The ASUS ZenFone 2 Review
by Brandon Chester on May 26, 2015 8:00 AM ESTGPU Performance
As I’ve already mentioned a few times, both models of the ZenFone 2 use the PowerVR G6430 GPU from Imagination Technologies. This is the same GPU used in Apple’s A7 chip, although the implementation in A7 likely has a max GPU clock of around 450MHz, while in Atom Z3560 and Z3580 it peaks at 533MHz. While one would think this would give the ZenFone 2 a lead over the Apple A7 based iOS devices, factors like driver optimization can also play a role.
The ZenFone’s performance in 3DMark is very good, and is one of the highest that we’ve seen. Much of this is due to the score in the physics test, which bests even the Galaxy S6 that had previously topped the chart, and second only to the Venue 8 7000 tablet. In the graphics test it achieves a score similar to that of the iPhone 6. The overall weighted average of the two tests puts the ZenFone 2 in fourth place, between the Galaxy Note 4 and the Galaxy S6 Edge.
In BaseMark X we see that the ZenFone 2 stumbles compared to the G6430 implementation in the iPhone 5s. Despite the higher clock speed on the GPU, it trails the iPhone 5s in both the Dunes and Hanger tests. The final score ends up right in the middle of the chart. It’s not as quick as the iPhone 5s and faster devices, but it’s quicker than those that use Snapdragon 801 and Adreno 330.
Our last benchmark is GFXBench. In the off screen 1080p tests we see that the ZenFone 2 is slightly quicker than the iPhone 5s in both Manhattan and T-Rex HD. The differences are small enough to be attributed to test variance, but the important point is that the G6430 GPU ends up being as quick as the implementation in Apple’s A7 SoC. The fact that it’s only as quick as the iPhone 5s despite its higher clock speeds indicates that PowerVR GPU drivers on Android are not as well optimized as on iOS, and it would be great to see GPU performance improve a little bit down the road via driver improvements.
Overall, the GPU in the ZenFone 2 is more than fast enough to run the OS smoothly and run any 2D or 3D games a user will want to play. The performance is substantially better than any other phone at this price point. It looks like there's still a gap between the optimization of PowerVR GPU drivers on iOS versus Android, but despite that the ZenFone 2 still delivers performance that I know won't disappoint any of its buyers.
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lexfury - Thursday, May 28, 2015 - link
It's a shame this isn't the equivalent of $200 in the UK, I would have snapped one up as a replacement for my sadly departed Nexus 5, but the cheapest I could find was £172 from a Chinese website.Not even available from within the UK yet as far as I can see, but will be £200+ no doubt when it arrives.
Still a great bit of kit for the money even at the equivalent of $250 or $300.
Dave* - Sunday, June 7, 2015 - link
Both models are available on Amazon, a U.K. supplier and fulfilled by Amazon (so free next day delivery for Prime customers).Sammaul - Thursday, May 28, 2015 - link
Phone has it's warts, but overall it really seems to be a very good value. And apparently others agree....every color, both versions, are in the top 30 unlocked phones on Amazon US. If Asus continues to update and support this, it could be their ticket into the US market. If they pull a Huawei(with the Mate 2 not getting updates), I will be very disappointed.0iron - Friday, May 29, 2015 - link
"Fast charging is essentially a trade off between battery longevity and charge times, and it really relies on the assumption that smartphones are replaced every two years which is less time than any user would notice possible adverse effects. This rapid replacement of devices is somewhat worrisome, but that's a topic for another time"I really hope the topic about fast charging effect on battery wear will come out sooner rather than later. Reason is I just bought S6 for my wife & our replacement cycle normally in 3-5 years. I foresee to keep S6 for a long time.
I will avoid fast charging now, unless it's really necessary.
cmvrgr - Friday, May 29, 2015 - link
Is it a truly DUAL SIM DUAL ACTIVE ?Rayb - Friday, May 29, 2015 - link
Of the 2 only SIM 1 will do data, SIM 2 is limited to text and calls.cmvrgr - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
Yes. Is the only officially dsda in the world. I hate that nobody in a review mentioned it. Check their site. And the only with that feature that support band 20 (800) in Europe.nofumble62 - Saturday, May 30, 2015 - link
My Nexus 5 power switch just got stuck last week (phone gone into boot loop), so I got the $200 ASUS as a replacement. I did not miss the Nexus Lollipop at all. The Zenfone2 phone is sweat, at unbelievable price. All my old apps work just fine, and much faster than the Nexus. (I paid $350 for the Nexus5 and thought it was a bargain). I love the double tap to turn on-off. This definitely will eliminate the power button issue like in the Nexus5. I use the power button on the Nexus 5 at least 50 times a day. With the ASUS, may be 2.About bloatwares, it is non-issue. ASUS launcher actually gave me more features than standard Lollipop (such as double tap, shake). The ASUS email apps works great for my hotmail. Previously I used Outlook apps from MS, and it crashed all the time on the Nexus (what's a shame MS).
I tried Google Now launcher, and quickly realized that the double-tap does not work, so I went right back to ASUS launcher.
Anyway, I think this phone got subsidize money from Intel. It won't last forever. Get yours. Heck, at this price, I may pick one up for backup.
cmvrgr - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
I I haven't decided yet. Super with dsfa , huge ram and good specs.I wonder if the camera is in sony imx 214 quality levels. If someone can confirm that will be super. The only that I hate from Intel cpus is that flash is not running.
I like zenui and runs smoothly in my Asus fonepad 8 dual SIM with 1gb ram only....
Bikram - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
HI,Yes agreed that Zenfone2 battery discharges fast..... but one factor which is responsible is that it has Dual SIM Dual Active feature... which means that It has 2 receivers always active.... so eats up more power... thats the reason why maximum phones are Dual SIM Dual Standby. which helps in conserving the Battery...
I suggest to rerun these test with Single SIM on all the phones and then compare.....
Either I will be surprised... or Everyone else will be surprised.....
Thanks,