Unveiling the Asus Zenfone 4 Max Pro ZC554KL Specs Prices and Insights

Overview of Asus Zenfone 4 Max Pro ZC554KL

The Asus Zenfone 4 Max Pro ZC554KL was released in September 2017, and quickly became known for its impressive battery life, photographic abilities, and well-rounded specs, all wrapped up in an affordable package. This smartphone was aimed at users looking for an excellent all-day performance device without having to break the bank. The phone boasts a sleek design with a glass front, aluminum back, and frame, bringing a premium feel to a mid-range phone.

Design and Build Quality

The design of the Zenfone 4 Max Pro is classic yet elegant. At 154 x 76.9 x 8.9 mm, and weighing 181g, the device feels sturdy and balanced in hand. Its aluminum frame and back not only offer durability but also add a refined aesthetic appeal. The phone features dual SIM slots, supporting Nano-SIM with dual standby, which is a boon for users who need a separate number for work or travel purposes.

Display

The device comes equipped with a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display, offering a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels. While this resolution might seem modest by today's standards, it ensures decent clarity and vividness for multimedia consumption. The screen-to-body ratio stands at approximately 70.4%, which is fairly standard, but offers a pleasant viewing experience thanks to the IPS technology that provides good color accuracy and viewing angles.

Performance

Under the hood, the Zenfone 4 Max Pro houses a Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 chipset, featuring a quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU clocked at 1.4 GHz. There's also a variant with Snapdragon 430 and an octa-core Cortex-A53 setup. The device comes with 2GB or 3GB RAM options, alongside 32GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a dedicated microSDXC slot.

The Adreno 308 GPU ensures that basic graphical tasks and casual gaming run smoothly, although the device might struggle with more graphically-intensive applications. The phone operates on Android 7 (Nougat) with Asus's ZenUI 4, which provides a user-friendly interface and smooth operations for day-to-day use.

Camera Performance

One of the standout features of the Zenfone 4 Max Pro is its camera setup. The main camera boasts a 16 MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture. It includes features like PDAF for fast auto-focus, HDR, panorama mode, and an LED flash for low-light conditions. The front camera does not disappoint either, offering the same 16 MP resolution with an f/2.0 aperture, and additional features like an ultrawide 18mm lens and its own LED flash to enhance selfie quality.

Both cameras support video recording at 1080p@30fps, capturing videos that are clear and adequately detailed. The overall camera performance, with its variety of modes and features, provides users with flexibility in capturing their memories vividly.

Battery Life

The defining feature of the Zenfone 4 Max Pro is undoubtedly its battery life. The phone houses a non-removable 5000 mAh Li-Po battery, a standout feature that provides an exceptional standby time of up to 1104 hours (3G) and talk time of up to 40 hours (3G). This large battery capacity ensures that the device can easily last through a full day of heavy usage or even two days with moderate use.

The device also supports 18W fast charging, minimizing downtime and keeping you connected for longer periods. Furthermore, the Zenfone 4 Max Pro supports reverse charging, positioning it as a power bank in times of need, which is a unique and incredibly useful feature.

Connectivity and Additional Features

Connectivity options are robust, with support for GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks. The device offers reliable connections thanks to its compatibility with various network bands, promising decent internet speeds via HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps and LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps.

The phone includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.1, and GPS, GLONASS, BDS, and GALILEO for positioning. While it lacks NFC and radio capabilities, it compensates with other features such as a front-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and compass.

Sound and Audio

The Zenfone 4 Max Pro carries earbuds jack, keeping traditional audio connections alive for those who prioritize wired audio fidelity. The loudspeaker quality is adequate for a device within its category, providing clear sound output for calls and media.

Price and Availability

At launch, the device was priced at approximately €250, positioning itself as a competitive choice within the mid-range smartphone market. Available in a range of colors—Deepsea Black, Sunlight Gold, and Rose Pink—users can choose a variant that best matches their style.

Conclusion

The Asus Zenfone 4 Max Pro ZC554KL is a solid contender in the mid-range smartphone market. With its outstanding battery life, competent camera setup, and reliable performance, it appeals to users who value practicality and endurance over the absolute latest specs. While it might not compete with flagship models, it offers excellent value for its price range, catering well to its target audience.