How would you like to start your week with some new Android hardware? Good, because ASUS has plenty of it.
ASUS has introduced its new ZenPad family of Android 5.0 tablets, which includes four — yes, four — different models. The smallest of the bunch of the ZenPad 7.0, which offers a 1024x600 display, quad-core Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB/16GB storage, microSD slot, 0.3-megapixel/2-megapixel front camera, and a 5-megapixel rear cam. Then the biggest of the family is the ZenPad 10.1 that offers a 10.1-inch 1280x800 screen, quad-core Intel Atom chip, 1GB of RAM, 8GB/16GB/32GB storage, 0.3-megapixel front and 2-megapixel rear cameras, wireless connectivity, a stylus, and an optional keyboard.
Smack dab in the middle, we’ve got two 8-inch models. The first is the ZenPad 8.0, which is notable because it’s got user-replaceable back covers. There are a few different Zen Case leather-clad backsides for you to choose from, a Zen Clutch, a Power Case that gives the tablet up to 15 hours of power, and an Audio Cover that includes six speakers for 5.1-channel sound. In terms of straight-up specs, you’re looking at Android 5.0 on an 8-inch 1280x800 display, quad-core Intel Atom processor, 8GB/16GB of storage, microSD, 1GB/2GB of RAM, 5-megapixel rear camera, and a 2-megapixel front camera.
Finally, we’ve got the ZenPad S 8.0. ASUS says that this model is “the premium ZenPad experience,” and it boasts a high-end spec list to back that claim up. The ZenPad S 8.0’s got an 8-inch 2048x1536 display with a 4:3 aspect ratio, quad-core Intel Atom 3580 Moorefield processor, 16GB/32GB/64GB storage, microSD, a whopping 4GB of RAM, 8-megapixel rear camera, and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. The ZenPad S 8.0 also includes a reversible USB Type-C port for charging.
And then we come to the ZenFone Selfie. As you might’ve guessed, this new Android 5.0 phone is all about helping you step up your selfie game with its 13-megapixel wide-angle front-facing camera, complete with dual-color dual LED flash. ASUS doesn’t want your rear-facing photos to look poor by comparison, though, so it’s thrown in the same 13-megapixel shooter on the back of the phone that includes an f/2.0 aperture lens and laser auto focus tech. Also packed into the ZenFone Selfie is a 5.5-inch 1920x1080 display covered in Gorilla Glass, and a 64-bit octa-core Snapdragon 615 processor.
ASUS isn’t saying much about its launch plans for these new devices so far, but for now we can ogle them from afar. On the tablet side of things ASUS’s 8-inch ZenPad looks interesting thanks to its swappable back covers, which isn’t something we’ve ever really seen much of in tablets. Meanwhile, the ZenPad S is a high-end slate for folks that want a tablet that’s both powerful and portable. And because the selfie trend shows no signs of slowing down, the ZenFone Selfie, whose 13-megapixel front-facing camera is sure to draw attention from selfie enthusiasts and even us regular folk who just think it’s crazy to see a 13-megapixel camera on the front of a phone.
