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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jt122333221 - Tuesday, May 26, 2015 - link
Heads up - it also supports double-tap to sleep. Unfortunately, you have to double-tap on a completely empty portion of the display (empty homescreen or in the notification bar) to get it to sleep.mkozakewich - Tuesday, May 26, 2015 - link
Put Cherry Trail in here with Window 8 (and then 10) and it would totally be what I'm looking for in a phone. I'm going to have to keep my eyes open.commenter001 - Tuesday, May 26, 2015 - link
I just bought the 4GB model. I've actually been using it more than my S6! What the review kinda skipped on was real world usage of the device. This thing doesn't skip a beat. It's amazing how many apps you re-open and they're right back where you left them (hours ago). Unlike the S6 where it seems to reload every dang time just after normal usage. The power button is not a big deal, I use the double-tap on the screen to wake it up all the time.The battery life is not that horrible, gets me through the day and I'm in poor cell area most of the time. Video and pictures, yeah, they're pretty average.
Again, I'm amazed at the lack of the usual lagginess that I've come to accept from Android. Maybe it'll creep up over time but so far this phone is on par or exceeds the S6 just in real world day-to-day stuff for me.
ketacdx - Thursday, May 28, 2015 - link
I agree man, this thing is surreal for real world usage. Battery really is pretty decent, mine is about 2% right now with 24 hrs on, 3hrs49mins of which are screen on time. Only thing I notice with mine is Android OS is using 31% of battery with CPU total at 10hrs 16 mins. I can only assume a glitch or Android issue that hopefully repairs with updates. Either way, pretty decent!! :)blzd - Thursday, May 28, 2015 - link
I'd say that's less of an accomplishment from Asus and more of a standard failing from Samsung and Touchwiz.Have you tried any other recent Android devices? Nexus devices and Motorola using stock Android have felt just as snappy and fluid for years now and it's only gotten better with Lollipop.
hans_ober - Tuesday, May 26, 2015 - link
How would this compare to the Xiaomi Mi 4i? In India, the lowest model of the Zenfone 2 is price competitive with the Xiaomi Mi 4i, which I hope AT manage to get their hands on.aryonoco - Wednesday, May 27, 2015 - link
Great article. Thanks to your work Brandon, I'm beginning to not even miss Brian any moreThis was a pleasure to read. Thank you.
lvchubby - Wednesday, May 27, 2015 - link
I'm a newcomer and respect Anandtech's true reviews instead of some others which look like marketing articles, but there's something missing about this review. I agree that the device is very value for money, but there are also quite a large number of complaints on Taiwan's user forums (in Chinese of coz) about QC and compatibility issues every time Asus launch a new phone in Taiwan. Sadly it happens repeatedly and Zenfone2 is not an exception, and still many people bought it due to it's CP value. Some of them were blaming Asus for using them as beta testers before the international launch. That's why I'm still holding up my decision.I'm not saying the Zenfone2 is not a good device, but for those who wanna buy it, I'd suggest holding up your decision for a few months till Asus hopefully solving most of the compatibility issues by software updates. Also check carefully for any faults when u receive the device.
As a side note, there are some local reviews/users saying the 3Gb RAM is not quite enough as the Zen UI eats up much RAM, and 4Gb RAM version is recommended.
chrnochime - Wednesday, May 27, 2015 - link
You mean like this thread from mobile01(yeah I read Chinese too):w w w . mobile01 . com/topicdetail.php?f=588&t=4395771
Hopefully this will force them get their shit together since they're now selling in the US...
lvchubby - Wednesday, May 27, 2015 - link
U can find similar posts even in Asus' own forum:http://w w w . asus . com/zentalk/tw/forum.php?mod=forumdisplay&fid=174
And imo it's a shame that the CEO admitted the beta tester thing...
http://w w w . mobile01 . com/topicdetail.php?f=588&t=4332578