Asus ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5 S ZE550KL Price in the Philippines, Specs, Unboxing, Antutu Benchmark Score

The new Asus ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5 S ZE550KL is an upgraded version of the similar model, which was launched in the Philippines in August 2015. This relatively budget-friendly LTE-enabled phablet has the exact same design language, screen, imaging capabilities, and battery size as its predecessor, but it now has far improved internal hardware resulting in better gaming and overall touch experience.

Asus ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5 S ZE550KL

Let's do a quick unboxing of the package that you can now purchase at all Asus Concept Stores, kiosks, and authorized retail outlets for Php 8,995 -- just Php 300 more than the SRP of last year's release upon launch.

Asus ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5 S ZE550KL
I have the Gold version.

Asus ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5 S ZE550KL
You have these circular windows on the side showcasing the handset's key features.

Asus ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5 S ZE550KL
Pulling the inner tray out or removing the outer sleeve, we see the phablet resting snugly in its paper carton tray. 

Asus ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5 S ZE550KL
This is the complete retail set.

Asus ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5 S ZE550KL
We have the smartphone itself, the travel charger, earphones with in-ear silicone buds (plus two extra pairs of buds, large and small), microUSB to USB cable, user manual, and warranty card.

Asus ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5 S ZE550KL
The earphones also has a microphone so you can use it when making calls.

Now, let's take a look at the design of the handset as well as some of the phablet's technical specifications.

Asus ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5 S ZE550KL

The face flaunts the clear and vibrant 5.5-inch HD IPS OGS display panel protected by scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass 4 touchscreen. On top of that, you'll see the 5 MegaPixel front-facing fixed focus camera with f/2.0 aperture for taking selfies. Asus has an advanced multi-level beautification mode for self-portraits that you can use to snap shots that are instantly ready for sharing on Facebook or Instagram.

Asus ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5 S ZE550KL

At the back, you'll find the 13 MegaPixel main camera with f/2,0 aperture for good low light performance, Dual Tone LED flash, and Laser autofocus module allowing you to focus on a subject faster than you would on other smartphones. Below the camera, we have chrome plated volume rocker that you easily access with your index finger when you're holding the handset.

Asus ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5 S ZE550KL
The polycarbonate back-plate is removable. The phablet's microSD card slot, Dual microSIM slots, and the removable 3,000 mAh Li-Po battery pack - delivering up to a whole day of uptime with regular use - are found underneath it.

Asus ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5 S ZE550KL
The rear has a curved design, matching the curvature of the user's hand and making the device easier to grasp and hold.

Asus ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5 S ZE550KL
Although made of plastic, the back-plate of the Gold version has a metallic sheen that gives Asus ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5 S an air of elegance and luxury.

Asus ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5 S ZE550KL
On the top end, you'll find the power button and the 3.5mm combo jack.

Now, let's talk about what's inside this model.

Asus ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5 S ZE550KL

Compared to ZE550KL from last year, the 2016 S version has a better processor, more RAM, and double the internal storage! Talk about a real specs boost!

Asus ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5 S ZE550KL

Whereas the 2015 release had a Quad Core Snapdragon 410 processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of ROM, Asus ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5 S now runs its Zen-UI-skinned Android 5.0 Lollipop OS with a 64-Bit Octa Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 chipset, has a 3GB of RAM for smoother multitasking, and - get this - has 32GB of internal storage that you can further expand user the dedicated microSD card slot. Sweet, eh?

Asus ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5 S ZE550KL

These internal hardware enhancements don't only give Asus ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5 S a higher Antutu Benchmark Score that's usually in the range of 34,000 to 36,000 but more importantly, it translates in noticeable improved 3D gaming experience and more fluid screen transitions and touch response.

Asus ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5 S ZE550KL

I've been using the handset for a week now and so far, I haven't noticed any lags or stuttering whenever I check my social networking sites and browse the web. I've played my favorite 3D game - Marvel Contest of Champions - on it and the experience is top-notch, similar to that what I get from more expensive Android smartphones.

I think Asus ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5 S ZE550KL would be great for young professionals who are looking for a beautiful Android phablet that has large and clear display, reliable pair of cameras, large storage, and decent touch performance. You should definitely check this one out.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)
Name Asus ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5 S ZE550KL
Type Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen)
Price Category Midrange
Dimensions152.5 x 77.2 x 10.8 mm
Weight 170 grams
Available Colors Silver, Gold, Black, White, Red
Operating System Android 5.0 Lollipop with Zen UI
Display 5.5 inches (~70.8% screen-to-body ratio), 720 x 1280 pixels (~267 ppi pixel density), IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, Gorilla Glass 4
Processor 64-Bit Octa Core = Quad Core 1.5 GHz ARM Cortex-A53 + Quad Core 1 GHz Cortex-A57 CPU, Adreno 405 GPU, Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 chipset
RAM 3GB RAM
Internal Storage 32GB ROM, expandable via dedicated microSD card slot supporting up to 128GB
Camera Main: 13 MegaPixels, 4208 x 3120 pixels, Laser Autofocus, Dual Tone LED flash, f/2.0 aperture
Front: 5 MegaPixels, f/2.0 aperture
Video Capture Front and Back: Full HD 1080p 30 frames per second for main camera
Audio and Video Playback MP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC, MP4, H.264
Ports microUSB v2.0, 3.5 mm audio jack
Connectivity WLAN 802.11 b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth V4.0, HSPA+ UL 5.76 / DL 42 Mbps, DC-HSPA+: UL 5.76 / DL 42 Mbps, LTE Cat4:UL 150 / DL 100 Mbps
GPS Yes, with GLONASS and A-GPS
FM Radio Yes
Sensors Accelerator, G-Sensor, E-Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Ambient Light Sensor, Hall Sensor
Network 3G WCDMA : 850MHz, 900MHz, 1900MHz, 2100MHz
4G FDD-LTE: (TW/JP version)
2100MHz(1)/1900MHz(2)/1800MHz(3)/850MHz(5)/
850MHz(6)/900MHz(8)/1800MHz(9)/800MHz(18)/
850MHz(19)/700MHz(28)
FDD-LTE: (WW version)
2100MHz(1)/1900MHz(2)/1800MHz(3)/850MHz(5)/2600MHz(7)/
900MHz(8)/800MHz(20)
FDD-LTE: (CN/IN version)
2100MHz(1)/1800MHz(3)
TDD-LTE: (CN version)
2600MHz(38)/1900MHz(39)/2300MHz(40)/2500MHz(41)
ASUS phone 4G/LTE band compatibility varies by region. Please check compatibility with local carriers If intending to use your ASUS phone outside the original purchase region.
SIM Card Type Dual microSIM
SIM1 Support2G/3G/4G
SIM2 Support2G/3G/4G
Dual SIM Dual Standby
Battery Removable 3,000 mAh Li-Po battery
Uptime TBD
Value-Added Features Good Internal Hardware, Great Design, Zen UI
Announcement April 2016
Availability April 2016
Price Official: Php 8,995