The ZenFone Max Pro M2 is ASUS' latest entry-level smartphone. But despite its affordable price tag (just S$349) the phone has a Snapdragon 660 processor with 6GB RAM, 64GB storage, a dedicated MicroSD card slot compatible with cards up to 2TB, a 6.3-inch Full HD+ display, stock Android OS, and a whopping 5,000mAh battery.
The Max Pro M2 has a 6.3-inch 2,280 x 1,080 pixels (400ppi) 19:9 aspect ratio IPS LCD display with a relatively small notch at the top. The display is protected by Corning's latest Gorilla Glass 6.
The glass rear is finished with an ultra-reflective, almost holographic "Wave Design" that ASUS says is inspired by water. The finish looks a lot more premium than the old aluminum rear and according to ASUS, requires 16 layers of dynamic optical finish to achieve.
The phone has a 12-megapixel f/1.8 1.25μm pixel size main camera, with a 5-megapixel depth sensor as the secondary lens. The camera is using Sony's new IMX486 sensor. ASUS is also bringing its AI photography features to the Max line, and the Max Pro M2 can recognize and enhance 13 scenes and objects.
On the bottom, you'll find a headphone jack, which is always welcome, but surprisingly, the phone is still using a micro-USB port for charging and data transfer.
The Max M2 is essentially a stripped down version of the Max Pro M2. It has the same size 6.3-inch display, but only has a HD 1,520 x 720 pixels resolution (267ppi).
Design-wise, the Max M2 looks very similar to last year's Max Pro M1 with a plastic frame and an aluminum insert in the rear.
On the rear, there's a dual camera setup that pairs a 13-megapixel f/1.8 wide angle camera with a 2-megapixel depth sensor. Like Max Pro M2, the Max M2 also has ASUS' AI scene and object recognition features.
The phone has a massive 4,000mAh battery. Like the Max Pro M2, there's a micro-USB port on the bottom for charging and data transfer. The headphone jack, however, is on the top of the phone.
The Max Pro M2 will be available in Midnight Blue on 26th December 12th January 2019 exclusively online at ASUS stores on Lazada, Qoo10 and Shopee for S$349.
The Max M2 will be available in Midnight Black in January February 2019 exclusively online at ASUS stores on Lazada, Qoo10 and Shopee for S$239.