Zenfone 3 Android Pie update and other news: New OTA for Zoom (ZE553KL) model improves Bluetooth and camera performance

ZenFone 3 Oreo

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February 1, 2019: Asus has a new software update for the ZenFone 3 Zoom (ZE553KL) that installs version 80.30.76.64. The changelog is brief, where it mentions an updated Android security patch alongside improvements to Bluetooth and camera performance.

The update is available over the air and having just started rolling out, it may take up to next week before all Zoom variants of the ZenFone 3 get the OTA download notification. You can either wait or try forcing your phone to check the update via Settings > System > System updates.


Original article below:

Asus is one of the top names in the smartphone industry and naturally, you’d expect any company of Asus’ stature to take software updates seriously. To be fair, Asus is not too far away from some of the best non-Google vendors in regards to software updates, which is why the company’s ZenFone 3 series, which came out in 2016, is still receiving updates even in 2018.

Asus launched the ZenFone 3 handsets back in 2016 on Marshmallow, but even though not exactly in timely fashion, the company did roll out Nougat OS updates to the entire ZenFone 3 series. We expected the company to release the Android Oreo update to the ZenFone 3 handsets too and it didn’t disappoint, to say the least. There’s a new OS in town, though, and every ZenFone 3 owner is probably yearning to know if and when their handset will receive Android 9 Pie update.

In this post, we have all the details you want to know about Asus ZenFone 3 updates, be it major OS upgrades or the minor monthly software updates that are increasingly becoming important as each day passes.

Asus ZenFone 3 update timeline

As noted, Asus has multiple devices in the ZenFone 3 series. To make it a little easier, we’ll give each device a table with a timeline of all the updates the devices have received, be it major OS upgrades or the monthly patches.

Zenfone 3 (ZE520KL) update timeline

Date Software version Changelog
21 June 2018 15.0410.1806.65 | Android 8.0 May and June 2018 patches, fix for RCS issue, and more.
16 May 2018 15.0410.1804.61 | Android 8.0 April 2018 security patch, Privacy Setting update, Add Farsi language into language list, and JP and FR translation.
02 May 2018 15.0410.1803.55 | Android 8.0 Qcom service causing power loss [fixed], GMS R6 upgrade
19 Apr 2018 15.0410.1803.53 | Android 8.0 March 2018 security patch
14 Mar 2018 15.0410.1802.44 | Android 8.0 February 2018 patches, Bluetooth connection Improved, and Improve stability of sound record
12 Feb 2018 15.0410.1801.40 | Android 8.0 Security patch update to January 2018, ZenUI Improved, Improve system stability, and Fixed alarm clock issue improvement
29 Jan 2018 15.0410.1712.31 | Android 8.0 Installs Android 8.0 Oreo

ZenFone 3 (ZE552KL) update timeline

Date Software version Changelog
18 Sep 2018 15.0410.1807.75 | Android 8.0 August 2018 security patch, fix for translation issue and updated GMS
14 Aug 2018 15.0410.1807.72 | Android 8.0 July 2018 security patch and improved battery protection
21 June 2018 15.0410.1806.65 | Android 8.0 May and June 2018 patches, fix for RCS issue, and more.
16 May 2018 15.0410.1804.60 | Android 8.0 April 2018 security patch, Privacy Setting update, Add Farsi language into language list, and JP and FR translation.
02 May 2018 15.0410.1803.55 | Android 8.0 Update GSM R6, Improvement of power consumption
19 Apr 2018 15.0410.1803.53 | Android 8.0 March 2018 security patch
14 Mar 2018 15.0410.1802.44 | Android 8.0 February 2018 patches, Bluetooth connection Improved, and Improve stability of sound record
12 Feb 2018 15.0410.1801.40 | Android 8.0 Security patch update to January 2018, ZenUI Improved, Improve system stability, and Fixed alarm clock issue improvement
29 Jan 2018 15.0410.1712.31 | Android 8.0 Installs Android 8.0 Oreo

Zenfone 3 Max (ZC520TL) update timeline

Date Software version Changelog
20 Nov 2018 15.01.1810.262 | Android 8.1
15.10.1810.275 | Android 8.1
Installs Android 8.1 Oreo, updates Asus system and security patch level
26 July 2018 14.01.1807.111 | Android 7.0 Installs July 2018 security patch and updates Asus system
26 July 2018 14.10.1807.110 | Android 7.0 Installs July 2018 security patch
18 Jan 2018 14.10.1801.94 | Android 7.0 Android security patches
18 Jan 2018 14.01.1711.93 | Android 7.0 Fixed Free Telecom 4G issue, Fixed Orange hotspot fails issue, and Improved Whatsapp voice record volume.
28 Dec 2017 14.14.1711.92 | Android 7.0 Fixed  Movistar 4G issue, Fixed Fido 4G issue, and Android Security Update

Zenfone 3 Max (ZC553KL) update timeline

Date Software version Changelog
20 Dec 2018 15.0200.1812.503 | Android 8.1 Privacy Setting update, Google apps update, and new Android security patch level
30 July 2018 15.0200.1807.406 | Android 8.1 Installs Android 8.1 Oreo and ZenUI 5.0
12 Feb 2018 14.0200.1802.351 | Android 7.0 Improve TWM VoLTE network performance
20 Dec 2017 14.0200.1712.347 | Android 7.0 System upgrade

Zenfone 3 Laser update timeline

Date Software version Changelog
25 June 2018 32.40.106.79 | Android 7.0 Improved stability of ASUS SystemUI and internet connection quality.
25 Apr 2018 32.40.106.62 | Android 7.0 Updated Android security maintenance.
02 Mar 2018 32.40.106.49 | Android 7.0 Improved stability of ASUS SystemUI, and Improved internet connection quality for India and Japan mobile operators.
24 Jan 2018 32.40.106.43 | Android 6.0 Installs Android 7.0 Nougat

Zenfone 3 Zoom update timeline

Date Software version Changelog
31 Jan 2019 80.30.76.64 | Android 8.0 Updates Android security patch level and improves Bluetooth and camera performance
23 Nov 2018 80.30.76.49 | Android 8.0 Update Google security patch, performance improved and bugs fixed
12 June 2018 80.20.179.54 | Android 8.0 Privacy Setting update, Improved Wifi stability, and Performance improvements and bug fixes
17 May 2018 80.20.179.40 | Android 8.0 Installs Android 8.0 Oreo
15 Mar 2018 71.60.139.30 | Android 7.0 Fix cannot connect to WEP encryption wireless network problem, Update Google security patch, Enable Taiwan CHT VoWiFi functions, and Performance improved and bugs fixed.
09 Feb 2018 71.60.139.27 | Android 7.0 Update Google security patch, Enable Taiwan CHT VoWiFi functions, Performance improved and bugs fixed.
21 Dec 2017 23.40.97.96 | Android 7.0 Improve the voice quality,  Enable Taiwan CHT VoLTE functions, Improve stability of ASUS SystemUI

Zenfone 3 Ultra update timeline

Date Software version Changelog
03 July 2018 14.1010.1804.75 | Android 7.0 Fixed security issue
08 Jan 2018 14.1010.1711.64 | Android 7.0 Android security patches
29 Dec 2017 14.1010.1711.63 | Android 7.0 FR E-label update
15 Dec 2017 14.1010.1711.62 | Android 7.0 Android security update

Zenfone 3 Deluxe (ZS550KL) update timeline

Date Software version Changelog
20 Nov 2018 80.30.123.118 | Android 8.0 Updated Android security patch level, bug fixes and performance improvements
26 July 2018 80.30.123.46 | Android 8.0 Installs the latest security patch update, Fixes VPN setting crash issue, Improves GPS Power consumption and System stability
26 Apr 2018 80.20.96.109 | Android 8.0 Update Google security patch, Fixed NFC payment issue when screen is off, and Fixed the issue that AudioWizard couldn’t save previous settings
26 Mar 2018 80.20.96.89 | Android 8.0 Installs Android 8.0 Oreo
28 Dec 2017 25.40.219.38 | Android 7.0 Update Google security patch, Adjust PWS Settings UI to meet NCC requirement, and Fixed phone book record occasionally missing issue

Zenfone 3 Deluxe (ZS570KL) update timeline

Date Software version Changelog
20 Sep 2018 15.0210.1808.70 | Android 8.0 Updated security patch
09 July 2018 15.0210.1806.57 | Android 8.0 June 2018 security patch, Improve APP compatibility, Improve system stability, and Fix audio wizard issues
15 May 2018 15.0210.1804.47 | Android 8.0 Installs Android 8.0 Oreo
05 Mar 2018 5.17.44.87 | Android 7.0 Solve the problem device screen flashes in sleep mode
25 Jan 2018 5.17.44.68 | Android 7.0 Taiwan CHT VoLTE Support, and Optimize battery setting

ZenFone 3 Android 9 Pie update

  • The entire ZenFone 3 series is not eligible for Android 9 Pie
  • Pie-based custom ROMs may be hard to come by

The ZenFone 3 series has Marshmallow out of the box and even though all variants got Nougat, not all of them have been upgraded to Oreo, the second major OS upgrade. With this in mind, we don’t expect a third OS upgrade for any of the devices in the ZenFone 3 family, including the premium Deluxe variant.

Related:

Asus ZenFone 3 Oreo update

  • Android 8.0 available for several ZenFone 3 handsets
  • Oreo expected on [nearly] all variants

Asus ZenFone 3 series has multiple devices ranging from the high-end Deluxe to the midrange Zoom and Ultra variants and down to the Max and Laser variants, but it’s unlikely all of them are in line to receive Android 8.0 Oreo. Although Asus hasn’t made anything official, a good number of ZenFone 3 handsets have already been upgraded to Android Oreo, as shown in the table below.

Device Launch OS Android Oreo Release date

Zenfone 3 Max ZC520TL (5.2-inch and 5.5-inch models)

Android 6.0 Eligible Released on 20 November 2018
Zenfone 3 Max ZC553KL Android 6.0 Eligible Released on 30 July 2018

Zenfone 3s Max ZC521TL 

Android 7.0 Eligible Q4 2018

Zenfone 3 Laser ZC551KL

Android 6.0 Eligible Q4 2018

Zenfone 3 ZE520KL

Android 6.0 Eligible Released on 29 Jan 2018
Zenfone 3 ZE552KL Android 6.0 Eligible Released on 29 Jan 2018

Zenfone 3 Zoom ZE553KL 

Android 6.0 Eligible Released on 17 May 2018

Zenfone 3 Ultra ZU680KL 

Android 6.0 Eligible Q4 2018

Zenfone 3 Deluxe 5.5 ZS550KL 

Android 6.0 Eligible Released on 26 March 2018

Zenfone 3 Deluxe ZS570KL

Android 6.0 Eligible Released on 15 May 2018

Asus is expected to update all ZenFone 3 handsets to Android Oreo and so far, nearly all of them have been updated apart from the ZenFone 3s Max, ZenFone 3 Laser and ZenFone 3 Ultra. We expect Oreo to hit the trio before the end of 2018.

If you have any questions about Asus ZenFone 3 software updates, feel free to shoot’em in your comments below.