ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB602KL) In-Depth Review

The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB602KL) takes on the new Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, with better features and a much lower price. Let’s take a look, and find out if ASUS truly has a Xiaomi-killing blockbuster on their hands!

 

The ASUS ZenFone Max Series

The ASUS ZenFone Max is the most popular series of smartphones ASUS has even produced, and for very good reasons. They are mid-range smartphones with good performance and an incredible battery life.

They practically hold within their slim frames a veritable power bank. In fact, they are all capable of functioning as actual power banks, recharging other smartphones and portable devices! Hence, the Max moniker.

 

ZB601KL vs. ZB602KL

There is some confusion about the model numbers. When the ZenFone Max Pro M1 first launched in India, it had the model number ZB601KL. Subsequently, ASUS started shipping the ZenFone Max Pro M1 as the ZB602KL in other countries. So what’s the difference?

We checked with ASUS, and they confirmed that ZB601KL is an India-specific model, while ZB602KL is the model that ships worldwide. Here are the differences, as far as we can ascertain.

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  • The main camera on the global model has f/2.0 lens, while the main camera on the Indian model has f/2.2 lens.
  • The global model supports faster 4G LTE speeds – up to LTE Cat13 DL (400 Mbps) and LTE Cat5 UL (75 Mbps). The Indian model only supports LTE Cat4 – 150 Mbps DL, 50 Mbps UL.
  • The global model may ship with earphones and/or a soft TPU bumper case, but the Indian model comes with a free ASUS Max-Box passive audio amplifier instead.

The other specifications of the ZB601KL and the ZB602KL are the same.

 

ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1  vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 5

Here is a specification comparison of the two ZenFone Max Pro M1 models against the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5.

SpecificationsASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB602KL)ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB601KL)Xiaomi Redmi Note 5
Display6" Full HD+ display
- 1080 x 2160 pixels
- 18:9 aspect ratio, 85% NTSC
- 450 nits, 1500:1 contrast ratio
6" Full HD+ display
- 1080 x 2160 pixels
- 18:9 aspect ratio, 85% NTSC
- 450 nits, 1500:1 contrast ratio
5.99" Full HD+ display
- 1080 x 2160 pixels
- 18:9 aspect ratio, 83% NTSC
- 450 nits, 1500:1 contrast ratio
Operating SystemAndroid 8.1 OreoAndroid 8.1 OreoAndroid 8.1 Oreo
System PlatformQualcomm Snapdragon 636Qualcomm Snapdragon 636Qualcomm Snapdragon 636
Processor8 x Qualcomm Kryo 260 cores (1.8 GHz)8 x Qualcomm Kryo 260 cores (1.8 GHz)8 x Qualcomm Kryo cores (1.8 GHz)
Graphics ProcessorQualcomm Adreno 509 GPUQualcomm Adreno 509 GPUQualcomm Adreno 509 GPU
Memory3 GB / 4 GB / 6 GB LPDDR4X memory3 GB / 4 GB / 6 GB LPDDR4X memory3 GB / 4 GB LPDDR4X memory
Storage32 GB / 64 GB internal flash storage (eMMC 5.1)
microSD card (2 TB)
32 GB / 64 GB internal flash storage (eMMC 5.1)
microSD card (2 TB)
32 GB / 64 GB
microSD card (shared with SIM2)
Front Camera8 MP front camera with f/2.2 lens and LED softlight flash8 MP front camera with f/2.2 lens and LED softlight flash13 MP front camera with f/2.0 lens and LED flash
Rear CameraDual-lens camera
- 13 MP image camera with f/2.0 lens
- 5 MP depth camera with f/2.4 lens
Dual-lens camera
- 13 MP image camera with f/2.2 lens
- 5 MP depth camera with f/2.4 lens
Dual-lens camera
- 12 MP Samsung sensor with f/1.9 lens
- 5 MP Samsung depth sensor with f/2.0 lens
Connectivity4G Version A
- LTE Cat4 DL : 150 Mbps
- LTE Cat5 UL : 75 Mbps
4G Version B
- LTE Cat13 DL : 400 Mbps
- LTE Cat5 UL : 75 Mbps

WiFi : 802.11b/g/n (2.4 GHz)
Bluetooth 5.0
USB : microUSB 2.0
4G : LTE Cat4 150 Mbps DL, 50 Mbps UL
WiFi : 802.11b/g/n (2.4 GHz)
Bluetooth 5.0
USB : microUSB 2.0
4G : LTE Cat12 600 Mbps DL, LTE Cat13 150 Mbps UL
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 GHz)
Bluetooth 5.0
USB : microUSB 2.0
SIM CapabilityDual SIM, dual standby capability (4G / 4G)
Dedicated dual SIM tray
Dual SIM, dual standby capability (4G / 4G)
Dedicated dual SIM tray
Dual SIM, dual standby capability (4G / 4G)
Hybrid SIM tray
Fingerprint SensorRear-Mounted, 0.3 Sec UnlockRear-Mounted, 0.3 Sec UnlockRear-Mounted
GPSGPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoGPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoGPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo
Audio5-magnet speaker5-magnet speaker
Battery5,000 mAh lithium-ion battery5,000 mAh lithium-ion battery4,000 mAh lithium-ion battery
Dimensions76 mm wide
159 mm tall
8.5 mm thick
76 mm wide
159 mm tall
8.5 mm thick
75.4 mm wide
158.6 mm tall
8.05 mm thick
Weight180 g180 g181 g
Available ColoursDeepsea Black, Titanium GreyDeepsea Black, Titanium GreyBlack, Gold, Lake Blue

Next Page > ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 Unboxing, Colour Options + Preview

 

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