[REVIEW] ASUS Zenfone Max Pro: Battery and budget king in one!

Mid-ranged phones are often underestimated as users tend to expect below average to average standards whenever the price is set to a very affordable amount. We’re here to shed some light and share our personal  experience in using another mid-ranged phone that can give you more than what you’ve paid for. Equipped with a powerful Snapdragon 636 chipset and backed by 5000 mAh battery, we got to experience firsthand the overall performance of the ASUS Zenfone Max Pro 32GB variant. Note that this is different from the ASUS Zenfone Max M1 that we previously reviewed.

Millennial correspondent Osmond Chua with the ASUS Zenfone Max Pro. Closer look at the phone below!

Before we proceed with our ratings for every feature, here’s a quick run-through of the phone’s full specifications:

Front and back of the ASUS Zenfone Max Pro unit.

Look and feel (9/10)

There’s nothing grand about the look of the phone and it’s very simple, unlike the latest releases in the market which take pride in its bold color. However, we do appreciate that it’s not too flashy in its Meteor Silver and Deep Sea Black colors. Compared to similar phones, the Zenfone Max Pro is just a bit bigger and heavier. The phone’s rear has a smooth metallic finish, with a round fingerprint sensor placed in the middle which can be easily accessed. The 6” FDH+ IPS display doesn’t have a notch, but the bezel seems to be thicker than usual.

General Performance (9/10)

User interface reaction speed is fast and smooth. Even while having multiple applications open in the background, it doesn’t have that “lag” feeling. Certainly a plus for this brand.

Winner winner, chicken dinner!

Gaming Performance (9.5/10)

Asus is well known for their gaming capabilities, and after playing some games in this phone like PUBG and Asphalt 8, both of which requires heavy graphics and memory, we can say that it really delivers good quality game-play. While there are just some very minor lags from time to time, it really doesn’t affect the overall experience that much. The phone also has a good battery life, so you can keep on playing non-stop. More about the battery as you read through this post.

Camera (7.5/10)

Image quality shot with the dual rear camera is quite decent given the right lighting conditions, although the color range is not that dynamic. The quality starts to become grainier in low-light environments, though. Still, both front and rear cameras can get the job done but the results are just average for a mid-range phone. Just a side note, there is no “pro mode” but you can still adjust some of the settings like ISO, White Balance, and EV. Video quality was surprisingly good.

Rear cam for close-up shots.

Outdoor shot.

Evening shot + moving objects

Selfie test shot

Note: All photos in this post were not post-processed. All are in its actual colors.

Visuals and Sounds (9/10)

I watched 1080p quality videos, no signs of lag and sudden pauses, just smooth continuous playing. Colors are quite vivid and you can adjust the brightness according to your liking. The sounds are loud and clear, the results are satisfying, considering that it’s a mid-range phone.

Battery (9/10)

The phone could survive a regular day without a need to charge. Throughout the day, we have Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram running simultaneously together with frequent calls and SMS. From time to time, we also play games like PUBG and Asphalt 8; watch Netflix and videos on YouTube. The result: The phone survived and has 55% juice by the end of the day. In terms of charging time, it will take you an average of 2 hours to get you around 80% using the charger provided.

Playing videos using the phone.

Security (7/10)

There is a slight delay in unlocking the phone when using either the fingerprint or face recognition sensor, but it’s not really a big deal unless you’re in a hurry to unlock your phone. There are also times wherein the sensor doesn’t recognize the face or fingerprint due to lighting conditions.

Value (10/10)

For a mid-range phone that can be purchased for only P9,995, this is a phone worth looking into if you’re looking for something that can perform well without spending too much. It holds a lot of worth for the price that you’re paying for. If you feel that 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage memory is not enough for you, they also have a variant with 4GB RAM and 64GB of internal storage memory that can be bought for P12,995.

Our favorite part: Still the battery life!

Verdict

Overall, the Zenfone Max Pro is a solid phone with above average gaming capabilities, smooth user interface experience, and a battery that can last you throughout the day. It can live up to its moniker as the “#BatteryKing” of phones within its range. Although it doesn’t take the best photos and despite the minimal flaws in the sensors, the Zenfone Max Pro still delivers when it comes to general performance, gaming, battery, and its value.

For instant updates and a peek at our latest tech finds, don’t forget to follow Manila Millennial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For more details and hassle-free purchasing of ASUS products, visit:

www.asus.com/ph

Facebook: ASUS Philippines

Twitter: @ASUSph

Instagram: @asusph

#ZenfoneMaxPro

#LimitlessGaming

READ MORE:

• [REVIEW] Bye, powerbanks! ASUS Zenfone Max M1 can can last days with its 2x Battery Lifespan
• ASUS Zenfone 5Q: A lite, quad-camera smartphone at an affordable price
• Smartphone to intelligent phone: ASUS unveils Zenfone series that can think for you