ASUS 6Z Review: Solid Competition For The OnePlus 7 Pro

ASUS 6Z Back Side

ASUS has a major release this year, the ASUS 6Z. The phone has a lot of innovative features going for it. The creative camera assembly and a lot of other thoughtful features. The phone is direct competition to this year’s OnePlus 7 Pro. I spent considerable time with the device and here is my review of the phone.

Here are the key specifications of the phone

ASUS 6z (ZS630KL)

Colors Midnight Black
Design 3D-curved Gorilla® Glass®

92% screen-to-body ratio

190 g weight

Display Notchless all-screen NanoEdge display with 19.5:9 aspect ratio

6.4″ FHD+ (2340 x 1080) IPS NanoEdge display

Capacitive touchscreen with 10-point multitouch (supports Glove Touch)

600nits brightness for outdoor readability

Wide gamut 96% NTSC, 100% DCI-P3 and HDR10

Corning® Gorilla® Glass 6

CPU Qualcomm® Snapdragon 855 Mobile Platform with 7nm, 64-bit octa-core processor
GPU Qualcomm® Adreno 640
RAM/ROM UFS 2.1, up to 8GB RAM / 256GB ROM
Main camera Sony® IMX586 48MP image sensor – 1/2.0″ large sensor size, 0.8 µm pixel size

Quad Bayer technology – 12MP, 1.6 µm large effective pixel size

F1.79 aperture

26 mm equivalent focal length in 35 mm film camera

79° field of view

Laser autofocus

Dual LED flash

HDR+ Enhanced and Super Night modes[i]

16-scene AI Scene Detection

Flip Camera with instant camera switching

Secondary camera 13MP, 125° ultrawide camera

200% wider view

Real-time distortion correction

11 mm equivalent focal length in 35 mm film camera

Video recording 4K UHD (3840 by 2160) video recording at 30/60fps for main camera, at 30 fps for secondary camera

1080p FHD video recording at 30/60fps

720p HD video recording at 30fps

3-axis electronic image stabilization

Time Lapse (4K UHD video)

Slow Motion video (1080p at 240 fps / 720p at 480 fps)

Motion Tracking video (1080p FHD video at 60 fps)Take still photos while recording video

Wireless technology Wi-Fi 5 (dual-band 2×2 802.11ac)

Bluetooth® V 5.0 (EDR + A2DP), supports aptX and aptX HD

Wi-Fi direct

NFC

Fingerprint sensor Rear fingerprint sensor with 0.3s fingerprint unlock and five finger 360° recognition
Connectivity USB Type-C (USB-C)
SIM cards Triple slots: Dual SIM, dual standby (4G+4G) & one microSD card

Slot 1: 2G/3G/4G Nano SIM Card

Slot 2: 2G/3G/4G Nano SIM Card

Slot 3: Supports up to 2TB microSD card

Navigation GPS (Dual bands, L1+L5),, GLONASS, BDSS, GALILEO (Dual bands, E1+E5a), QZSS (Dual bands, L1+L5)
Operating system Android Pie with new  user interface
Battery 5000mAh high-capacity battery for up to two days non-stop use
Audio Dual stereo speakers with dual NXP TFA9874 smart amplifiers

Hi-Res audio 192kHz/24-bit standard that is 4 times better than CD quality

DTS (Digital Theater System) Headphone: X 7.1 virtual surround sound for headphone support

Qualcomm Audio CODEC

AudioWizard with listening profile

FM radio

EarPhone  tuned by 1MORE

Dual internal microphones with ASUS Noise Reduction Technology

[i] Please refer to ASUS global official site for the latest camera modes.

ASUS 6z is powered by the latest Snapdragon 855 built on, a 7nm process and featuring an octa‑core CPU configuration capable of clock-speeds of up to 2.84GHz. This flagship mobile platform provides ASUS 6z with ultrafast, super smooth performance and blazing fast LTE data speeds, enabling it to run even some of the most demanding apps and games with ease. Snapdragon 855 delivers up to a 45% uplift in CPU performance, up to 20% faster graphic rendering compared to the previous generation1, while harnessing the best in 4G connectivity with the built in Snapdragon X24 LTE modem. A monster high‑capacity 5000mAh battery provides up to two days of battery life, which delivers up to 26 days of 4G standby, up to 21 hours of Wi-Fi web browsing and up to 33.3 hours of talk time. With such power on tap, users can browse more, talk more, or stream their favorite videos virtually all day without worrying the battery. The smartphone is equipped with USB type C charging slot and supports Quick Charge 4.0 fast charging. An 18-Watts Quick Charge 4.0 Charger is provided in the box.

ASUS 6Z

For a truly immersive near-borderless viewing experience, ASUS 6z is equipped with a 6.4‑inch all‑screen NanoEdge slim-bezel display that has an incredible 92% screen‑to‑body ratio. The notchless design — made possible by the unique Flip Camera — makes any visual task more enjoyable, whether it is browsing the web, messaging friends or watching movies. A cinema-grade 100% DCI-P3 color gamut ensures rich, lifelike colors and up to 600nits brightness makes it easy to read what’s onscreen, even when outdoors. The latest Corning Gorilla Glass 6 covers the front display, for unmatched scratch resistance and drop protection and back featuring a 3D-curved glass. Gorilla Glass 6 is tested to withstand multiple drops from a meter in height, ensuring 6z can easily survive accidental knocks and drops

ASUS 6z introduces the groundbreaking Flip Camera, a motorized flip-up dual-camera module that serves as both front and rear cameras. This innovative solution means that there is no need for a camera notch to mar the display. Additionally, it also means that Flip Camera offers the same high-resolution photos and shooting capabilities whether it is used as a front camera or as rear.

ASUS 6Z Flip Camera

The main camera of ASUS 6z boasts the latest Sony IMX586 48MP sensor with an f/1.79 wide aperture lens and Quad Bayer technology for incredible day and night photography. The 2×1 OCL PDAF autofocus system provides the best focus and anti‑shake performance, and the 13MP 125° ultra-wide secondary camera lets users fit more friends and scenery in the shot, with real-time distortion correction.

The Flip Camera module is made from liquid metal (amorphous alloy); a highly advanced material that is 20% lighter than stainless steel, but with four times the strength. For added protection, a G‑sensor in the module detects the rate of acceleration, allowing Flip Camera to automatically return the module to a safe position if the phone is dropped.

A custom precision stepper motor smoothly rotates the camera module by up to a full 180° between front and rear camera positions. In the unique Free Angle mode, Flip Camera can be positioned at any angle, giving users the freedom to frame their subjects from high or low angles without having to contort themselves into awkward or uncomfortable shooting positions. There are several other unique shooting modes available, including Auto Panorama for assisted panoramic shots, and Motion Tracking for automatic subject tracking when recording videos. The new HDR+ Enhanced and Super Night modes provide the best day and night photography experience.

ASUS 6Z Rear View

 48 MP Sony IMX 586 and 13 MP Ultra-wide camera with Dual LED Flash and Laser Auto Focus in the rear  flips to the front offering best in class front camera hardware. Various modes such as Slow-Motion, Time Lapse, Auto Panorama, Night and Pro mode are supported in the front camera. Front cameras also best in class for video recording supporting up to 4K 60 FPS video with EIS.

As an indication of its unrivaled selfie capabilities, the Flip Camera in 6z achieved a total score of 98 in the DxOMark Selfie benchmark. This is currently the highest overall score recorded, with a selfie photo score of 101 and a selfie video score of 93. The DxOMark test report commented that selfie photos taken with Flip Camera deliver fine details with efficient noise reduction, pleasant color and skin tones rendering, accurate autofocus, and accurate target exposure in photo. Selfie videos were noted to shows great detail, good control of the noise on the face and in the background, both in indoor and outdoor conditions, with great colors and efficient stabilization.

Here are a few sample pictures I took with the phone

ASUS 6z has dual five-magnet stereo speakers that deliver deep, rich and expansive stereo sound. These are driven by dual NXP smart amplifiers that ensure maximum volume while intelligently protecting them from damage. ASUS 6z supports Hi-Res Audio files encoded at up to 24-bit/192KHz sample rates — 4X better than CD quality. Additionally, the smartphone also sports a 3.5mm jack and supports DTS Headphone:X for 7.1-channel virtual surround-sound over headphones, with Bluetooth 5.0 Apt:X technology, which can stream HD audio to Apt:X capable Bluetooth headsets for a truly immersive aural experience. For an enhanced listening experience right out of the box, a set of premium earphones are inbox with ASUS 6z. This earphone supports Hi-Res Audio, which are tuned by the renowned specialist headphone company 1MORE to ensure premium sound for an enhanced listening experience. Asus 6z also does not miss the essential of FM Radio support.

ASUS 6Z Back View

The new user interface provides enhanced smoothness and speed, and it is simple and easy to use even for users new to ASUS 6z. It has a cleaner and more streamlined look that provides only the essentials, and there is a new Dark Mode color scheme that helps reduce eyestrain in low‑light environments.

The redesigned interface has super smooth animations, and is easier for one-handed use, with commands and other apps neatly arranged along the sides of the display within easy reach of the user’s thumb.

OptiFlex accelerates app launches and reloads, and saves power in standby mode by learning the user’s favorite apps. This keeps the most‑used apps loaded in the memory, so they are always ready to go. A new ‘Private Listening’ mode plays all voice messages and Google Assistant interactions via the earpiece only, so no messages will be read aloud in public.

ASUS 6Z On The Table

The new physical Smart Key on the side of ASUS 6z can be customized to initiate popular actions, including Google Assistant tasks. It supports single press, double press or press-and-hold modes that can be assigned to different actions.

The new user interface supports Dual Apps features, which allows you to create dual accounts for popular apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook. Phone call recording feature is built into ASUS 6z, which enables recording and saving important conversations either manually or automatically. Additionally, the smartphone features ASUS Data Transfer app, enables file transferring between computer, smartphone to ASUS 6z.

For maximum flexibility and superb call quality, Asus 6z supports dual 4G LTE SIMs with Dual SIM, Dual VoLTE (DSDV) capabilities. This allows both SIMs to be on active standby, and supports enhanced HD voice calls over 4G LTE on both SIMs.

Asus 6z can be unlocked in both using the face unlock, or using the rear fingerprint sensor, and the integrated NFC capability allows Asus 6z to be used securely with Google Pay™.

ASUS 6z will be available in three variants namely 6GB / 64GB for ₹31,999/-; 6GB / 128GB for ₹34,999/-, and the 8GB / 256GB for ₹39,999/- from June 26, 2019 on Flipkart

Verdict

In my experience with the phone, the ASUS 6Z is a great competitor for the OnePlus 7 Pro, feature by feature. The price point makes it a very attractive buy.  This competition will be great to watch

About Shakthi

I am a Tech Blogger, Disability Activist, Keynote Speaker, Startup Mentor and Digital Branding Consultant. Also a McKinsey Executive Panel Member. Also known as @v_shakthi on twitter. Been around Tech for two decades now.

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