By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
TechgoonduTechgoondu
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
    • Software
    • Cybersecurity
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
    • Cellphones
    • Tablets
  • PC
  • Telecom
Search
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Hands on: Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 promises to last the distance with large battery
Share
Aa
TechgoonduTechgoondu
Aa
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
  • PC
  • Telecom
Search
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
    • Software
    • Cybersecurity
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
    • Cellphones
    • Tablets
  • PC
  • Telecom
Follow US
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Techgoondu > Blog > Mobile > Cellphones > Hands on: Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 promises to last the distance with large battery
CellphonesMobile

Hands on: Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 promises to last the distance with large battery

Wilson Wong
Last updated: July 19, 2018 at 3:46 PM
Wilson Wong Published July 19, 2018
7 Min Read
SHARE
Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 in Deepsea Black. PHOTO: Handout

Hot on the heels of new phone launches from Huawei, Vivo and Honor, Asus yesterday showed off its S$348 ZenFone Max Pro M1 in Singapore in a fight to win over budget-conscious users.

If looks matter, however, it will face tough competition to impress. You’d notice at once that the Taiwanese phone maker lags behind the gloss and finish of its mainland Chinese rivals.

Huawei’s Nova 3i out this week and Honor 10 both boast shiny mirror finishes, while Vivo’s V9 out earlier also has an impressively thin bezel that trumps the ZenFone Max Pro M1.

What Asus has done differently is to go for a matt metallic finish. That may be good news for some, especially folks who prefer a change from the familiar sticky feeling of a well-used glass surface.

Thankfully, Asus has decided not to go with the Apple notch and retained the traditional look with a simple 6-inch Full HD LCD. That’s one good thing about going against the grain, as many Android phone makers have done.

For folks who care about colour accuracy, the ZenFone Max Pro M1’s screen shows 85 per cent of the NTSC colour gamut. It also offers a 1500:1 contrast ratio with a maximum of 450cd/m2 brightness.

The screen is bright enough. It is comfortable too. PHOTO: Wilson Wong
The brushed metal back looks like a Xiaomi phone and it is not as eye catching like the Honor 10 or Huawei Nova 3i but I do prefer the understated, practical finish. PHOTO: Wilson Wong

Size-wise, there is very little to distinguish the new Asus phone from the rest of its rivals. The phone is thick enough for an assured hold and the back’s matte finish is welcome.

The fingerprint scanner is also right where my index finger would rest when holding the phone, so everything is within comfortable reach. Weighing 180g, the phone comes with a full metal construction that feels right in the palm.

What I am not so sure about are the 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage space, which are rather meagre for smartphones in 2018. Huawei’s similarly-priced Nova 3i (S$398) comes with 4GB RAM and 128GB of storage.

The good thing for Asus is that the ZenFone Max Pro M1 comes with dual 4G SIM card slots and also a microSD card slot that can support up to 2TB worth of storage space. You don’t have to sacrifice a SIM card slot for the additional storage.

This phone will be great for travel as I can keep using my microSD card for my photos and videos, and yet remain contactable using both my local and overseas SIM cards.

Bad news is, it doesn’t have the increasingly common 802.11AC Wi-Fi link that would help to stream YouTube and Netflix content far more smoothly. It also uses the old Micro USB port to juice up, when the USB Type-C port is already common today.

The camera comes with dual 13MP and 5MP sensors. The second camera is dedicated to depth-of-field measurement for a more accurate bokeh rendering. PHOTO: Wilson Wong

As with phones in this class today, you get a dual-lens setup that promises to deliver more compelling images. Here, Asus’ main camera comes with two sensors offering 13 megapixels and 5 megapixels.

The front-facing 8-megapixel camera has an ace up its sleeve as it comes with a LED flash to capture selfies in low-light situations.

The camera can also record 4K Ultra HD video footage while still images can still be taken while recording. This is something unheard of from smartphones at this price range. I’ll have to test out the phone more to see how it performs.

At least on paper, there are other pluses that could edge Asus ahead of rivals. The ZenFone Max Pro M1 comes with a battery packing 5,000mAh of power. Most competitors offer less than 4,000mAh.

Coupled with the use of the modest Snapdragon 636 processor, the phone should easily last the whole day or more with light use. For avid travellers who spend a lot of time taking pictures, this is something useful.

You get a Micro USB port, something that seems to be appearing on budget models now. PHOTO: Wilson Wong

The good news doesn’t stop there. Asus has also ditched the ZenUI interface and used the stock Android 8.1 operating system for this phone. That’s hooray for folks who want a simpler interface without all the extra junk.

This is not the same as the Android One program that comes on some Xiaomi and Nokia phones. Still, keeping to the stock Android software does make it easier for Asus to update the handsets. It also doesn’t overburden the phone’s processor.

Out in Singapore at the end of this month, the Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 won’t win any beauty contests though it does have much going for it, with its large battery and streamlined software interface. It’s just too bad there isn’t more memory or storage.

 

You Might Also Like

Sony Playstation VR2 review: An immersive experience awaits

Debate on computational photography misses what’s real, what’s lived outside a frame

Hogwarts Legacy review: Defying gravity

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review: Impressive flagship design, performance

Hands on: Oppo Find N2 Flip looks promising for those seeking foldable phones

TAGGED: asus, Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1, Price and availability Singapore, review, ZenFone Max Pro

Sign up for the TG newsletter

Never miss anything again. Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Wilson Wong July 19, 2018
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Copy Link Print
Share
By Wilson Wong
Follow:
Wilson is a self-taught photographer whose passion started with his father’s old Canon L Rangefinder camera. He now leads the 12,000+ strong Singapore Photography & Imaging Network group. His photos have won acclaim from Nikon and Fujifilm, and are featured in various books and exhibitions.
Previous Article Business leaders must have deeper understanding of emerging technologies for digital transformation
Next Article In Singapore’s worst cyber attack, much still unknown and fallout yet to come
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Stay Connected

Facebook Like
Twitter Follow

Latest News

Sony Playstation VR2 review: An immersive experience awaits
Gaming March 21, 2023
Debate on computational photography misses what’s real, what’s lived outside a frame
Cellphones Imaging Mobile Software March 19, 2023
Get the best Mac-friendly monitors for colour-perfect design work
PC March 16, 2023
LG OLED Flex LX3 review: A bendable gaming monitor for the adventurous (and rich)
Audio-visual Gaming PC March 13, 2023
//

Techgoondu.com is published by Goondu Media Pte Ltd, a company registered and based in Singapore.

.

Started in June 2008 by technology journalists and ex-journalists in Singapore who share a common love for all things geeky and digital, the site now includes segments on personal computing, enterprise IT and Internet culture.

banner banner
Everyday DIY
PC needs fixing? Get your hands on with the latest tech tips
READ ON
banner banner
Leaders Q&A
What tomorrow looks like to those at the leading edge today
FIND OUT
banner banner
Advertise with us
Discover unique access and impact with TG custom content
SHOW ME

 

 

POWERED BY READYSPACE
The Techgoondu website is powered by and managed by Readyspace Web Hosting.

TechgoonduTechgoondu
Follow US

© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved | Privacy | Terms of Use | Advertise | About Us | Contact

Join Us!

Never miss anything again. Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox.

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
 

Loading Comments...
 

    Welcome Back!

    Sign in to your account

    Lost your password?