Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL 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 Max (M1) ZB555KL is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers a great combination of features and affordability. With its sleek design and glass front, this device is not only stylish but also durable. The 5.5-inch IPS LCD display provides vibrant and clear visuals, while the Snapdragon processor ensures smooth performance. It comes with a dual-camera setup, featuring a 13MP main camera and an 8MP ultrawide lens, allowing you to capture stunning photos. The device also boasts a massive 4000mAh battery, providing long-lasting usage. Available in Deepsea Black, Sunlight Gold, and Ruby Red, the Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL is the perfect choice for those seeking a budget-friendly smartphone without compromising on features. Prices for this device start at around 150 EUR, making it an excellent value for money option.

Design and Build Quality

The Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL boasts a compact and sleek design that fits comfortably in the hand. With dimensions of 147.3 x 70.9 x 8.7 mm and weighing just 150 g, it is lightweight and easy to handle. The device features a glass front and a plastic back and frame, giving it a premium look and feel. The choice of materials ensures a good balance between durability and construction, while also contributing to its overall aesthetic appeal.

The Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL sports a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display, which provides vivid colors and sharp visuals. The screen-to-body ratio is impressive at around 84.4%, offering an immersive viewing experience. The 720 x 1440 pixel resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio result in a decent pixel density of approximately 245 ppi.

In terms of ergonomics, the placement of buttons and ports is well thought out, allowing for easy access and comfortable usage. The fingerprint sensor is conveniently located at the rear, providing quick and secure unlocking of the device. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a welcome feature for audiophiles who prefer wired headphones.

While the Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL may not offer the same level of premium materials as some high-end devices, it compensates with its durability. The device is built to withstand daily wear and tear, making it suitable for long-term usage. The plastic back and frame help to protect it against accidental drops and bumps, ensuring the device can withstand the rigors of everyday life.

Overall, the design and build of the Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL strike a balance between aesthetics and practicality. Its physical appearance is pleasing, and the choice of materials ensures durability and comfort in everyday use. Whether you're a fashion-conscious user or someone who prioritizes functionality, the Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL offers a reliable and visually appealing option.

Display

The Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL features a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display, offering a good balance between screen size and compactness. With a resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 245 ppi, the display delivers decent sharpness and clarity for everyday usage. The 16:10 aspect ratio provides a comfortable viewing experience, especially for multimedia consumption and web browsing.

In terms of color accuracy and vibrancy, the Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL's display performs adequately. While it may not offer the same level of color saturation as OLED displays, it still delivers pleasing colors that are well-balanced. The brightness levels are satisfactory, allowing for decent visibility even under direct sunlight. However, some users have reported that the display tends to auto-dim during picture review, which could be a minor inconvenience.

The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, ensuring durability and resistance against scratches and minor impacts. The display offers wide viewing angles, allowing for comfortable viewing from different orientations. However, it does not feature HDR or a wide color gamut, which could limit its ability to reproduce high contrast and vibrant colors in HDR content.

The Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL does not have a notch design, and while the bezels are not the thinnest in the market, they are still reasonable and do not hinder the overall viewing experience. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 84.4%, which means the display occupies a significant portion of the device's front surface.

Additional features include an always-on display option, which allows users to glance at the time, date, and notifications without fully waking up the device. The display also supports a blue light filter, reducing eye strain during prolonged usage, and adaptive brightness, which automatically adjusts the screen brightness based on ambient lighting conditions.

Overall, the Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL offers a satisfactory display experience with its decent size, resolution, color accuracy, and brightness levels. While it may not have some advanced features like HDR or OLED technology, it still provides a reliable and visually pleasing display for everyday use.

Performance

The Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL offers a satisfactory performance, making it a decent option for budget-conscious users. Powered by either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 or Snapdragon 430 chipset, the phone delivers reliable performance for everyday tasks. The quad-core or octa-core processors clocked at 1.4 GHz provide sufficient power for multitasking and app loading speeds, ensuring a smooth user experience. The device's system optimization allows for lag-free performance and efficient thermal management.

In terms of GPU benchmarks, the Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL's Adreno 308 or Adreno 505 GPU delivers satisfactory graphics performance. Although not designed for intensive gaming, the phone can handle casual games with ease. Gaming capabilities are further enhanced by the device's 2GB or 3GB RAM, allowing for a seamless gaming experience.

When it comes to performance metrics, the Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL performs reasonably well in benchmark tests. Synthetic benchmarks indicate satisfactory processor efficiency, providing enough power to handle daily tasks without significant slowdowns. The GPU efficiency is also commendable, ensuring smooth graphics rendering during casual gaming sessions.

While the Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL may not achieve top scores in benchmark tests compared to higher-end smartphones, it offers a practical and reliable performance within its price range. The device strikes a balance between affordability and functionality, making it suitable for users who prioritize budget-friendly options without compromising on essential features.

Overall, the Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL provides a satisfactory performance for its intended target audience. It offers smooth multitasking, app loading speeds, and a lag-free user experience. Although it may not excel in intensive tasks or high-end gaming, it delivers reliable performance for everyday use. The phone's processor efficiency and GPU benchmarks indicate its capability to handle casual gaming and graphics with ease. Considering its affordable price point, the Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL is a practical choice for users seeking a budget-friendly smartphone with decent performance.

Software and User Interface

The Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL runs on the Android 8 (Oreo) operating system with ZenUI 5 customization. This combination offers a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. The ZenUI 5 brings a host of features and customization options to enhance the user experience. It provides a clean and intuitive interface with smooth animations and transitions.

One of the advantages of the ZenUI 5 is that it comes with minimal pre-installed apps, avoiding unnecessary bloatware that can take up storage space and slow down the device. This allows users to have more control over what apps they want to install and use. The pre-installed apps that come with the device are useful and practical, enhancing the overall functionality of the phone.

The software of the Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL also offers a range of features and settings that can be customized according to the user's preferences. From changing the theme and layout to adjusting the notification settings and app permissions, users have the flexibility to personalize their device to suit their needs.

In terms of performance, the ZenUI 5 provides a smooth and responsive user experience, thanks to the optimization done by Asus. The device is powered by either a Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 or Snapdragon 430 processor, depending on the variant. These processors, combined with the Adreno graphics, ensure that the phone can handle day-to-day tasks and casual gaming without any significant lag or slowdown.

Overall, the software of the Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL offers a user-friendly interface, minimal bloatware, and customization options that enhance the overall user experience. With the Android 8 (Oreo) operating system and ZenUI 5, users can enjoy a smooth and responsive performance while being able to personalize their device according to their preferences.

Camera

The Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL comes with a dual-camera setup, featuring a 13 MP primary camera with an aperture of f/2.0 and phase detection autofocus (PDAF). The secondary camera is an 8 MP ultrawide lens that allows for capturing wider angles of view. With its 13 MP sensor, the Zenfone Max (M1) is capable of producing detailed images with good sharpness and clarity. The camera performs well in daylight photography, delivering natural colors and a decent dynamic range. Indoors, it can capture images with satisfactory sharpness and minimal noise. However, in low-light conditions, the camera struggles a bit, producing images with noticeable noise and reduced sharpness. The phone's camera app offers various shooting modes such as portrait mode, HDR, and panorama mode, allowing users to experiment and capture creative shots. Additionally, the camera supports video recording up to 1080p resolution, but it lacks 4K video capability. The absence of optical image stabilization (OIS) results in slightly shaky videos, but electronic image stabilization (EIS) helps in reducing some of the shakiness. Overall, the camera of the Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL is suitable for everyday photography needs, providing decent image quality and a range of shooting options.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL offers a range of connectivity options to keep users connected on the go. It supports dual SIM functionality, allowing users to use two different SIM cards simultaneously. This is useful for those who want to separate work and personal contacts or take advantage of different network plans. The device also supports network compatibility with GSM, HSPA, and LTE, ensuring reliable connectivity in various regions.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the Zenfone Max (M1) supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n standards, allowing users to connect to Wi-Fi networks for fast and reliable internet access. The Bluetooth 4.2 version enables wireless data transfer and connection to other Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as headphones or speakers. However, there is no mention of NFC support, which means contactless payments or file sharing may not be possible.

For charging and data transfer, the Zenfone Max (M1) uses a microUSB 2.0 port and does not support USB-C. While it does not offer wireless charging capabilities, the device does come with a large 4000mAh non-removable battery, ensuring long-lasting usage. Additionally, GPS and GLONASS support provide accurate navigation and location services.

Overall, the Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL offers a decent array of connectivity options, including dual SIM support, LTE compatibility, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, and GPS. However, the lack of NFC and USB-C may be a drawback for some users.

Additional Features

The Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL comes with a range of additional features that enhance its functionality. Firstly, it offers expandable storage through a dedicated microSD card slot, allowing users to easily increase the device's storage capacity. This is especially useful for those who require more space for multimedia files and apps. Additionally, the device supports dual SIM functionality, enabling users to use two SIM cards simultaneously. This is beneficial for those who want to separate personal and work contacts or take advantage of different network plans. The Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL also includes a set of advanced sensors, such as an accelerometer and gyroscope, which enable various motion-based features and gaming experiences. Overall, these additional features make the Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL a versatile and practical choice for users.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL is a mid-range smartphone that competes with other devices in the market. When comparing it with related gadgets, such as the Xiaomi Redmi 6A and the Samsung Galaxy J4, the Zenfone Max (M1) offers some unique features and competitive specifications.

In terms of design, the Zenfone Max (M1) has a glass front, plastic back, and plastic frame, which gives it a premium look. Its 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels provides a decent viewing experience, although it falls short compared to the higher resolution displays found on some competitors.

Under the hood, the Zenfone Max (M1) is powered by either a Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 or Snapdragon 430 chipset, depending on the variant. While these processors may not be the most powerful in the market, they offer smooth performance for everyday tasks. In comparison, the Xiaomi Redmi 6A also features a Snapdragon 425 chipset, while the Samsung Galaxy J4 comes with an Exynos 7570 processor.

One area where the Zenfone Max (M1) excels is its battery life. With its 4000mAh battery, it offers excellent endurance, allowing users to go through a full day without needing to recharge. This is an advantage over the Redmi 6A and Galaxy J4, which have smaller battery capacities.

Camera-wise, the Zenfone Max (M1) sports a dual 13MP + 8MP rear camera setup, which performs reasonably well in various lighting conditions. It also has an 8MP or 13MP front camera, depending on the variant. In comparison, the Redmi 6A and Galaxy J4 have single rear and front cameras, which may not offer the same level of versatility.

In terms of pricing, the Zenfone Max (M1) sits at around 150 EUR, which makes it a value-for-money option in the mid-range segment. The Redmi 6A and Galaxy J4 also fall into a similar price range, providing consumers with several choices within this budget category.

Overall, the Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL holds its own against competitors in terms of features, performance, and price. Its strong battery life and dual rear camera setup give it a competitive advantage, making it a compelling choice for consumers looking for a reliable mid-range smartphone.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL offers a decent set of features at an affordable price point. Its compact design and lightweight build make it comfortable to hold and carry around. The 5.5-inch IPS LCD display provides vibrant colors and good viewing angles. The Qualcomm Snapdragon processor ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks and light gaming. The 13MP dual rear camera captures detailed and sharp photos, while the 8MP front camera is suitable for selfies. The 4000mAh battery offers impressive endurance, allowing for a full day of usage. Overall, the Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB555KL is a reliable budget smartphone that delivers value for money to potential buyers.