ASUS' new tablet range includes three entry-level models and an intriguing Intel-powered high-ender.
This morning at its "Zensation" event in Taipei, ASUS unveiled a new line of 8-inch Android tablets under the ZenPad brand — the ZenPad 8.0 and ZenPad S 8.0. Then after that presentation, the company showed off a further two low-end ZenPad models — the ZenPad 7 and 10, at 7 and 10 inches respectively. While most of these devices won't appeal to spec-happy tablet buyers, the new flagship ZenPad S 8.0 delivers an impressive combination of hardware power in a slim, sleek form factor. And even the budget offerings have some unique accessories going for them. We'll take a closer look after the break.
The focus of ASUS' press conference was on the ZenPad 8 series. The lower-end ZenPad 8.0 features an Intel Atom X3 processor paired with 1 or 2 gigabytes or RAM depending on SKU, and 8 or 16GB of storage depending on which model you pick up. So we're looking at a very basic Android tablet experience, but you do at least get the Android 5.0 Lollipop-based firmware, which is topped with the manufacturer's Zen UI. We've seen Zen UI before on phones like the ZenFone 2, and if you can handle the colorful and sometimes jarring graphics, it's a decent enough interface. It's funcitonal and overflowing with features, but not as attractive as the stock OS.
Whichever ZenPad you pick up, you'll be dealing with the same multicolored UI, complete with an array of pre-loaded apps you'll probably never use. ASUS does at least offer some useful additions, including automatic contrast enhancement for photos and movies.
The real star of the show is the ZenPad S 8.0, with its higher-res display and beefier internals.
The lower-end ZenPad 8.0 is supported by a pretty extensive ecosystem of cases. The back panel is removable, and ASUS today showed off replacements in a variety of colors and textures. It's also possible to hook up a battery case to the ZenPad 8.0 for added battery capacity, use the "ASUS Clutch" to prop up the device more easily, or snap in a case that doubles as an external speaker. It's a pretty neat idea, and we'll admit to being a bit disappointed that all models aren't supported.
The real star of the show, though, is the ZenPad S 8.0. This higher-specced model loses some of the expandability of the vanilla ZenPad 8.0, but boasts a more powerful Intel Atom Z3580 (Moorefield) quad-core processor, which is paired with an equally beastly PowerVR GPU and 4GB of RAM. The build quality is similar, albeit without the removable back panels, and the overall feel is of a plastic device, but one that's slim and easy to hold.
The ZenPad S 8.0's display is also mightily impressive. Unlike the "HD" class panels used by other members of the ZenPad family, the S bumps up the resolution to 2048x1536, same as the Nexus 9 and iPad. And that pixel density is matched by equally impressive brightness — around 400 nits, ASUS says — and color quality. What's more, the 4:3 aspect ratio is a more natural fit for reading and web browsing.
We don't yet know how much ASUS promising new high-ender will sell for — U.S. availability for the ZenPad series remains up in the air. But if our first impressions are anything to go by, ASUS should have at least one interesting Android tablet in its future.
Reader comments
Hands-on with ASUS' new ZenPad tablets
I really don't get the 4:3.
It's better for reading, and it's frankly a better dimension for a tablet. 16:9/10 tablets are awkward to hold in portrait as they're too damn tall and in landscape while video fits well on the display, they're kind of dwarfish.
People just like the 4:3 displays. When you just look at two tablets side by side, the 4:3 looks better, especially once you load something like an eBook or website on that display.
I would much rather have it on larger tablets. Web Browsing is much better in 4:3. The bigger you get the more stretched and awkward the table is at 19:6. Check out the 16:9 Dell Windows 8 Tablets. They are horrible to hold and work with
I have the 10.5 S and I always preferred the 16:10 format. Could be just me but I mainly use it for videos and 4:3 looks ugly with the black bars. Then if I zoom, I lost part of the video. I guess it depends what you do on it?
Why can't they do 3:2! I don't like 16:10,16:9,or 4:3. Microsoft and Barnes and Noble are the only ones doing anything right
Posted via Android Central App on 1+1
Lol no.
Posted via the Android Central App
Not sure I'd agree with your examples of who is doing things right, but 3:2 would be a much better compromise between reading and video uses on a tablet.
So let it be clear, are the cover accessories for the Zenpad 8.0
compatible with the S 8.0?
Posted via the Android Central App
The S tablet looks very sweet.. I have been contemplating getting one of the Samsung Tab products but maybe I'll wait to see what the price point and availability is on this one. Since I own a GS3 I've grown used to Touch Wiz :)
Does it have wireless charging or at least a back that can be swapped out that supports wireless charging? Or at least contacts inside where one could put a wireless charging card? Nexus 7 2013 that isn't produced anymore was the only wireless charging tablet I know of.
Well, Nexus 7 2013 was/is the only Qi-compatible tablet, yes, but technically some of the Sony Xperia models have proprietary magnetic charging docks that is technically "wireless"...but I see your point. The Qi spec badly needs to be revised to incorporate tablets, larger formfactors and faster charge rates.
I read comics on a 10 inch tab now. Hate that the specced up one is 8...comics look terrible to me at that size.
Posted via the Android Central App
I'm completely with you. I wish there was more focus on the 10 inch form factor these days. Not a fan of touch wiz (or the physical buttons on Samsung tabs), but would really like a decent quality 10 inch tab from another OEM.
Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet will be out this month.
I can't trust ASUS tablets after all the hardware issues I and many other people are suffering from with the 2013 Nexus 7.
My Nexus 7 2013 was perfect, but the only reason I bought it was that it was a Nexus and Google would back up it's build and quality...but never a non-nexus tablet from Asus because of the TF- Transformer nightmares.
Same here. I've been tempted to avoid Asus as a brand since the hardware problems of my own Nexus 7 2013.
Posted via the Android Central App
It's sad cause Asus makes some great devices. Their ultrabooks are amazing. But I'm definitely hesitant to but their products now
Anandtech stated that the Zenpad S8 will only have 802.11n on 2.4GHz. No AC support or even 5GHz n. A huge letdown in my opinion, but if it's priced at or less than the high end Zenfone 2, I think I could live with it.
Anandtech were half right on this. Both models of the Zenpad S 8 offer 802.11 b/g/n/ac but only ac in limited markets. Per Asus website.
I recently bought a Zenpad 7. I realised it was a budget tablet but have been very surprised at just how useless it is.
I have very fast wifi and all my other devices load quickly and stream effortlessly .
The Zenpad is so slow that streaming is impossible. It cannot even run a youtube video. A lot of the time is struggles just to log on to google.
I strongly suggest tablet buyers look for an alternative to this elsewhere.
I have had a ASUS MeMo Pad HD 7 for 3 years and no problems and it still works great the only 2 reasons I updated is bigger screen and update operating system for newer apps
Last week I bought a ZenPad 8.0 (Z380CX) at 139.99 at fry's, and it works great. The only thing it needed is a Sandisk Extreme Pro 64GB with 95MG transfer rate so my ripped dvd's I own would play smoothly and they do. the 64 bit processor needed a high speed card to transfer things properly.
The original card I bought was a 10 write and a 30 read, it still worked, but was a little choppy. The WiFi works great I stream Amazon Video and Youtube with no problems.
The only thing I would like to know is when I will get the update to Marshmallow 6.0
The other "He Joe's" don't know what they are talking about. I could have spent $300 and got a rocket ship Tablet, but for the price i paid i can buy a new one next year