Overview of the smartphone ASUS ZenFone Live ZB501KL

Smartphones, or, translating from English, “smart phones”, today are very popular with users due to their functionality. At the same time, manufacturers, focusing on the development of modern information technologies, produce "thematic" products. For example, a smartphone for potential bloggers that allows you to effectively broadcast video and take selfies. One of these is the ZenFone Live ZB501KL from ASUS.

How to choose a smartphone for blogging

The main criteria for choosing a device

• The amount of permanent memory. The required minimum is 32 GB. Video bloggers will need 64 GB to shoot videos. It is important to provide for the possibility of expanding the volume up to 128 GB, which is necessary for uploading photo and video materials in HD.
• performance. This parameter is the sum of the characteristics of the processor and the amount of RAM. The optimal combination is a 4-core processor with a clock frequency of 1.5 Hz and the amount of "RAM" is not less than 2-3 GB. Such indicators give the device the ability to work quickly with the maximum number of open applications.
• Autonomy. For a blogger, it is important that the smartphone provides good communication, fast Internet navigation, data reception and transmission. For such intensive use of the device, a 4100-5000 mAh battery is suitable.
• Cameras: for the main one - the resolution should be at least 13-16 megapixels, for the front one - 8 megapixels. It is desirable to have an optical stabilization function that can level out various imperfections when shooting (trembling hands, bright sunlight or lack of it).
• The presence of a voice recorder.
• Convenience. Ergonomic models have a diagonal size in the range from 5 to 5.5 inches.

List of the best manufacturers

Which brand of smartphone is better to buy? In search of a phone with similar top-end parameters, users turn to popular models from well-known brands or select budget options from Chinese manufacturers that have the desired characteristics.

Where is the best place to buy a smartphone? Russian consumers have two options. The first is to go to a specialized outlet: a mobile phone store, a store or a hypermarket. The larger the settlement, the wider the list of such places. Among the advantages of this approach is the opportunity to get acquainted with the model “live”, get a guarantee for the purchase, save money if there is a promotion or sale in the store.A significant disadvantage is that an inexperienced and gullible buyer can be imposed with an outdated model or a new product, but at an inflated cost, or they can offer to pay for a number of services, such as installing certain programs that the user would be able to handle himself.

Another method that is gaining more and more popularity is online shopping. You can go, for example, to the official website of the store, set the necessary parameters for filters and select the desired model. Here are the reviews left by users. The advantages of the method are the possibility of a deliberate and unhurried choice, the availability of models that meet Russian standards. The disadvantage is a relatively narrow model range in domestic retail, the risk of paid and untrue reviews.

A number of brands (Xiaomi, Huawei) can be purchased through the official online stores of the manufacturer. On popular Chinese marketplaces like AliExpress, there are items that are not available in our offline stores (OnePlus, ZTE, Bluboo and others). Of the advantages of buying on such services - a lower price, often free shipping, a wide selection of models. But there are also serious disadvantages: the lack of a guarantee, a long journey to Russia (usually at least a month) and the possible non-compliance of the model with our standards. For example, the lack of the Russian language or support for some LTE frequencies. In the first case, the problem can be solved "manually" by replacing the firmware, but not all users will want to do this, preferring to buy devices that do not need to be messed with additionally.

Manufacturers:

Inexpensive models

• Fly (UK-India);
• ZTE (PRC);
• Alcatel (China).

Devices of the middle price range

• Xiaomi (PRC);
• Meizu (PRC);
• Huawei (PRC);
• ASUS (Republic of China);
• LG (South Korea);
• Lenovo (Hong Kong).

Premium segment

• Apple (USA);
• Sony (Japan);
• Samsung S series (South Korea).

Smartphone ASUS ZenFone Live ZB501KL

For a detailed review, we have chosen a popular model, the advantages and disadvantages of which we will analyze.

Country of origin: Republic of China.

Average price: from 7500 rubles; 66 602 tenge.

The ZenFone Live line is positioned by ASUS as the world's first device capable of live streaming online.

Perfect streaming is provided by:

• A dual microphone that records voice in stereo mode, it significantly reduces the amount of extraneous noise. Even if a blogger broadcasts on a busy street or a noisy event, viewers will hear him perfectly.
• beautylive app. Its purpose is to improve the transmitted image.
• Two cameras. They have a set of functions for creating high-quality pictures, allow you to take clear selfies in different conditions.

Equipment

The device is sold in a small cardboard box. In addition to the smartphone itself, the kit includes a charger (current = 1 A), a USB cable, a “paperclip” emoticon for removing the SIM card, instructions and a warranty card.

Main parameters and design

Height - 141.18 mm, width - 71.74 mm, thickness - 7.95 mm. Weight - 120 gr. Compact model, fits comfortably in the user's palm, does not slip.

The front panel is protected by touch glass. Above the screen are the event indicator, earpiece, front camera and LED flash. At the bottom of the panel there are standard navigation buttons that do not have a backlight.

The material of the back of the smartphone is plastic, which looks like metal. In the upper left corner you can find the main camera.

On the left "side" of the device there is a hole for two SIM-cards or a combination of a card and memory, on the right - a button to turn the device on and off and adjust the sound volume.

At the top of the case there is a hole for connecting headphones and an additional microphone, at the bottom there is a main microphone, a place for connecting a USB connector and a music speaker.

The disadvantage of the device can be called the lack of access to the battery: in case of malfunctions, you will have to contact the service department to disassemble the case.

The smartphone is available in three colors: gold, black and pink.

Screen

The screen diagonal is 5 inches, the resolution is 1280x720 pixels, which is typical for budget smartphones. Such indicators provide user-friendly image sharpness. Brightness and contrast values ​​make it easy for the eyes to read information on the display during the day, in the sun, and in the dark. With the settings made in the "default" mode, the color rendition has some error, which can be corrected by setting the white color temperature manually. The touch screen has an oleophobic coating and is able to recognize ten simultaneous touches.

Interface

This model from ASUS is equipped with the Android 6.0.1 operating system in combination with the ZenUi 3.0 shell. This shell is very functional: the user can change almost all parameters, adjusting everything to his liking - animation, icon size and label location, menu font and its colors, wallpaper.The main menu is located separately from the desktops, so the grid size and icon placement can be easily adjusted.

The notification curtain can be easily and simply filled with the options the user needs. Also, clients of common applications are already installed on the smartphone. There's a ZenCircle ecosystem to help expose captured photos and homemade wallpapers to the public.

The device has a rich set of applications, including an FM receiver, although it takes time to find it.

The model has a good keyboard for comfortable working with text, which has such functions as a dictionary, the possibility of continuous input.

The owners of this smartphone can comfortably stay on the World Wide Web. The browser selected is Google Chrome.

An interesting option is the ability to work with gloves.

cameras

According to user reviews, the quality of pictures from the front camera (5 MP) can be described as average. However, its plus is the ability to broadcast live using many different filters (Beauty Live application), which will significantly improve your appearance, removing minor imperfections and flaws. The LED flash will help to take a picture for lovers of night “selfies”. There is an autofocus option.

The rear camera (13 MP) has a rich set of settings, including manual ones, which allows you to take pictures with a fairly decent quality for the price of the device. There is the option of shooting at night, a set of ready-made scenes, the “HDR Pro” mode and others that are standard for all smartphones.

Among the shortcomings, users distinguish the following:

• Medium detail shots taken indoors;
• Small resolution for pictures taken in panorama format;
• Photos taken at night do not always satisfy their quality. The best result from the camera can be achieved on a sunny, clear day;
• Not satisfied with the choice of brightness for penumbra in the "HDR Pro" mode.

Performance

It can be described as quite low, capable of performing only simple tasks. The smartphone is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor, the release date of which is 2013. Still, for today this model can be considered somewhat outdated and it is not very clear why it is installed on a 2017 device.

The amount of RAM is 2 GB. The operation of the interface is debugged, although sometimes you may encounter a slight "slowdown". For lovers of active games, the device may not be suitable: games that “weigh” a lot are best turned on with minimal graphics settings.

Multimedia

A smartphone allows you not only to stay in touch, but also to take your leisure time listening to music and watching videos.

A video player is included in the Gallery app, although it does not play all formats, so you can install another program from the Market as an alternative.

The Google Play Music app is used to listen to audio files. It is possible to collect your own collection of your favorite music plus listen to it online using the services of the Google store.

The user can also use the built-in FM radio, however, according to some reviews, it has such a feature as monophonic sound, even when the radio station works in stereo.

The sound is characterized as quite loud and high quality. Speaker volume - 78 dB, which is quite a lot.

Communications

Their combination is standard for a budget segment device.

• One of the SIM cards functions in the LTE network (note that LTE support depends on the region of residence);
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with Wi-Fi direct;
• Bluetooth 4.0;
• GPS supporting A-GPS, GLONASS for navigation and positioning.

autonomy

It can be described as average. One charge is enough for 12 hours of active use or a couple of days in moderate use. The battery capacity is 2650 mAh.

The device fully charges in about two and a half hours. There is no fast charging option.

Outcome

• Good value for money;
• Makeup mode for live video broadcasts;
• A wide range of options and capabilities of the camera;
• Fast processor;
• High quality communication;
• Good video quality;
• Attractive design;
• Light weight.

• Plastic case;
• There are complaints about the focus and quality of shots at close range;
• No headphones included;
• Lots of unnecessary apps;
• Removable back cover.

So, the model can be recommended to novice video bloggers as an affordable tool for creating selfies and conducting online broadcasts. Also, it should be considered as a potential gift for girls due to its stylish appearance and actual functionality.