The new Asus Zenfone 2 is a feature-filled smartphone with a well-rounded array of specs, and at only $300 max, it's a must-buy for any shopper on the prowl for an affordable unit that nevertheless provides quality performance.

Basically, there will be two versions of the Zenfone 2 up for release in the United States. The first is a $300 unit with a quad-core processor (64-bit and 2.3 gHz Intel Atom). The other is a more economical option, which sells for only $200. The latter only has 1.8 gHz processor, as well as 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage, whereas the premium option comes with 4 GB worth of RAM and 64 GB of storage space.

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In terms of design, though, the Asus Zenfone 2 delivers a much weaker punch when compared to its competitors. The brushed metal design back cover and Gorilla glass 3 with anti-glare coating protecting its 5.5-inch screen makes the unit look unimpressive and bulky, according to Techradar. Where other phones including Samsung has already made the jump to the more durable Gorilla glass 4, Asus kept an older model, making the Zenfone 2 just a bit more sensitive to drops or tumbles than units like the LG G4.

The Zenfone 2's biggest ace in the smartphone game is its Intel processor, which is a lot more powerful and efficient compared to the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor chips used by most phones today. At 2 gHz, the Intel Atom Z3580 is excellent for mobile gaming or multi-tasking. Call quality, ease of text messaging, and smoothness of performance remains impressive, making this unit the perfect haul for budget-conscious smartphone shoppers.

With a 13 megapixel camera and a 1/3-inch sensor, the Zenfone 2 offers less than desirable shots. Users can expect grainy and muddy photos in dim light, as the smartphone is only capable of taking decent shots in environments with plenty of light. One would have to take a lot of effort to create Instagram-worthy photos, and its front camera isn't exactly great for selfies, either.

All-in-all, the Asus Zenfone 2 doesn't exactly compete with the biggest smartphone leaders like Samsung, Apple, LG, or Sony. Nevertheless, it has excellent value for its price tag, and its operating system can easily be upgraded into Lollipop 5.0. so users will have little trouble keeping up to date with app and game upgrades.

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