Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL 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 (M2) ZB633KL is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers impressive features without breaking the bank. With its sleek design and large 6.26-inch IPS LCD display, you can enjoy an immersive viewing experience. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 chipset and up to 4GB of RAM, this phone delivers smooth performance for your everyday tasks. Capture stunning photos with its dual 13MP + 2MP rear cameras and take beautiful selfies with the 8MP front camera. The device also comes with a generous 4000mAh battery, ensuring long-lasting usage. Available in black and blue, the Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL is a great choice for those seeking affordability and functionality.

Design and Build Quality

The Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL boasts a sleek and well-designed physical appearance that is both aesthetically pleasing and ergonomic. With dimensions of 158.4 x 76.3 x 7.7 mm (6.24 x 3.00 x 0.30 in) and weighing just 160g (5.64 oz), it is a lightweight and compact device that fits comfortably in the hand. The device features a dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) capability, allowing users to easily switch between two different networks.

In terms of construction, the Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL utilizes high-quality materials that contribute to its durability. The device is built with a sturdy frame that can withstand everyday wear and tear, ensuring longevity for users. The back panel of the phone is made of a smooth material that not only adds to its premium look but also provides a comfortable grip.

The display of the Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL is a 6.26-inch IPS LCD panel with a resolution of 720 x 1520 pixels and a 19:9 aspect ratio. While the resolution may not be the highest in the market, it still offers decent image quality with vibrant colors and good viewing angles. The bezels surrounding the display are relatively thin, giving the phone a modern and edge-to-edge look.

One notable feature of the Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL is the rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, which adds convenience and enhances the overall security of the device. It is strategically placed for easy access and provides accurate and fast unlocking.

Overall, the Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL impresses with its well-designed physical appearance, ergonomic build, and durable construction. Its compact size, lightweight nature, and comfortable grip make it a user-friendly device. The use of high-quality materials ensures its durability, while the inclusion of a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor enhances security. Although the display resolution may not be the highest, it still offers good image quality.

Display

The Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL features a 6.26-inch IPS LCD display, offering a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 80.9%. The display has a resolution of 720 x 1520 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of around 269 ppi. With its 19:9 aspect ratio, the device provides an immersive viewing experience for multimedia content and browsing.

In terms of color accuracy and vibrancy, the Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL delivers decent performance. The colors appear natural and vibrant, enhancing the overall visual experience. With its adaptive brightness feature, the device adjusts the screen brightness according to ambient lighting conditions, ensuring optimal visibility.

While the device lacks OLED technology, it compensates with good brightness levels, making the display easily readable even under direct sunlight. The viewing angles are satisfactory, allowing for comfortable viewing from different positions. Additionally, the anti-reflective coating on the display reduces glare and enhances visibility in bright environments.

The Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL does not feature a notch design, opting for slim bezels instead. This design choice provides a more traditional display look, without compromising on the screen-to-body ratio. The device also lacks features like HDR and wide color gamut, limiting its capability to reproduce high dynamic range content and a wide range of colors.

Overall, the display of the Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL offers a satisfactory viewing experience with its decent color accuracy, good brightness levels, and comfortable viewing angles. While it may not have advanced features like OLED technology or HDR support, it provides an immersive display for everyday use.

Performance

The Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL offers a decent performance thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 chipset and Adreno 506 GPU. The octa-core processor, consisting of 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Silver cores, ensures smooth multitasking and app loading speeds. With its 3GB or 4GB of RAM, the device performs well in handling everyday tasks and provides a lag-free experience.

In terms of gaming capabilities, the Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL delivers satisfactory results. The Adreno 506 GPU allows for smooth gameplay and decent graphics scores. Although it may not be the most powerful GPU on the market, it performs well in handling most popular games. Gaming benchmarks reveal that the device can handle games with moderate graphics requirements, providing a satisfactory gaming experience for casual gamers.

When it comes to overall performance, the Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL performs reasonably well in benchmark tests. In synthetic benchmarks such as AnTuTu and GeekBench, it achieves respectable scores of 103243 and 4744 respectively. These scores indicate a good level of processor efficiency and performance.

One of the notable aspects of the Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL is its system optimization and thermal management. The device manages to maintain a smooth user experience even during extended usage periods. It efficiently handles thermal management, preventing overheating issues that could potentially affect performance.

In terms of battery life, the Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL excels with its 4000 mAh battery. This allows for long-lasting usage, especially during light to moderate tasks. The combination of an efficient chipset and a large battery ensures a satisfactory battery performance.

Overall, the Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL offers a commendable performance for its price range. Its chipset and GPU provide a smooth user experience, and its gaming capabilities are suitable for casual gamers. The device performs well in benchmark tests, reflecting its processor efficiency. Additionally, the system optimization and thermal management contribute to a lag-free performance. With its long-lasting battery, the Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL proves to be a reliable choice for users seeking a budget-friendly smartphone with solid performance.

Software and User Interface

The Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL runs on the Android 8.1 Oreo operating system, which is upgradable to Android 9.0 Pie. This ensures that users have access to the latest features and security updates.

In terms of software customization, the Zenfone Max (M2) offers a clean and user-friendly interface. It comes with the stock version of Android, without any heavy customizations or bloatware. This provides a more streamlined experience for users, as they can enjoy the simplicity and familiarity of pure Android.

As for pre-installed apps, the Zenfone Max (M2) includes a few useful applications but does not overload the device with unnecessary bloatware. This allows users to have more control over their device and choose which apps they want to install and use.

The user-friendliness of the software is a notable feature of the Zenfone Max (M2). The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it accessible for both tech-savvy users and those who may be less familiar with smartphones. The inclusion of features like a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor adds to the convenience and ease of use.

Overall, the software experience on the Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL is commendable. With its stock Android interface, minimal bloatware, and user-friendly design, it provides a smooth and enjoyable user experience. Whether you're a casual user or a power user, the Zenfone Max (M2) offers a reliable and efficient software experience.

Camera

The Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL boasts a dual-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 13-megapixel primary camera with an aperture of f/1.8 and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. This camera combination delivers decent image quality with good sharpness and detail representation. In daylight photography, the camera captures images with accurate colors and a satisfactory dynamic range. The camera also performs well in indoor and outdoor photography settings, producing natural colors and maintaining good sharpness.

When it comes to low-light performance, the Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL performs adequately. It features image stabilization, which helps reduce camera shake and blur in low-light conditions. The camera's low-light sensitivity is commendable, allowing for decent night photography. The device also offers a night mode that further enhances low-light performance by reducing noise and improving overall image quality.

The camera app of the Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL is equipped with various features such as portrait mode, HDR, panorama mode, and pro mode, providing users with flexibility in capturing different scenes. The device also includes AI scene recognition, which intelligently detects scenes and adjusts camera settings accordingly for optimal results.

In terms of video recording, the Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL supports up to 4K video capture. It offers video stabilization, ensuring smoother footage even when shooting handheld. Slow-motion video and time-lapse modes are also available, allowing users to add creative elements to their videos. The device supports various video formats, providing versatility in video recording.

Overall, the camera of the Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL offers a satisfying photography experience, especially in well-lit conditions, while also providing decent performance in low-light scenarios. With its range of camera features and video recording capabilities, this device caters to the needs of both photography enthusiasts and casual users.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL offers a range of connectivity options to keep you connected wherever you go. It supports dual SIM functionality, allowing you to use two SIM cards simultaneously. This is particularly useful for those who need to manage personal and work numbers on a single device. In terms of network compatibility, the Zenfone Max (M2) supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE, ensuring that you can connect to various networks for calls, texts, and data. The device also supports 4G LTE, providing faster data speeds for seamless browsing and streaming experiences.

When it comes to wireless connectivity, the Zenfone Max (M2) features Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, allowing you to connect to Wi-Fi networks for faster internet access. It also supports Bluetooth 4.2, enabling you to connect wirelessly to other devices such as headphones, speakers, or smartwatches. Unfortunately, the device does not support NFC, so you won't be able to use it for contactless payments or quick file transfers.

For navigation purposes, the Zenfone Max (M2) comes with GPS, GLONASS, and BDS support, ensuring accurate positioning and reliable navigation. It also includes a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer, although it doesn't support the newer USB-C standard. Additionally, the device features a 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing you to connect wired headphones or speakers.

Overall, the Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL provides a decent range of connectivity options, including dual SIM support, 4G LTE compatibility, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and a microUSB port. While it lacks NFC and USB-C, it still offers sufficient connectivity for everyday use.

Additional Features

The Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL comes with a range of additional features that enhance its functionality. Firstly, it is equipped with a dedicated microSD card slot, allowing for easy storage expansion. This is particularly useful for users who require additional space for their photos, videos, and apps. Additionally, the device supports dual SIM functionality, enabling users to have two separate phone numbers on a single device. This is convenient for those who need to manage personal and work contacts or frequently travel to different regions. The phone also includes an accelerometer and gyroscope, providing advanced motion sensing capabilities. These sensors are useful for various applications such as gaming and fitness tracking. Furthermore, the Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL features a sensor suite that includes additional sensors like proximity and compass, enhancing the overall user experience. However, it is important to note that this device does not offer water resistance or wireless charging capabilities.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL is a mid-range smartphone that offers a decent set of features at an affordable price point. When comparing it to related devices in the market, it competes with phones such as the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, Samsung Galaxy M20, and Realme 3.

In terms of specifications, the Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL sports a 6.26-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1520 pixels. While the display quality is satisfactory, some competitors offer higher resolutions, such as the Redmi Note 7 with its 1080 x 2340 pixels display. However, the Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL stands out with its Android One experience, providing a clean and bloatware-free user interface.

Under the hood, the Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 chipset, which delivers decent performance for day-to-day tasks. Comparatively, the Redmi Note 7 and Galaxy M20 offer slightly more powerful chipsets, providing a smoother and more responsive user experience.

In terms of camera capabilities, the Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL features a dual rear camera setup with a 13 MP primary sensor and a 2 MP depth sensor. While the camera performance is decent, it falls short when compared to the Redmi Note 7's 48 MP primary sensor or the Realme 3's AI-powered camera features.

One of the key advantages of the Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL is its large 4000 mAh battery, which provides excellent battery life. This is particularly appealing when compared to devices like the Galaxy M20, which also offers a large battery but at a higher price point.

In terms of pricing, the Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL is competitively priced, offering good value for money. However, it faces tough competition from devices like the Redmi Note 7 and Realme 3, which offer similar or better specifications at a similar price range.

Overall, the Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL holds its own in the mid-range smartphone market, offering a clean Android One experience, a decent camera, and excellent battery life. However, it faces strong competition from devices with better specifications and similar pricing.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL offers a decent package for budget-conscious buyers. With a large 6.26-inch display and a reliable Snapdragon 632 chipset, it provides smooth performance for everyday tasks. The dual-camera setup captures satisfactory photos, and the 8MP front camera with LED flash is a bonus for selfie enthusiasts. The Android One experience ensures timely updates and a clean user interface. However, the device falls short in terms of display resolution and lacks a USB Type-C port. Nevertheless, with its long-lasting 4000mAh battery and affordable price, the Asus Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL is a suitable option for those seeking a reliable smartphone on a budget.