Asus Zenfone 5: My First Few Hours' Impressions

vijay_968 · Nov 7, 2014

Quite possible. Could be the reason why Android System is consuming so much battery in my Phone. Refer post # 21 and see the Pics below. BTW, the spike in the 2nd Pic is due to PCLINK activity and USB debugging. I'm getting reasonably good battery back up. Voice calls are not affecting battery much. See the pictures below:

dhoom9 said:

I was surprised by that review on GPS. Many reviewers have commented that the fix was quick and expressed their satisfaction. I had used GPS only twice that too for short durations only for checking the performance. Fix is pretty fast (30s to 4minutes) and accurate. As of now I cannot comment much.

vijay_968 · Nov 7, 2014

During Dinner, a plan to visit Lord Karthik's temple at Tiruttani (closer to AP-TN Border near Arakkonam in TN) has come up. A Diesel Verna owner never misses an opportunity to hit the Highway. Trip is 95% confirmed [:D]

Will check GPS performance on ZF5, during the drive.

vijay_968 · Nov 11, 2014

dhoom9 said:

The trip mentioned at post # 32 did happen and I tested the GPS. You can find the travelogue in the link here http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...blr-travelogue-9th-nov-2014-a.html#post416722. When I switched on GPS (and Navimaps), I was 90 km from earlier GPS fix location, doing above 120kph and without data connection. I DID NOT GET a location fix in the moving car. Later, at Singarapettai (after Utangarai), we stopped for breakfast and as I was walking back to the car, the Location Fix was got within 30s (and Navimaps). Navigation does not work in the freemium version.

While inside the Temple at T'V'Malai, enabled 3G, Data Connection and GoogleMaps. BSNL's 3G (is it there?) took eternity to download the Map, but got a spot-on location fix. Credit to Google. As I started the journey, switched on the GPS too and never had GPS issues till I reached Tiruttani 3.5 Hrs later. From there, till Palamaner, again no issues with GPS. After Palamaner, I switched OFF GPS, Data connection, quit Maps and changed network from 3G to 2G.

After Sunday night, turned on GPS (w/o Data connection) today around 3PM, and NaviMaps quickly showed my exact location within a minute. Hope this answers your questions.

vijay_968 · Nov 11, 2014

Yet another OTA update received

When Wi-fi was switched ON, the ZF5 started a 110MB OTA update. After downloading and installing (117 files updated), the firmware version is:
ASUS_T00J_WW_user_2.20.40.13_20141105_1055 release-keys.

As per Asus website, this was released today (i.e., 11-Nov-2014), and brings fixes for some 11 issues and brings two new features. IIRC, this is the 3rd System update since I bought ZF5, excluding the many PlayStore updates for individual Modules. Compare this to my earlier Atrix2, which received just the one ICS update from Moto. And A2 was one among the first 10 Dual-Core Android Phones ?!?

Planning to try HERE Maps for Android version. Anyone from TAI using it ?

Arijitb · Nov 12, 2014

Re: Yet another OTA update received

vijay_968 said:

Used in my Samsung Galaxy Grand, Sometimes it completely unable to load the offline pre-downloaded map data, I mean... Here App load up but the blank White screen remain. If I search the desired place it says not found. Maybe it still in early stage.

As of now, nothing come close the 'Free Sygic Maps for India' for offline usage.

vijay_968 · Nov 12, 2014

About Nokia HERE Maps

Arijitb said:

Thank you Arijitb. Found it yesterday night, after installing HERE from their website [cry]

. Directions to my home town were 99% correct, but, the last 10 km to my home was thro' junk roads [frustration]

. I do NOT want to think of relying on HERE's real time navigation to unknown places. However, this is the only map that named our Apartment (of three houses). That surprised me initially. Starting was good but ending was bad.

macsvin · Nov 12, 2014

By the way is there any way where in I can check what all applications are downloading the data? yesterday night when I connect to my Idea 3G for about 10 mins & did nothing. After closing the connection I got a message that last session used 4.5 MB of data. How is this possible? I didn't get any email / FB notification now Whats app message. Then how come there was usage of 4+ MB data?

vijay_968 · Nov 12, 2014

Asus Zenfone 5: Monitoring Network access by Apps.

macsvin said:

Yes Mahesh. Download Avast antivirus. Go to More Tools. Then select Network Meter. Go to settings (top right corner). Then Enable it. It gives App wise usage stats. Should be enough.

vijay_968 · Nov 16, 2014

GNSS performance update

Friday, on board a flight to Delhi, tested the HERE Maps. Took about 7 minutes for the fix. HERE Map showed we were near Agra and the plane's on board map confirmed. Later, used NAVIMAPS while travelling in Delhi, and got instant /accurate fix. I finally learned [embarass]

to use its navigation and was impressed. After choosing a route and navigation, just need to press the icon in bottom middle (I think that's for current location), and the navigation is well on its way. time to uninstall HERE Maps.

Yesterday, for the first time in my life I saw 12 satellites used for a fix in a consumer grade GNSS receiver [clap]

. What's the chip they have put in the ZF5 for GNSS ?

PS. Though many of you might already know, GNSS stands for Global Navigation Satellite System.

macsvin · Nov 17, 2014

I got my phone updated to Kitkat yesterday. Other than new few features added nothing much new as such. I was expecting something 360 degrees change.
Need to check if bettery life increases

macsvin · Nov 18, 2014

After upgrading to Kitkat - I have noticed that there is no much change in UI feel nor the battery life has increased. Am I missing anything?

vijay_968 · Nov 19, 2014

Greenify App improves Battery life !

A Neat little trick I found yesterday (who reads manuals nowadays ?). By "Triple tapping on the screen", magnification can be enabled in ANY screen by doing this : "Settings --- Accessibility (under SYSTEM) --- MagnificationGestures --- ON". No need to reach for Glasses every time [clap]

. Now about "Greenify" App. Look at the two screenshots below:

Text below is provided to direct Google Search result to TAI: Noticed heavy battery drain overnight recently. "The latest 2.20.40 update was messing things up" I felt. Installed "Greenify" App from Playstore. Used Wizard and "Hybernated" the recommended Apps. Immediately, overnight battery consumption was from 91% to 85% of Battery, showing very good improvement. When battery dropped to 22%, charged thro' PC; Battery was brought to 34% before bed-time. Battery dropped to 26% in the morning. Using the charger, charged to 58% and started for office at 7:30AM. At 9:27PM, the battery was 27%. Only 31% consumption in 14 Hrs (including 3 Hrs in silent mode due to a meeting and driving). "Android System" and "Android OS" have consumed only 33%, much less than the 52% mentioned in post #31 above. Total Battery life was close to 2 Days during this (still 27% battery left). I think credit should go to "Greenify". Also, I've to mention that I'd disabled the "OK Google on every screen" mode. The screenshot of Greenify App is given below:

vijay_968 · Jan 11, 2015

In Post No. 2, I mentioned about going for OnePlus One, and did that exactly. Friday night got an Invite from OnePlus for a Global version. Ended up placing an order in Amazon India for an Indian Version. Had the phone in my hand around 13:00 Hrs the very next day. Hats Off Amazon.in for an express delivery like THAT when shipping was FREE. I'll post my experiences with OPO soon. I liked ZF5 so much for so many different things. Its a great phone.

But wify needs a good looking phone to replace her 5800XM and I need to have the OPO. So Bye' bye my good friend Asus ZenFone 5. You are not leaving the family anyway.

Highway Ranger · Jan 11, 2015

vijay_968 said:

Hi Vijay!

I too bought this last October-missed this thread somehow. The phone is good and I got it from FK with an exchange price of 8550. Quite happy with it. I am always on 3g (expect when there is a network problem) and the battery lasts a day easily.

The phone does have a very good finish and looks great. I don't use the phone as a camera or music player as I have other devices for that.

vijay_968 said:

I got this flipcover and I am happy with the quality and the finish of this over. It has a round window on the front through which we can see the clock, notifications, answer/reject calls, operate the flash light, etc. It also eliminate the need to use the on button to unlock the screen. Cost me 245 rs.

vijay_968 · Jan 11, 2015

Glad you are enjoying this terrific phone. The Pics are OK, when you cannot use your DSLR. I ended up buying two covers. The first was chosen by Wify and kid and is in the Photo in Post #25. There was NO need to remove the original Battery Cover. It is very good, but a bit bulky. So, I bought a 2nd one, matte finish black in colour, like what you are having from the Bay for Rs.399/- :-( To use the 2nd one I needed to remove the original Battery Cover.

Transferring data from Asus ZF5 to Oneplue One now. Yet to look for a cover for the OPO.

Asus Zenfone 5: My First Few Hours' Impressions

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