Asus Zenfone 2: First Look and first impressions

The Zenfone 2 is the much anticipated phone in the Philippine market.  It has high ram (4GB), large screen, gorilla glass, LTE, Dual SIM, memory expansion slot up to 32 GB and 2 tone flash at a lower price than other highend phones.  Right after the release date for the Philippines, I checked in the cellular phone stores and I came across people who are also asking for the Zenfone 2 if it is already available for purchase.

Last I checked, in most stores, the only available variant of the phone is the 16GB memory capacity with 2 GB RAM.  Some stores carry the 32GB memory capacity with 4 GB but ask for straight cash payment.  Some stores carry a few stocks but only have red color variant.

Most people are looking for the 64GB memory variant, which is understandable, since the only difference it has with the 32GB variant is Php1,000,  also Dual SIM.

On to the first look and impression.  After using it for a couple of days.  I have to honestly say I am a bit disappointed with the phone.  I have been using Samsung phones for a long time and this phone with it's great specs on paper have somewhat disappointed me,

I was looking forward to a dual sim LTE, or even a 3G for the 2nd SIM card.  No, that is not the case with this phone, you only get 2G on the 2nd SIM slot, might as well not use it, if you cannot switch data connection between SIMS.  In the Philippines there are areas, where a certain carrier has stronger signal, changing data service network would have been a nice feature, which is possible in a samsung phone to my surprise.

I'm a bit disappointed on how it heats up at times and gets battery drain for some reason the google playstore drains it up.  It looks fragile, that if I drop it, the screen will crack.

Now on with the pros.  It is snappy, easy to start, has a good screen size and looks good.

I will write a more in depth review after a few weeks.  But my first impression is it's not that great, but compared to other high specs phone this is one of the cheaper versions.  I would recommend you also check Meizu M1 or M2 as a comparison to Asus Zenfone 2, if you are in the market to buying a new phone.

Until next time.

CD-R King Mobile Power Bank 5600mAh PWB-065-R(PB-201) - First Look

My blog on mobile power bank is so popular, that I decide to post another review on a higher capacity power bank 5600mAh.  Mind you, I only select the mobile power bank that I think is built to last, and a value for money.  I also have no sponsor or gain any income from these reviews.

This is only a first look, since the device was only bought yesterday, and I could not give a complete objective review in such a short time.  The price for this model PWB-065-R(PB-201) is Php580.00 (around $13 USD).

My first impressions on this CD-R King Mobile Power bank, is that it is a bit oddly designed. Not as odd as the last lipstick shape Power Bank? I was being sarcastic, if you couldn't tell.  I was looking for the other model, PWB-063-VT(VIP-H025) same features, but without the bumps as seen in the photo above.  Since, they look the same and I wanted to have my power bank right there and then, I got this one instead, since the other model wasn't available on that store branch of CD-R King.

Okay, my impressions:

• plastic built, that may crack open when dropped high enough.
• looks a bit better built than the rest of the power bank of the same capacity, on that particular branch of the CD-R King Store.
• It's very useful that it has a led flashlight, I can use it as a flashlight and charger.
• Easy to operate
• Fully charged when I bought it, ready to use.
• Useful power level indicator.
• at times you need to press the power button for the charge to start.
• the device heats up when charging high power capacity devices

Thanks to the salesperson for teaching me how to operate the flashlight since it does not indicate on the package.  It was actually 2 quick press on the power button to use the flashlight.

It charges on most devices. Namely the following, I tested it on:

• Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos
• Samsung Galaxy S3
• Samsung Galaxy Y
• iPad Mini
• Fiio E6 Portable Headphone Amplifier

It does not charge Samsung Galaxy S Duos.  I don't know why.  I tried the older power bank I reviewed before CD-R King Mobile Power Bank PWB-049-ZG 2800mAh it charged without a problem.

So when buying the power bank, test it on the device you will primary use it for, since not all device will charge with this particular model - PWB-065-R(PB-201).

The product page on CD-R King website: http://www.cdrking.com/index.php?mod=products&type=view&sid=18199&main=167

I bought mine in CD-R King Gateway Branch ground floor facing Aurora Boulevard.  Since the one on the LRT level has none of the colors that I like. Warranty is only 3 months.