Skip to main content

The Asus Zenfone 6 goes its own way with flip-over camera and 5,000mAh battery

The Zenfone 6, with its flip-over camera, available in the U.S. for just $500

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Asus is not following the crowd with its newest smartphone, the Zenfone 6, which differs from the majority of flagship phones due to a clever motorized camera that sees the rear lenses also used for selfies, plus a massive 5,000mAh battery, and some strong technical specifications, too.

Once you’ve got the facts, make sure you read our in-depth Zenfone 6 hands-on report here.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

It’s the motorized camera module that will grab all the attention at first. The dual-lens array consists of a 48-megapixel Sony IMX586 lens and a 13-megapixel wide-angle secondary lens, housed in a module which flips over from the back on to the top of the phone, ready to take great selfies. The module itself is fully geared, and can be stopped in any position, and even used to take automatic panorama shots. Asus has built a tool into the phone so the unique module can be used to full effect in other camera apps like Instagram.

Recommended Videos

The use of the flip camera module means the screen does not have a notch in it. Instead, the almost bezel-less IPS LCD screen measures 6.4 inches and provides a 92% screen-to-body ratio. It’s covered in Gorilla Glass 6 for protection, but because of the camera system, the Zenfone 6 is not water resistant and doesn’t have an IP rating.

Asus has taken the rare decision to put a big 5,000mAh battery inside the Zenfone 6, which far exceeds capacity seen in other flagship smartphones out there, and is expected to return two days of use. It powers the Snapdragon 855 processor and 8GB of RAM, plus there is a hybrid SIM tray with space for two SIM cards and a MicroSD card too. The operating system is Android 9.0 Pie, but with a new version of ZenUI over the top that very closely resembles the version of Android on the Pixel phones. Asus has added a few tweaks though, including a system-wide dark mode, and a special Smart Key on the side of the phone to interact with Google Assistant.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Unusual, fun, and definitely different from most other high-end smartphones out there, the Asus Zenfone 6 is available to buy in the U.S. and Europe right now. The price starts at $500 or 500 euros, putting it in competition with phones like the OnePlus 7 and the Google Pixel 3a.

Interested in Asus’s flippin’ crazy phone? Then you can buy it from Asus, Amazon, B&H, or Mobile Advance.

Updated on August 6, 2019: Added U.S. availability details.

Andy Boxall
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
Save $45 on the Amazfit T-Rex 3 smartwatch during this early Black Friday sale
Amazfit T-Rex 3 smartwatch used while surfing

If you love the great outdoors and big adventures, you already know that you need rugged equipment to keep up. Anything fragile or testy will break down easily when subjected to the elements. Something like a smartwatch, for example, needs to be tough, water-resistant, and ready to take on the world. Allow me to introduce the Amazfit T-Rex 3 smartwatch, built from the ground up figuratively for the outdoors. Able to withstand temperatures from 158 degrees Fahrenheit down to negative 22 degrees Fahrenheit, this beast of a machine will definitely keep up. It's also on sale right now for Black Friday. Normally $280, it's yours for just $235 -- saving you $45. That deal is only good until November 27, however, so don't wait too long if you're interested.
Shop Now
 
Why shop this Black Friday deal on the Amazfit T-Rex 3 smartwatch

If you want a solid, in-depth look at the watch, be sure to check out Andy Boxall's hands-on with the Amazfit T-Rex 3. He agrees it's rough, tough, and capable, and even ditched his Apple Watch for it. He also praises the watch for its intelligent design, solid functionality, and accessible price. Speaking of accessible price, with this Black Friday deal Amazfit is offering the T-Rex 3 smartwatch is more affordable than ever. It shaves $45 off the regular price, bringing it down to a reasonable $235.

Read more
Early Black Friday phone deals 2024: Up to 45% off Motorola, Samsung, Apple and more

If you've been holding off on buying a new phone, then the Black Friday sales period is probably one of the best times of the year to grab yourself something new. While Black Friday is happening on November 29 this year, we're already seeing a lot of great early Black Friday deals on phones, including on some of the best phones on the market. There are many choices out there, which is why we've gone out looking for all the best deals and collected them for you below to help save you a little extra time.
Samsung Galaxy A15 -- $180 $200 10% off

If you don't really need anything fancy and want a great budget option, the Samsung Galaxy A15 offers a lot of value for the reduced $180 price tag. Not only does it get you into the Samsung ecosystem, but you also get a gorgeous 6.5-inch AMOLED Display, 128GB of storage, and 4GB of RAM, so you'll have a pretty smooth overall experience.

Read more
Best early Black Friday deals under $100: Amazon Echo, TVs, headphones and more
The Amazon Echo Pop on a desk.

Update 11/19/24: Black Friday is still over a week away, but you can already start your shopping with the Black Friday deals under $100 that we've gathered here. There's a possibility that these affordable items get even bigger discounts when the sale officially launches, but we won't blame you if you're already tempted by today's prices.

Black Friday will start on November 29, but if you've already got the itch to shop, check out the early Black Friday deals under $100 that we've gathered here. The offers cover smart home devices, laptops, TVs, kitchen gadgets, and so much more, so if you want to start enjoying discounts without blowing your entire budget for the shopping event, take a look at our favorite bargains below.

Read more