Zenfone Max was one of the most successful models rolled out under ASUS’s smartphone series. Now, the Taiwanese manufacturer has launched another model in its Zenfone 3 series – the Zenfone 3S Max – with battery as the focus.
Priced at Rs 14,999, the device sports a 5000 mAh battery which will last longer than an iPhone 7. But what else does the phone feature? Let’s find out.
Performance
The Zenfone 3s Max comes with a 1.5 GHz 64-bit Octa-Core MediaTek MT6750 processor coupled with Mali T860 GPU. The device also sports 3GB of RAM along with 32GB of internal storage which is expandable via microSD card that sits in a hybrid Dual SIM tray.
To be fair, the MT 6750 is not the best processor in this price range. The system hangs a bit when a heavy app or file is running in the background.
On the contrary, the latest Android 7.0 Nougat makes the performance a little better. If your daily tasks are browsing the web, Facebook, WhatsApp etc, the phone is capable of handling them.
However, don’t expect a lot if you are a gaming freak. The Zenfone 3S Max is not ideal for long gaming sessions.
Software
Asus Zenfone 3s Max comes with Android 7.0 Nougat with ZenUI 3.0. While this is one of the few phones featuring Nougat in this rice range, the outdated ZenUI 3.0 makes it impossible to enjoy any of the features. While the ZenUI launcher doesn’t offer anything new, settings, notifications, etc remain a pain to figure out.
Camera
The 3S Max comes with a 13MP rear camera with f/2.0 aperture and Dual LED flash, and an 8-megapixel 85 degrees Field of View front camera. In good light conditions, the rear camera is fast and gives good results. It can also record videos at 1080p at max.
Display
The display performance of the Zenfone 3S Max, which boasts a 5.2-inch HD (720 X 1080 pixel) LCD 2.5D curved display is commendable, offering accurate colours and above-par viewing angles. The auto-brightness sensor enhances outdoor visibility, whereas the Blue Filter in the display menu makes it easier for the eyes in dim lights.
Design
The 3S Max features a sleek metal body and 2.5D contoured glass. A back case is strongly recommended for the device as the curved edges make it a little slippery to hold. At the back, there is the primary camera with Dual LED flash along with Asus logo and a noise cancellation secondary microphone.
The weighty 5,000 mAh battery at the back makes the device heavy and solid which adds to the premium in-hand feel.
Battery
This is where the Zenfone 3S Max stands out, when compared to other smartphones in the price range. With the massive 5,000 mAh battery, the device can easily last for two full days with moderate to heavy usage.
The phone can deliver "up to 34 days of 4G standby time, 28 hours talk-time on 3G and 25 hours of web browsing over WiFi on single charge," according to the company. Moreover, it can also double as a power bank you can use to charge your other devices using an OTG adapter.
Conclusion
While the new model of the Zenfone 3 series seems to be far from perfect, the extended battery life, above-average camera and software performance and the sturdy build of the phone make it a superior choice in the price range in which it is available.
