ASUS has just launched the new ZenFone 3 Zoom. It might be a newer model, compared to the Zenfone Zoom, but it did retain one of its most significant features - which is an optical zoom capability for its camera.

In addition to the camera upgrade, ASUS also beefed up the device's battery. The Zenfone 3 Zoom is three millimeters thinner than its predecessor, but it has a 5,000 mAh battery squeezed into its case. As mentioned on The Verge, the device's battery life is so good that it can double up as a power bank.

The back part of the original gadget was clad in leather - a trait that gave it a bulkier look, especially with a plastic disk that kept jutting out. With the 3 Zoom, however, the circular bulge is gone. Instead, there is a dual camera setup that gives the device an iPhone 7 Plus appeal.

One of the lenses is a 25mm wide angle lens with f/1.7 aperture, while the other is a 59mm counterpart that has an added 2.3X zooming capability. Much like Apple's newly released flagship smartphone, 3 Zoom users can also switch from one lens to another.

Although multiple news sources said that the Zenfone 3 Zoom has the same camera specs that the original Zoom has, it has been reported that the former's zoom features have actually been toned down. The original Zoom device has a 3X zooming capability, while the newer 3 Zoom makes do with only 2.3X magnification.

Hardware-wise, the device packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor - which Engadget said is "not the most impressive chipset." Despite having a regular chip, it is expected to be of big help when it comes to improving the smartphone's stamina. Plus, with a 5,000 mAh battery, ASUS has reportedly confirmed 42 days of standby time.