Asus Zenfone Max is a new variant of the smartphone that comes with an improved processor. The Zenfone Max is now available in two memory options, both with 32GB ROM. The company has priced the 2GB RAM variant at Rs 9,999 and 3GB one at Rs 12,999. Apart from an extra-large 5,000 mAh battery, Asus is also banking on a faster octa-core Snapdragon 615 processor for an improved multi-tasking experience and performance. Also, the phone ships with the latest Android Marshmallow, which comes with battery optimisation features, Google Now on Tap, Apps Permissions and more. Asus Zenfone Max looks exactly like its older variant in terms of design. Nothing has changed on the camera and display front either. While it may be too soon to reach to a judgement right now, here’s what we think based on the first impressions of Asus Zenfone Max: Watch our first video look of Asus Zenfone Max Design and Display I quite like the display of the Zenfone Max. It’s got a 5.5-inch full HD display, that works well in sunlight. The screen is vivid and the icons appear sharp. Playing games on the smartphone turns out to be even more fun when you have a screen like this, and of course a fast processor. This is not the best looking phone that I’ve seen, but I don’t mind it either. It has a textured leather pattern, which gives a good grip. We got a black colour variant, with a gold metal frame running along the edges, which looks neat. The only problem I have with Zenfone Max: it is really bulky at 202 gm, but then it packs a huge 5,000 mAh battery. Processor, Battery and Memory Asus Zenfone Max now comes with 1.5 Ghz octa-core Snapdragon 615 processor, which is an upgrade from the older version. While I haven’t been able to use the smartphone extensively, I have watched a couple of videos and spent some time browsing through apps, which wasn’t much of a problem. Zenfone Max sure handles multitasking smoothly, but we’ll have more on that in our review. The battery is a big plus of Zenfone Max. We charged the phone two days ago, and I haven’t bothered to charge it till now. In fact, there’s still some charge left. A big battery, and a great battery optimisation is particularly important for me as I use my phone for a lot of things while travelling. Zenfone Max didn’t give me a reason to complain on that front. But yes, it takes an insane amount to get charged though. Be ready to leave your smartphone plugged for at least 4 hours before it gets fully charged. Now, that’s not very practical and we think quick-charge technology is a must for this phone. Camera The 13MP rear camera in Zenfone Max didn’t quite impress us, but gave decent results in bright outdoors. The picture quality was a bit of a disappointment. I haven’t used the camera in low light yet, so we’ll have to wait and see how it performs. I liked the 5MP front camera. OS Android Marshmallow is a refreshing change from the older Android OS versions. The Apps Permissions feature allowed me to take control of access by apps in my smartphone. Zenfone Max comes with the company’s Zen UI on top, which is comfortable to use. Conclusion The battery in the Asus Zenfone Max stands out the most, and that is what the company is pitching with the product. But do you really need the huge battery? Even if you do, other smartphone options like Redmi Note 3 and Meizu m3 note can be considered, as they offer a great design as well. But then again, this has Android Marshmallow on-board, which a lot of users would prefer. Follow Express Techie on Facebook for the latest stories on technology, reviews and more. Or you can tweet out to us at @expresstechie for tips, latest tech news.
