在过去的几年里，智能手机的发展速度令人难以置信。他们一路走来，从拥有 3 或 4 英寸的屏幕、单核处理器和最大 512MB 的RAM 内存(RAM memory)，到拥有 5 英寸或更大的屏幕、四核处理器和至少 1GB 的RAM。让我们不要开始谈论他们的相机的功能以及他们包装了多少百万像素。虽然我们从智能手机中获得了更多的功率和性能(power and performance)，但有一个领域无法跟上这种发展的步伐：那就是那些该死的电池。尽管现在的电池充电速度比以前快，但电池的容量并没有提高太多。此外，智能手机制造商不会包装非常大的电池，因为它们占用了大量空间。华硕(ASUS)最近决定让我们大吃一惊，并发布华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max) ( ZC550KL ) - 一款内置 5000 mAh 电池(battery built-in)的智能手机。我们已经使用这款智能手机大约两周了，我们想在这篇评论中与您分享我们的经验：
硬件(Hardware)规格和包装
ASUS ZenFone Max ( ZC550KL ) 采用外观精美的光面盒子包装(glossy box)。在顶部，您可以看到智能手机的打印图像，而在侧面，您会找到有关其最重要规格的一些信息。
滑动外盖，您会看到实际的华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)，它位于内部纸板托盘(cardboard tray)的顶部。
在华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)下方，您会找到常用配件：电源充电器(power charger)、可拆卸 USB 转 microUSB 数据线，以及保修卡(warranty card)和快速入门指南(start guide)。
华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)有两种颜色(color variant)可供选择，适合休闲和商务用户的风格：纯白和锇黑(Pure White and Osmium Black)。正如您从我们的图片中看到的那样，我们测试了锇黑(Osmium Black)颜色的华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)，这是一种适合任何人的颜色变体。(color variant)
华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)配备 5.5 英寸显示屏，具有1280x720 像素的高清分辨率和(HD resolution)IPS 面板(IPS panel)。IPS 技术(IPS technology)从一开始就确保您将获得宽视角（最大 178 度）、良好的色彩再现(color reproduction)和高对比度。华硕(ASUS)决定用康宁大猩猩玻璃 4(Corning Gorilla Glass 4)保护显示器，因此它不容易聚集划痕。
处理能力方面，华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)搭载高通骁龙 410 (Qualcomm Snapdragon 410) MSM8916 四(MSM8916 quad) 核处理器(core processor)，运行频率为 1.2 GHz，而图形处理则由搭载OpenGL ES 3.0的(OpenGL ES 3.0)Adreno 306 视频芯片(video chip)处理，运行频率为 400 MHz。您还可以获得 2GB 的RAM 内存(RAM memory)和 16GB 的内部存储空间(storage space)，可以使用高达 64 GB的MicroSD 卡进行扩展。(MicroSD card)
华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)包括一个 13 兆像素的后置摄像头，具有激光自动对焦(laser autofocus)和双 LED 闪光灯，提供全景和 HDR 功能(panorama and HDR capabilities)，而在前面则有一个 5 兆像素的摄像头。这两款相机都有一个F2.0 光圈(F2.0 aperture)，当您拍摄弱光照片时会派上用场。
至于华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)上可用的连接选项，您应该知道它包括一个microUSB 2.0端口、一个 3.5毫米音频插孔(mm audio jack)、一个蓝牙 v4.0(Bluetooth v4.0)芯片和一个只能连接到 2.4 GHz (wireless network chip)Wi-(GHz Wi-Fi)使用 802.11 b/g/n 标准的Fi网络。我们在华硕(ASUS)的智能手机上经常看到的另一个功能，也存在于ZenFone Max上的一个功能是您可以同时使用两张SIM卡。缺点是只有第一张SIM 卡(SIM)支持 4G 网络，第二张SIM卡支持 4G 网络(SIM)只能连接到 2G/3G 移动网络。
华硕 ZenFone Max 规格(ASUS ZenFone Max specs)的最强点是它的电池。这款智能手机配备了 5000mAh 的巨大不可拆卸锂聚合物电池(lithium polymer battery)。是的，你没听错！这是一款配备平板电脑电池的智能手机，因此我们希望它能够提供相当令人印象深刻的自主权，但我们将在本次评测的稍后部分讨论更多细节。
5.5英寸的显示屏(inch display)加上超大的电池，直接影响了华硕ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)的尺寸。在公制中，这款智能手机的宽度、深度和高度(depth and height)为 77.5 x 156 x 10.55 毫米，而在英制中，它的尺寸为 3.05 x 6.14 x 0.41 英寸。华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)重 202克，约合 7.12 盎司。
如果您想了解有关ASUS ZenFone Max的所有规格的更多详细信息，请查看它的官方网页，这里是：ASUS ZenFone Max 规格(ASUS ZenFone Max Specifications)。
众所周知，华硕 ZenFone Max 是一款中端智能手机，但有一个非常重要的例外：它的自主性。巨大的 5000 mAh 电池是它的强项，它肯定会让它在竞争中脱颖而出。(The ASUS ZenFone Max is, by all accounts, a mid-range smartphone, with one very important exception: its autonomy. The huge 5000 mAh battery is its strong point and it will surely make it stand out amongst its competition.)
设计和建造质量
如果我们真正欣赏华硕(ASUS)的一件事，那就是他们所有的设备在设计上都是一致的，这使得它们非常容易识别。例如，他们的Republic Of Gamers设备就是如此，他们的智能手机 ZenFone 系列也是如此。华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)遵循我们在其他 ZenFone 上看到的相同设计模式。
屏幕的顶部是位于听筒格栅(earpiece grille)正下方的华硕徽标(ASUS logo)，底部区域是电容式Android按钮，并具有拉丝同心圆饰面，这已经是华硕(ASUS)ZenFones 的商标。整个机身由具有金属外观的塑料金色边缘固定在一起。
华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)可能是一款中端智能手机，但它的设计让它看起来有点高级，后盖增加了这种感觉。我们测试的Osmium Black 变体(Osmium Black variant)的后盖具有皮革般的纹理，既具有视觉吸引力，又提供了非常好的抓地力。
在后盖的上部区域，您还会发现相机镜头夹在双LED 闪光灯(LED flash)和激光自动对焦传感器(laser autofocus sensor)之间。朝向中心，您会看到以浮雕字体书写的华硕徽标。(ASUS logo)
背板的底部装有大型并排扬声器格栅(speaker grille)和印有灰色的Zenfone 商标。(Zenfone trademark)
与其他 ZenFone 不同，华硕(ASUS)决定在ZenFone Max上放置(ZenFone Max)电源按钮和音量键(power button and volume rocker)以确保安全。例如，Zenfone 2 的电源按钮(Zenfone 2)位于(power button)顶部边缘，音量摇杆(volume rocker)位于背板上。对于ZenFone Max，华硕(ASUS)将电源按钮(power button)和音量(volume rocker)键都放在了智能手机的右边缘——这是一个经典的位置。这个选择是有道理的，考虑到智能手机的大机身，它可能会取悦大多数用户。
华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)的底部边缘只有麦克风针孔(microphone pinhole)和用于为智能手机充电和将其连接到计算机的MicroUSB 端口。(MicroUSB port)在底部正面，您会找到三个Android 导航(Android navigation)键，分别用于返回、主页(Back, Home)和最近使用的应用程序(Recent Apps)。它们使用了我们在ZenFone 家族(ZenFone family)中看到的同样漂亮的图标，但我们认为它们有一个缺陷：它们没有背光，这意味着它们在黑暗中有点难以找到。
左侧边缘(left edge)完全没有任何端口或按钮，而华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)的顶部边缘仅具有 3.5 毫米音频插孔，仅此而已(jack and nothing)。
我们在华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)上欣赏的另一种有趣的设计方法(design approach)是，它的后面板向边缘略微弯曲，使智能手机的外观和感觉(smartphone look and feel)比实际更薄。在设计和人体工程学(design and ergonomics)方面，这是一个非常好的选择，在所有ZenFone智能手机中都是一致的。
ZenFone Max提供 5.5 英寸大屏幕，配备IPS面板(IPS panel)，高清分辨率(HD resolution)为 1280x720 像素。内置IPS 技术(IPS technology)意味着宽视角，并确保您以良好的对比度(contrast ratio)看到鲜艳的色彩。有些人可能会认为 1280x720 像素的分辨率对于这么大的屏幕来说可能太小了。毕竟是5.5英寸的显示器(inch display)。然而，我们认为华硕(ASUS)做出这一选择与智能手机的优势直接相关：它的自主性。屏幕分辨率越小，点亮所需的电池电量就越少。(battery power)把它和巨大的 5000 放在一起mAh 电池(mAh battery)，您可能会拥有一个非常节能的设备。
华硕 ZenFone Max 在规格和价格方面是一款中端智能手机。即使它不是旗舰，华硕也设法打造了一款非常漂亮的智能手机。就像 ZenFone 家族的任何智能手机一样，这款设备会吸引人们的注意力，并且肯定会被任何曾经看过(The ASUS ZenFone Max is a mid-range smartphone in terms of specifications and price. Even if it's not a flagship, ASUS managed to build a very good looking smartphone. It's a device that, just like any smartphone from the ZenFone family, will draw people's attention and will surely be recognized instantly by anyone who has seen) ZenFone 的人立即认出。(a ZenFone before.)
华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)上的智能手机体验(smartphone experience)
在电话体验方面(phone experience)，我们在华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)上进行的音频通话质量很好。我们在理解与我们交谈的人在说什么方面没有任何问题，尽管他们听起来确实有点闷闷不乐。还值得注意的是，电话交谈期间的最大音量(volume level)非常响亮。我们要提到的另一个有意义的电话体验方面是移动(phone experience aspect)网络接收(network reception)似乎很好，但并不特别。我们的主要小区运营商(cell operator)在我们居住的地理区域提供 4G 连接，但无线电信号(radio signal)不是那么好。然而，华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)设法保持稳定的移动连接。
与许多其他ZenFone智能手机一样，华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)还允许您同时使用来自同一移动运营商(mobile operator)或来自两个不同运营商的两张SIM卡。(SIM)对于某些人来说，这个选项可以证明是一个真正的交易撮合(deal maker)者。但是请注意，第一张SIM 卡(SIM)支持 4G 网络连接，而第二张SIM 卡(SIM)仅适用于 3G 网络。
如果您使用一副耳机，则听音乐或观看视频时的音频质量很好，如果您使用智能手机的内置扬声器，则音质不错。在后一种情况下，最大声级比您预期的要低一些，尽管这样做的好处是您不会听到任何失真。
操作系统方面(operating system)，华硕ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)预装了Android 5.0.2 Lollipop 和华硕(Lollipop and ASUS)专有的ZenUI 2.0用户界面。ZenUI是一个定制的用户界面，它为标准 Android 体验带来了许多可用性和设计(Android experience)改进(usability and design improvements)。
最后，巨大的 5000 mAh 电池(mAh battery)令人印象深刻。当我们看到这款智能手机能够持续运行 5 天零几个小时时，我们感到震惊。我们期待看到比平均自治更好，但我们真的没想到它会持续超过 5 天。这是一项非凡的成就，很少有智能手机可以吹嘘。当然……您应该记住的是，只有当我们像普通人一样使用它时，华硕 ZenFone Max一次充电才能持续工作 5 天。(ASUS ZenFone Max)每天浏览几个小时的网页，使用Facebook、Twitter 和 Whatsapp等应用程序(Twitter and Whatsapp)每天使用几分钟和一些休闲游戏。如果你打算用它来玩高要求的游戏或者看几个小时的高清视频，你应该期望华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)可以持续大约 2 天，这仍然是一个非常好的结果。
华硕 ZenFone Max 是一款中端 Android 智能手机，可在通话期间提供良好的音质，并在听音乐或看电影时提供不错的音频质量。然而，它最大的特点是其令人难以置信的自主性 - 巨大的 5000 mAh 电池让您在正常使用条件下一次充电即可使用约 5 天。(The ASUS ZenFone Max is a mid-range Android smartphone that offers a good sound quality during phone calls, as well as a decent audio quality during music-listening sessions or while watching movies. However, its greatest feature is its incredible autonomy - the huge 5000 mAh battery keeps you going for around 5 days on a single charge, in normal usage conditions.)
华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)的相机(camera experience)体验
华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)的主摄像头有一个 13 兆像素的传感器，可以拍摄最大分辨率为 4096x3072 像素的照片，并采用了华硕(ASUS)的PixelMaster 技术(PixelMaster technology)。从理论上讲，这项技术混合了硬件、软件和光学的力量，以便在大多数情况下获得更好的图像，尤其是在弱光条件下拍摄的照片。我们无法在ZenFone Max上找到相机的确切型号，但感觉与我们在ASUS ZenFone 2和ASUS Zenfone 2 Laser上看到的相机非常相似，因此我们怀疑它使用相同的东芝传感器(Toshiba sensor)我们在这些智能手机上看到了。ZenFone Max的主摄像头配有双LED 闪光灯(LED flash)，可在低光照条件下帮助您拍摄色彩自然的人像照片。
我们发现我们用华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)拍摄的照片在细节和色彩方面都相当不错。然而，如果在没有闪光灯的帮助下拍摄，我们在低光照条件下拍摄的照片看起来有点嘈杂，而户外照片在明亮区域似乎过饱和。不要将这些解释为破坏交易(deal breaker)的缺陷，因为它们不是。我们在Digital Citizen上评测的大多数智能手机上都发现了这些问题，而且大多数移动设备，甚至是高端设备，都存在这些问题。
还值得一提的是，就像其他ZenFone智能手机一样，华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)提供了一个相机应用程序(camera app)，其中包括许多您可以玩的特殊照片模式。其中，我们发现最有用的选项是手动控件以及您可以使用(Manual)HDR拍摄全景照片和拍照的事实。
与后置摄像头相比，华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)上的前置摄像头适中，但其 5 兆像素对于(front camera)视频聊天和自拍(video chat and selfies)来说绰绰有余。
随意(Feel)浏览下面的照片库(photo gallery)：我们包含了我们使用华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)在户外和室内拍摄的照片、我们在低光下使用和不使用闪光灯拍摄的照片，以及全景照片和一些HDR 照片(HDR photos)。但是请注意，对于大多数这些示例照片，我们没有使用任何特殊的相机模式，而是依靠其自动设置。
在视频选项方面，华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)的主摄像头能够录制1920x1080 像素和每秒 30 帧的全高清视频。(Full HD videos)它们具有15 Mbps的视频(Mbps)比特(bit rate)率和 81 Kbps的音频比特率(bit rate)。华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)还可以数字稳定视频，但要做到这一点，您必须接受 720p 的较低分辨率。
为了更好地了解ASUS ZenFone Max在录制带有移动物体的视频时的表现，请查看我们拍摄的这个示例：
像往常一样，我们还通过在我们静止不动的情况下移动智能手机来记录静态全景图。通过观看此视频，您可以了解华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)在录制静态视频时的表现，其中涉及少量移动。
华硕 ZenFone Max 提供了一款出色的相机，能够在大多数情况下拍摄出优质照片并录制优质视频。我们感谢华硕在这款智能手机上提供的丰富相机模式和设置，即使它不是高端设备。许多智能手机制造商选择仅为其中端或廉价设备提供少数相机选项，但华硕并非如此。但是，低光照片会出现一些噪点，而户外照片在明亮区域往往会过度饱和。(The ASUS ZenFone Max offers a good camera that's able to take good photos and record good quality videos in most conditions. We appreciate the wealth of camera modes and settings ASUS made available on this smartphone, even if it's not a high-end device. Many smartphone manufacturers choose to offer only a handful of camera options for their mid-range or budget devices, but that's not the case with ASUS. However, low light photos suffer from a bit of noise, while outdoor photos have a tendency to be oversaturated in bright areas.)
阅读本评论的下一页，了解有关华硕 ZenFone Max(ASUS ZenFone Max)上安装的软件的更多信息，并在我们的基准测试中找到它的结果。
Reviewing ASUS ZenFone Max - The smartphone whose battery just won't die!
Over the last few yеarѕ, smartphones have evolved with a mind boggling speed. They went all the way from having screens of 3 or 4 inches, single core processors and maximum 512MB of RAM memory, to having screens of 5 inches or mоre, quad core processors and at least 1GB of RAM. And let's not get started about the capabilities of their cameras and how manу megapixels they pack. While we get more power and performance from our smartphones, there is one area thаt јust can't keep up with thе paсe оf this evolution: іt's those darn batteries. The capacity of batteries has not improved too much even though batteries nowadays do charge faster than they used to. Also, smartphone manufacturers don't рack very large batteries because they take a lot of space. AЅUS has recently decіded to surprise us all and release ASUS ZenFone Max (ZC550KL) - a smartphone that has a whooping 5000 mAh battery built-in. We have used this smartphone for about two weeks and we would like to sharе our experience with you, in this review:
Hardware specifications and packaging
The ASUS ZenFone Max (ZC550KL) comes packaged inside a premium-looking glossy box. On the top side you get to see a printed image of the smartphone, while on the sides you'll find some information about its most important specifications.
Slide the external cover and you get to see the actual ASUS ZenFone Max, sitting on top of an inner cardboard tray.
Underneath the ASUS ZenFone Max, you will find the usual accessories: the power charger, a detachable USB to microUSB cable, as well as the warranty card and the quick start guide.
The ASUS ZenFone Max is available in two color variants that fit in style with both casual and business users: Pure White and Osmium Black. As you can see from our images, we tested an Osmium Black colored ASUS ZenFone Max, a color variant that fits anyone.
The ASUS ZenFone Max sports a 5.5 inches display with an HD resolution of 1280x720 pixels and an IPS panel. The IPS technology assures you from the start that you will get wide viewing angles (up to a maximum of 178 degrees), good color reproduction and a high contrast. ASUS decided to protect the display with Corning Gorilla Glass 4, so it's not prone to gather scratches very easily.
In terms of processing power, the ASUS ZenFone Max is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 MSM8916 quad core processor that runs at 1.2 GHz, while the graphics are handled by an Adreno 306 video chip with OpenGL ES 3.0 that works at 400 MHz. You also get 2GB of RAM memory and 16GB of internal storage space that can be extended with a MicroSD card of up to 64 GB.
The ASUS ZenFone Max includes a rear 13 megapixels camera with laser autofocus and dual-LED flash that offers panorama and HDR capabilities, while on the front you get a 5 megapixels camera. Both these cameras have an F2.0 aperture that will come in handy when you take low light photos.
As for the connectivity options available on the ASUS ZenFone Max, you should know that it includes a microUSB 2.0 port, a 3.5 mm audio jack, a Bluetooth v4.0 chip and a wireless network chip that's capable to connect only to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks that use the 802.11 b/g/n standards. Another feature we see quite often at ASUS' smartphones and one that's also present on the ZenFone Max is the fact that you can simultaneously use two SIM cards. The downside is that only the first SIM offers support for 4G networks, the second SIM being able to connect only to 2G/3G mobile networks.
The strongest point of the ASUS ZenFone Max specs is its battery. This smartphone features a mammoth sized non-removable lithium polymer battery of 5000mAh. Yes, you've heard it right! It's a smartphone that has a tablet's battery, so we expect it to offer quite an impressive autonomy, but we'll talk more details later in this review.
The 5.5 inch display put together with the very large battery, directly impact the dimensions of the ASUS ZenFone Max. In the metric system, this smartphone is 77.5 x 156 x 10.55 mm in width, depth and height, while in the imperial system it's dimensions are 3.05 x 6.14 x 0.41 inches. The ASUS ZenFone Max weighs 202 grams, which is about 7.12 ounces.
If you'd like to get more details about all the specifications of the ASUS ZenFone Max, check it's official web page, here: ASUS ZenFone Max Specifications.
The ASUS ZenFone Max is, by all accounts, a mid-range smartphone, with one very important exception: its autonomy. The huge 5000 mAh battery is its strong point and it will surely make it stand out amongst its competition.
Design and build quality
If there's one thing we really appreciate from ASUS is the fact that all their devices are consistent in design, making them very easily recognizable. That's true for their Republic Of Gamers devices for instance, and it's also true for their ZenFone family for smartphones. The ASUS ZenFone Max follows the same design patterns we've seen on other ZenFones.
The top side of the screen holds the ASUS logo placed right below the earpiece grille, the bottom area holds the capacitive Android buttons and features the brushed concentric circles finish that's already a trademark for ASUS' ZenFones. The whole body is held together by a plastic golden rim with a metallic look.
The ASUS ZenFone Max might be a mid-range smartphone, but its design makes it look a bit premium and the back cover adds to that feeling. The Osmium Black variant we tested has a back cover with a leather like texture that is both visually appealing and provides a very good grip.
On the upper area of the back cover you'll also find the camera lenses tucked between the dual LED flash and the laser autofocus sensor. Towards the center, you get the ASUS logo written in an embossed font.
The bottom side of the backplate holds the large side-to-side speaker grille and the Zenfone trademark printed in gray.
Unlike on other ZenFones, ASUS decided to go safe with the placement of the power button and volume rocker on the ZenFone Max. The Zenfone 2 for instance, had its power button placed on the top rim and its volume rocker on its backplate. For the ZenFone Max, ASUS placed both the power button and the volume rocker on the right edge of the smartphone - a classic location. This choice makes sense,, considering the smartphone's large body and it will probably please most users.
The bottom edge of the ASUS ZenFone Max holds only the microphone pinhole and the MicroUSB port that's used for both charging the smartphone and connecting it to a computer. On the bottom front side, you will find the three Android navigation keys for Back, Home and Recent Apps. They use the same nice looking icons we've seen all over the ZenFone family, but they have a flaw in our opinion: they are not backlit, meaning that they are a bit hard to find in the dark.
The left edge is completely free of any ports or buttons, while the top edge of the ASUS ZenFone Max features only the 3.5 mm audio jack and nothing more.
Another interesting design approach that we appreciate at the ASUS ZenFone Max is that its back panel is slightly curved towards the edges making the smartphone look and feel thinner than it actually is. This is a very good choice in terms of design and ergonomics, one that's consistent among all the ZenFone smartphones.
The ZenFone Max offers a large 5.5 inches screen that features an IPS panel with an HD resolution of 1280x720 pixels. The built-in IPS technology means wide viewing angles and makes sure that you get to see bright colors with a good contrast ratio. Some people might think that the 1280x720 pixels resolution might be too small for such a large screen. After all, it's a 5.5 inch display. However, we believe that ASUS made this choice in direct correlation with the smartphone's strong point: its autonomy. A smaller resolution for the screen means that less battery power is needed for it to be lit. Put that together with the huge 5000 mAh battery and you will probably have a very energy efficient device.
The ASUS ZenFone Max is a mid-range smartphone in terms of specifications and price. Even if it's not a flagship, ASUS managed to build a very good looking smartphone. It's a device that, just like any smartphone from the ZenFone family, will draw people's attention and will surely be recognized instantly by anyone who has seen a ZenFone before.
The smartphone experience on the ASUS ZenFone Max
In terms of the phone experience, the audio calls we had on the ASUS ZenFone Max were of good quality. We had no issues in understanding what the people whom we talked to were saying, although they did sound a bit muffled. It's also worth noting that the maximum volume level during phone conversations is quite loud. Another meaningful phone experience aspect we'd like to mention is that the mobile network reception seems to be good, but not extraordinary. Our main cell operator offers 4G connectivity in the geographical area we live in, but the radio signal isn't that good. However, the ASUS ZenFone Max managed to keep a steady mobile connection.
Like many other ZenFone smartphones, the ASUS ZenFone Max also gives you the option to simultaneously use two SIM cards, either from the same mobile operator or from two different operators. This option can prove to be a real deal maker for some people. However, note that the first SIM supports 4G network connections, while the second SIM works only on 3G networks.
The audio quality when listening to music or watching videos is good if you're using a pair of headphones and decent if you resort to the smartphone's built-in loudspeaker. In the latter case, the maximum sound level is a bit lower than you'd expect, although the good side of this is that you won't hear any distortions.
As for the operating system, the ASUS ZenFone Max comes with Android 5.0.2 Lollipop and ASUS' proprietary ZenUI 2.0 user interface pre-installed. The ZenUI is a custom built user interface that brings many usability and design improvements to the standard Android experience.
Finally, the huge 5000 mAh battery is more than impressive. We were blown away when we saw that this smartphone managed to keep running for 5 days and a couple of hours. We were expecting to see better than average autonomy, but we really did not expect to see it last for a bit more than 5 days. It's an extraordinary achievement that very few smartphones can brag about. Of course… what you should keep in mind is that the ASUS ZenFone Max went on working for 5 days on a single charge only when we used it like regular people would. A few hours of web browsing each day, apps like Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp used for a couple of minutes each day and a bit of casual gaming. If you're going to use it to play demanding games or watch high definition videos for many hours, you should expect the ASUS ZenFone Max to last you for about 2 days, which is still a very good result.
The ASUS ZenFone Max is a mid-range Android smartphone that offers a good sound quality during phone calls, as well as a decent audio quality during music-listening sessions or while watching movies. However, its greatest feature is its incredible autonomy - the huge 5000 mAh battery keeps you going for around 5 days on a single charge, in normal usage conditions.
The camera experience on the ASUS ZenFone Max
The main camera found on the ASUS ZenFone Max has a 13 megapixels sensor that can take photos at a maximum resolution of 4096x3072 pixels and features ASUS' PixelMaster technology. In theory, this technology mixes the power of the hardware, software and that of the optics in order to obtain better images in most situations , especially for photos you take in low light conditions. We couldn't find the exact model of the camera found on the ZenFone Max but it feels very similar to the cameras we saw on the ASUS ZenFone 2 and on the ASUS Zenfone 2 Laser , so we suspect it to use the same Toshiba sensor we saw on these smartphones. The main camera from the ZenFone Max is aided by a dual LED flash in low light conditions that also helps you take portrait photos that look natural in terms of colors.
We found the photos we took with the ASUS ZenFone Max to be quite good in terms of details and colors. However, the photos we captured in low light conditions look a bit noisy if taken without the aid of the flash, while the outdoor photos seem to be oversaturated in bright areas. Don't interpret these as being deal breaker flaws as they aren't. We've seen these problems at most of the smartphones we reviewed here at Digital Citizen and most mobile devices, even premium ones, have these issues.
It's also worth mentioning that, just like other ZenFone smartphones, the ASUS ZenFone Max offers a camera app that includes lots of special photo modes you can play with. Among them, the options we found to be most useful are the Manual controls and the fact that you can capture panoramas and take photos using HDR.
The front camera found on the ASUS ZenFone Max is modest when compared to its rear one, but its 5 megapixels are more than enough for video chat and selfies.
Feel free to browse the photo gallery below: we've included the photos we took with the ASUS ZenFone Max taken both outdoors and indoors, photos we took in low light with and without flash, as well as a panorama and a few HDR photos. Note however, that for most of these sample photos we didn't use any special camera modes and instead, we relied on its auto settings.
In terms of video options, the main camera of the ASUS ZenFone Max is capable of recording Full HD videos at 1920x1080 pixels and 30 frames per second. They have a video bit rate of 15 Mbps and an audio bit rate of 81 Kbps. The ASUS ZenFone Max can also digitally stabilize videos, but in order to do that, you will have to accept a lesser resolution of 720p.
To get a better idea of how the ASUS ZenFone Max fares when recording a video with moving objects, check this sample we took:
As usual, we also recorded a static panorama by moving the smartphone while we stood still. By watching this video, you can see how the ASUS ZenFone Max does when recording static videos, with small amounts of movement involved.
The ASUS ZenFone Max offers a good camera that's able to take good photos and record good quality videos in most conditions. We appreciate the wealth of camera modes and settings ASUS made available on this smartphone, even if it's not a high-end device. Many smartphone manufacturers choose to offer only a handful of camera options for their mid-range or budget devices, but that's not the case with ASUS. However, low light photos suffer from a bit of noise, while outdoor photos have a tendency to be oversaturated in bright areas.
Read the next page of this review to learn more about the software installed on the ASUS ZenFone Max and find the results it had in our benchmarks.
