ZenFone 3 release date, specs, features rumors: Upcoming device to have metal body, 2.5D-covered display?

Asus ZenFone 2. According to rumors, much will change with the follow-up, the ZenFone 3.[Photo credit: Asus]

While it is rumored that a follow-up to the successful ZenFone 2 lineup will roll out toward the latter part of the year, supposed specs and images of the new ZenFone 3 have already leaked online.

According to Android Headlines, a new report out of China is saying that Asus will be following up the ZenFone 2 with an even impressive ZenFone 3 having an all-metal body and a display covered in 2.5D glass. If this is proven true, then Asus is placing the ZenFone 3 as a direct follow-up to the ZenFone series – a mix of mid-range and above-average specs and features for a relatively low price This is what the company did with the ZenFone 2 lineup.

The industry follower said that while the rumored features remain unconfirmed, a 2.5D glass and metal body are plausible for the ZenFone 3. An all-metal form factor will give the ZenFone 3 a premium look and feel, In addition, 2.5D glass for the display will make the ZenFone 3 just a few steps behind flagships like the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, which use curved 3D glass.

It is also possible that these rumored design specs were the basis for the unofficial renders that currently float online, supposedly showing how the ZenFone 3 and the ZenFone 3 Deluxe will look. According to GSM Arena, while the ZenFone 3 may retain some of the details of the previous ZenFone 2 body, the ZenFone 3 Deluxe will be built differently from its predecessor. In the renders, the Deluxe version of the upcoming lineup is seen sporting a physical button, which may also serve to be a fingerprint scanner.

The renders also make out the ZenFone 3 series to be sleeker and slimmer than the previous versions, possibly because it has already been confirmed that the next lineup will be using USB Type-C ports.