Official ZenFone 5 Thread

[Chisel]

Thanks for the answer bro.

Await your review.

Since the buttons r not illuminated, u can make them out in a dark room?

 

[grapewall]

Read from reviews that the china version has a lot of Tencent stuff...which took up quite a bit of the rom. the seller told me cannot root at this moment. Can't wait to flash it once i receive it.where to download the international rom? any instruction sheet to follow ?

 

[thewiseone]

Non illuminated keys are not an issue as the phone isnt very big. I have not missed any navigational key presses even in the dark. U can gauge the approx position of the 3 keys since the 1st key is located directly below the 1st icon, the 2nd is below the Apps icon and the 3rd is below the last icon.

Thanks for the answer bro.

Await your review.

Since the buttons r not illuminated, u can make them out in a dark room?

 

[thewiseone]

Indeed, the Tencent apps and others are a pain in the butt! U can disable them but u cant uninstall them. Some of them automatically loads up on booting up the phone and constants sends notification updates on the notification bar. Not to worry though, once u flash your phone with the international ROM, all these bloat ware will disappear.


All the various firmwares can be found here: Phone - ASUS ZenFone 5. TOOF is for the 2Ghz model and TOOJ is for the 1.6Ghz model. WW is the international firmware, CN for China and TW for Taiwan.

Using Google search, u should be able to find documented steps for flashing international ROM on the Zenfone 5. If u are not comfortable with the chinese instructions, u can follow these documented steps for Zenfone 6. Its similar, just replace it with Zenfone 5 WW ROM file.

Zenfone 6 Install International ROM Tutorial ~ Asus Zenfone Blog News, Tips, Tutorial, Download and ROM

Read from reviews that the china version has a lot of Tencent stuff...which took up quite a bit of the rom. the seller told me cannot root at this moment. Can't wait to flash it once i receive it.where to download the international rom? any instruction sheet to follow ?

 

[grapewall]

Indeed, the Tencent apps and others are a pain in the butt! U can disable them but u cant uninstall them. Some of them automatically loads up on booting up the phone and constants sends notification updates on the notification bar. Not to worry though, once u flash your phone with the international ROM, all these bloat ware will disappear.


All the various firmwares can be found here: Phone - ASUS ZenFone 5. TOOF is for the 2Ghz model and TOOJ is for the 1.6Ghz model. WW is the international firmware, CN for China and TW for Taiwan.

Using Google search, u should be able to find documented steps for flashing international ROM on the Zenfone 5. If u are not comfortable with the chinese instructions, u can follow these documented steps for Zenfone 6. Its similar, just replace it with Zenfone 5 WW ROM file.

Zenfone 6 Install International ROM Tutorial ~ Asus Zenfone Blog News, Tips, Tutorial, Download and ROM

Thanks a lot bro.hope my set won't get confiscated by the customs..

 

[Chisel]

Why confiscated?

 

[Chisel]

I have asked my contact in Taiwan to get a set for me (now on pre-order). Wondering if there is much difference between the WW ROM n TW ROM. If not much diff or bloatware then I won't bother to flash le.

 

[grapewall]

Why confiscated?

Just found out that nowadays china customs very strict about battery products.they don't allow batteries in the planes like previously.

 

[Chisel]

Thats too strict I think. It's not as if you are shipping a whole pallet of it.

I have shipped a phone this yr from US without problem (Borderlinx). I hope my set arrives without problem this time as it's thru' postal service.

 

[grapewall]

Thats too strict I think. It's not as if you are shipping a whole pallet of it.

I have shipped a phone this yr from US without problem (Borderlinx). I hope my set arrives without problem this time as it's thru' postal service.

Last year i shipped a few battery products including phones without any issues.but now the forwarder discouraged me as there's a possibility of being confiscated.i read somewhere it's because of new regulations from IATA..

 

[thewiseone]

Its true. DHL, China Post, etc. all rejected shipping my Zenfone 5. U need to use other forwarders like Dpex who is willing to do the job.

Last year i shipped a few battery products including phones without any issues.but now the forwarder discouraged me as there's a possibility of being confiscated.i read somewhere it's because of new regulations from IATA..

 

[thewiseone]

If Taiwan's ROM is not crippled like China's ROM, then u dont have to flash it with the International ROM. I did it because without Google Play Store and the rest of Google Services, the phone will be of little use to me.

I have asked my contact in Taiwan to get a set for me (now on pre-order). Wondering if there is much difference between the WW ROM n TW ROM. If not much diff or bloatware then I won't bother to flash le.

 

[thewiseone]

Anyone knows where to find a TPU case for this phone?

 

[Chisel]

Thats a long shot... for a phone not released in general supply yet. Tried ebay? I m also looking for a yellow case but couldn't find it on ebay or aliexpress yet.

 

[knightshaz]

someone selling screen protector for zenfone5 already
http://deluxeforums.hardwarezone.co...tectors-cases-@-wholesale-prices-3788481.html

 

[grapewall]

someone selling screen protector for zenfone5 already
WTS: Screen Protectors & Cases @ Wholesale Prices!!!! - www.hardwarezone.com.sg

Haha..when you buy a phone case,they will give you screen protectors.plus many other useless stuff like radiation shield,earphone organizer, dust protectors etc..

 

[thewiseone]

Unless u are quite abusive with your screen, IMO u dont really need a screen protector. In addition, this phone uses gorilla glass 3.


I have gone around looking for a Zenfone 5 case. Its not available at local retailers. I was told that stocks for both the soft and the hard case will arrive two weeks later.

 

[knightshaz]

Won't be surprised if the phone arrives 2 weeks later too

 

[thewiseone]

Didnt want to wait. Bought my case from Taobao. Cases can also be found at Aliexpress and Qoo10.


Bought the Zenfone 5 to be used as a travel phone but i've been using it as my local phone to evaluate its performance. Battery life is manageable. A typical work day from morning to late evening, with dual SIMs active, a few calls, using whatsapp, email and web browsing will see battery level dropping down to 30+% or so. Performance of the phone is quite impressive, considering its a mid-tier/budget model. Interface is responsive with no slow downs. Daily operation is very stable. Phone calls are loud and clear (comes with a built in call recorder app accessible from the dialer). Paired to my SBH20/80 stereo headset, i'm getting a better range and performance than my Sony Xperia ZL!


The only thing i'm not so impressed is the lack of a notification led. I guess its probably too much to ask for a phone at this price level?!

 

[Advancer]

I thought there is an led on top. No?