On Thursday, April 23, 2017, Asus launched the ZenFone 2 in India. On the same day, Xiaomi also launched the Mi 4i, a lighter version of its flagship smartphone Mi 4. The ZenFone 2 has three variants and it is difficult to make out the difference between two of them outrightly. However, it is comparatively easier to make out the differences between the low-cost and high-end variants as the differences are not just skin deep.
When it comes down to Mi 4i, the differences are readily apparent and show on the outside. Now that we have talked about those parts, time to pit the two of them against each other. The ZenFone 2 may come cheap as compared to its more-powerful sibling, it is no slouch as such. The Mi 4i benefits from Xiaomi’s huge popularity, a result of the Chinese company offering specced-up devices for cheap prices. So, how do both the smartphones fare against each other?
Design and build
The Mi 4i has been built keeping in mind that low costs are necessary for its success. Hence, the shell is made of poly-carbonate (in layman terms, it is called plastic). However, even with poly-carbonate construction, the Mi 4i feels nice to look at. The back panel does not sport protrusions or too many things. The fit and finish of various buttons and panels also feels nice, at least from the looks of it, and give the Mi 4i a very snug feel. However, on the outside, the Mi 4i feels a bit fragile, which it may not be, but we need hands-on experience of the smartphone to know for sure. Overall, this department has been covered nicely by Mi 4i.
The ZenFone 2 continues the same design philosophy as the previous ZenFones. However, the noticeable change comes at the back of ZenFone 2, which now houses the volume rockers. The power button too has gone to the top of the ZenFone 2. However, it has freed up the sides and the issues with button placement as well. After all, the ZenFone 2 is quite big in size and it would be more helpful if the volume rockers fall naturally in the fingers. On the outside, it looks as tough as the previous ZenFones and that is a good, reassuring feeling.
Both smartphones tie this category as they both cover all the basics in their own way but leave little for us to complain about.
Display
The ZenFone 2 sports a 5.5-inch display as compared to the Mi 4i’s 5-inch unit. While that gives you more room to tap around on the ZenFone 2, the display resolution is limited to 1280×720 pixels. The Mi 4i throws out 1920×1080 pixels resolution from its 5-inch screen and you will be able to see the difference just like that. This round goes to Mi 4i as it offers a better display than ZenFone 2 and even the bigger screen on Asus’ offering can not level the playing field for it.
Specs
In terms of specs, the Mi 4i sports a 1.7GHz octa-core 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor with Adreno 405 GPU and 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage space with no expansion option, Android 5.0.2 Lollipop skinned with MIUI version 6, 2G, 3G, 4G, Wifi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, GPS, Bluetooth 4.1, 13-megapixel rear camera with 5-megapixel front-facing unit, FM Radio and Dual SIM (LTE+LTE). It sports a 3120mAh capacity battery with quick charge technology that can charge the battery up to 40 per cent in half an hour.
The ZenFone 2 sports a 1.8GHz quad-core 64-bit Intel Atom Z3560 processor with PowerVRG6430 GPU and 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage with expansion option up to 64GB, Android 5.0 Lollipop skinned with Asus’ latest version of ZenUI, Wifi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, 13-megapixel rear camera with 5-megapixel front-facing unit, Dual SIM (LTE+GSM), 2G, 3G, 4G and GPS. It sports a 3000mAh capacity battery and, if you have the optional 18W charging adaptor, it has fast charge technology to charge the battery up to 60 per cent in 40 minutes.
You, the user, are the king in this department as you may like either smartphone over the other.
So, what choice do you get?
Now this part is difficult to explain. The difficulty arises out of the fact that both Asus and Xiaomi follow different sale models. Asus sells the ZenFone only on Flipkart but it does not sell limited units, so no flash sales happen and you do not have to keep a lookout on when the sale begins and on what date. Xiaomi, on the other hand, has gone ahead and made its smartphones available at various offline stores and online stores (Amazon and Snapdeal), apart from Flipkart. So, even if it follows its flash sale model, chances are you will be able to bag the Mi 4i somehow at someplace.
In the end, both smartphone makers have enticed customers into buying their products in different ways. While Asus has covered most grounds and has ensured the user experience becomes the deciding factor, Xiaomi has maintained an aura of exclusivity around its devices through the flash sale model. If anybody disagrees with us on this point, they should check the history of Redmi 1S in India and talk to some of the buyers as well. In the end, any smartphone you buy from these two choices, you can rest assured that you have invested your money in a future-proof product which offers great user experience through and through.
This article appeared on http://www.priceraja.com on May 5, 2015.
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