The Asus Zenfone 7 Pro is the latest flagship smartphone from the Taiwanese company, and it’s clear that they’ve aimed to create something truly unique. By ditching the traditional notch or hole-punch design, Asus has opted for a more innovative approach – a flip-up camera module that doubles as a front-facing camera. But is this new design enough to make the Zenfone 7 Pro stand out in a crowded market?

Design and Build

The Zenfone 7 Pro boasts a sleek and premium design, with an aluminum frame sandwiched between two glass panels. The device measures 165 x 77 x 10mm, making it slightly larger than its predecessor, but still manageable in the hand. The flip-up camera module is made of metal and features a subtle hinge mechanism that allows for smooth operation.

The phone’s rear panel is home to a quad-camera setup, consisting of a 64-megapixel primary sensor, an 8-megapixel telephoto lens, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a Time-of-Flight (ToF) camera. The cameras are arranged in a rectangular module with a slight protrusion from the body.

Display

The Zenfone 7 Pro features a large 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2244 pixels. Colors are vibrant and accurate, and the screen is bright enough for outdoor use. Asus has also included a fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button, which works seamlessly.

Performance

Under the hood, the Zenfone 7 Pro is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 chipset, paired with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. This combination ensures smooth performance in demanding tasks like gaming, multitasking, or video editing.

Asus has also included a dedicated cooling system, dubbed “Dust Defense,” which helps keep the phone running cool during extended use. The device supports 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2 for seamless connectivity options.

Camera

The flip-up camera module is undoubtedly the Zenfone 7 Pro’s showpiece feature. When flipped up, it reveals a 24-megapixel front-facing camera with an f/2.8 aperture and support for 4K video recording at 60fps. The camera also features advanced software capabilities like AI-powered portrait mode, HDR, and more.

Battery Life

The Zenfone 7 Pro packs a large 5000mAh battery that provides all-day battery life. According to Asus, users can expect up to 24 hours of talk time or 15 days of standby time on a single charge. The phone also supports fast charging (Quick Charge 4+) and wireless charging.

Software

The Zenfone 7 Pro runs on Android 11 out of the box, with Asus’ custom skin, ZenUI, layered on top. While it’s not as clean as stock Android, ZenUI offers a range of features like gesture navigation, customizable icons, and more.

Conclusion

The Asus Zenfone 7 Pro is an impressive flagship smartphone that checks most of the right boxes. Its innovative flip-up camera module, premium design, and robust performance make it an attractive option for users who want a high-end Android experience.

While some may find the camera’s unique design a bit gimmicky, it’s clear that Asus has put a lot of thought into its implementation. With competitive pricing starting at $999 (base model) and going up to $1,299 (high-end configuration), the Zenfone 7 Pro is definitely worth considering for those in search of a feature-packed Android flagship.

Technical Specifications:

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
• RAM: Up to 16GB
• Storage: Up to 512GB
• Display: 6.67-inch AMOLED, 1080 x 2244 pixels
• Battery Life: Up to 24 hours talk time or 15 days standby time
• Camera: Flip-up 24-megapixel front-facing camera with f/2.8 aperture, Rear quad-camera setup (64MP primary sensor, 8MP telephoto lens, 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and ToF camera)
• Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2
• Operating System: Android 11 with ZenUI