as a potential gift for girls due to its stylish appearance and up-to-date functionality.