ZenFone 3 release date, specs, features: Upcoming ZenFone 2 follow-up seen in press renders

Asus ZenFone 2 (ZE551ML). Rumor has it that its follow-up, the ZenFone 3, will appear by mid-2016.[Photo credit: Asus]

According to speculations, the upcoming follow-up to Asus's highly-successful ZenFone 2 lineup will not come out until the second half of the year, June at the earliest. However, speculations and supposed leaks have already started surfacing online about the upcoming ZenFone 3 lineup.

The latest leak regarding the ZenFone 3 are press renders of its upcoming design. According to Android Police, a website managed to come out with design renders for the ZenFone 3, based on earlier "leaks" and expected upgrades to the follow-up. Based on the images, Asus hopes to retain the same aesthetics and body profile that made the ZenFone 2 a successful lineup, since the ZenFone 3 renders resembles the current-gen flagship.

The industry follower summarized the upcoming ZenFone 3 body design as having a 2.5D glass panels on both the front and rear sections of the lineup, and the flagship will also offer a premium look and finish with an aluminum frame. Meanwhile, it is said that the upcoming ZenFone 3 will be sleeker and slimmer than its predecessor, since Asus has already hinted that it will be switching to USB Type-C port for the next flagship. Meanwhile, the company has also hinted that the ZenFone 3 may also include a fingerprint sensor, and the press renders also incorporated the feature.

Meanwhile, Android Central said that the ZenFone 3's premium version, the ZenFone 3 Deluxe, seems to deviate from the lineup's design. The industry observer stated that the images feature a physical home button on the front, and it seems that the Deluxe is going for an all-metal build. This may be the renderer's take on the Deluxe being a premium version in the ZenFone 3 lineup.

Aside from the design, though, no details are yet available on how different the ZenFone 3 will be from its predecessor. However, since Asus is targeting its ZenFone series as a flagship with a mid-range price, fans may expect the ZenFone 3 to have a combination of top-tier and above-average specs at the most.