ASUS is known as a supplier of high-performance, high-tech and at the same time affordable mobile devices. Among the most popular models of devices produced by this brand is the ZenFone Max smartphone. It is characterized by an exceptionally powerful battery, support for modern communication solutions, high speed and stability. What are its key competitive advantages? How do experts and users evaluate the capabilities and effectiveness of this device?
Main characteristics
Before studying the reviews characterizing the phone ASUS ZenFone Max, as well as examining its strengths and weaknesses, consider the main characteristics of this device. He has:
- a form factor classified as a monoblock;
- the case made of opaque even plastic;
- Android operating system in version 5.0, supplemented by a proprietary software shell;
- Communication modules 2G, 3G, LTE;
- support for 2 SIM cards;
- processor with 4 cores, operating at a frequency of 1.2 GHz;
- graphics accelerator Adreno 306;
- 16 GB of internal memory;
- 2 GB RAM module;
- slot for connecting an additional memory card;
- support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth;
- a display with a diagonal of 5.5 inches, a color depth of 267 PPI and a resolution of 1280 by 720 pixels, an IPS-type matrix, Gorilla Glass 4 protective glass, and an oleophobic coating;
- the main camera with a resolution of 13 megapixels, front camera - 5 megapixels;
- GPS, GLONASS modules ;
- acceleration, lighting, proximity sensors;
- battery with a capacity of 5 thousand mAh.
How similar are these characteristics to those of other ZenFone Max models?
So, the popular ASUS ZenFone 3 Max smartphone has, in particular:
- Android operating system in version 6.0;
- 5.2-inch screen with a pixel density of 282 PPI;
- battery capacity of 4130 mAh.
Thus, the phone in question can both have technological advantages relative to neighboring models in the line, and be inferior to them in some characteristics. But in general, devices related to the ZenFone Max series are characterized by high technology and functionality and therefore are extremely competitive in the market.
Now let's learn how the device looks.
The appearance of the device
The design of the ZenFone Max phone (reviews indicate this) is modern and effective. Users pay close attention to the appearance of the device, which is generally similar to those concepts that are implemented in other models of the corresponding line of smartphones from ASUS.
It is important, choosing a phone for the style, pay attention to equipping it with the necessary accessories. For example, a case for ASUS ZenFone Max, made in a spectacular style, will be a great addition to the device.
The touch panel that controls the device is located directly below the screen. In turn, above it is an LED, speaker, as well as 2 sensors - lighting and proximity.
On the right side of the device’s body there is a volume control key, as well as a device power button. At the top is a connector for connecting audio devices. At the bottom there is a microphone hole of the device, as well as a slot for connecting a microUSB cable.
On the back cover of the device is an external speaker, the main camera with flash and laser focus. If necessary, the user of ASUS ZenFone Max can remove the back cover of the device, under which you can find 2 connectors for SIM-cards, as well as a slot for an additional memory card.
The build quality of the device is estimated by experts as the highest. In general, the design of the ZenFone Max device (reviews emphasize this) is at the level of the leading models of the segment.
Display
Let us now examine the features of the screen of the phone in question. Its diagonal is 5.5 inches, resolution is 1280 by 720 pixels. The color depth of the screen of the ZenFone Max ZC550KL device is 267 PPI. The display has automatic brightness level control, recognizes up to 10 simultaneous touches of the user.
The specified screen resolution ZenFone Max (reviews confirm this), on the one hand, allows us to solve the main tasks of the user associated with viewing various types of multimedia content, on the other hand, it is not the largest and therefore does not involve the consumption of large amounts of phone resources.
The screen, as experts note, is characterized by decent viewing angles, a sufficient level of brightness, as well as high-quality color reproduction. It can be noted that the user has at his disposal a set of programs with which you can control various display settings. For example, the color rendering level, the screen sensitivity parameters for pressing with gloves on the user's hands.
Software
Smartphone ZenFone Max is running the Android operating system in version 5.0. In addition, this OS is complemented by a proprietary shell from ASUS - experts rate it as an exceptionally useful solution from a manufacturer’s brand. This shell is convenient to use, allows you to effectively control the device. If necessary, you can quickly access the application store to install a new program or update an existing one.
As for the capabilities of Android 5.0, the most notable is the implementation of a large number of notification interfaces. They can be customized, viewed using a large number of different software tools, and ranked.
The operating system in question is well adapted to optimize the use of smartphone battery resources. So, one of the energy-saving tools available to the user can be statistics on the use of phone resources by various applications: using it, you can determine what types of programs load the device most actively, and minimize their use in situations where you need to save battery power, albeit quite powerful, as is the case with the device in question.
The developers of Android 5.0 paid quite a lot of attention to security issues. So, using the standard functions of the OS, the user can activate the encryption of their own data. The operating system also implements protection against many vulnerabilities, as well as various types of malware.
Another advantage of Android 5.0 is the availability of a large number of opportunities for sharing various types of content. For example, a smartphone can be used with multiple accounts. Also, the device can be activated through the guest mode.
Operating Android 5.0 is among the most convenient. So, using its interfaces, you can access the most popular settings, use popular options, such as managing access points, turning the screen, and activating various wireless interfaces.
The OS is adapted to fine-tune the brightness of the display depending on the conditions of use of the device. So, the corresponding parameters can be set either manually or by using automatic interfaces.
Android 5.0 OS implements opportunities for a stable connection to the Network through the use of a wide range of communication technologies. Among the most noteworthy options for Android 5.0 phones are the availability of energy-efficient Bluetooth technology.
In general, Android OS in version 5.0. It is characterized by stability, convenience and high efficiency. It is adapted to ensure the stable and productive work of modern programs, to launch modern spectacular games, to create, and also play various types of multimedia content. A modern, high-tech OS goes well with the hardware capabilities of the device in question.
Performance
The ASUS ZenFone Max phone is equipped with a high-performance Snapdragon 410 processor with 4 cores, operating at a frequency of 1.2 GHz. Also on the smartphone is a modern graphics accelerator Adreno 306.
The processor installed on the phone is characterized, on the one hand, by high performance and, on the other, by efficiency. Its power is enough to handle HD-resolution in a variety of applications and games.
According to experts, the ZenFone Max ZC550KL is capable of launching a large number of modern games. Even if there are demanding hardware among them, in many cases it is enough to just change the settings to medium. Games, one way or another, can be launched with the support of basic visualization tools. It is noteworthy that even with the heaviest load on the processor and other hardware components that affect the phone’s performance, the device does not get very hot.
The amount of RAM installed in the device (2 GB) is also quite enough to solve basic user tasks. This indicator generally corresponds to a typical RAM in the corresponding segment of phones. In particular, the smartphone ASUS ZenFon 3 Max has a similar amount of RAM.
The built-in flash memory of the device is 16 GB. If it is not enough, then an additional memory card with a capacity of up to 64 GB can be connected to the smartphone. At the same time, the ZenFone 3 Max device supports half the resource than the considered modification of the ZenFone Max phone - 32GB. Compatibility with more capacious memory cards increases the multimedia capabilities of the device in question.
Battery
The most important competitive advantages of the device include a powerful Li-Pol battery, which has a capacity of 5 thousand mAh. This hardware component is noticeably more productive than, for example, the battery that ASUS ZenFone 3 Max smartphone has.
The manufacturer stated that the phone as part of battery life can work in the mode of playing HD-video for about 16 hours, and in the format of an e-book - about 28 hours. As tests conducted by experts show, the claimed characteristics generally correspond to the actual results of using the device in one mode or another.
If you use all its basic functions a little, then you can expect that the device will work for about 2-3 days - depending on the intensity of use of the device. It can be noted that the battery installed in the device in question can be used as an external device if you connect a USB-OTG cable to it.
The total charging time of the battery that is installed in the ASUS ZenFone Max phone is about 3 hours.
Cameras
The device in question is equipped with quite powerful cameras. The main one has a resolution of 13 megapixels, front - 5 megapixels. The aperture value of the device’s camera is F / 2.0. According to experts, the camera allows you to take high-quality images in any weather with a fairly high level of detail.
Using the device, you can shoot videos in 1080 p resolution at a speed of 30 frames / sec. You can use the focus function, which is activated when pressed. The camera supports stereo audio recording.
Communications
Regarding the communication capabilities of the device, it is worth noting that it has support for a large number of modern wireless interfaces. So, the ZenFone Max smartphone (a review of opinions on the corresponding functions of the device allows us to talk about it) is one of the most competitive solutions in its segment in terms of communication support. Which is not surprising: the device supports Wi-Fi in the main modes, including the Wi-Fi Direct format, Bluetooth in version 4.0, as well as with A2DP support.
The device allows you to quickly use the GPS module - its cold start can be carried out within about 2 seconds. The smartphone supports modern communication technologies, including LTE-A. The device also supports USB On-The-Go.
The indicated hardware modules of the phone, as experts say, work reliably. Use them quite conveniently.
Advantages and disadvantages of the device
So, we examined the main features of the ASUS ZenFone Max device. What can be highlighted the most strengths and weaknesses of the device, if based on reviews about it?
The indisputable advantages of the phone include, first of all:
- a powerful battery;
- high-performance processor and graphics module;
- high-quality design and excellent assembly;
- ease of management;
- the presence of a proprietary software shell;
- support of the main required communication standards;
- support for additional memory cards of 64 GB;
- the presence of technological cameras.
If we consider the disadvantages of the device, then these can be attributed, for example:
- not the latest version of the operating system - the phone is controlled by Android OS in version 5.0, while, for example, in ZenFone 3 Max there is Android 6.0;
- Not the most outstanding amount of built-in flash memory - an additional card, most likely, will have to be purchased.
Nevertheless, even under Android 5.0, the device in question looks like a fairly powerful multimedia tool, and 16 GB of RAM is an indicator that generally corresponds to what characterizes competing models in the price segment to which the phone belongs.
Device cost
Actually, how much does the ZenFone Max cost? The price of the device in the catalogs of modern Russian retailers is about 14 thousand rubles. Thus, the device can be attributed to the budget, but this segment borders on middle-class devices. Given the competitive advantages that ZenFone Max has, the price of the device is quite adequate.
At the disposal of the user is a high-performance and technological device that allows you to solve a wide range of tasks, launch games, create multimedia content, and also exchange data using various communication tools. You will also probably have to spend money on a good case for ASUS ZenFone Max, but using such devices is stylish, and this is no less significant aspect than the application of the technological advantages of the device.