Asus is the latest Android OEM to cut bloatware and streamline its own software. Alongside the launch of the company's new ZenFone 4 series, Asus debuted new software dubbed ZenUI 4.0, which removes duplicate apps and other bloatware affecting the device performance.
As Android Authority notes, the ZenUI 4.0 comes with only 13 pre-installed apps as opposed to 35 apps found on the older ZenUI 3.5. The ZenUI 4.0 also bundles Facebook, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram, which most smartphones will download on their device anyway. The visible advantage will be in the form of speed boost and seamless experience across the user interface.
Asus claims the new ZenUI 4.0 offers anywhere between 34 to 61 percent performance boost over its predecessor. The new ZenUI 4.0 also enables Twin Apps, allowing users to add two social media accounts on a single device. While Asus streamlining its software to a great extent, the company continues to see a reason behind developing its own bookmarks app called Page Marker.
Asus ZenFone 4 series including ZenFone 4, ZenFone 4 Pro, ZenFone 4 Selfie, ZenFone 4 Selfie Pro and ZenFone 4 Max Pro will be the first to get the new skinned version of Android. The Taiwanese tech giant says it will roll out ZenUI 4.0 to its ZenFone 3 series but there is no clarity when the update will arrive. Further, the company says ZenFone 3 and ZenFone 4 series will be updated to Android O by the second half of 2018.
Asus, however, is not the first Android OEM to streamline its own skin built on top of stock Android. At the launch of the Galaxy S8, Samsung also streamlined its TouchWiz UI by removing duplicate apps and switching to default apps for common applications. LG has also tweaked its software with the launch of UX 6.0.
While Chinese smartphone makers have seen the benefit with customising their software, Lenovo recently ditched its Vibe UI altogether in favour of stock Android. The move will benefit the companies with development and deployment of latest Android version. According to updated numbers, Android Nougat is on just 13.5 percent of active devices more than a year after its launch.