That new Asus ZenFone may not be as exciting as you thought

The back of the new ZenFone. Photo: Asus

The back of the new ZenFone. Photo: Asus

Asus started teasing its new ZenFone earlier this week, ahead of a full reveal at CES 2015 in Las Vegas next month. We were expecting a high-end device with new camera technology that would allow for better low light photos — thanks to its “see what others can’t see” tagline — but what we may end up with could be a lot less exciting, according to the handset’s leaked specifications.

As it turns out, a handset thought to be the new ZenFone was actually certified by the Bluetooth SIG just last week with the model number “Z007.” Its specifications suggest it will be an affordable entry-level device rather than a groundbreaking new flagship, with very little to impress under the hood.

In addition to a 4.5-inch display with a 480×854 resolution, the Bluetooth filing lists a dual-core Intel processor, a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, a 0.3-megapixel front-facing camera, and 1GB of RAM. The device will also have a 2,100mAh battery, and it will ship with Android 4.4 pre-installed with Asus’ own ZenUI interface over the top.

The specifications listed in its Bluetooth SIG filing.

The specifications listed in its Bluetooth SIG filing.

Before we get too disappointed, we should note that this could well be a coincidence. Just because this device passed through the Bluetooth SIG the week before Asus began teasing a new ZenPhone, it doesn’t mean this is the device the company will show off at CES; it could well be just another addition to its lineup.

If Asus does have some new camera technology up its sleeve, it seems strange it would integrate it into a seemingly budget device.