Asus ZenFone Max (2016) Review: Is It Worth Buying?

The Asus Zenfones wave seemed like ended with the Zenfone 2 clan of smartphones until Zenfone Max (2016) was released. Asus, this time has brought a powerful processor, better memory, better OS and massive battery in the smartphone that could reverse charge another smartphone like a powerbank. So, literally, you would have a 5000mAh powerbank in your pocket.

Battery may be highly eyed on, but it is not alone the master here. A smartphone is every sort of digital assistance for an average user. He would use it with any number of apps till the phone creaks out.

Asus Zenfone Max could be a long liver for some class of people and the hanger for some. It depends on the people and how they use it. If you are confused in buying a Zenfone Max, read this article, by the end, you will be having a decision.

No more confusions and no more waitings. Let's start reviewing the device.

Design

With little changes to the design ergonomics of the Zenfone 2, Asus have made profound changes to the Max version. Having the battery size in mind, it was made a little bulkier to 10.5mm thickness from the edges.

A nice gold coloured bezel was continued on to all the three coloured variants, black, blue and white.

The design is not as premium looking as previous models but toughly built. If design is one of the factors that are driving you to buy this phone, you better think about it once again.

Display

Zenfone Max has a 5.5 inch 720p IPS HD TFT display with 450 LED nits. This may not be the best of the class but not bad at the price point and the form factor it is made with.

Performance

Zenfone Max released in the year 2016 has Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor with 2GB RAM and 32GB internal memory. The processor has been upgraded from SD 410 to SD 615 while the RAM remained the same and the internal storage has been doubled to 32GB with no change in the expandability up to 64GB.

The older Zenfone Max has Android Lollipop v5.0 based Zen UI on board where as the new 2016 model comes with Android Marshmallow v.6.0.1 based ZenUI.

Camera

Both the Zenfone Max versions have the same 13MP rear cameras and 5MP front facing camera accompanied by the dual-tone LED flashes. There made no change in the cameras here. 

Network

Max supports LTE networks in both the slots unlike the previous versions that have only supported 4G in one slot and 3G in another. There are no changes in the network also comparatively to the older version. 

Battery

The Zenfone Max has a massive 5000mAh battery that could last long more than 2 complete days on heavy usage as well. The Snapdragon processor optimises the performance with battery power as they are made to serve the better mobile computing. But the version of the SD processor might worry you with over heating sometimes.

Pros

+ Tough build quality

+ Better processor

+ New colour

+ Android Marshmallow based ZenUI

+ Doubled internal storage

+ Massive battery

Cons

+ SD 615 processor shows heating signatures

+ Not so premium design

+ Bulkier in size; Adding back covers may make it look much hulkier

Conclusion

If good battery, good processor, doubled internal memory are considered with the processor heating issues, Zenfone Max can become a good companion for you. This massive battery device is good for travellers who don't power use the smartphone but for navigation and simple internet. C'mon you can't expect more from a phone of Rs.10,000 range.

By the way, you have a choice here; If you don't use smartphone as a smart as it sounds and you wanted it for longer battery, you can simply opt out for older one which is now Rs.1000 off on Flipkart. Or else the Zenfone Max (2016) can be your good buddy.