Asus Zenfone 4 Max Review

Introduction

Another member of Asus’ Zenfone 4 line-up has just arrived at our doorstep – the

In the box:

• Asus Zenfone 4 Max
• USB charging cable and wall adapter
• Micro USB to USB-A male to female adapter
• SIM tool
• User guides and warranty information

Design

Solid, plain, functional, in a variety of colors.

The Asus Zenfone 4 Max won’t be the most beautiful phone you see in 2017, but considering its direct competition, it’s not a bad-looking phone either. The face of the phone is all black (or white, depending on the color you get) with little to remark on other than a fingerprint scanner, non-backlit, haptic navigation keys, and a front-facing camera with flash. Turning the device around, you’ll be pleased to find a full metal casing. Our unit was a deep navy blue, curiously (or perhaps, aptly) named Deepsea Black. The screen raises slightly from the rest of the frame, and is surrounded by a thin bevel of polished, slightly-lighter-blue plastic. Unfortunately, this is a fairly soft plastic, which will be the first thing to chip from even small drops, but we’d rather have this take damage than the screen itself. The same light-blue accent is also used to create two thin horizontal cuts in the aluminum body – one near the top, and one near the bottom – which break up the monotony of the phone’s backing. The dual cameras protrude slightly, but we’re not especially worried about it. All the buttons are very clicky and firm, and the phone has an overall solid, comfortable feel in the hand. Thankfully, the 5000mAh battery doesn’t weigh it down much.

Display

When will manufacturers stop stretching 720p on phablet-sized screens?

Equipped with a 5.5-inch IPS display, the Zenfone 4 Max has a 720p (720 x 1280) resolution, which spreads pixels pretty thin. The 267 ppi can be easily seen blurring smaller text and images, making reading on this phone one of our least favorite things to do. Looking at full-screen pictures or videos will be generally pleasing, though. Colors appear mostly accurate, albeit somewhat pale. You won’t notice this too much while engrossed in 720p video or checking the pictures you’ve snapped, though.

Another member of Asus’ Zenfone 4 line-up has just arrived at our doorstep – the Zenfone 4 Max . As Asus seems to do every year, it is offering a series of phones, from mid-range to high-end, which all have a specific strength or two. The Zenfone 4 Max not only “maxes” out the battery, with a 5000mAh cell, but also focuses on providing a camera with solid capability and range. The dual-camera setup features a standard, 13MP main camera paired with a 120-degree-wide, 5MP secondary shooter. All of this comes with a competitive price tag – $199.99 to be exact. So, does Asus deliver on its promised dedication to photography and mid-range value?The Asus Zenfone 4 Max won’t be the most beautiful phone you see in 2017, but considering its direct competition, it’s not a bad-looking phone either. The face of the phone is all black (or white, depending on the color you get) with little to remark on other than a fingerprint scanner, non-backlit, haptic navigation keys, and a front-facing camera with flash. Turning the device around, you’ll be pleased to find a full metal casing. Our unit was a deep navy blue, curiously (or perhaps, aptly) named Deepsea Black. The screen raises slightly from the rest of the frame, and is surrounded by a thin bevel of polished, slightly-lighter-blue plastic. Unfortunately, this is a fairly soft plastic, which will be the first thing to chip from even small drops, but we’d rather have this take damage than the screen itself. The same light-blue accent is also used to create two thin horizontal cuts in the aluminum body – one near the top, and one near the bottom – which break up the monotony of the phone’s backing. The dual cameras protrude slightly, but we’re not especially worried about it. All the buttons are very clicky and firm, and the phone has an overall solid, comfortable feel in the hand. Thankfully, the 5000mAh battery doesn’t weigh it down much.Equipped with a 5.5-inch IPS display, the Zenfone 4 Max has a 720p (720 x 1280) resolution, which spreads pixels pretty thin. The 267 ppi can be easily seen blurring smaller text and images, making reading on this phone one of our least favorite things to do. Looking at full-screen pictures or videos will be generally pleasing, though. Colors appear mostly accurate, albeit somewhat pale. You won’t notice this too much while engrossed in 720p video or checking the pictures you’ve snapped, though.