GADGET REVIEW: Asus Zenfone 2 Laser Laser 6.0 ZE601KL

Whenever I travel, I always make sure that I only bring the things I need on a trip. Let's admit it, I'm not getting any younger and carrying a heavy backpack during any travel is not a good idea. That is why, I've already stopped using bulky and heavy dslr camera a long time ago. Nowadays, a smartphone with a good camera and a waterproof action camera or a digicam are all I need to capture and document my travels.

Aside from a good quality camera, what I also consider in a smartphone are its features and capabilities. To be able to stay connected and run travel apps is very important for me. That is why, I am so delighted when Asus Philippines sent me one of their newest smartphones, the Asus Zenphone 2 Laser 6 (ZE601KL). I got to use it in my recent travels to Manila, Batangas and Romblon.

First, let's take a look at...

Asus Zenfone 2 Laser 6.0 ZE601KL's Specs

• 6-inch Full HD IPS display, 367ppi
• Corning Gorilla Glass 4
• 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 (MSM8939) octa-core CPU
• 3GB LP DDR3 RAM
• 32GB internal storage
• up to 128GB via microSD
• 13MP rear AF camera, f2.0 aperture, Laser AF, dual-tone flash
• 5MP FF front camera
• Dual-SIM (micro)
• Dual 4G LTE, 3G HSPA+
• WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
• Bluetooth V4.1+EDR +A2DP
• USB 2.0
• GPS, GLONASS, AGPS & BDS
• 3,000mAh battery
• Android 5.0 Lollipop w/ ZenUI
• Dimensions: 164.55 x 84 x 10.55 mm
• Weight: 190g
• Colors: Glacier Gray, Sheer Gold, Glamour Red

Unboxing the Asus Zenfone 2 Laser 6.0 ZE601KL

The standard package comes with the smartphone, USB 2.0 cable and wall charger adapter, headset with extra ear foams, warranty card and user manual.

Ergonomic and Functional Design

I instantly fell in love with Asus Laser 6's sleek, ergonomic and functional design. Though it is big, with dimensions of 164.55 x 84 x 10.55 mm, it still perfectly fits in my hand. It has a premium look, a sturdy feel and weighs very light at 190 grams. The ports and buttons were also nicely placed on the top and bottom sides for accessibility and functionality.

What I also love about its physical design is the rear key found at the back of the phone. It is part of the phone's new Ergonomic Arc design which allows ease in snapping selfies, adjusting the volume, among other functions.

6-inch Full HD IPS Display

What also impressed me is the 6-inch Full HD IPS display at 367ppi with Corning Gorilla Glass 4 which gives rich and natural colors, wide viewing angle and a remarkable 72% screen-to-body ratio. This is perfect for watching movies while on the road or waiting for your flight at the airport.

Fast and Responsive Performance

When it comes to performance, it is fast and responsive. Featuring a 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 (MSM8939) octa-core CPU, it certainly offers that optimum performance and speed I am looking for in a smartphone. It allows me open several apps simultaneously and lets me do multiple tasks without lagging. Try it with a cheap smartphone and you'll end up having to re-start the phone because it already hang and stopped working.

Awesome Camera

One of the highlights and my favorite feature of the Asus Zenfone 2 Laser 6.0 ZE601KL is its 13MP rear AF camera with f2.0 aperture, Laser AF and dual-tone flash. This is very important for any traveler like me who doesn't bring a camera but rely only on phone cameras. I love that the photos I took are sharp, wide-angle, vibrant in colors and works well even in low-light conditions.

Sample Photos taken with Asus Zenfone 2 6.0 ZE601KL

These are unedited photos. I only added the watermark and no other post-processing were done. Click the photos to enlarge.

Manila photos using the phone's auto mode.





Taal Lake in Balete Batangas. Photo taken from a moving boat using the phone's auto mode.

Solaire Resort's swimming pool and guest room. Photo taken with the phone's panorama mode feature.

It is also good in taking food shots using the camera's "depth of field" mode.

Beaches of Romblon taken with Asus Laser 6's camera using auto mode.




Manual Mode Settings
Lastly, the phone's camera also has a "manual mode" where you could adjust the white balance, exposure and ISO settings. Here's a shot of Mall of Asia's Ferris wheel taken in manual mode and in low-light condition.

Connectivity

I am very happy that the Asus Zenfone Laser 6.0 ZE601KL supports dual (micro) SIM capability, which means you don't need to carry two phones when you travel. So when traveling abroad, you just need to buy a local sim and insert it on the 2nd SIM slot.

As someone who always wants to be connected to the internet, connectivity is very important. The Asus Laser 6 can connect to 4G LTE, 3G HSPA+ signals for both SIM slots. Yey! With this, it's easier to switch from one mobile service provider to another, whichever provides the best mobile signal and data connection wherever I may be. It also supports Wifi, Bluetooth, GPS and A-GPS connectivity.

Speakers

With dual speakers perfectly placed at the back of the Asus Zenfone 2 Laser Laser 6.0 ZE601KL, it produces sound at supreme quality levels. It is ideal for listening to music while enjoying the beach with the company of your friends!

Battery Life

This phone features a 3,000mAh battery which is good enough for moderate users. But for someone like me who is a heavy user and is always connected to the internet, taking calls and running multiple apps while traveling, it only lasts for about 6 hours. So, I still need to plug it to my power bank. I'm looking forward for an Asus Zenfone with longer battery life. Maybe, soon!

How much is the Asus Zenfone 2 Laser 6?

Available in Glacier Gray, Sheer Gold and Glamour Red, the Asus Zenfone 2 Laser Laser 6.0 ZE601KL is sold with an affordable price tag of Php 11,995.00. It is definitely a bang for the buck and value-for-money considering its premium features and capabilities.

The Asus Zenfone 2 Laser Laser 6.0 ZE601KL is definitely the best Asus smartphone I have tried. It's an ideal smartphone for travelers who want to have a smartphone that offers reliable performance and could really take stunning photos. I'm giving it my 2 thumbs up!

Disclosure: Asus Philippines gave me this Asus Zenfone 2 Laser 6.0 for the purpose of this review. All the comments and views expressed are mine and were not influenced by the company.