Here is everything you need to know about the new ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 smartphone – price, availability and specifications! Also find out how it stacks against the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, and why we think ASUS has a real blockbuster in the Max Pro M1!
Updated @ 2018-07-23 :Updated the article, including the newly-released 4GB RAM model with 64 GB of storage.
Updated @ 2018-05-28 :Added a new ZB601KL vs. ZB602KL section, a new LTE + WiFi Capabilities section, updated specifications, and its incredible price!
Updated @ 2018-05-18 :Added the tech briefing and colour option videos.
The ASUS ZenFone Max is the popular series of smartphones ASUS has even produced, and for very good reasons. They offer mid-range smartphones with good performance and an incredible battery life.
They practically hold within their slim frames a power bank. In fact, they are all capable of acting as a power bank to recharge other smartphones and portable devices! Hence, the Max moniker.
The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1
The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check) is the latest ZenFone Max model to be released by ASUS. It follows up on the success of the ZenFone Max Plus M1 (ZB570TL) we saw just a few months ago, and directly challenges the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5.
Despite its very similar name, the ZenFone Max Pro is a very different beast from the ZenFone Max Plus M1 (ZB570TL). It is, in fact, a leap ahead in features and performance, powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC, with up to 6 GB of RAM and a dual-lens camera
It also comes with a larger 6″ IPS display, with a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2160 pixels. The ultra-wide 18:9 aspect ratio allows ASUS to fit a bigger display in the form factor of a traditional 5.5″ smartphone.
The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check) also comes with a dual-lens rear camera, with a main camera with a 13 MP sensor, and a depth camera with an 5 MP sensor. This set-up allows for better depth perception, allowing the Max Pro M1 to deliver better bokeh effects.
The eponymous feature is, of course, its large 5,000 mAh battery. That is the battery capacity of most power banks, giving you up to 35 days of 4G standby and 42 hours of 3G talk time! It also allows you to play games for up to 12 hours, or watch up to 20 hours of YouTube videos.
Isn’t the ZenFone Max Pro M1 impressive? Especially when you realise ASUS fit all that into a smartphone that is only 180 g in weight!
ZB601KL vs. ZB602KL
There is some confusion about the model numbers. When the ASUS 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 ship worldwide. Here are the differences, as far as we can ascertain.
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.
The other specifications of the ZB601KL and the ZB602KL are the same.
LTE + WiFi Capabilities
The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check) is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 whose X12 LTE modem is capable of :
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LTE Cat12 downlink speeds of up to 600 Mbps
LTE Cat13 uplink speeds of up to 150 Mbps
802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz) capability
However, ASUS has chosen to implement a limited set of those capabilities :
Indian ZB601KL model : LTE Cat4 150 Mbps DL, 50 Mbps UL
Global ZB602KL Version A model : LTE Cat4 150 Mbps DL, LTE Cat5 75 Mbps UL
Global ZB602KL Version B model : LTE Cat13 400 Mbps DL, LTE Cat5 75 Mbps UL
All Max Pro M1 models : 802.11b/g/n (2.4 GHz) only
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ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 Colour Options
The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 comes in two colour options – Deepsea Black and Titanium Grey. Let’s take a quick look at both colour options.
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.
Specifications
ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB602KL)
ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB601KL)
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5
Display
6" 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
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The new ASUS ZenFone 5 (ZE620KL) takes on the recently-launched Honor 10 and Huawei nova 3e (P20 Lite) smartphones. How well will it do against them? Let’s find out!
The ASUS ZenFone 5 Family
ASUS launched the ZenFone 5 family of smartphones at CES 2018, consisting of the ZenFone 5Z, the ZenFone 5, the ZenFone 5 Lite and the ZenFone Max Pro M1.
Here is a comparison of their key specifications :
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Unboxing The ASUS ZenFone 5 (ZE620KL)
The ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) comes in a premium dark blue box. ASUS made some variants Be sure to check the label on the bottom for the actual model (ZE620KL), and specifications, including the colour of the device inside (Meteor Silver).
The complete ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) kit will consist of the following items :
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One ASUS ZenFone 5 (ZE620KL) smartphone
One ASUS ZenFone 5 soft TPU bumper case
One set of ASUS ZenFone 5 User Guide + Warranty Information
One set of ASUS ZenEar Pro Hi-Res Audio earphones + spare earbuds
One 10 W ASUS USB charger + USB Type C cable
One SIM tray ejector pin
The inclusion of the ASUS ZenEar Pro earphones are a really nice touch. They support Hi-Res Audio and have a gold-plated jack. Note that the TPU bumper case is an optional freebie that may not be available in other countries / regions.
ASUS ZenFone 5 (ZE620KL) Up Close!
The ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) is powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC, just like the ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check). It has 4 GB of the latest LPDDR4X memory, and 64 GB of internal flash storage.
The ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) comes with a large 6.2″ IPS display, with a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2246 pixels. The ultra-wide 18:9 aspect ratio and bezel-less design allow ASUS to fit this 6.2 display in the form factor of a traditional 5.5″ smartphone. Believe it or not – it is actually smaller in size than the ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check), which has a smaller 6″ display!
ASUS ZenFone 5 (ZE620KL) Tech Briefing
Li Huai Pin, ASUS Malaysia Business Development Manager, explains the key features of the ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check), while Andrew Chan, Senior Manager of the ASUS Global Product Team, showcases the photographic capabilities of the ZenFone 5.
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The ZenFone 5 Cameras
The ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) has an 8 MP front camera with f/2.0 lens. This should offer better low-light performance, which would be useful since it does not come with an LED flash.
The ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) has dual cameras at the back. The main camera has a 12 MP Sony IMX363 sensor with Dual Pixel autofocus capability, and 4-axis, 4-stops optical image stabilisation. This camera has a fast and bright f/1.8 lens, which means great performance in low-light conditions.
The secondary camera is a 120° wide-angle camera designed for group shots. It has an 8 MP sensor, which is very likely from Omnivision, and is paired with f/2.2 lens. Both cameras are supported by a single LED flash.
Fingerprint Sensor + Face Unlock
The ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) has a Goodie FP fingerprint sensor built into the back. It is a fast and accurate sensor that takes 13 finger presses to register a fingerprint, and less than a second to identify it. It is rated with a 0.3 second unlock speed, and supports up to 5 fingerprints.
Its rear location allows you to quickly unlock the smartphone with your fingerprint, but prevents it from being unlocked while it is in a car mount. This is where its Face Unlock feature comes in handy.
Face Unlock uses the front camera and facial recognition algorithms to authenticate your identity, so it will work even with the ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) mounted on your car’s dashboard.
Hybrid SIM Tray
To keep the ZenFone 5 compact, ASUS opted for a hybrid SIM tray. This allows you to use a second nano SIM card, or add a microSD card. You can’t use two nano SIM cards with a microSD card though. The good news is – the ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) comes with 64 GB of internal flash storage, so there is plenty of storage space for your apps, photos and videos.
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Display Notch
The ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) has a Full HD+ display, with an aspect ratio of 18.8:9 and a resolution of 1080 x 2246 pixels. It features the display notch made popular by the iPhone X, albeit much smaller in size. This gives it a lot more space for notification icons.
Although the notification icons nearest to the notch can appear “cut-off”, the ZenFone 5 is smart enough to work around the notch. In games and applications that don’t support the notification area, it just displays the main 1080 x 2160 section.
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LTE + WiFi Capabilities
The ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC, whose X12 LTE modem is capable of :
LTE Cat12 downlink speeds of up to 600 Mbps
LTE Cat13 uplink speeds of up to 150 Mbps
802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz) capability
Unlike the ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check),the ZenFone 5 supports the full LTE and WiFi capabilities of the Snapdragon 636 platform.
AI Ringtone + AI Call
The ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) has AI Ringtone – a feature that every smartphone should have! It will dynamically adapt the ringtone volume to the ambient noise level. This relieves you of the need to keep adjusting the ringtone volume, and ensures that you will never miss that important call, or needlessly disturb your partner or baby at night!
The ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) uses two additional microphones to monitor ambient noise levels. The data is used to cancel out the ambient noise when you make calls, so your voice will always be heard clearly, even in noisy environments.
Hi-Res Audio
Audio is an oft-neglected aspect of modern smartphones. The ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) supports Hi-Res Audio playback (sadly, not recording). It even comes with Hi-Res Audio-capable ASUS ZenEar Pro earbuds, so you can enjoy 24-bit / 192 kHz audio on the go!
There is also another advantage in using earphones – the ZenFone 5 supports DTS HeadphoneX, which delivers 7.1 channel virtual surround sound over earphones / headphones. Now you can enjoy a truly immersive experience with your movies and games!
The ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) also boasts two 5-magnet speakers with metal coils, and 36″ larger sound chambers (compared to the ZenFone 4). These stereo speakers are driven by the latest NXP 9874 low-distortion smart amplifiers, delivering a louder and richer audio output.
BoostMaster Battery With AI Charging
The ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) has a 3,300 mAh lithium-ion battery with BoostMasterfast charging capability. In fact, it supports up to 18 W fast charging, even though it only comes with a 10 W fast charger.
Even with the 10 W charger, it only needs a quick 5 minute charge to gain 2 hours of talk time. A 38 minutes charge would get the battery up to 60% capacity. If you need even faster charging, you can upgrade to an 18 W charger.
The ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) also supports AI Charging, a feature that doubles the lifespan of its battery! It accomplishes this feat by intelligently maintaining the battery at 80% capacity throughout the night, and only charging it to 100% just before you wake up in the morning.
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Setting Up The ASUS ZenFone 5
Setting up the ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) is easy, and takes no more than 10 minutes if you are setting it up as a new device. The Goodix FX fingerprint sensor was fast and accurate, so it was a breeze to setup.
Ergonomics
The ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) is a surprisingly small device. It is actually smaller than the ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check) which has a smaller display! Not surprisingly, it is thinner and weighs just 165 g. It is a better fit for those with smaller hands and pockets.
The 6.2″ Super IPS+ display is bright and vivid, with 500 nits of maximum brightness, and a wide 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut. The non-standard 18:9 aspect ratio of. the main display section, while useful in giving you more screen space, will result in some pillarboxing for movies.
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Available Memory + Storage
For a mid-range smartphone, the ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) comes with rather large memory and storage capacities. It has 4 GB of LPDDR4X memory, of which 1.9 GB (47.5%) is available for use. That’s plenty to run several memory-guzzling apps at the same time. In fact, the ZenFone 5 has more free memory than the Samsung Galaxy S9!
The ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) comes with 64 GB of eMMC 5.1 flash storage, of which just over 51 GB (80%) is available for use. That’s enough for over 12,000 photos, or 5.5 hours of 1080p videos, or 2.5 hours of 4K videos.
If you see the storage type listed as eMCP, that’s short for Multi-Chip Package. It merely means the eMMC flash storage was combined with the LPDDR4X memory in a single package to allow for thinner form factors.
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Camera Performance – Photos
ASUS used the excellent 12 MP Sony IMX363 sensor with Dual Pixel autofocus capability, with a secondary 120° wide-angle camera that is most likely using an 8 MP Omnivision sensor.
Photos from the main camera have a 4:3 aspect ratio, with 4032 × 3024 pixels and an average file size of between 2 MB and 3 MB.
Photos from the wide-angle secondary camera have a 4:3 aspect ratio, with 3264 × 2448 pixels and an average file size of between 4 MB and 5 MB.
Here are 10 high-resolution samples from the main 12 MP camera for you to check out. Click on them to load the full-sized photos, which you can also download to examine.
As you can see, the camera itself is excellent – it can really produce really awesome photos. The detail and image quality is simply quite amazing.
However, we noticed that it has trouble focusing on objects that are in close proximity. A laser sensor (used in previous ASUS smartphones) would have helped, but we didn’t see the cheaper ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check) did not have similar issues.
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Camera Performance – Video Recording
Despite its humble price point, the ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) supports 4K video recording. Surprisingly, there doesn’t seem to be a time-limit for 4K video recording, although the file size for each clip is still limited to 4 GB.
Video Recording Test #1 : Piano (1080p)
The ZenFone 5’s 4-axis optical image stabilisation is simply amazing. It works almost as well as a dedicated gimbal, giving you a silky smooth video. The audio recording, while not Hi-Res Audio, is good, with a wider range and richer tone than we have seen in other smartphones of the same price range.
The only downside – the highlights are overblown. Note how the interior of the Padini Concept Store in the background is completely “white out”.
Video Recording Test #2 : Piano (4K)
The 4K resolution is amazing, but the highlights are noticeably overblown. There is a little more jerkiness because the electronic image stabilisation is less effective at this high resolution.
Video Recording Test #3 : Street Market (1080p)
The 4-axis image stabilisation is just amazing. It ironed out most of the shaking in this video walkthrough of the street market. But note again the blown highlights.
Video Recording Test #4 : Street Market (4K)
The 4K resolution is really awesome, but there is noticeably more shaking. The electronic image stabilisation is obviously having trouble coping with the high resolution.
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Work Performance – PCMark
We tested the ZenFone 5’s performance using PCMark, which simulates work applications like web browing, playing video, writing text and editing photos.
The ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) has a 3,300 mAh battery, which gave it a battery life of just under 10.5 hours. This gave it a clear 13-15% advantage in battery life over the Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check) and Honor 10 (Price Check).
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Battery Recharging Performance
The ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) supports 18W charging, but only comes with a 10W fast charger. Take a look at how fast it recharged its 3,300 mAh battery.
It took the ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) 104.5 minutes (1 hours 44.5 minutes) to recharge its battery from 20% to 100%. This gives it a battery life : recharging ratio of just under 6:1.
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Gaming Performance – 3DMark
We tested the ZenFone 5’s gaming performance using 3DMark, using the Ice Storm Unlimited test.
It boasts a larger, brighter 6.2″ display with Gorilla Glass protection in a smaller, thinner and lighter form factor; with the full LTE and WiFi capabilities of the Snapdragon X12 modem. To top it off, it has a really good Sony IMX363 main camera with fast f/1.8 lens and 4-axis optical image stabilisation.
We can see why the main camera scored a DXOmark score of 93. ASUS basically put a flagship-class camera into this midrange smartphone. Best of all, they did not cripple it to protect their flagship ZenFone 5Z – you can record 4K video with no restrictions!
It also has surprisingly good audio recording quality, and very good optical image stabilisation performance. If you want to record silky-smooth video without using a gimbal, the ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) is a great choice.
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It’s not perfect, to be sure. Its excellent video recording capability is marred by overblown highlights; and its camera has trouble focusing on objects in close proximity. But seriously – did you even expect to find a flagship-class camera at this price point?
That brings us to deal closer – its unbelievable launch price of RM 1,299 / US$ 326. For a fraction of what you would pay for any flagship device, you get a great combination of good performance, great display, and an excellent camera with optical image stabilisation.
For those reasons, the ASUS ZenFone 5 (Price Check) deserves our Editor’s Choice Award! Great work, ASUS!
Price + Availability
Here is the official announcement on the Malaysian price and offers for the ASUS ZenFone 5 and ZenFone Max Pro M1 smartphones.
Here’s a summary of the recommended retail prices :
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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.
Specifications
ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB602KL)
ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB601KL)
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5
Display
6" 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
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Unboxing The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB602KL)
The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB602KL) (Price Check) comes in a blue and grey box. This is a generic ZB601KL box, so check the label on the bottom for the actual model (ZB602KL), and specifications, including the colour of the device inside (Deepsea Black).
The complete ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB602KL) (Price Check) kit for Malaysia will consist of the following items :
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One ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB602KL) smartphone
One ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 soft TPU bumper case
One set of ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 User Guide + Warranty Information
One set of ASUS earphones + spare earbuds
One 10 W ASUS USB charger + micro-USB cable
One SIM tray ejector pin
Note that the TPU bumper case and earphones are optional freebies that may not be available in other countries / regions. In India, the ZB601KL lacks both bumper case and earphones, but comes with the ASUS Max-Box passive audio amplifier instead.
ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 Colour Options
The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check) comes in two colour options – Deepsea Black and Titanium Grey. Let’s take a quick look at both colour options.
ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB602KL) Up Close!
The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check)is the latest ZenFone Max model to be released by ASUS. It follows up on the success of the ZenFone Max Plus M1 (ZB570TL) we saw just a few months ago, and directly challenges the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5.
Despite its very similar name, the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check) is a very different beast from the ZenFone Max Plus M1 (ZB570TL). It is, in fact, a leap ahead in features and performance, powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC, with up to 6 GB of RAM and a dual-lens camera.
The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check) also comes with a larger 6″ IPS display, with a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2160 pixels. The ultra-wide 18:9 aspect ratio allows ASUS to fit a bigger display in the form factor of a traditional 5.5″ smartphone.
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The Cameras
For a smartphone of such modest pricing, the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 Price Check) boasts a rather impressive set of front and rear cameras.
The front camera has an 8 MP sensor with f/2.2 lens. And for the first time, it is supported by a soft light LED flash. This gives it a markedly better low-light performance, compared to its predecessors.
The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check) also comes with a dual-lens rear camera. It consists of an image camera with a 13 MP sensor and f/2.0 lens, and a depth camera with an 5 MP sensor and f/2.4 lens.
This dual-lens setup will not increase the details of the image like the Huawei P20 Pro, or offer Live Focus or Dual Capture capabilities like the Samsung Galaxy S9. Instead, it offers better depth perception, allowing the ZenFone Max Pro M1 to differentiate the subject from the background, for more realistic and accurate software bokeh effects.
Fingerprint Sensor + Face Unlock
The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check) has a Goodie FP fingerprint sensor built into the back. It is a fast and accurate sensor that takes 15 finger presses to register a fingerprint, and less than a second to identify it.
Its rear location allows you to quickly unlock the smartphone with your fingerprint, but prevents it from being unlocked while it is in a car mount. This is where its Face Unlock feature comes in handy.
uses the front camera and facial recognition algorithms to authenticate your identity, so it will work even with the ZenFone Max Pro M1Price Check) mounted on your car’s dashboard.
Triple Slot Tray
While the Honor 10 (Price Check) did away with the microSD card slot, and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 opted for a hybrid SIM slot, the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1Price Check) comes with a triple slot tray.
The triple slot tray allows you to use two nano SIM cards simultaneously with a microSD card. This gives the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check) a distinct advantage over the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5.
LTE + WiFi Capabilities
The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check) is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 whose X12 LTE modem is capable of :
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LTE Cat12 downlink speeds of up to 600 Mbps
LTE Cat13 uplink speeds of up to 150 Mbps
802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz) capability
However, ASUS has chosen to implement a limited set of those capabilities :
Indian ZB601KL model : LTE Cat4 150 Mbps DL, 50 Mbps UL
Global ZB602KL Version A model : LTE Cat4 150 Mbps DL, LTE Cat5 75 Mbps UL
Global ZB602KL Version B model : LTE Cat13 400 Mbps DL, LTE Cat5 75 Mbps UL
All Max Pro M1 models : 802.11b/g/n (2.4 GHz) only
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5,000 mAh Battery with Flash Charge
Its eponymous feature is, of course, its large 5,000 mAh battery. That is the battery capacity of many power banks, giving you up to 35 days of 4G standby and 42 hours of 3G talk time! According to ASUS, it will allow you to play games for up to 12 hours, or watch up to 20 hours of YouTube videos.
Now, packing a large battery is nothing special. But we applaud ASUS for fitting such a large battery into a smartphone that is only 8.5 mm thick and 180 g in weight!
If that’s not enough, the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check) supports Flash Charge, which allows you to quickly recharge its large battery in less than 3 hours, with a 10 W charger.
Setting Up The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB602KL)
Setting up the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check) is easy, and takes no more than 10 minutes if you are setting it up as a new device. The Goodix FX fingerprint sensor was fast and accurate, so it was a breeze to setup.
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Ergonomics
The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check) is not a small device by any means. It is actually slightly larger than the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (Price Check). For its size and its large battery, it is surprisingly light at just 180 g.
The 6″ IPS display is very nice, with a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2160 pixels, 450 nits of maximum brightness, and a wide 85% NTSC colour gamut. The non-standard 18:9 aspect ratio, while useful in giving you more screen space, will result in some pillarboxing for movies.
Available Storage
The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check) comes with 32 GB of internal flash storage, of which 22.6 GB is available for use. If this is not enough, you can upgrade it with a microSD card (up to 2 TB).
For techies, the ZenFone Max Pro M1 uses the slower eMMC 5.1 flash memory, instead of the faster UFS type. Officially, the memory is packaged together with the eMMC storage in a compact embedded Multi-Chip Package (eMCP).
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Camera Performance – Photos
ASUS did not reveal the source and model of the 13 MP and 5 MP sensors used in their dual camera system, but they’re most likely from Omnivision. The photos have a 4:3 aspect ratio, with 4160 x 3120 pixels and an average file size of between 3 MB and 4 MB.
Here are 12 high-resolution samples for you to check out. Click on them to load the full-sized photos, which you can also download to examine.
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Camera Performance – Video Recording
Despite its humble price point, the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check) supports 4K video recording. Surprisingly, there doesn’t seem to be a time-limit for 4K video recording, and there is even an option for 4K recording using the new DCI (Digital Cinema Initiative) standard!
Video Recording Test #1 : Piano (1080p)
It is obvious that there is no optical image stabilisation, but there is some electronic image stabilisation. The audio recording was surprisingly good, with a wider range than we have seen in smartphones in the same price range.
Video Recording Test #2 : Piano (4K)
The 4K resolution is amazing, and there is excellent control of the highlights. You can see right into the Padini Concept Store, even read the price boards.
Video Recording Test #3 : Street Market (1080p)
The electronic image stabilisation did a decent job of removing the worst shakes as we walked down the street market. Certainly not as good as smartphones with optical image stabilisation, but better than nothing. We also noticed some wind noise in this recording.
Video Recording Test #4 : Street Market (4K)
The resolution and control is quite amazing. The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check) quickly adapted to the change in brightness. We could make out the details in both bright and dark areas. Very good!
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Work Performance – PCMark
We tested the ZenFone Max Pro M1’s performance using PCMark, which simulates work applications like web browing, playing video, writing text and editing photos.
We then tested the ZenFone Max Pro M1’s battery performance using PCMark. It basically ran the PCMark work tests until its battery capacity dropped to 20%.
The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check) comes with a 10W fast charger. Take a look at how fast it recharged its 5,000 mAh battery.
It took the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check) 150 minutes (2 hours 30 minutes) to recharge its battery from 20% to 100%. This confirms ASUS’ claim that it can fully recharge its battery in 3 hours, and gives it a battery life : recharging ratio of 5.7:1.
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Gaming Performance – 3DMark
We tested the ZenFone Max Pro M1’s gaming performance using 3DMark, using the Ice Storm Unlimited test.
The Qualcomm Adreno 509 GPU is reasonably fast in games, but certainly does not offer flagship-class gaming performance.
Our Verdict
The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check) is a very impressive smartphone.
Like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, it is a mid-range smartphone based on the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 platform, with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of flash storage. They both also have very similar 6″ Full HD+ displays and rear-mounted fingerprint sensors. But that is where the similarities end.
The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check) was obviously designed to be a Redmi Note 5 killer. It basically offers almost everything the Redmi Note 5 offers and then some – triple slot tray, a 5-magnet speaker, and a larger 5,000 mAh battery – all in the same form factor and weight!
If that does not impress you, perhaps its price will. Xiaomi priced their Redmi Note 5 (3 GB + 32 GB) at RM 799 / ~US$ 205. ASUS offers the ZenFone Max Pro M1 at just RM 699 / ~US$ 179! Believe it or not, the arguably superior ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check) is 12.5% cheaper than its competitor!
Now, the Redmi Note 5 boasts Samsung sensors for their dual-lens camera, but the Omnivision sensors in the ZenFone Max Pro M1 proved to be surprisingly capable. They delivered really good photographic and video recording performance. Even the audio recording was better than what we would expect at this price point.
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The Redmi Note 5 comes with a rather large 4,000 mAh battery, but it’s no match for the ZenFone Max Pro M1‘s 5,000 mAh battery, which delivered an impressive battery life of over 14 hours!
The ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check) is no doubt chunkier than the Redmi Note 5, but somehow it is actually 1 gram lighter! How on earth did ASUS stuff a 20% larger battery into the ZenFone Max Pro M1 and yet kept the weight so low?
We really love the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (Price Check). It offers a fantastic combination of good performance, great display, excellent camera and amazing battery life, at an incredible price point. It is literally a steal!
For these reasons, the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 deserves our Editor’s Choice Award! Great work, ASUS!
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A full 3 months after being announced at MWC 2018, the ASUS ZenFone 5 and ZenFone Max Pro M1 are finally here! Join us for our coverage of the entire launch event and get the full scoop on their key features, price and availability!
ASUS ZenFone 5 + ZenFone Max Pro M1 Launch
Hundreds of people queued up to catch the ASUS ZenFone 5 and ZenFone Max Pro M1 launch at the KL Convention Centre – all Zen fans eager to be the first to try out the new ASUS smartphones. Don’t worry if you could not make it. We took videos of the entire event. Enjoy!
Launch Kick Off
The ASUS ZenFone 5 and ZenFone Max Pro M1 launch kicked off with Eric Chen, ASUS Corporate Vice-President and Leo Tseng, ASUS Malaysia Country Manager.
ASUS ZenFone 5 Presentation
In this video, Li Huai Pin, ASUS Malaysia Business Development Manager, explains the key features of the new ASUS ZenFone 5, while Andrew Chan, Senior Manager of the ASUS Global Product Team, showcases the photographic capabilities of the ZenFone 5.
Next, Li Huai Pin explains the key features of the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1, with Andrew Chan, Senior Manager of the ASUS Global Product Team, showing off the photographic capabilities of the ZenFone Max Pro M1.
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Right after Xiaomi launched the Redmi Note 5, we had the opportunity to try it out for ourselves. Take a close look at what Xiaomi calls the Camera Beast!
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 “Camera Beast”
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (Price Check) is powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 platform, which boasts eight Kyro 260 processor cores, and an Adreno 509 GPU. Xiaomi calls it the Camera Beast because of its flagship-level photography capabilities.
Dual-Lens Camera
The Redmi Note 5 (Price Check) employs a dual camera setup, for better bokeh effects. The main 12 MP sensor features large 1.4 μm pixels, which can capture more light and deliver better results under low-light conditions. The sensor also supports Dual Pixel technology, delivering very fast autofocus speeds.
The front camera has a 13 MP sensor, complemented by an LED Selfie light. When Portrait Mode is engaged, both the front and rear cameras can add different Beautify 4.0 effects. Even without a second sensor, Xiaomi claims that the front camera will deliver a great bokeh effect in Portrait Mode, thanks to AI technology that helps to isolate the subject from the background.
Powerful and efficient processor
The Redmi Note 5 (Price Check) uses Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 636 platform based on the 14 nm process. Users will experience faster performance, whether they are editing a large spreadsheet or playing demanding games. Compared to Qualcomm Snapdragon 630, Snapdragon 636 has a 40% better performance while maintaining power efficiency.
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The Redmi Note 5 (Price Check) is the first device in the Redmi family to use LPDDR4X SDRAM, which is usually only available on flagship smartphones. With up to 4GB of fast RAM, it can run more apps simultaneously and switch between programs even more smoothly.
So much packed in a small form factor
The Redmi Note 5 (Price Check) sports a 5.99 inch FHD+ 18:9 display, a large 4000 mAh battery and support for fast charging. Equipped with the latest MIUI 9 operating system based on Android Oreo, it also supports full screen display gestures, which allows users to completely hide the navigation bar, for a maximized display area.
Redmi Note 5 vs. ZenFone Max Pro M1
ASUS just revealed two ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB601KL) models to directly take on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, so here is a table comparing their specifications.
Specifications
ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB602KL)
ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB601KL)
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5
Display
6" 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
There will be two models with different memory and storage capacities :
3GB + 32GB : RM 799 / ~US$ 205
4GB + 64GB : RM 999 / ~US$ 256
Both versions will be available in three colors – Lake Blue, Gold, and Black. A simple and elegant TPU case will be shipped in the box with every Redmi Note 5.
You can purchase them from Lazada and 11street, or offline from our Authorised Mi Stores starting 5 May 2018. Here are some offers :
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Redmi Note 5 Photo Samples
If you don’t believe how good the Redmi Note 5 camera is, take a look at these samples taken on that day by Allen An!
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Here are the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 price, availability and specifications! Find out why Xiaomi calls it the Camera Beast, and what other killer features this new smartphone offers!
Updated @ 2018-05-28 : Updated the specification comparison against the two ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 models, and shifted the photo samples to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Preview.
Updated @ 2018-05-07 :Added more details, and updated the specifications.
Updated @ 2018-04-26 :Added eight Redmi Note 5 sample photos taken by Allen An!
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 platform, which boasts eight Kyro 260 processor cores, and an Adreno 509 GPU. Xiaomi calls it the Camera Beast because of its flagship-level photography capabilities.
Clearer images and faster focusing even in low light
The Redmi Note 5 employs a dual camera setup, for better bokeh effects. The main 12 MP sensor features large 1.4 μm pixels, which can capture more light and deliver better results under low-light conditions. The sensor also supports Dual Pixel technology, delivering very fast autofocus speeds.
The front camera of Redmi Note 5 has a 13 MP sensor, complemented by an LED Selfie light. When Portrait Mode is engaged, both the front and rear cameras can add different Beautify 4.0 effects. Even without a second sensor, Xiaomi claims that the front camera will deliver a great bokeh effect in Portrait Mode, thanks to AI technology that helps to isolate the subject from the background.
Powerful and efficient performance
Redmi Note 5 uses Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 636 platform based on the 14 nm process. Users will experience faster performance, whether they are editing a large spreadsheet or playing demanding games. Compared to Qualcomm Snapdragon 630, Snapdragon 636 has a 40% better performance while maintaining power efficiency.
The Redmi Note 5 is the first device in the Redmi family to use LPDDR4X SDRAM, which is usually only available on flagship smartphones. With up to 4GB of fast RAM, it can run more apps simultaneously and switch between programs even more smoothly.
So much packed in a small form factor
The Redmi Note 5 sports a 5.99 inch FHD+ 18:9 display, a large 4000 mAh battery and support for fast charging. Equipped with the latest MIUI 9 operating system based on Android Oreo, it also supports full screen display gestures, which allows users to completely hide the navigation bar, for a maximized display area.
ASUS just revealed two ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB601KL) models to directly take on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, so here is a table comparing their specifications.
Specifications
ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB602KL)
ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB601KL)
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5
Display
6" 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
Here is the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 price list at launch. There will be two models with different memory and storage capacities :
3GB + 32GB : RM 799 / ~US$ 205
4GB + 64GB : RM 999 / ~US$ 256
Both versions will be available in three colors – Lake Blue, Gold, and Black. A simple and elegant TPU case will be shipped in the box with every Redmi Note 5.
You can purchase them from Lazada and 11street, or offline from our Authorised Mi Stores starting 5 May 2018. Here are some offers :
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
