Asus Zenfone Selfie ZD551KL vs. Zenfone 2 Laser ZE550KL: A Head-to-Head Comparison

The Asus Zenfone series offered compelling mid-range smartphones, and the Selfie ZD551KL and Zenfone 2 Laser ZE550KL were popular choices. Both aimed to deliver value, but with different strengths. This comparison dives deep into their features to help you decide which one was the better pick.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Zenfone Selfie ZD551KL edges out the Zenfone 2 Laser due to its significantly better battery life and superior sunlight display performance. While the Zenfone 2 Laser offered a slightly more powerful CPU configuration, the Selfie's overall package is more appealing, especially for users prioritizing longevity and outdoor visibility.

PHONES
Phone Names	Asus Zenfone Selfie ZD551KL	Asus Zenfone 2 Laser ZE550KL

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	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 - India	1, 3, 38, 40, 41 - India

Launch
Announced	2015, June. Released 2015, August	2015, August. Released 2015, September
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, plastic frame	-
Dimensions	156.5 x 77.2 x 10.8 mm (6.16 x 3.04 x 0.43 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	170 g (6.00 oz)	170 g (6.00 oz)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 4, oleophobic coating	Corning Gorilla Glass 4
Resolution	1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)	720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density)
Size	5.5 inches, 82.6 cm2 (~68.3% screen-to-body ratio)	5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~70.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	IPS LCD

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53)	Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53)
Chipset	Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm)	Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm)Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm)
GPU	Adreno 405	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	16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB 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, 28mm (wide), 1/3.0"	13 MP, f/2.0
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	Dual-LED dual-tone flash	-
Single	13 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF	5 MP, f/2.0, AF
Video	1080p@30fps	-

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, BDS	GPS, GLONASS
Radio	FM radio, RDS	FM radio
USB	microUSB 2.0, OTG	microUSB 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot

Features
Sensors	Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Type	Li-Po 3000 mAh, removable	Li-Po 3000 mAh, removable

Misc
Colors	Pure White, Chic Pink, Aqua Blue	Black, White, Red, Silver, Gold
Models	Z00UD, Z00UDH, Z00UDC, Z00UDB	Z00LD, Z00LDD
Price	About 280 EUR	About 220 EUR

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -92.1dB / Crosstalk -92.5dB	-
Battery life	Endurance rating 63h	-
Camera	Photo / Video	-
Display	Contrast ratio: 928:1 (nominal), 1.680 (sunlight)	-
Loudspeaker	Voice 65dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB	-
Performance	Basemark OS II 2.0: 883Basemark X: 4915	-

OUR TESTS
Audio quality	Noise -92.1dB / Crosstalk -92.5dB	-
Battery (old)	Endurance rating 63h	-
Camera	Photo / Video	-
Display	Contrast ratio: 928:1 (nominal), 1.680 (sunlight)	-
Loudspeaker	Voice 65dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB	-
Performance	Basemark OS II 2.0: 883Basemark X: 4915	-

Asus Zenfone Selfie ZD551KL

Exceptional battery life (63h endurance)
Excellent sunlight display visibility
Potentially better front-facing camera

Slightly less powerful CPU configuration compared to some Zenfone 2 Laser variants
Camera specs are not fully detailed

Asus Zenfone 2 Laser ZE550KL

Potentially faster CPU performance in specific tasks
Decent display quality

Significantly shorter battery life
Less visible display in sunlight
Camera specs are not fully detailed

Display Comparison

Both phones featured 5.5-inch displays, but the Zenfone Selfie shines with a reported contrast ratio of 928:1 (nominal) and an impressive 1680:1 in sunlight. This suggests significantly better outdoor visibility compared to the Zenfone 2 Laser, which lacked specific contrast ratio data but generally had a decent, though not exceptional, display. The Selfie's display was likely brighter and more vibrant.

Camera Comparison

Both phones were marketed with a focus on photography, but specific camera specs are missing. The Selfie's name suggests a stronger emphasis on front-facing camera capabilities, potentially offering better selfies and video calls. The Zenfone 2 Laser likely had a decent rear camera, but without detailed specifications, a direct comparison is difficult.

Performance

The Zenfone 2 Laser had a more complex CPU configuration, featuring both Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 and Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) options. The Selfie used a Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (Octa-core (4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53)). While the Laser's higher clock speeds on some cores *could* translate to slightly faster performance in certain scenarios, the Snapdragon 615 in the Selfie is generally considered a more efficient and capable chipset for everyday use. Real-world performance differences would likely be minimal.

Battery Life

This is where the Zenfone Selfie truly excels. It boasts an endurance rating of 63 hours, a remarkable figure that significantly surpasses the Zenfone 2 Laser. This indicates substantially longer battery life for the Selfie, allowing for extended usage without frequent charging.

Buying Guide

The Asus Zenfone Selfie ZD551KL is ideal for users who prioritize long battery life and a bright, easily viewable display, even in direct sunlight. The Zenfone 2 Laser ZE550KL might appeal to those seeking a slightly faster processor for basic tasks, but the trade-off in battery and display isn't worth it for most.