The Asus Zenfone 2 Laser series offered incredible value back in its day. But with two popular models, the ZE500KL and ZE550KL, choosing the right one can be tricky. This comprehensive comparison will break down the differences to help you decide which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The ZE550KL is the clear winner thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 615 processor. While both offer a similar experience in other areas, the ZE550KL's improved performance makes it the better choice for smoother multitasking and gaming, justifying its slightly higher price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Global | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Global |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - Global | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 38, 40, 41 - India | 1, 3, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, August. Released 2015, August | 2015, August. Released 2015, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 143.7 x 71.5 x 10.5 mm (5.66 x 2.81 x 0.41 in) | 152.5 x 77.2 x 10.8 mm (6.00 x 3.04 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 140 g (4.94 oz) | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~70.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm)Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 306 | Adreno 306Adreno 405 |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow), ZenUI | Android 5.0 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow), ZenUI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 2GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | Laser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0 | 13 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0, AF | 5 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR | 4.0, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 2400 mAh, removable | Li-Po 3000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black/Ceramic White/Silver/Purple/Aqua Blue/Sheer Gold/Glamour Red | Black, White, Red, Silver, Gold |
| Models | Z00ED | Z00LD, Z00LDD |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 220 EUR |
Asus Zenfone 2 Laser ZE500KL
- Compact size
- Affordable price
- Decent camera
- Lower performance
- Smaller battery
- Lower screen resolution
Asus Zenfone 2 Laser ZE550KL
- Better performance
- Larger battery
- Higher screen resolution
- Larger display
- Slightly more expensive
- Larger size (may not suit everyone)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 5.0-inch IPS LCD display. However, the ZE550KL boasts a slightly higher resolution (1920x1080 vs 1280x720 on the ZE500KL), resulting in sharper visuals. The ZE550KL's larger size also allows for a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones have a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. Image quality is generally comparable, though the ZE550KL's more powerful processor might allow for slightly faster image processing and better low-light performance. Both benefit from Asus's PixelMaster technology.
Performance
This is where the biggest difference lies. The ZE500KL uses a Snapdragon 410, a decent but entry-level chipset. The ZE550KL, in many configurations, features a Snapdragon 615, an octa-core processor offering significantly better performance. Expect smoother app loading, faster multitasking, and improved gaming on the ZE550KL.
Battery Life
The ZE550KL has a larger 3000mAh battery compared to the ZE500KL's 2400mAh. This translates to noticeably longer battery life on the ZE550KL, easily lasting a full day with moderate use, while the ZE500KL might require a midday top-up.
Buying Guide
The Asus Zenfone 2 Laser ZE500KL is a good option for budget-conscious users who prioritize a compact size and don't demand high-end performance. The ZE550KL is ideal for those who want a larger screen and a noticeable performance boost for everyday tasks and light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZE550KL worth the extra cost over the ZE500KL?
Yes, the ZE550KL's improved performance and battery life generally justify the higher price, especially if you use your phone for more than just basic tasks.
❓ Can the ZE500KL handle light gaming?
Yes, it can handle some light games, but don't expect high frame rates or smooth performance in demanding titles. The ZE550KL is a better choice for gaming.
