Fremont, Calif. – Asus unveiled its first two unlocked phones for the U.S. market in May, but the Chinese phone maker turned to carrier channels to launch its $119 ZenFone 2E with AT&T’s prepaid GoPhone plans.
The LTE phone is available from Walmart and Target. Availability through AT&T stores and AT&T’s web site begins July 24, followed by Best Buy stores on August 2.
With the launch, AT&T is expanding its GoPhone lineup, Asus said.
The tablet and computer maker has offered only a handful of phones in the U.S. before, having launched the Asus PadFone X and PadFone X Mini in 2014 through AT&T on an exclusive basis. Those Android smartphones docked with an included tablet display, enabling users to switch screen sizes as needed for different tasks.
Asus positions the new phone for value-conscious consumers who want a budget smartphone with “luxurious design.” It features swappable back covers. Black and white covers included.
The Android 5.0 phone features Asus’s ZenUI user interface, 5-inch 720p IPS display with 294 PPI, 1GB RAM, dual-core Intel Atom Clover Trail+ processor, 8GB storage, 64GB micro SDXC Card slot, 2,500mAh non-removable battery, 8- megapixel front camera with f/2.0 aperture and LED flash, 2-megapixel front camera, 1080p video capture, Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/, and Bluetooth 4.0.
Asus’s PixelMaster camera technology features auto, low-light, time rewind, and HDR modes.
Talk time is up to 38 hours over 2G and 20 hours over 3G. Standby time is up to 17 days over 2G and 18 days over 3G.
