Asus Zenfone 3s Max ZC521TL Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Asus Zenfone 3s Max ZC521TL is a power-packed smartphone that promises exceptional battery life and reliable performance. With its massive 5000mAh battery, you can stay connected and productive throughout the day without worrying about running out of power. The phone features a sleek metal body design, giving it a premium look and feel. It boasts a 5.2-inch HD display, offering vibrant colors and sharp visuals. Equipped with a 13MP rear camera, it captures stunning photos and videos. The Zenfone 3s Max runs on Android 7.0 and offers ample storage space with 32GB internal memory. With its affordable price point, the Asus Zenfone 3s Max ZC521TL is a fantastic choice for those seeking a reliable smartphone with impressive battery life.

Design and Build Quality

The Asus Zenfone 3s Max ZC521TL boasts an aesthetically pleasing design and solid build quality that is sure to catch your eye. With its sleek and compact form factor, this device is comfortable to hold and can easily be operated with one hand. The metal unibody construction gives it a premium look and feel, and the finishing touches are well-executed. The device is lightweight and portable, making it easy to carry around in your pocket or bag. The ergonomics of the Zenfone 3s Max are well thought out, ensuring a comfortable grip and easy access to buttons and controls. The bezels are slim, allowing for a larger display in a relatively compact size. The back panel has a textured finish, which not only adds to the overall aesthetics but also provides a good grip. The construction of the device is robust and sturdy, ensuring durability even with regular use. Overall, the Asus Zenfone 3s Max ZC521TL impresses with its sleek design, premium look and feel, and excellent build quality.

Display

The Asus Zenfone 3s Max ZC521TL features a 5.2-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720p. While it may not offer the highest pixel density, the screen provides crisp and clear images with good color levels and wide viewing angles. The display is suitable for everyday tasks such as web browsing, social media, and watching videos. However, it is important to note that the contrast ratio is average, and the colors may not be as vibrant as some higher-end smartphones. The brightness levels are decent, but outdoor visibility can be challenging under direct sunlight. The touch responsiveness of the screen is smooth and accurate, allowing for a pleasant user experience. Unfortunately, there is no specific mention of display protection or the presence of Gorilla Glass. Overall, the display of the Asus Zenfone 3s Max ZC521TL is satisfactory for its price range, offering a decent viewing experience for everyday use.

Performance

The performance of the Asus Zenfone 3s Max ZC521TL is decent for everyday tasks and light usage. Powered by a MediaTek 6750 octa-core processor clocked at 1.5 GHz and 3GB of RAM, it offers smooth multitasking and app loading speeds. The CPU benchmarks indicate that it performs adequately, providing a responsive and lag-free user experience.

In terms of gaming capabilities, the Zenfone 3s Max performs well for casual and less resource-intensive games. The GPU benchmarks indicate satisfactory graphics scores, ensuring a decent gaming experience. It handles medium graphics settings in games smoothly, although it may struggle with heavy graphics settings.

The system optimization of the Zenfone 3s Max contributes to its overall performance. Despite not having access to specific benchmark tests or scores, the device seems to optimize CPU and GPU efficiency to provide a smooth user experience. The thermal management is also commendable, as the device does not overheat during regular usage or extended gaming sessions.

While the Zenfone 3s Max may not be the most powerful device in terms of raw performance, it strikes a balance between everyday usability and battery life. The processor efficiency, combined with the 5000mAh battery, allows for a longer usage time without sacrificing too much performance.

Overall, the Asus Zenfone 3s Max ZC521TL offers a satisfactory performance for average users who prioritize battery life and do not heavily rely on resource-intensive applications or games. It provides a smooth and lag-free experience for everyday tasks, multitasking, and casual gaming.

Software and User Interface

The Asus Zenfone 3s Max ZC521TL runs on Android 7.0 Nougat operating system with Asus' ZenUI on top. This combination offers a user-friendly interface with customizable options. The ZenUI provides additional features and customization options, allowing users to personalize their device to suit their preferences.

One downside of the software experience is the presence of pre-installed apps, also known as bloatware. These apps take up storage space and may not be useful to all users. However, some of these pre-installed apps can be uninstalled or disabled, helping to free up storage space.

Overall, the software on the Asus Zenfone 3s Max ZC521TL provides a smooth and intuitive user experience. The Android 7.0 Nougat operating system brings several improvements and features, such as split-screen multitasking and improved notifications. The ZenUI adds a layer of customization, allowing users to personalize their device and make it their own.

While the ZenUI may not be everyone's cup of tea, it does offer a range of customization options and additional features that can enhance the user experience. Whether it's changing the theme, organizing app icons, or tweaking the device's settings, the ZenUI provides ample room for customization.

In conclusion, the software on the Asus Zenfone 3s Max ZC521TL offers a user-friendly interface with the Android 7.0 Nougat operating system and Asus' ZenUI customization. While the presence of pre-installed apps may be a downside for some users, overall, the software provides a smooth and intuitive experience.

Camera

The Asus Zenfone 3s Max ZC521TL comes with a 13MP rear camera that offers decent image quality for a budget smartphone. The camera has an aperture of f/2.0, which allows for good low-light performance and better depth of field in portrait mode. The focal length and sensor size are not specified, but it is likely to be a standard setup for a smartphone camera.

In terms of image quality, the Zenfone 3s Max captures photos with natural colors and good sharpness in daylight photography. The dynamic range is average, and the camera struggles a bit with high-contrast scenes. However, the low-light performance is acceptable, thanks to the wider aperture, although noise reduction could be better in low-light conditions.

The camera app offers various features, including HDR, panorama mode, and pro mode, which allows users to adjust settings like ISO, white balance, and exposure manually. The AI scene recognition feature helps in identifying and optimizing settings for different scenarios automatically.

When it comes to video recording, the Zenfone 3s Max can shoot up to 1080p Full HD videos. However, there is no support for 4K video recording. The video stabilization feature helps in reducing shakes and blurriness while recording videos. Slow-motion video and time-lapse modes are also available to add creativity to your videos.

In conclusion, the camera of the Asus Zenfone 3s Max ZC521TL delivers decent image quality for its price range, with good performance in daylight photography and acceptable low-light capabilities. The camera app offers a range of features and manual controls for those who want to experiment with their photography. However, the absence of 4K video recording may be a downside for some users.

Battery Life

The Asus Zenfone 3s Max ZC521TL boasts an impressive 5000mAh battery, which is the standout feature of this device. With such a high-capacity battery, users can expect exceptional battery life that will easily last them through a full day of heavy usage. The device also comes with battery optimization features and power efficiency enhancements, ensuring that users can maximize the usage of their device without worrying about running out of battery quickly. Additionally, the device supports fast charging technology, allowing users to quickly recharge their device when needed. However, it is worth noting that the device does not support wireless charging options. Overall, the battery performance of the Asus Zenfone 3s Max ZC521TL is excellent, providing users with a reliable and long-lasting battery backup that can easily keep up with their daily needs.

Connectivity and Networking

The Asus Zenfone 3s Max ZC521TL offers a range of connectivity options to keep you connected on the go. It supports 4G LTE connectivity, ensuring fast data speeds and reliable network compatibility. Whether you're browsing the web, streaming videos, or downloading files, you can expect a smooth and seamless experience. The device also supports dual SIM functionality, allowing you to use two SIM cards simultaneously for added convenience.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the Zenfone 3s Max supports Wi-Fi standards, including 802.11 b/g/n, ensuring a stable and fast internet connection when connected to a Wi-Fi network. It also supports Bluetooth version, enabling you to connect to various Bluetooth-enabled devices such as headphones, speakers, and smartwatches.

For navigation purposes, the device features GPS, providing accurate positioning and location services. You can easily navigate through maps and find your way around with ease. Additionally, the Zenfone 3s Max supports NFC, allowing for quick and easy contactless payments and file transfers.

In terms of physical connectivity, the device features a micro USB port for charging and data transfer. However, it does not support USB-C, which is a newer and more versatile connectivity standard. It is worth noting that the device does not support wireless charging.

Overall, the Asus Zenfone 3s Max ZC521TL offers a decent range of connectivity options, ensuring that you can stay connected, browse the web, and navigate with ease. It may not have the latest connectivity features like 5G or USB-C, but it covers the basics and provides reliable connectivity for everyday use.

Additional Features

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the Asus Zenfone 3s Max ZC521TL with related gadgets in the market, it's important to consider its features, specifications, performance, and pricing.

In terms of battery life, the Zenfone 3s Max stands out with its massive 5000mAh battery. This puts it ahead of competitors such as the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Power and the Samsung Galaxy M31s, which offer 6000mAh and 6000mAh batteries respectively. However, it falls slightly short compared to the Moto G9 Power, which boasts a massive 6000mAh battery.

In terms of design, the Zenfone 3s Max features a compact and well-built metal body. While it may not have the premium feel of devices like the iPhone SE or the Samsung Galaxy S21, it offers a solid build quality at a more affordable price point.

When it comes to performance, the Zenfone 3s Max is powered by a MediaTek 6750 octa-core processor and 3GB of RAM. While it may not match the performance of devices like the OnePlus Nord or the iPhone 12, it offers sufficient power for everyday tasks and casual gaming.

In terms of camera capabilities, the Zenfone 3s Max features a 13MP rear camera, which is decent but falls short compared to devices like the Google Pixel 4a or the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which offer more advanced camera systems.

When considering pricing, the Zenfone 3s Max offers good value for money compared to higher-end devices like the Samsung Galaxy S21 or the iPhone 12. It provides a budget-friendly option for users who prioritize battery life and don't require the latest cutting-edge features.

Overall, the Zenfone 3s Max competes well in the mid-range segment, offering good battery life and a solid build quality. While it may not have the same performance or camera capabilities as higher-end devices, it provides a cost-effective option for users looking for a reliable smartphone.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Asus Zenfone 3s Max ZC521TL is a budget-friendly smartphone with a focus on exceptional battery life. Its 5000mAh battery ensures that you won't run out of juice during the day, making it perfect for users who are always on the go. The compact design and metal body give it a premium feel, while the 5.2-inch display offers satisfactory visuals. However, its performance and camera capabilities are average, which may not suit power users or photography enthusiasts. If you prioritize battery life and are willing to compromise on performance, the Asus Zenfone 3s Max ZC521TL could be a suitable choice for you.