ASUS has been hosting Zenvolution events all around the world showing off their latest line of Zen products and for North America, ASUS recently held their “Zenvolution” event in New York City where they displayed a whole host of new products including the ZenBook 3 ultraportable, ZenFone 3 smartphone. ZenWatch 3 smartwatch, Transformer 3 Pro Tablet, Transformer 3 Mini, and ZenPad 3S 10.
ZenBook 3
As computers have always been ASUS’s bread and butter, the ZenBook 3 is arguably the coolest new product. While the general design of the ZenBook hasn’t changed over the years, ASUS has made some internal upgrades that make it significantly better compared to its predecessors.
The new ZenBook 3 will initially launch in two configurations which include either an Intel Core i7-7500U or Intel Core i5-7200U 7th Generation Kaby Lake based CPU. The Intel Core i7-7500U model will include 16GB of LPDDR3 2,133MHz memory, a 512GB NVMe PCIe SSD and Windows 10 Pro. The Intel Core i5-7200U model will include 8GB of LPDDR3 1,866MHz memory, a 256GB SATA SSD and Windows 10 Home.
Both system options will include a Gorilla Glass 4 protected 12.5-inch edge to edge 1080P IPS display powered by Intel HD620 graphics. It’ll also include a 4 speaker Harmon Kardon speaker system. Battery life on the ASUS ZenBook 3 is rated at up to 9 hours with its massive 40Wh battery. ASUS claims that the ZenBook 3 can reach a 60% charge in just 49 minutes. The ZenBook 3, which measures just 11.65 inches wide, 7.53 inches long, 0.47 inches thin and weighs just 2 pounds, will be crafted in a new aerospace grade aluminum alloy which ASUS claims is more durable than previously used materials.
Expansion options on the system is fairly non-existent with only a single USB Type-C port. ASUS will however include an external hub which will include a full size USB 3.0 port, USB 3.1 Type-C ports, RJ-45 Ethernet, HDMI, VGA, and SD card reader for additional expansion options. Connectivity options include 802.11 AC Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1.
The ASUS ZenBook 3 will retail for $1,099 for the Core i5 model and $1,599 for the Core i7 model. The ZenBook 3 is now available for purchase on Newegg.
ASUS ZenFone 3
ASUS also launched their new ZenPhone 3 which will come in several variants including the 5.7 inch ZenFone 3 Deluxe Special Edition, 5.7 inch ZenFone 3 Deluxe, 5.5 inch ZenFone 3 Deluxe and 5.5 inch Zenfone Laser.
Starting with the 5.7 inch ZenFone 3 Deluxe Special Edition, the new smartphone sports a Gorilla Glass 4 protected 5.7″ 1080P Super AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 SoC, 6GB of RAM and a massive 256GB onboard storage. It’ll also include a 23MP rear camera with OIS and EIS along with an 8MP front facing camera. The body will be constructed of an all metal unibody design. It’ll also feature a 3,000 mAh battery as well. The 5.7 inch ZenFone 3 Deluxe Special Edition is expected to retail for $799.
Right below that is the ASUS 5.7 inch ZenFone 3 Deluxe which has the same specs as the Special Edition however, it’ll be powered by a Snapdragon 820 SoC, feature just 64GB of onboard storage, but will be priced at a much more palatable $499. The ZenFone 3 Deluxe is currently available for pre-order on Amazon.
The ASUS ZenPhone 3 Deluxe 5.5 includes a Gorilla Glass 3 protected 5.5″ 1080P Super IPS+ display, a Snapdragon 625 SoC, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of onboard storage. It’ll also feature a 16MP rear facing camera with OIS and EIS, and a 8MP front facing camera. The ASUS ZenPhone 3 Deluxe 5.5 is expected to retail at $249.
The ASUS ZenPhone 3 Laser 5.5 inch comes with that same 5.5 inch 1080P IPS display but only a SnapDragon 430 SoC, 2GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard storage. It’ll also feature a 13MP rear camera with OIS and EIS, and an 8MP front facing camera. The ASUS ZenPhone 3 Laser 5.5 inch will retail for $199 and is currently available at at Amazon.
ZenWatch 3
The ASUS ZenWatch 3 is ASUS’s newest entry into the market running Android Wear 2.0. Like many other smartwatch makers, ASUS has now transitioned from the fugly square watch design to a round design.
The ZenWatch 3 will feature a 1.39 inch circular 400×400 AMOLED display, a Snapdragon Wear 2100 SoC, 512GB LPDDR3 RAM, and 4GB of internal storage. It’ll also feature a 340 mAh battery and and IP67 dust, sand, and water resistance.
What’s exciting about the ZenWatch is its price. The ZenWatch 3 is priced at just $229 which significantly undercuts the competition especially for a device with this kind of specs. The ZenWatch 3 will be available in November.
Transformer 3 Pro
The ASUS Transformer 3 Pro is probably one of the most promising 2-in-1 notebooks coming out this year. Crafted from a full aluminum magnesium alloy, the 2-in-1 has some pretty sweet features including a 12.6 inch 2,880×1920 3K touchscreen display, Intel Core i7 6500U processor, 16GB of LPDDR3 memory, and a 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD. It’ll also feature a detachable keyboard and stylus making it perfect for productivity on the go.
The ASUS Transformer 3 Pro is now available for $1,499.
ASUS Transformer 3 Mini
For those who don’t need the capabilities of the ASUS Transformer 3 Pro, ASUS also has the Transformer 3 Mini 2-in-1. Featuring a 10.1 inch HD touch screen display, the Transformer 3 Mini gets an Intel Atom Core X5-8350 CPU, 4GB memory, and 128GB of onboard eMMC storage. It’ll also feature a detachable keyboard and stylus.
The Transformer 3 Mini will be available in October for $399.
ZenPad 3S 10
The ZenPad 3S 10 is ASUS’s new tablet which features a 9.7″ 2,48×1,536 QXGA display, 6-core MediaTek 8176 SoC, 4GB RAM and 64GB eMMC onboard storage. The tablet also features a rear facing 8MP camera and front facing 5MP camera.
Connectivity options include WiFi 802.11 AC, Bluetooth 4.2, USB Type-C, GPS, and Glosnass. It’ll also feature a 5,900 mAh battery for up to 10 hours of battery life.
The ZenPad 3S 10 will be available November for $299.
We’re pretty excited for all new new Zen products ASUS has launched this year and can’t wait to see it out in the market this fall. Which one are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below!
