Asus’ new Zenfone 6 has a flip-up camera and a 5,000mAh battery (Update: now in India)

We’ve seen some whacky implementations from phone makers to overcome the notch: pop-up camera, pizza shaped-camera, and even a rotating camera. Now, Asus has added another method to the list by placing a flip-up camera into their latest flagship, the Zenfone 6.

The flip-up hardware acts as both the front and rear cameras. When you want to take a selfie, the motorized camera flips up as shown in the picture below. Besides the dual-camera that flips up, the device’s main highlights are a 6.4-inch edge-to-edge display and a massive 5,000 mAh battery. The phone’s overall spec sheet puts it in the premium mid-range category, alongside the newly launched, non-pro version of the OnePlus 7.

Let’s take a look at what’s under the hood:

Specifications

• Screen: 6.4-inch Full HD+ IPS display at 2340×1080 resolution
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, octa-core with 7nm technology
• Memory: 6GB/8GB
• Rear/front camera: 48–megapixel sensor with f/1.79 aperture + 12-megapixel wide angle sensor, 125-degree field of view
• Battery: 5,000mAh
• Charging:  Quick Charging 4.0
• Software: Android 9.0 Pie with ASUS ZenUI 6
• Internal storage: 64/128/256GB
• Biometric security: Rear mounted fingerprint sensor, and face unlock

There’s not much to say about camera, besides its flip-up construction. Almost every other phone’s opting to use this 48-megapixel sensor. Now that it’s a level playing field, we’ll have to see how Asus’ software can compete with others.

What’s impressive is that Asus has managed to fit a massive battery with dual stereo speakers, and a headphone jack into the device. So, it’s cutting no corners there.

On paper, the phone seems pretty impressive, but it has to overcome the hype of the OnePlus 7 and the upcoming Honor 20 Pro. The device is priced at the starting price of €499 (approx. $560), and will begin shipping in two weeks. 

Update (19/06/19) : Asus launched this phone in India today as the Asuz 6z – due to a case that barred the company from using ‘Zenfone’ branding. The 6GB+64GB version of the phone is priced at Rs 31,999 ($458), the 6GB+128GB version is priced at Rs 34,999 ($501), and the high-end 8GB+128GB version is priced at Rs 38,999 ($560). The phone will soon be available to order in India on Flipkart.