Exploring whether you can still find an Asus Zenfone 5Z under ₹5,000 and if it’s worth it. This honest review walks through its alluring performance and disappointing pitfalls.
First Glance: Premium Vibes at a Dirt-Cheap Price
Even when priced under ₹5,000 secondhand, the Asus Zenfone 5Z looks familiar. Its 6.2-inch notch display, slim bezels, and aluminum frame still feel refined. The weight at 165g and thin profile at 7.9mm give it a tactile elegance you wouldn’t expect at bargain values. You touch it and the surface feels cool and solid—immediately commanding respect.
Design: Quietly Stylish, Not Showy
Asus Zenfone 5Z Its aluminum back and Gorilla Glass front lend a quiet sophistication. While the aging notch and thick lower chin date it, there’s a graceful balance in feeling like you’re holding something crafted, not just molded. It doesn’t scream for attention, but viewers sense deliberate design.
Display: Sharp and Sensory, Yet Aging
Asus Zenfone 5Z Under good lighting, the 2246×1080 Full HD+ IPS panel delivers crisp text and vibrant color. Contrast is balanced. Viewing angles are solid. ASUS’s adaptive color temperature dimming ties ambient light to warmth or coolness—comforting, especially at night. However, in bright sunlight the screen falters, losing intensity and clarity.
Performance: Snapdragon 845 Still Packs Energy
Despite its age, the Snapdragon 845 inside the Asus Zenfone 5Z remains potent. With up to 8GB RAM (typically 6GB or 8GB variants), the phone sprints through multitasking. Ten-plus browser tabs, social apps, media playback, and even light editing—all feel smooth and responsive. Heavy games like PUBG run well, though heat builds quickly.
The asus zenfone 5z keyword fits naturally here—because even secondhand for ₹5,000, it delivers surprising bursts of flagship-era might.
Gaming and AI Boost: Speed with a Sting
ASUS packed an “AI boost” mode to push performance further during gaming or CPU-heavy tasks. Under use, it can raise scores significantly—but thermal limitations restrict sustained power. Benchmark tests show capable results, but extended gaming leaves the phone humming at nearly 45 °C.
Battery and Charging: Mixed Experience
With a 3,300 mAh battery and support for 18W fast charging via Asus BoostMaster, the Zenfone 5Z still surprises. A full charge takes just over an hour. Moderate users find it easily lasts a full day. But heavy gaming or prolonged screen-on time drains it quickly. After over three years of use, newer battery cycles may reduce longevity or stamina.
Software and Updates: Sweet Now, Bitter Later
The phone originally shipped with Android Oreo and ZenUI 5.0, later upgraded through Android 10. Early on, the software felt smooth and powerful. But users report that update support ended suddenly. Stability issues surfaced post-Android 10—frequent reboots, UI lag, app crashes, and lock-screen quirks undermined trust. Some even flash multiple resets without resolution.
Reddit threads describe situations where the software becomes unpredictable—suggesting that while the phone can feel seductive early on, its reliability can erode.
Camera: Daylight Delight, Low-Light Disappointment
Equipped with a 12MP Sony IMX363 primary camera and a wide-angle 8MP sensor, the photos shine in daylight. Asus Zenfone 5Z Sharp detail, rich color, and OIS help it match or beat many contemporaries. Wide-angle shots add charm. But inside or after dusk, the picture quickly degrades—overexposure, blur, lost detail, and noise dominate.
Selfies from the 8MP front camera work well outdoors, but struggle in dim light. Overall, the camera experience feels bittersweet: gratifying in daylight, frustrating later.
Sound: Unexpectedly Clean, Yet Soft
Dual stereo speakers and NXP smart amps still appeal. Asus Zenfone 5Z Music and dialogue come through clearly, though without deep bass or fullness. Wired headphone audio via stereo output feels immersive and richly detailed. Wireless output can be softer. Surprisingly, even years later, the audio quality doesn’t feel outdated if you keep volume moderate.
Connectivity: Future Proof in Some Ways
The Zenfone 5Z supports Wi-Fi ac (dual band), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC for mobile payments, USB‑C port, and dual 4G VoLTE. It even supports GPS, GLONASS. Though dual sim hybrid limits microSD use, the range of connectivity remains modern for its era. Even under ₹5,000, these features impress.
Build Reliability: Lovely but Leaky
Holding the phone feels solid; scratch resistance holds up under glass and aluminum. But water exposure quickly damages internals—there is no IP rating. Reddit anecdotes reveal SIM detection issues after brief water dips and cracked touch sensors. ASUS repair service appears unreliable or slow, tempering confidence in long-term durability.
Customer Support: A Serious Weak Point
Many users detail unhappy experiences with ASUS repair centers—slow turnarounds, overpricing of parts, unresolved audio or autofocus issues, or service refusals. Cases where motherboard replacements cost far more than fair price, or repairs ended with new faults, are common complaints on user forums. This risk is significant when buying secondhand for ₹5,000.
Real-World Feedback: Voices of Users
From Reddit accounts, one user notes: “Good hardware. Bad software.” Some praised its swift Snapdragon and fluid interface early on, then became disenchanted after update-induced instability. Others report camera autofocus failures, unresponsive fingerprint reader after updates, or support centers that refused to help despite clear warranty. These voices paint both pride and pain.
Sensory Highlights: How It Feels in Use
The Zenfone 5Z still delights in tactility—a cooling frame, firm click keys, smooth unlocks, crisp screen response. Coming from modern thick phones, it feels nimble and responsive. But those same positives fade once the screen lags or reboots. It alternates between vigorous clarity and betraying instability.
A Balanced Summary of Strengths
- Flagship-grade Snapdragon 845 with AI boost
- Sharp 1080+ display with rich color and adaptive warmth
- Strong daylight camera performance with optical and electronic stabilization
- Stereo speakers and clean headphone output
- NFC, Wi‑Fi ac, VoLTE support even today
Honest Weaknesses to Accept
- Aging battery and possible capacity fade
- Software instability after Android 10 with reboots or UI lag
- Poor low‑light camera behavior
- No water resistance and fragile internals
- Weak after‑sales and inconsistent repair experience
Who Should Consider It?
If you find this under ₹5,000, and you’re:
- A bargain hunter who values flagship vintage performance
- Comfortable managing occasional reboots or re-flashes
- Using it for web browsing, social apps, and casual photography in daylight
- A modest budget user seeking features like NFC or VoLTE
…then asus zenfone 5z may deliver unmatched value.
Who Should Steer Clear?
Avoid it if you:
- Need reliable long-term support or service
- Depend on uninterrupted updates and software stability
- Use your camera often in low-light or need autofocus reliability
- Want consistent charging and fingerprint unlocking without issues
Buying Tips for ₹5,000 Deals
Verify the seller’s reputation. Ask about battery health, screen responsiveness, reboot frequency, fingerprint performance. Test Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, VoLTE, camera, and fingerprint unlock during preview. Prefer sellers offering at least a short hands-on guarantee.
The Emotional Tug of Nostalgia
There’s something deeply nostalgic about holding the Asus Zenfone 5Z in your hand. For many tech lovers, it was one of the last phones that offered true flagship performance without chasing gimmicks. Its clean lines, tactile fingerprint sensor, and uncluttered software interface feel like a reminder of what phones once were—functional, fast, and focused. It’s that quiet sense of familiarity that pulls many users back to the device even today, despite its age and quirks. This emotional pull, while subtle, plays a strong role in its continued popularity on the secondhand market.
Using It As a Secondary Phone
For those who hesitate to use the Zenfone 5Z as a primary device, there’s another angle to consider. At under ₹5000, it can serve as a perfect secondary phone. Whether you’re using it solely for media, hotspot sharing, backup calling, or even just keeping an Indian SIM when traveling abroad, it handles basics with ease. The phone’s impressive storage, still-functional cameras, and snappy performance give it the ability to carry a surprising amount of digital weight, even now. It’s also a great device for kids, elders, or those just starting with smartphones.
Third-Party ROMs and Customization Potential
A huge hidden strength of the Asus Zenfone 5Z lies in its developer community. While official support from Asus may have ended, custom ROMs like LineageOS and Pixel Experience breathe new life into the device. For users comfortable with unlocking the bootloader and flashing ROMs, the phone becomes a sandbox of possibilities. Custom ROMs can improve battery life, smoothen the UI, remove bloatware, and even add modern features like extended dark mode or smart gestures. It turns the Asus Zenfone 5Z into a learning tool for aspiring tech enthusiasts.
A Gateway into Mobile Photography
If you’re someone intrigued by photography but can’t afford a DSLR or mirrorless camera yet, the Asus Zenfone 5Z offers a gentle entry into that world. During daylight, its main camera still performs well. The manual Pro mode allows for adjustments in ISO, shutter speed, and white balance, helping beginners understand how light affects exposure and tone. Paired with editing apps like Snapseed or Lightroom, the Zenfone 5Z can help you explore the artistic side of image-making, even if you’re on a tight budget.
Final Words: Should You Buy It?
When emotions, performance, and value collide, the result is rarely perfect—and that’s exactly what defines the Asus Zenfone 5Z under ₹5000. It’s not a flawless phone. In fact, its imperfections are rather evident. But for the price, it offers something hard to find: a sense of trust in its build, a whisper of flagship speed, and enough heart to still compete. If you’re willing to accept its shortcomings and approach it with a practical mindset, it might just be the most satisfying ₹5000 you’ve ever spent on a smartphone.