In This Article
The Asus Zenfone 2 Laser launched in 2015 with a Snapdragon 410 or 615, 2 GB of RAM, and Android 5.0 Lollipop. Eleven years later, the device is a museum piece. Asus stopped supporting it in 2018, the last security patch went out in 2017, and modern app ecosystems have moved past Android 5 entirely.
If you still have one in a drawer, this is the practical 2026 guide to what it can still do, why rooting it now is more cautionary tale than tutorial, and the responsible alternatives.
TL;DR
The pick: The Zenfone 2 Laser is fully end-of-life: no security patches since 2017, no current Android version available.
Runner-up: Rooting an unsupported phone in 2026 invalidates any remaining warranty, opens a wide security risk, and most modern apps will not run even after rooting.
Skip if: You only need a basic phone for emergency calls. The Zenfone 2 Laser still makes calls. For anything else, retire it.
Current state of the device
Hardware: still functional on most units. Battery: original cells are now 11 years old and capacity is typically under 40 percent of new. Storage: 8 or 16 GB internal, which is insufficient for most 2026 apps. Cameras: 13 MP rear, 5 MP front; modest by current standards.
Why rooting now is risky
Android 5 has known unpatched security vulnerabilities (StageFright, BlueBorne, and every CVE issued since 2017). Rooting removes the remaining sandboxing the OS still provides. Modern banking and payment apps refuse to run on rooted devices regardless. The cost-benefit math has flipped entirely against rooting old phones.
Reasonable uses in 2026
Backup emergency phone for a family member who has lost their main device. Dedicated music player on a home Wi-Fi network. Smart-home dashboard mounted on a wall (loaded with one trusted app and nothing else). The phone should not store sensitive data.
The responsible alternative
A new entry-level Android phone in 2026 costs under $200 (Samsung Galaxy A05, Motorola Moto G Play, Nokia G42). All ship with current Android and three to four years of security updates. For the same price as a single recovery from a rooted-phone breach, you can replace the device entirely.
What should you do with an old Zenfone 2 Laser?
- Best path: Retire it. Recycle it through Asus’s take-back programme or a local e-waste centre.
- Acceptable use: Backup emergency phone for calls only, with no sensitive accounts signed in.
- Acceptable use: Smart-home dashboard with one trusted app and on a separate Wi-Fi guest network.
- Avoid: Banking, email, or social-media use on the device. The security gap is real.
- Skip: Rooting in 2026 unless this is a dedicated tinkering device with no personal data.
FAQ
Can I get current Android on the Zenfone 2 Laser via custom ROM?
Lineage OS dropped Zenfone 2 Laser support after Lineage 17. Unofficial builds exist on XDA but receive sporadic updates and have known stability issues.
Will any apps still run?
Older versions of WhatsApp, Signal, and basic browsers run. Banking apps, ride-share apps, and most modern social platforms refuse to install.
Is the battery a fire risk?
An 11-year-old lithium battery can develop swelling. If the back cover sits proud or the battery does not hold any charge, retire the device immediately.
Can I unlock the bootloader without losing data?
Bootloader unlock on the Zenfone 2 Laser triggers a full factory wipe. Back up before any unlock attempt.
Bottom line
The Asus Zenfone 2 Laser earned its place in Android history but has clearly aged out of primary daily use in 2026. Treat it as a museum piece, a backup emergency phone, or responsible recycling. The cost of buying a current entry-level Android is well below the cost of any single security incident on an end-of-life device.
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