The ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M2 has a name as long as its autonomy with the 5,000 mAh battery that it incorporates. A little brown beast that is capable of powering its 6.3-inch IPS screen with FHD + resolution , Qualcomm processor and 6 GB of RAM. We have had the opportunity to put it to the test with special emphasis on other sections such as photography with scene recognition using AI. We go over all the features of the Max Pro M2 in our review.

Design: looks can be deceiving: ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M2, good mid-range with 5,000 mAh

It was to be expected that this smartphone would comply with the current canons and show a glass or metal back. However, ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M2 surprises us with the choice of polycarbonate and the ‘wave’ finish. A wave pattern that changes when viewed at different angles with the incidence of light. Although it is a simple element, it conveys a feeling of a neat and tasteful smartphone when it comes to selecting the colors (titanium and midnight blue).

Wave pattern design and available in two colors (midnight blue and titanium)

Its dimensions are 157.9 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm and it has a weight of 170 g. Right weight considering the large capacity battery. The aluminum edges are rounded to favor the grip of the phone, like the back. The fingerprint reader is located in a central position for easy access and offers good recognition. The dual camera module barely protrudes from the body, so it doesn’t wobble when used on a flat surface.

Fingerprint reader and module with double rear camera

On the front of the ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M2 we have a 6.3-inch FHD + resolution screen. To keep it as the first day, ASUS has chosen a Gorilla Glass 6 laminate. The unwanted guest is the notch although it is not as intrusive as in other smartphones, similar in size to the LG V40 ThinQ . On the bottom edge we see the microUSB connector (no USB-C, a shame), microphone, headphone jack and the remarkable speaker. On the left side is the triple tray to house two nanoSIM cards and a microSD memory.

6.3-inch screen with Gorilla Glass 6 protection

Technical characteristics of the ASUS Zenfone Max Pro (M2): ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M2, good mid-range with 5,000 mAh

Features: Snapdragon 660 and 6 GB of RAM

After taking a look at the technical characteristics of the Max Pro M2, it is clear that acquiring it is not a leap into the void. There is water in the pool and it is deep enough with very solid performance for the mid-range. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset is in charge of giving the gross power to the phone, well known in these parts in phones like the Xiaomi Mi A2 . Although the processor has already been behind a couple of years, it is accompanied by 6 GB of RAM. A firm crutch to withstand the ailments of the combative mid-range. Its internal memory is 64 GB, but it can be expanded with a microSD of up to 2 TB, there is nothing.

The user experience is satisfactory with good performance and no ups and downs (crashes, slowdowns, etc). The change and execution of the apps is fast. The execution of games is also smooth and hardly presents complications with really demanding titles. This smartphone comes with Android 8.1 Oreo and without the ASUS ZenUI customization layer. A very clean version of bloatware and with a few apps outside of the usual Google ones.

Screen and sound: big in both sections

This ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M2 mounts an IPS LCD panel with a size of 6.3 inches. Consequently, the screen has an FHD + resolution (2,280 x 1,080 pixels), achieving a density of 400 pixels per inch. The IPS panel is capable of representing a 94% NTSC color space, reaches a maximum brightness level of 450 nits and a 1,500: 1 contrast ratio. But there is more like the multi-touch with recognition of up to 10 fingers and the aforementioned Gorilla Glass 6 protection, capable of resisting scratches and drops from up to a meter in height.

Some surprising technical characteristics in a mid-range smartphone like the ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M2. The screen looks vivid colors, wide viewing angles and remarkable level of sharpness. In the settings section we can activate some functions such as night light, touch gesture to activate the screen with two touches on the screen or adjust the color temperature of the panel.

6.3-inch screen with FHD + resolution

Another of the outstanding sections of the ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M2 corresponds to the sound. If the screen offers a fairly good experience, what better way to enhance it with a sound system to match. It is true that it does not incorporate a Dolby Atmos system , but it mounts a speaker with 5 magnets with an NXP Smart Amp amplifier . Something that is noticeable and a lot, especially in certain musical genres with a clear and powerful sound. In addition, it includes a headphone jack and FM radio tuner, two features that we will always appreciate.

Cameras: photos with AI

The photographic section is one of the most valued by consumers. With the advent of artificial intelligence to these scene recognition devices, photos get better image processing. ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M2 offers this feature with a total of 13 different types but it doesn’t always get the final result right. The brand has selected a 12 MP Sony IMX486 sensor with f / 1.8 aperture, 6-piece lens and EIS electronic stabilization. It is accompanied by a 5 MP sensor to offer a smooth bokeh effect. In the case of the front camera we have a 13 MP sensor with f / 2.0 aperture and face unlock (but without a depth sensor).

The camera app shows some of the main functions with convenient shortcuts. We highlight the professional mode with manual adjustments such as white balance or exposure, portrait mode with depth effect, beauty mode and HDR capture. Broadly speaking, the main camera of the ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M2 usually offers good photographic captures, except in some cases it is underexposed and has an inaccurate dynamic range. In night photography we can activate the night mode to soften the appearance of noise and the loss of sharpness present in standard capture.

Regarding video recording, it reaches 4K resolution at 30 fps and electronic image stabilization at 1,080p. Video recording greatly improves the quality seen in photographs, with better lighting and with optimal focus. Here we leave you with some sample videos so that you yourselves can evaluate the results obtained with this mode.

Connectivity and battery: packed with surprises

Few phones can boast of having a tray for two nanoSIM cards and still have a third socket for a microSD card. A Dual SIM 4G configuration and extended storage without making any sacrifice, a success in this section. It also has a 3.5 mm jack, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS (A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou and Galileo) and an NFC chip, but instead opts for WiFi n and a microUSB connector instead of a USB-C. You couldn’t have everything.

But where you have to take your hat off is to its battery. A unit with a capacity of 5,000 mAh. A true marvel that perfectly supports the high resolution of the IPS panel and the energy consumption of its hardware. Thus, the ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M2, can offer about 6.5 hours of screen and a use that exceeds a day and a half without problems. To recharge it, it uses a 10 W charger that takes almost 3 hours to complete the charge, something normal given the capacity of the battery.

ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M2 with great autonomy thanks to its 5,000 mAh

Availability and price of the ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M2

ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M2 on eBay

View deal

In conclusion, ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M2 is one of those phones that attracts attention for some details. The large battery capacity will be well received by smartphone dependents, with a triple tray , IPS screen with Gorilla Glass 6 and an NFC chip. Its performance perfectly meets the demands of the mid-range with its 6 GB of RAM. But it is not without some drawbacks like a camera with a slight room for improvement. We award the Gizlogic Silver Award.