Asus ZenFone 2 Variants – How are these different?

It isn’t something new from Asus if we are to talk about the models and the naming confusion they create for the same. The ZenFone 4 last year had a 4-inch and a 4.5-inch model, and for the ZenFone 5, we saw different models with storage and chipset differences. This year’s flagship from Asus has four models, yes, four of them for the same ZenFone 2, and the price for them is from Rs. 12999 to Rs. 22999!

Check: Asus ZenFone 2 Hands-on

Let’s make it easier for you to buy the right one, based on what you need. You might already have in mind, the perfect requirements, i.e. the RAM, chipset and storage. But it isn’t easy to find the right one based on those, as only a geek with lot of knowledge will be able to differentiate models tagged ZE551ML and ZE550ML. We try to show the differences based on the price you are paying for the particular unit.

What’s similar in all the variants?

• The battery: 3000 mAh battery in all the variants
• 13-megapixel rear camera, 5-megapixel front-facing camera
• Android 5.0 Lollipop, ZenUI
• Gorilla Glass 3 screen protection
• No difference in dimensions
• 4G LTE compatibility in all of them (FDD-LTE Band 1, Band 3, TDD-LTE Band 38, 39, 40 and 41)
• All the variants have MicroSD storage expansion
• Boost Master support with 18W Adapter

Asus ZenFone 2 ZE550ML – Rs. 12999

• 5.5-inch 720p display (1280×720 pixels), 267 PPI
• Intel Atom Z3560, 1.8GHz quad-core
• 2GB RAM, 16GB ROM
• 7W Hard Bundle Adapter

Asus ZenFone 2 ZE551ML – Rs. 14999

• 5.5-inch 1080p display (1920×1080 pixels), 403 PPI
• Intel Atom Z3560, 1.8GHz quad-core
• 2GB RAM, 16GB ROM
• 7W Hard Bundle Adapter

The difference between the one at Rs. 12999 and one with Rs. 14999 price tag, is only the screen resolution, where the latter one has a Full HD display.

Asus ZenFone 2 ZE551ML – Rs. 19999

• 5.5-inch 1080p display (1920×1080 pixels), 403 PPI
• Intel Atom Z3580, 2.3GHz quad-core
• 4GB RAM, 32GB ROM
• 18W Hard Bundle Adapter

Asus ZenFone 2 ZE551ML – Rs. 22999

• 5.5-inch 1080p display (1920×1080 pixels), 403 PPI
• Intel Atom Z3580, 2.3GHz quad-core
• 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM
• 18W Hard Bundle Adapter

In these two variants priced at Rs. 19999 and Rs. 22999, the difference is only with the internal storage. The former has 32GB internal, while the latter has 64GB internal storage.

** Note: Boost Master technology helps in quick charging of the ZenFone 2. About 60% charge is possible in 39 minutes. While it is said that all the four variants support Boost Master, the device needs a 18W adapter for that, and that adapter is included only in the variants having 4GB of RAM. The package of the other two variants (Rs. 12999 and Rs. 14999 ones) have 7W adapters, thus quick charge won’t be possible, unless you manage to get that 18W charger separately.

While those who are deciding to pay the highest sum to get the 4GB RAM unit and 64GB ROM will feel disappointed to have the same camera that is packed in the device that costs Rs. 12999, the ZE551ML variant costing Rs. 22999 isn’t a basic smartphone after all. It is future proof, and someone who is into gaming and heavy phone usage, we are sure they will love to use and take advantage of the inclusion of 4GB RAM.

Which to choose? That should be more of a personal choice, as someone who is not looking at a heavily packed device and is okay with 2gig of RAM but is looking more at the camera, can save quite a lot and get the base model, which has a MicroSD slot just like the other variants.