ASUS ZenFone 4 Max Pro Review: Maximum Longevity
ASUS ZenFone 4 Max Pro
RM 1099.00
Pros
- Good build quality
- Fast fingerprint scanner
- True Dual SIM + microSD support
- Wide-angle + Standard angle dual camera setup
- Excellent battery life
- Affordable price point
Cons
- Micro USB
- Fingerprint scanner logic need improvement
- Subpar 720p IPS display
- No OIS
- Underwhelming ultra wide angle camera sensor
- Older non-FinFET chipset
- Slow charging
Build Quality & Design
Design
The ASUS ZenFone 4 Max Pro is a sharp contrast against our recently reviewed ASUS ZenFone 4 Selfie Pro. The moment you pick up the Max Pro, the extra heft it carries is indirectly telling you that it is packed with batteries, 5000 mAh to be exact.
The same goes for the extra thickness, coming at 8.9mm (0.35 inch), it is about 25%~30% thicker than the average smartphones. Despite the added bulk, at 181 grams, I would still consider it to be acceptable. Except when using it one-handed for a prolonged time, then it will become like some sort of wrist exercise.
The chassis is consists of multiple parts, with the top and bottom panel made of plastic while the centre panel made of sand-blasted aluminium. Except for the slight colour difference, the overall build quality is solid with smooth rounded edges.
At the front is a 5.5-inch IPS display with 720p resolution. Not that I want to say 720p displays are awful unless you pay attention to the details. Generally, it still looks pretty good for day to day usage. Just that the previous generation ZenFone 3 Max (ZC553KL) has a higher resolution 1080p IPS display. I don’t see any sensible reason for ASUS to not use the same panel except when it is more like a desperate cost-cutting measure.
The fingerprint scanner is fast to respond and it only takes a light tap on it to unlock the phone. Fingerprint security logic behind ZenUI 4 still needs some polishing. Especially when the PIN is needed for additional security, at least display the notice on the screen. The current version is flawed with lack of proper user experience since the phone will just ignore the fingerprint input. At least prompt on the screen and tell the user to key in the PIN for additional security.
The Back and Recent capacitive buttons are non-backlit, they just have a reflective icon on it.
Dual SIM has become a norm for smartphones in recent years. However, most of them come with hybrid dual SIM where you either choose dual-SIM configuration or single SIM + microSD card.
Is it really that hard to make a true dual-SIM smartphone with support for microSD card at the same time? I see hybrid Dual SIM is just an excuse for other phone models when there are a lot more other mid-range smartphones are fully capable of doing it as well.
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