W hat is the most needed mobile phone user nowadays? The answer is certainly varied because everyone is different needs. For me, the camera is the most important feature because it likes photography, but lazy to bring a worn DSLR camera. Second, long battery life because of lazy take power bank or often charging. Surprisingly, Asus has just launched a new smartphone that was featured both these features through the product Asus Zenfone 4 Max Pro ZC554KL.
Asus Zenfone 4 Max Pro series as a pioneer for Zenfone smartphone product line of other fourth generation which according to information from the Asus Indonesia will be released in October 2017 range. Why do I say this phone features both features?
Because of the ASUS ZenFone 4 Max Pro ZC554KL is the first mainstream smartphone with dual camera features and uses a battery of 5.000mAh. Well, curious what kind of quality mobile phones are priced only three millions of this? Let us review more details of this one product.
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DESIGN
Once the phone out of the box, I immediately like the design of this phone. Because it is not too feminine like some of the today’s mobile phones. Deepsea Black color looks elegant, a blend of dark colors and navy blue class.
Neat design with good build quality using unibody concept made from aluminum-alloy with the sandblasted finish and curved angle very comfortable grip. Chamfered edge with diamond-cut and 2.5D contoured glass coating make it feel natural when in the palm of the hand. It’s a bit fat as a consequence of the use of a capacity of 5000 mAh battery which would require extra space. But still relatively comfortable to hold and make it look more masculine.
The concept is no different from Android smartphones in general. There is a large screen size of 5.5 “on the surface. At the bottom, there is a softkey for back and recent apps.While in the middle of the button for the fingerprint.Rear only there is a dual camera lens and LED Flash.While the placement of ports and buttons around the body the phone pertained neatly.
DISPLAY
This phone has a screen with a size that is familiar today is 5.5 “.Screen size is good enough for watching videos, Instagram photos, and browsing.Resolution 720p HD, not Full HD 1080p, as one way to reduce the price Most mobile phones in this class are still in 720p class only though there are some phones that already use 1080p.
In general, the screen quality is quite good. Moreover, ASUS also has included features Blue Light Filter to reduce the effect of blue light exposure on the screen that if too long subject to eye can make sick. I usually always enable this feature, even though the screen display is a bit yellowish. Somewhat strange fit at first, but over time when it’s used, will be more comfortable in the eye.
The interface using Zen UI 4.0 is quite familiar. There is a large collection of themes, icons, and wallpapers here. Some paid, some are free. Suitable for those who like to get bored with standard templates.
CAMERA
Dual Camera has become a trend in the today smartphone world. Asus did not want to miss the moment. They first released a Dual Camera smartphone since the Asus Zenfone 3 Zoom type. And now in the fourth generation, all types use the dual camera. Is it simply following the trend or really improving the photography experience? This needs further scrutiny.
Asus Zenfone 4 Max Pro has 16 MP PixelMaster main camera F / 2.0 aperture and the other camera that serves as a wide-angle lens with a viewing angle of up to 120 degrees. Unlike its predecessor Zenfone Zoom S, the approach is similar to that done by some variants of dual camera LG which is the only standard, the other is wide-angle. Wide-angle lens is perfect for shooting landscapes (landscape) or photographing in the building space is limited so that add effects look more widespread
We can easily shift the use of the standard lens or wide-angle lens with menus contained in the camera interface. When shooting, the phase detection auto focus can get a fast focus, up to 0.03 seconds both when aiming silent objects or be moving.
PixelMaster interface on Asus Zenfone 4 Max Pro is quite familiar like in other Zenfone lines. Comes with a wide selection of camera modes. Starting from Auto, Pro, Beauty, Super Resolution, Panorama, Gif Animation and Timelapse.
Unlike the previous, now Auto mode is equipped with low-light technology and HDR Pro as well. Allows users to capture images of objects clearly even in backlight conditions. The Super Resolution mode takes several photos at a time, then combines them into a detailed and sharp 64-megapixel photo resolution.
While on the front, there is a 16MP selfie camera and LED Flash. The intuitive Beauty Mode makes it possible to apply additional effects to make the face more beautiful. Of course, this feature is more suitable for women. Because they are the most hobby selfie.
For video, the maximum quality of the recording is Full HD 1080p, not yet up to 4K UHD level. Not equipped with OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer) were for mobile phones worth 3 million is very rare. OIS function is to reduce shocks, vibrations, and movements that are not in want to produce the best video quality. Instead, ASUS features Electronic image stabilizer (EIS) with similar functionality, but electronically. Optical quality with electronic is, of course, different, but it is rather than nothing.
Well, what about the quality of the photographs? For some reason, the feature that should be the main force in this phone is actually a result below my expectations. Photos in the daytime with sufficient light, the result is of course good. But if it is indoors, feels once a decline in quality. Less sharp and noise. Likewise photos during the day when enlarged or viewed on the computer screen, still below the average Dual Camera phone on the market.
Next, I realized, this phone costs only IDR 3 million (estimated USD 250). Then the chipset is also used to lower middle class is Snapdragon 430, I was so understandable. Although it should be, the quality of the camera can still be better.
Here are some of the photos I took from the Asus Zenfone 4 Max Pro camera:
For more photos please check our Flickr album.
PERFORMANCE
Among consumers, ASUS is synonymous with mid-range smartphones with prices in the range of IDR 3 million. This is a challenge when companies attempt to enter the premium segment where sales response is less encouraging. For example, Zenfone 3 Deluxe is priced IDR 9juta and IDR 11 million, consumers will prefer other brands.
Well, Asus Zenfone 4 Max Pro is still maintained so as not to get out of the psychological figures above. Therefore, the specifications are adjusted. In addition to the HD resolution screen, the chipset only uses the middle class down the Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 Mobile Platform with 64-bit Octa-core Processor. For middle-class chipsets, Qualcomm has 6 series, while for premium 8 series.
Of course, with such a capital, we can not expect much performance as nimble as on the processor on it. At least, for everyday use such as social media access, chat, email, browsing, light games, can be managed properly.
BATTERY
This is the most important feature in Asus Zenfone 4 Max Pro. Taiwanese technology company that includes a 5000mAh battery powered to save maximum power with the smallest size possible. With that much battery capital, we can do more online activities, stream longer video, and call as many as you want without fear of running out of battery.
Asus Zenfone 4 Max Pro is equipped with power management technology that optimizes battery usage, ensures security and long-term performance, can charge other smartphones (reverse charging) and many other things. By enabling the ‘double battery lifespan’ feature, the device is claimed to be fully charged (to 100%) and discharge (to 0%) up to 500 times in a 250C environment.
Zenfone 4 Max Pro has a 10W charging (5V / 2A) charging feature to charge 5000 mAh battery. With charging for 15 minutes, Zenfone 4 Max Pro can be used to make phone calls for 3 hours. It takes about 4 hours to charge Zenfone 4 Max Pro to full. Relatively longer than others which averaged only 2 hours. Naturally, because the capacity of the battery is also larger. And most importantly its battery resistance is amazing.
I am really satisfied with the performance of this phone battery. I try to use as a second phone (backup) with usage which is not very often. It turns out the phone can last up to 4 days. Absolutely durable. Even if used as a main phone, this phone may still be able to stand wear for up to two days.
In fact, we can arrange for longer battery life. Go to Battery Mode feature in Power Master app, then choose Super Saving Mode. When activated, Zenfone 4 Max is able to survive 91 hours in standby state even if the battery is 10%. Incredible is not it? But for this mode, the internet network is disabled so that it can only be used for calling, SMS, and alarm. Suitable for an emergency.
CONCLUSION
You belong to active smartphone users and often complain about the phone battery quickly run out, often forget to bring the charger cable, lazy to take power bank, then Asus Zenfone 4 Max Pro is perfect for you. The 5000 mAh battery on this smartphone will never again disappoint you. But if the reason you buy this phone because it is tempted with Dual Camera features, should not be too high expectations. After all, this is a middle-class phone with limited specifications.
For Asus, this is an opportunity to strengthen its penetration in the market. Although now the competition is getting tighter. Because many other manufacturers are playing at this price. Even recently one of the competitors released a smartphone in the price range of the specifications are quite tempting.
Asus Zenfone 4 Max Pro Tech Specs
