Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL 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) ZB556KL is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers impressive features without breaking the bank. With a sleek design and a compact 5.45-inch IPS LCD display, this phone is perfect for those who prefer a smaller form factor. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor and 3GB of RAM, it delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks and multitasking. The 13MP rear camera captures stunning photos with its wide aperture lens, while the 8MP front camera ensures great selfies even in low-light conditions. The 4000mAh battery provides all-day power, and the fingerprint sensor on the back adds an extra layer of security. Overall, the Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL offers excellent value for money with its affordable price and impressive features.

Design and Build Quality

The Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL boasts a design that is both sleek and practical. With dimensions of 147.3 x 70.9 x 8.7 mm (5.80 x 2.79 x 0.34 in) and weighing in at 150g (5.29 oz), this device is compact and lightweight, making it comfortable to hold and carry around. The phone features a glass front, plastic back, and a plastic frame, which gives it a premium look without compromising on durability. The use of these materials also helps keep the device lightweight. The phone is available in two color options, Deepsea Black and Sunlight Gold, allowing users to choose the one that best suits their personal style.

The Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL sports a 5.45-inch IPS LCD display, providing a clear and vibrant viewing experience. The display has a resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels and an aspect ratio of 16:10, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 247 ppi. While the screen-to-body ratio is around 82.8%, it could be considered slightly lower compared to some of its competitors. However, the size of the device makes it easy to operate with one hand and fits comfortably in the pocket.

In terms of construction, the phone is solidly built and offers good durability. It features a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for convenient and secure unlocking. The device also incorporates other essential sensors like an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass.

Overall, the Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL excels in its physical appearance and ergonomic design. The combination of the glass front, plastic back, and plastic frame gives it an attractive aesthetic while keeping it lightweight. The compact size and comfortable grip make it a convenient device for everyday use. With its durable construction and essential sensors, it offers users a reliable and user-friendly experience.

Display

The Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL features a 5.45-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels. With its 16:10 aspect ratio, the screen provides a decent viewing experience for multimedia consumption and everyday tasks. The display offers good color accuracy and vibrancy, making images and videos look lively. In terms of brightness levels, the Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL performs adequately indoors, but it may struggle a bit under direct sunlight due to its average outdoor visibility.

The touch responsiveness of the display is satisfactory, allowing for smooth navigation and efficient use of the device. Unfortunately, the screen lacks any specific display protection such as Gorilla Glass, which could make it more susceptible to scratches and damage.

With a pixel density of approximately 247 pixels per inch, the Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL offers decent sharpness for a budget device. However, it lacks a high refresh rate or HDR support, limiting its ability to deliver enhanced visual experiences. Additionally, the device does not feature a wide color gamut, which could affect the color accuracy in certain scenarios.

The viewing angles on the Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL are decent, ensuring that the display remains visible even when viewed from different angles. However, it does not have an anti-reflective coating, which may result in some glare in brightly lit environments.

The device does not have a notch design, and its bezels are relatively thick compared to more modern smartphones. This leads to a screen-to-body ratio that is not as high as some other devices in its price range.

While the Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL lacks features like an always-on display and a blue light filter, it does offer adaptive brightness, which adjusts the screen brightness based on ambient lighting conditions. Users can also calibrate the display settings according to their preferences. Overall, the display of the Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL might not be the most advanced, but it provides a satisfactory visual experience for everyday use.

Performance

The Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL offers a decent performance that caters to the needs of budget-conscious users. Powered by the Qualcomm MSM8937 Snapdragon 430 chipset and an octa-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, this device delivers satisfactory performance for day-to-day tasks and light multitasking. The GPU, Adreno 505, ensures smooth graphics rendering, making it suitable for casual gaming and multimedia consumption.

In terms of benchmark scores, the Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL showcases its capabilities. It achieves an AnTuTu score of 57,845, indicating its overall performance in synthetic benchmarks. The GeekBench score of 2,434 further highlights its processor efficiency, enabling smooth app loading speeds and multitasking capabilities. When it comes to gaming benchmarks, the device manages to offer a satisfactory gaming experience with a GFXBench score of 5.2fps in ES 3.1 onscreen test.

One of the strengths of the Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL is its system optimization and thermal management. Despite its budget-friendly nature, the device manages to provide a lag-free performance and maintains a smooth user experience. Thanks to the efficient chipset and GPU, users can expect a stable performance during extended gaming sessions or resource-intensive tasks.

The Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL may not be the best choice for intensive gaming or demanding applications, but it performs admirably considering its price point. It strikes a balance between affordability and functionality, making it suitable for users who prioritize a smooth user experience over high-end performance. With its 3GB RAM and 32GB internal storage, it offers ample space for storing apps, media files, and documents.

In conclusion, the Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL provides a satisfactory performance for its price range. Its chipset performance, GPU benchmarks, and overall gaming capabilities allow for a decent gaming experience. The CPU benchmarks and multitasking performance ensure smooth app loading speeds and lag-free usage. The device's system optimization and thermal management contribute to its smooth user experience and efficient performance. While it may not excel in high-end gaming or demanding applications, it delivers a reliable performance for everyday tasks, making it a suitable choice for budget-conscious users.

Software and User Interface

The Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL runs on the Android 8 (Oreo) operating system with ZenUI 5 customization. This combination offers a user-friendly interface with a range of features and options for personalization. The ZenUI 5 offers a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to navigate through the device.

One of the advantages of the ZenUI 5 is the absence of excessive pre-installed apps or bloatware. This ensures that users have a clutter-free experience and can choose which apps they want to install according to their needs. The device comes with essential apps such as Google's suite of applications, along with some useful Asus apps like the File Manager and Calculator.

The software also includes some additional features and customization options. Users can customize the home screen layout, choose from various themes, and even change the icon shapes. The ZenUI 5 also includes some handy features like gestures and shortcuts, which allow users to access certain functions quickly with a simple swipe or tap.

Overall, the software on the Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL offers a smooth and user-friendly experience. The Android 8 (Oreo) operating system provides a stable platform, and the ZenUI 5 customization adds some useful features and customization options without overwhelming the user with unnecessary apps. With its clean interface and user-friendly design, navigating through the device and accessing various functions is a breeze.

Camera

The Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL is equipped with a 13-megapixel rear camera featuring an f/2.0 aperture and a wide-angle lens. With a focal length of 1/3.1" and 1.12µm pixels, this camera allows for detailed and sharp images. The device also incorporates PDAF (Phase Detection Autofocus) technology, ensuring quick and accurate focusing.

In terms of image quality, the Zenfone Max (M1) excels in daylight photography, capturing vibrant and natural colors with good dynamic range. The camera produces sharp images with sufficient detail, thanks to its capable sensor size. When it comes to indoor and outdoor photography, the camera performs well, although low-light performance is not its strongest suit.

To enhance low-light sensitivity, the Zenfone Max (M1) offers a night mode that utilizes noise reduction techniques. While this mode improves image quality in dimly lit environments, it is not as effective as some higher-end smartphone cameras. Additionally, the device lacks optical image stabilization (OIS), which can affect stability and smoothness in video recording and low-light photography.

The camera app on the Zenfone Max (M1) provides various features such as portrait mode, HDR, panorama mode, and pro mode, giving users the flexibility to experiment with different shooting styles. It also incorporates AI scene recognition, which can identify different scenes and adjust camera settings accordingly.

When it comes to video recording, the Zenfone Max (M1) is capable of capturing 1080p videos at 30fps with gyro-EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization). However, it does not support 4K video recording. The device also offers slow-motion video and time-lapse features, allowing users to add creative elements to their videos.

Overall, the camera of the Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL offers a decent photography experience, particularly in well-lit environments. While it may not match the image quality and low-light performance of higher-end smartphones, it provides a range of features and functions that cater to the needs of budget-conscious consumers.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL offers a range of connectivity options to keep users connected on the go. It supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE network technologies, ensuring compatibility with various carriers. The device features dual SIM capabilities, allowing users to easily switch between two SIM cards for better convenience and flexibility. In terms of wireless connectivity, it supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n standards, enabling fast and reliable internet access. Bluetooth 4.0 is available for seamless wireless communication with other compatible devices. Unfortunately, NFC is not supported on this device. For data transfer and charging, it comes with a microUSB 2.0 port. Users can also use the device as a mobile hotspot to share their internet connection with other devices. GPS, GLONASS, and BDS are available for accurate navigation. The Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL does not support 5G connectivity, but it provides reliable LTE connectivity for fast data speeds. Overall, the device offers a decent range of connectivity features for users to stay connected and enjoy their digital experiences.

Additional Features

The Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL does not come with any additional features like water resistance, dust resistance, or wireless charging. However, it does offer some notable features that enhance its functionality. The device comes with dual SIM card slots, allowing users to use two SIM cards simultaneously. This is especially useful for individuals who want to separate their personal and professional contacts or for those who frequently travel and need to use different SIM cards. Additionally, the phone is equipped with a range of sensors, including an accelerometer and a gyroscope, which enable advanced motion tracking and provide a seamless user experience. While the Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL lacks certain high-end features, it compensates with its reliable performance and expandable storage option through a dedicated microSD card slot.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers decent features at an affordable price. When compared to other related devices in the market, such as the Xiaomi Redmi 6A and the Samsung Galaxy J2 Core, the Zenfone Max (M1) holds its own.

In terms of specifications, the Zenfone Max (M1) features a 5.45-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor and comes with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, expandable via a microSD card slot.

The main camera of the Zenfone Max (M1) is a 13MP sensor with features like LED flash, HDR, and panorama. On the front, there is an 8MP selfie camera with an LED flash as well. The device runs on Android 8 (Oreo) with the ZenUI 5 skin on top.

One of the standout features of the Zenfone Max (M1) is its massive 4000mAh battery, which allows for long hours of usage without the need for frequent charging. It also supports 10W wired charging.

When it comes to performance, the Zenfone Max (M1) performs adequately for its price range. It has an AnTuTu benchmark score of 57845 and a GeekBench score of 2434. While it may not be the most powerful device on the market, it offers a smooth user experience for everyday tasks.

In terms of pricing, the Zenfone Max (M1) is priced at around 120 EUR, making it a competitive option in the budget segment. It offers good value for money with its decent specifications and reliable performance.

In the competitive landscape, the Zenfone Max (M1) faces tough competition from devices like the Xiaomi Redmi 6A and the Samsung Galaxy J2 Core. However, it differentiates itself with its larger battery capacity and slightly better camera capabilities.

Overall, the Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL offers a compelling package for budget-conscious consumers. It provides decent specifications, good battery life, and competitive pricing, making it a viable option in the market.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers decent features and performance. Its compact size and lightweight design make it easy to handle and carry around. The display quality is satisfactory, providing sharp visuals and vibrant colors. The camera performance is commendable, capturing good quality photos and videos. The battery life is impressive, lasting throughout the day with moderate usage. However, the absence of fast charging and the outdated Android version may be a drawback for some users. Overall, if you are looking for an affordable smartphone with decent specifications and reliable performance, the Asus Zenfone Max (M1) ZB556KL can be a suitable choice.