The Asus Zenfone series has consistently offered compelling value in the mid-range smartphone market. Today, we're pitting two popular models against each other: the Zenfone 3 ZE552KL and the Zenfone 5 ZE620KL. Which one delivers the best experience for your money?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Zenfone 5 ZE620KL generally wins thanks to its more modern chipset (Snapdragon 636 vs 625), offering better performance and efficiency. While the Zenfone 3 boasts incredible battery life, the Zenfone 5's improvements in processing power make it the more well-rounded choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Global | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - A version, B version |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - Global | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - A version |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps (Global), LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps (Taiwan) | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 400/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17, 28 - USA/Brazil | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 - C version |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, May. Released 2016, August | 2018, February. Released 2018, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 152.6 x 77.4 x 7.7 mm (6.01 x 3.05 x 0.30 in) | 153 x 75.7 x 7.7 mm (6.02 x 2.98 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 155 g (5.47 oz) | 165 g (5.82 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2246 pixels, 18.7:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 96.9 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super IPS+ | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 (14 nm) | Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | Adreno 509 |
| OS | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat), ZenUI 3 | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), ZenUI 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, PDAF, 4-axis OIS
8 MP, f/2.0, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, no AF |
| Features | Laser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, PDAF, 3-axis OIS | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio
| 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE | v5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sapphire Black, Moonlight White, Shimmer Gold | Midnight Blue, Meteor Silver |
| Models | Z012DB, Z012D, Z012DA, Z012DC, Z012S, Z012DE | X00QD, ZE620KL, ZF620KL, X00QDA |
| Price | About 330 EUR | About 320 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -86.6dB / Crosstalk -91.1dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 74h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1355 (nominal), 2.563 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 76dB
| - |
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1205 | - |
Asus Zenfone 3 ZE552KL
- Exceptional battery life
- Good contrast ratio display
- Budget-friendly
- Older chipset
- Potentially less advanced camera
- Smaller screen
Asus Zenfone 5 ZE620KL
- More powerful chipset (Snapdragon 636)
- Larger display
- Likely better camera performance
- Shorter battery life compared to Zenfone 3
- 10W charging is relatively slow
Display Comparison
Both phones feature LCD displays, but the Zenfone 5 has a larger 6.2-inch screen compared to the Zenfone 3's 5.5-inch display. The Zenfone 3's contrast ratio is impressive (1355 nominal, 2.563 in sunlight), suggesting good outdoor visibility. The Zenfone 5 likely offers a slightly sharper image due to a potentially higher resolution, though specific resolution details are missing in the provided data.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse in the provided data. However, generally, the Zenfone 5 likely has a more advanced camera system, potentially including features like optical image stabilization (OIS) and improved low-light performance. Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but the Zenfone 5 is expected to deliver superior image quality.
Performance
The Zenfone 5's Snapdragon 636 chipset is a noticeable upgrade over the Zenfone 3's Snapdragon 625. The Kryo 260 cores in the 636 offer improved CPU performance and better power efficiency. Expect smoother app loading, faster multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Zenfone 5.
Battery Life
The Zenfone 3 shines in this category. Its endurance rating of 74 hours is exceptional. The Zenfone 5, while still offering decent battery life, doesn't match the Zenfone 3's longevity, especially considering its more power-hungry processor.
Buying Guide
The Asus Zenfone 3 ZE552KL is a good choice for users prioritizing exceptional battery life and a budget-friendly price. It's ideal for those who don't demand the absolute latest performance. The Asus Zenfone 5 ZE620KL is better suited for users who want a smoother, faster experience, especially for multitasking and gaming, and are willing to trade some battery endurance for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Zenfone 5 worth the upgrade from the Zenfone 3?
Yes, if performance and a larger screen are important to you. The Snapdragon 636 offers a significant speed boost. However, if battery life is your absolute top priority, the Zenfone 3 remains a strong contender.
❓ What is the charging speed of the Zenfone 5?
The Zenfone 5 supports 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow compared to modern fast-charging standards.
