Asus Zenfone 5Z hands-on review – it looks like an iPhone X, but costs HALF the price
You don't necessarily need to pay Apple prices to get a smartphone with Apple looks – as Asus' latest budget blower proves...
APPLE'S new iPhone X has a really unique design that's proved divisive – but one phone maker has borrowed the controversial style for its latest handset, and The Sun has been given an early look.
Taiwanese tech giant Asus has launched two new mobile phones that look seriously similar to Apple's pricey £999 blower – but they're way cheaper.
The new Asus Zenfone 5 and Zenfone 5Z smartphones have mimicked Apple's curious "notch" design quirk.
The "notch" is a small bit of plastic that juts out from the top of the phone, eating into the screen.
It makes it possible to fill nearly all of a phone's front with display, because the "notch" lets phone makers keep important features – like the selfie camera and sensors – on the front.
And even though plenty of people complained about the "notch", it seems that Apple rival Asus hasn't been put off the wacky design choice.
But it seems like the new Asus ZenFone 5Z will be a real bargain compared to the Apple device – it costs just £499.99.
Better still, it's got some top-notch specs, boasting the same powerful processor as the new Samsung Galaxy S9, and a huge 6.2-inch Full HD+ screen that's even bigger than the 5.8-inch display on Apple's iPhone X.
Asus is also offering a slightly cheaper model called the Asus Zenfone 5, although there's no official pricing confirmed for this model.
It's got a slightly less powerful Snapdragon 636 processor that should still run seriously quick, and it's got exactly the same screen as the pricier model.
Both Asus phones have smart AI cameras that can detect what you're trying to take a photo of, and then optimise your camera settings for the best possible shot.
And they both run on Google's Android OS, which is a rival to Apple's iOS software for the iPhone. It's just as good and offers better customisability, although users who aren't tech-savvy may find it slightly more complicated.
Both phones are expected to arrive "later in the year", but that's all we know right now.
Asus Zenfone 5 first impressions – a real steal?
We've had a quick play with the Asus Zenfone 5, and it looks like a genuinely impressive phone.
The design is slick and trendy, but that's no surprise – it's twinning with Apple's gorgeous iPhone X.
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With low pricing and high-grade specs, Asus could be onto a winner here, but may struggle to steal the limelight from big-budget phone rivals like Samsung and Apple.
Still, if you're looking for a bargain Android blower this year, the Asus Zenfone 5 and Zenfone 5Z could be ones to watch out for.
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