The Asus Zenfone Max series has always been synonymous with long-lasting battery life. But how do the 2016 model and the later Max Pro (M1) stack up against each other? This comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you choose the right one for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Zenfone Max Pro (M1) is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 636 chipset offers significantly improved performance, a more modern design, and a brighter display, all while maintaining excellent battery life. The 2016 model is a budget option, but the Pro offers much better value.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - India | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 38, 39, 40, 41 - India | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 - India |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, May. Released 2016, May | 2018, April. Released 2018, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156 x 77.5 x 10.6 mm (6.14 x 3.05 x 0.42 in) | 159 x 76 x 8.5 mm (6.26 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 202 g (7.13 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~404 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.99 inches, 92.1 cm2 (~76.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) | Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 405 | Adreno 509 |
| OS | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), ZenUI | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens
or
16 MP, f/2.0, PDAF
Auxiliary lens (6 GB RAM model only) |
| Features | Laser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0 | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1.0µm
16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm (6 GB RAM model only) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass, gyroscope, ambient light sensor |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Reverse wired | 10W wired |
| Music play | - | Up to 199 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 914 h (3G) | Up to 840 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 38 h (3G) | Up to 42 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Orange, Blue | Meteor Silver, Deepsea Black |
| Models | Z010DD | X00TD, X00TDB, X00TDA, ZB601KL, ZB602K, ZB602KL, ASUS_X00TD, X00T, X00TDE |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 115509 (v7)
GeekBench: 4910 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 115509 (v7)
GeekBench: 4910 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Asus Zenfone Max ZC550KL (2016)
- Excellent battery life
- Affordable price
- Decent camera for the price
- Outdated chipset
- Lower resolution display
- Can feel sluggish
- Slower charging
Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M1) ZB601KL/ZB602K
- Significantly improved performance
- Brighter and sharper display
- Long battery life
- Modern design
- Faster charging (10W)
- May lack some of the niche features of older Zenphones
- Plastic build (common for budget phones)
Display Comparison
The Zenfone Max Pro (M1) boasts a brighter and more vibrant display, typically a 6.0-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD with a resolution of 2160 x 1080. The 2016 model has a 5.5-inch HD IPS LCD (1280 x 720). The Pro's higher resolution and brightness provide a noticeably better viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer decent camera capabilities, the Max Pro (M1) generally takes better photos, especially in low light. The Pro typically features a 12MP + 5MP dual camera setup on the rear, while the 2016 model has a single 13MP rear camera. Image processing is also improved on the Pro.
Performance
The Snapdragon 636 in the Max Pro (M1) is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 615 in the 2016 model. The Kryo 260 cores offer significantly faster processing speeds, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance. The 2016 model can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones are known for their impressive battery life, but the Max Pro (M1) often edges out the 2016 model slightly. The Pro typically has a 5000mAh battery, while the 2016 model has a 4100mAh battery. Both easily last a full day of moderate to heavy use.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Asus Zenfone Max (2016)? Those on an extremely tight budget who prioritize battery life above all else and don't need high performance. Who should buy the Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M1)? Anyone looking for a reliable, long-lasting smartphone with a good balance of performance, battery, and features at an affordable price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Zenfone Max Pro (M1) worth the upgrade from the 2016 model?
Absolutely. The performance improvements alone make it a worthwhile upgrade. You'll notice a significant difference in speed and responsiveness.
❓ What is the charging speed like on each phone?
The Zenfone Max Pro (M1) supports 10W wired charging, which is a bit faster than the 2016 model's charging speed. However, both phones still take a considerable amount of time to fully charge due to their large batteries.
