Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 ZB631KL Features Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Network and Connectivity

The Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M2) ZB631KL supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE technologies. This ensures that users have a wide range of network compatibility options. It features 2G bands including GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900, available for SIM 1 and SIM 2. The 3G bands comprise HSDPA 850, 900, and 2100, and for 4G, bands 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, and 40 are supported. The device offers speeds of HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps and LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps.

Launch and Availability

Announced in December 2018, the Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M2) quickly became available to customers in the same month. This timing was strategic for Asus as it aimed to cater to a segment interested in affordable devices with premium features towards the year's end.

Body and Build

The device sports a sleek design with dimensions of 157.9 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm and weighs 175 grams. Its build consists of a glass front protected by Gorilla Glass 6, a plastic back, and a plastic frame. This combination gives the phone a robust feel while maintaining a lightweight profile. The Zenfone Max Pro (M2) features a dual SIM slot (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by), allowing users to efficiently manage personal and professional contacts.

Display

The phone boasts a 6.26-inch IPS LCD display, occupying approximately 82.0% of the screen-to-body ratio. This display offers a resolution of 1080 x 2280 pixels with a 19:9 aspect ratio, ensuring sharp and vibrant visuals. Moreover, the screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 6, renowned for its robustness and capacity to withstand scratches and drops.

Platform

Running on Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box, the Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M2) is upgradable to Android 9.0 Pie, allowing users to enjoy improvements and new features. The device is powered by the Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 chipset, built on a 14 nm process. This chipset is complemented by an octa-core CPU configuration (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) and an Adreno 512 GPU, ensuring smooth performance and enhanced graphics rendering.

Memory

The phone is available in several memory and storage combinations – 32GB with 3GB RAM, 64GB with either 4GB or 6GB RAM, and 128GB with 4GB RAM. There is a dedicated microSDXC slot for expanding storage, thus offering flexibility to users who require additional space for their files and applications.

Main Camera

The dual main camera setup includes a 12MP primary sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, PDAF, and a 5MP depth sensor with an f/2.4 aperture. This combination enhances the device's capability to capture detailed images along with depth effects. Camera features include LED flash, HDR, and panorama, while video recording is available in 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 30/60fps with gyro-EIS.

Selfie Camera

For selfies, the Zenfone Max Pro (M2) offers a single 13MP camera with an f/2.0 aperture. This wide lens camera features LED flash and HDR to ensure quality selfies in diverse lighting conditions. It can record videos at 1080p @ 30fps.

Sound

The device comes equipped with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, thus catering to traditionalists who prefer wired audio solutions. This configuration remains popular among users who seek quality sound without latency issues.

Communications

The Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M2) includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with Wi-Fi Direct capabilities, ensuring stable wireless connectivity. Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP and LE enhances data transfer and connectivity to peripherals. The device supports multiple positioning systems, including GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, and QZSS, ensuring accurate location tracking. Additionally, it features NFC for seamless contactless transactions and FM radio. The microUSB 2.0 supports OTG functionality for peripherals and media drives.

Sensors

Security and enhanced user experience are supported by a range of sensors: a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass. These add a layer of convenience and efficiency to the device's usability and interaction.

Battery

The device is powered by a non-removable Li-Po 5000 mAh battery, renowned for its long life and capacity to handle intensive use. With a 10W wired charging capability, the device is set to meet demands for quick charges, even though it may not match the speed of more contemporary fast-charging solutions.

Miscellaneous

Available in Blue and Titanium colors, the Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M2) comes in multiple model variants, including X01BDA and ZB631KL. Priced around 370 EUR at launch, it presents a competitive option in the mid-range smartphone market. Performance tests on platforms like AnTuTu (124039 for v7), GeekBench (5169 for v4.4), and GFXBench (7.6fps for ES 3.1 onscreen) suggest robust all-round capabilities catering to a wide range of tasks and applications.