Taiwanese Asus has presented the new Zenfone 9. On paper an extremely interesting device. However, the company is scrupulously avoiding a crucial point of interest: the smartphone’s update policy.
The Asus Zenfone 9 is a striking smartphone. Asus is one of the few brands that dares to bring a top-class smartphone on the market with a handy size. The 5.9-inch screen is easy to operate with one hand.
Furthermore, the device seems to lack nothing: two cameras, a waterproof housing, a sharp and smooth-running display and the fastest Snapdragon processor. The lightest version has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage for 799 euros. For fifty euros more you have 8GB and 256GB and for a hundred euros more 16GB(!) and 256GB.
Also, Asus does not seem deaf to favorite disappeared features. For example, the fingerprint scanner is placed in the power button on the side and you have access to an adapter in the box and an audio port.
Have we not forgotten anything?
So far, many ingredients that make the smartphone heart beat faster. Only there is also one topic that Asus does not talk about: support. When inquiring with Asus, it remains timidly silent. Asus has an embarrassing reputation when it comes to meeting update responsibilities, and the fact that the company isn’t divulging this probably means the company has no intention of changing it. That while smartphones are available from Apple, Samsung and Google in the same price range, with which you are assured of updates that offer the latest functions and safety guarantees.
Asus’ current update policy is to provide two Android version updates (including two years of security updates). The fact that Android 13 is almost coming means that in two years it will be ready with new Android versions and you will be done with Android 14.
With such an update policy, Asus treats its latest smartphone as disposable equipment. Hopefully the company will come up with a sustainable change of course so that the Zenfone 9 can also be considered as a serious option. Because many unique ingredients are certainly present for this.
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