Asus Zenfone 3 Max ZC553KL

• Pros
• • Robust metal body
  • Good performance
  • Impressive battery backup
• Cons
• • Bloatware-laden Zen UI
  • Average camera performance

• Verdict

The ZenFone 3 Max is also available in a smaller variant, featuring a 5.2-inch HD display, less powerful quad-core chipset, and a 13-meg primary snapper. Priced at Rs 12,999, it`s the most affordable smartphone in the family. In fact, it`s bigger sibling is also cheaper than the rest of the range (the next one in the lineup is the ZenFone 3 Laser which costs Rs 18,999), and both of them manage to stand out. They offer good build quality, decent performance, and stellar battery life. However, when we talk... Read Full Verdict  

The ZenFone 3 Max is also available in a smaller variant, featuring a 5.2-inch HD display, less powerful quad-core chipset, and a 13-meg primary snapper. Priced at Rs 12,999, it`s the most affordable smartphone in the family. In fact, it`s bigger sibling is also cheaper than the rest of the range (the next one in the lineup is the ZenFone 3 Laser which costs Rs 18,999), and both of them manage to stand out. They offer good build quality, decent performance, and stellar battery life. However, when we talk about the competition, then apart from the Max siblings` battery life, nothing works in their favour. In fact, the smaller variant is up against rivals that also promise marathon battery, along with packing more powerful hardware – Coolpad Note 5 (first impressions), Lenovo ZUK Z1 (review) and the most popular of all, Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (review). The 5.5-inch model – the one we`re reviewing – faces an even bigger uphill battle. Not only it has to match up to the affordable flagships, the Snapdragon 820-toting LeEco Le Max2 and Lenovo Z2 Plus, but also offerings such as the OPPO F1s (review) and Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime (first impressions) – both of which are also available offline. As a matter of fact, Note 3’s smaller sibling, the Redmi 3s (review) is powered by the same processor as the ASUS’ offering, yet is available at a lower asking price of Rs 8,999.Possibly the biggest edge the ZenFone 3 Max has is its availability across online and offline stores, something many devices in the competition can`t boast of. But even with its offline availability, the ZenFone 3 Max seems quite expensive for the features on offer. Except for its battery life, it easily gets beaten in all the aspects when compared to its peers, and that`s why it`s very difficult for us to recommend the Taiwanese brand`s latest launch.