Zenfone 5 Launch | #BackTo5

The Consumer Review Team
Apr 15, 2018
3 min read

Updated: May 20, 2018

Che Custodio | April 15, 2018

The day that we have been waiting for has finally arrived!

The grand launching of the Asus Zenfone 5 series was held yesterday at One Esplanade, Pasay City. My love for android smartphones started on year 2012, but this was my first time to attend an actual event! I was very excited, and at the same time cautious, because I didn’t know what to expect in this kind of gathering.

I was supposed to experience and cover the event by myself. Luckily, Ms. Joyce (Thank you for the invite) said they have 1 more available slot and we got Cocco/Koko to join me in the event.

As soon we entered the venue, a signage of “Asus Zenfone 5 launch” welcomed us. Registration started as early as 11:00 AM, and guests were requested to present the email with a QR code to the organizers. Present in the event were bloggers, members of the media and the Zenfans. There were also walk-in participants as the registration opened in the afternoon.

When the door of the function room was opened, we saw a silver Toyota Vios parked at the corner (which turned out as part of an on-going raffle for those who will purchase any Zenfone 5 series phone until April 24, 2018) as we walked towards our seats. We were stationed at the third row, close enough for us to have a good view of the screen and those that will go on stage.

The program started at 4:00 PM hosted by Ms. Jelly Victor, with a performance of a ballet-dance group. The people behind Asus were also introduced respectively, namely Mr. Gerry Shen (Asus CEO), Mr. George Su (Country Manager, Asus Philippines), Mr. Thih Liang Goh (Country Manager, Qualcomm Philippines and Malaysia), Mr. Marcel Campos (Asus Global Marketing Head), and last but not the least, Mr. Gerald Anderson (Asus Brand Ambassador/Endorser).

The Asus Zenfone 5 2018 lineup consists of four variants:

Asus Zenfone 5Z

Asus Zenfone 5

Asus Zenfone 5Q

Asus Zenfone Max Plus / M1.

A survey was made online before the event, where participants had the opportunity to guess what would be the retail price of their desired Zenfones. Some of those who posted their guesses were asked to come up on stage. The lucky person who made the closest guess gets to take home the device!

The prices of each phone are as follows:

Asus Zenfone 5Z - Php 29,995

Asus Zenfone 5 - Php 19,995

Asus Zenfone 5Q - Php 16,995

Asus Zenfone M1 - Php 8,995

Consumers that will purchase any of these devices starting April 14 - April 24, 2018 will take home freebies such as Asus jacket, JBL flip speaker and powerbank with a chance to win the Toyota Vios E AT!

Asus’ 100th store in the Philippines also opened today April 15, 2018 (Sunday) and is located at Ayala Mall Feliz, Marikina!

Quick First Impressions about the device:

Che Custodio: I am overall impressed with the appearance of the Zenfone 5 Series. I like the big screens, the phones being light-weight, the fingerprint sensor situated at the back (for me it is easier that way, instead of having it on the front) and then adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) features.

The only thing that I am concerned about is the phone being a fingerprint magnet. I am the type of user that gets uncomfortable when I get to see a lot of fingerprints on a phone. I hope that in the next few weeks, retailers will be able to produce a transparent skin and case to compliment the premium look of the Zenfones.

Cocco de Leon: The new Zenfone 5 series does not disappoint.

Plus points for:

AI (Artificial Intelligence) integration - Camera, charging and overall performance
Premium feel and build quality
Competitive price point
functional notch - the expanding notifications make good use of the space
Wide angle cameras on front and rear cameras
Easy to use interface
Oled panel screens
Battery capacity and optimizations