Monday, July 3, 2017

GST effect: Asus ZenFone 3, ZenFone 3 Max get cheaper by up to Rs 3,000

GST implementation has affected the prices of most goods and services in the country. For smartphones, the prices are expected to increase post the raise in charges. However, in order to help retain the cost of smartphones that are already announced, many smartphone makers are slashing rates of devices in India. Asus too has announced a cut in the rates of the Asus ZenFone 3 and Asus ZenFone 3 Max models. The price-drop is not yet formally announced and will most likely be implemented in the upcoming days.

As per a report by Gadgets 360, Asus has already informed distributors and retailers regarding the price drop. A total of five Asus smartphones – the ZenFone 3 (ZE552KL), the ZenFone 3 (ZE520KL), the ZenFone 3 Max (ZC553KL), the ZenFone 3S Max (ZC521TL), and the ZenFone 3 Max (ZC520TL) have received the price cut. The maximum discount of Rs 3,000 is on Asus ZenFone 3 (ZE552KL), which will now retail at Rs 16,999 from the previous Rs 19,999. The smartphone was originally launched at Rs 27,999 in the country, back in 2016. The device comes with a 5.5-inch display with 64GB internal storage and 4GB RAM, coupled with a 3,000mAh battery.

The less-powerful Asus ZenFone 3 (ZE520KL), which comes with a 5.2-inch display, 32GB inbuilt storage and 3GB RAM, powered by a 2,650mAh battery, now gets a price-cut of Rs 2,000. The device which previously retailing for Rs 17,999, and is now available for Rs 15,999. The smartphone launched in 2016 for Rs 21,999 and received a price-cut once previously this year.

ZenFone 3 Max (ZC553KL) will receive a Rs 1,000 price-drop as part of the post-GST slash. The phone will now retail for Rs 14,999 as after the price-drop, against the launch price of Rs 17,999. ZenFone 3 Max (ZC553KL) comes with a full HD display, 32GB internal storage and 3GB RAM. The phone is a battery intensive device and comes with a 4,000mAh battery. The Asus ZenFone 3 Max (ZC520TL), which is the most budget version will now be available for Rs 10,999, a Rs 2,000 drop from the previous Rs 12,999.

Asus ZenFone 3S Max (ZC521TL), which is the latest in the Asus ZenFone Max series line-up comes with a Rs 2,000 cut and will now be available for Rs 12,999. The device runs Android Nougat 7.0 and comes with a 5.2-inch HD display, 32GB internal storage and 3GB RAM. The smartphone comes with a 5,000mAh battery. Asus ZenFone 3S Max (ZC521TL) was initially launched at Rs 14,999 and this is the first price slash for the smartphone. Asus is expected to make an official announcement regarding the price-cuts in the coming days. Currently, there is no news of other Asus smartphones too getting a price-drop.