Asus ZenFone 3 release date, specs: ZenFone 3 unveiled at Zenvolution event

Asus Pressroom

True to rumors, Asus announced its next-gen ZenFone lineup at its Zenvolution event at the Computex 2016.

The new lineup is the ZenFone 3, with at least three different iterations first launched for the series. Topping the list is the top-tier ZenFone 3 Deluxe, with a 5.7-inch full HD, Super AMOLED display and a premium Snapdragon 820 processor. Although rumors have already pointed out that the Deluxe is a premium iteration, it is still a surprise that Asus opted to pair the Qualcomm chipset with 6GB RAM. Other specs of the top-tier flagship iteration include a 23MP main camera with a Sony IMX318 image sensor and laser and phase detection autofocus, a built-in fingerprint sensor, USB Type-C port and QuickCharge 3.0 support. The Deluxe also boasts of having an all-design, as the device features an aluminum alloy unibody form.

Meanwhile, Asus is known to provide a gamut of ZenFone series phones, with a budget-friendly version as a base model. The new ZenFone 3 keeps that up as it is expected that with above-average specs sheet, the new base model will retail for at least $250. Even with the base price, the ZenFone 3 packs a Snapdragon 625 octa-core chipset paired with 4GB of RAM, an X9 LTE modem and a built-in fingerprint sensor. It has a 5.5-inch Super IPS+ screen that displays full HD resolution.

A surprise addition to the lineup is the "Plus" version of the ZenFone 3. The ZenFone 3 Ultra is a massive phablet, even bigger than the recent Xiaomi Mi Max phablet. It features a 6.8-inch full HD display and the same 23MP camera setup as the Deluxe version, as well as the all-metal, unibody form factor. However, it can't be called a bigger version of the ZenFone 3 Deluxe since the Ultra version only features a Snapdragon 652 octa-core processor and 4GB of RAM.