Asus ZenFone Zoom is the first phone with an optical zoom lens that doesn’t protrude out of the phone, a mighty impressive accomplishment. But don’t start tossing money at Asus just yet. The phone’s spammy software and slow camera drag it down too much to recommend, especially when you factor in its premium price.
At$399(which is around £275 or AU$560), the Zoom isn’t cheap - you’re paying the early adopter tax to get your hands on it. If you’re looking at alternative phones with great cameras, then your best bet would still be flagships such as the Samsung Galaxy S6 and the Apple iPhone 6S Plus; they cost a lot more, but you also get more for your money. When all’s said and done, the ZenFone Zoom is a novelty, but one with the potential for a second-generation model good enough to stand on its own.