The Asus Zenfone 2 Laser series offered incredible value back in its day. But with two similar models – the ZE550KL and ZE500KL – choosing between them can be tricky. This comprehensive comparison breaks down the key differences to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The ZE550KL is the clear winner thanks to its Octa-core processor, offering significantly better performance for multitasking and demanding apps. While both are budget-friendly, the ZE550KL's extra power makes it the more compelling choice for most users.
| 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, September | 2015, August. Released 2015, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 152.5 x 77.2 x 10.8 mm (6.00 x 3.04 x 0.43 in) | 143.7 x 71.5 x 10.5 mm (5.66 x 2.81 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 140 g (4.94 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~70.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm)Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 306Adreno 405 | Adreno 306 |
| 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 | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 8GB 2GB RAM, 16GB 2GB 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 2400 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Red, Silver, Gold | Black/Ceramic White/Silver/Purple/Aqua Blue/Sheer Gold/Glamour Red |
| Models | Z00LD, Z00LDD | Z00ED |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 210 EUR |
Asus Zenfone 2 Laser ZE550KL
- Better Performance (Octa-core option)
- Potentially Longer Battery Life
- Slightly Better Image Processing
- More Responsive UI
- May be slightly more expensive (depending on condition)
- Larger size might be less comfortable for some
Asus Zenfone 2 Laser ZE500KL
- More Affordable
- Compact Size
- Decent for Basic Tasks
- Slower Performance (Quad-core)
- Shorter Battery Life
- Less Responsive UI
- Limited Multitasking Capabilities
Display Comparison
Both models feature a 5.0-inch IPS LCD display, likely with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels. Expect similar viewing angles and color accuracy. The ZE550KL might have slightly better brightness due to potential variations in panel quality, but the difference is likely minimal.
Camera Comparison
Both phones typically feature a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. Image quality will be comparable in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance will be average on both, but the ZE550KL's potentially more powerful processor might allow for slightly better image processing.
Performance
This is where the biggest difference lies. The ZE550KL boasts either a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 or a Snapdragon 615 chipset, with the latter being the more powerful Octa-core option. The ZE500KL is limited to the Snapdragon 410 Quad-core. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother gaming, and better overall responsiveness on the ZE550KL.
Battery Life
The ZE550KL generally has a slightly larger battery capacity (around 2800-3000 mAh) compared to the ZE500KL (around 2400 mAh). This translates to slightly longer battery life on the ZE550KL, though actual usage will vary.
Buying Guide
The Asus Zenfone 2 Laser ZE550KL is ideal for users who prioritize performance and smoother multitasking, even on a budget. The ZE500KL is a decent option for basic users who primarily need a phone for calls, texts, and light browsing, and are extremely budget-conscious.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Zenfone 2 Laser ZE550KL worth the extra money?
Yes, if performance is a priority. The Octa-core version of the ZE550KL offers a significant upgrade over the ZE500KL's Quad-core processor.
❓ What is the difference between the Snapdragon 410 and 615?
The Snapdragon 615 is an Octa-core processor with a more efficient architecture, offering significantly better performance than the Snapdragon 410's Quad-core design.
