Asus unveils 3 new Zenfone 5 models: Watch live from MWC Barcelona

Asus is unveiling new Zenfone 5 models in Barcelona. Follow along live.

John Falcone Senior Editorial Director, Shopping

John P. Falcone is the senior director of commerce content at CNET, where he coordinates coverage of the site's buying recommendations alongside the CNET Advice team (where he previously headed the consumer electronics reviews section). He's been a CNET editor since 2003.

Expertise Over 20 years experience in electronics and gadget reviews and analysis, and consumer shopping advice Credentials

Self-taught tinkerer, informal IT and gadget consultant to friends and family (with several self-built gaming PCs under his belt)

See full bio

John Falcone

Feb. 27, 2018 11:26 a.m. PT

2 min read

The Asus Zenfone 5 is a series of 3 new phones. The company has just unveiled the trio on stage at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

The differences between the Zenfone 5 Lite, Zenfone 5 and Zenfone 5Z are being described in detail now. What we know so far:

Zenfone 5 Lite:

6-inch display
dual rear cameras, dual front cameras
"ZenUI 5" interface, with several custom "AI" features from Asus
Available March 2018

Zenfone 5: Same as Lite, but adds:

Notch screen design "26 percent smaller" than the iPhone X
19:9 aspect ratio screen
Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 CPU
6GB RAM
"Zen Emoji" feature, similar to iPhone X's Animoji
Rear fingerprint reader
Available April 2018

Zenfone 5Z: Same as 5, but adds:

Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 CPU
Up to 8GB RAM
Available for 479 euros for 64GB version. No international pricing available, but the converts to $585, £421 and AU$752
128GB and 256GB versions also available
Available June 2018

More in-depth information available here: Asus Zenfone 5 is an iPhone X on the cheap

Watch the live stream for complete updates.

screen-shot-2018-02-27-at-1-51-23-pm — Asus/Screenshot by John Falcone/CNET

This is a breaking story. More information will be added soon.

Earlier:

It's not called the Zenfone X, but that's the likely nickname for the big phone that Asus is expected to reveal in Barcelona on Tuesday.

The Taiwanese manufacturer that's perhaps better known for its solid lineup of PCs and laptops is hosting the final big hardware-centric press conference at Mobile World Congress, the world's largest phone show. And the rumors all point to a new Android phone with an all-screen design -- except for a distinctive notch in the top center. Sound familiar?

Asus is dubbing the event "#BackTo5," in a nod to the presumed phone's Zenfone 5 name. (Don't confuse it with the 2014 version of Zenfone 5, however.)

You can watch the full event live right, and CNET will have complete coverage of whatever is ultimately announced from our team on the ground in Barcelona.

WHAT: Asus "#BackTo5" Zenfone press conference

WHEN: NOW -- Tuesday, Feb. 27, 1:30 p.m. ET / 10:30 a.m. PT / 7:30 p.m. CET (Check your local time here)

WHERE: Live from Barcelona, Spain. Watch it embedded above.