Asus launches 'iPhone X clone' with Android OS at MWC 2018

BARCELONA - Taiwanese computer and smartphone manufacturer Asus has unveiled ZenFone 5 and 5Z smartphones in Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018.

The new smartphones are undoubtedly clones of Apple's latest flagship iPhone X but with Android Operating System.

"Some people will say it's copying Apple, but we cannot get away from what users want," The Verge quoted Asus as saying.

According to Asus, its notch is 26 percent smaller than that on the iPhone X, allowing for a more significant 90 percent screen-to-body ratio and a larger 6.2in screen size.

The ZenFone 5 and 5Z has a Face Unlock option, which means no Face ID as on the iPhone X. Asus has also included a fingerprint sensor as back up.

Asus ZenFone is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB Internal storage. The ZenFone 5 will feature a less-powered Snapdragon 636 processor, paired with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage.

Both models pack a 6.2in Full HD+ display, which ASUS claims to have squeezed into a 5.5in body size. Moreover, they will also ship running Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box.

The firm has equipped the phones with a feature called 'AI Display' that, much like Apple's True Tone, automatically adjusts the colour temperature.

Another feature called 'AI Boost' optimises the smartphones' performance for games and other demanding tasks, according to The Verge.

Both smartphones feature a 12MP, f1.8 sony 363 sensor, 6 element lens and a secondary 8MP 120-degree wide-angle lens - again like the iPhone X - which comes paired with "AI-enhanced camera features" including scene detection, real-time beautification and photo learning and 8MP front-facing camera.