Asus' AR and VR-ready premium smartphone, ZenFone AR is now available in India

NEW DELHI, INDIA: The much-awaited Asus ZenFone AR is launched in India today. First showcased at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2017, ZenFone AR is the world's first Tango-enabled and Daydream-ready smartphone, with 8GB of RAM. The ZenFone AR will be available exclusively on Flipkart.

Developed in close cooperation with Google and Qualcomm, the ZenFone AR brings significant advancements to mobile augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experiences.

Running Android 7.0 Nougat, ZenFone AR is the first Tango-enabled and Daydream-ready device, featuring 5.7-inch QHD (1440x2560 pixels) Super AMOLED display and Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor that is optimized for the demanding, real-time computing requirements of Tango. It also features the desktop-class Qualcomm Adreno 530 graphics-processing unit (GPU) to deliver supercharged graphics performance and handle the graphical demands of Tango and Daydream applications with ease.

It is also the world's first smartphone with 8GB of RAM, enabling it to handle the demands of AR and VR with ease. The phone comes with 128GB of fast UFS 2.0 storage, 23-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front camera which uses PixelMaster 3.0 camera tech to make the experiences better.

The hybrid dual-SIM smartphone comes in a metallic body with a fingerprint sensor on the home button and runs on 3,300mAh battery pack supporting Quick Charge 3.0.

Tango experiences

AR is a rapidly growing area of mobile technology, and one that consumers are extremely excited about. ASUS and Google have partnered with well-known brands, such as Gap, to bring the smartphone AR experience to customers. Tango also provides developers with the ability to deliver consistent AR experiences across devices and helps users easily discover a wide range of new apps, such as exciting games, home decor utilities, and apps that provide new ways to explore.

ZenFone AR uses an ASUS TriCam system consisting of three rear cameras — a motion-tracking camera, depth-sensing camera and high-resolution 23MP PixelMaster 3.0 camera — which provide input to Tango, enabling smartphone AR experiences for users. The motion-tracking camera lets ZenFone AR keep track of its location as it moves through three-dimensional space. The depth-sensing camera lets ZenFone AR determine its distance from objects by projecting an infrared (IR) laser and measuring the amount of time it takes for IR beam to bounce off objects and return to the phone. The 23MP PixelMaster 3.0 camera features a Sony IMX318 image sensor to vividly capture the environment as a backdrop for AR experiences while serving as an excellent, high resolution camera for photos.

Daydream-readiness

The 5.7-inch WQHD (2K) (1440 x 2560) display makes it ideal for VR apps and games when used with Daydream View headset and controller, immersing users in incredible VR worlds that appear detailed and lifelike. Super AMOLED technology enables deep blacks and high contrast, further enhancing image quality and 3D effects. With ZenFone AR and Daydream View, users can explore new worlds with apps like Street View and Fantastic Beasts, kick back in a personal VR cinema with YouTube VR and Netflix, and get in the game with Gunjack 2, Need for Speed and more.

In addition to video, high-quality audio is an important component of immersive AR and VR experiences. ZenFone AR comes with ASUS SonicMaster 3.0 technology. A five-magnet speaker driven by a powerful NXP smart amplifier delivers clear, expansive sound that can be played at high volumes without distortion. ZenFone AR can also output certified High-Resolution Audio (HRA) to compatible devices at 24-bit/192kHz — or 4X CD-quality. DTS Headphone:X provides virtual 7.1-channel surround sound for immersive entertainment experiences. A premium Asus ZenEar S Headset available inbox.

Flipkart is offering Rs 2500 discounts on Google Daydream View VR Headset along with purchase of ZenFone AR.