The smartphone landscape is constantly evolving, and choosing the right device can be overwhelming. We're pitting the aging Asus Zenfone Max ZC550KL (2016), known for its massive battery, against the newer Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G, a contender boasting modern features and improved performance. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges victorious.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G is the clear winner. While the Zenfone Max offered impressive battery life for its time, the Redmi Note 12's superior chipset, brighter display, faster charging, and improved camera make it a significantly better overall package, especially considering their relative price points.
| 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 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 38, 39, 40, 41 - India | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, May. Released 2016, May | 2023, March 23 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, March 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 156 x 77.5 x 10.6 mm (6.14 x 3.05 x 0.42 in) | 165.7 x 76 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 202 g (7.13 oz) | 183.5 g (6.49 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 405 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), ZenUI | Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0 | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0 | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0" |
| 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 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Reverse wired | 33W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 914 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 38 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Orange, Blue | Onyx Gray, Mint Green, Ice Blue |
| Models | Z010DD | 23021RAAEG, 23021RAA2Y, 23027RAD4I, 23028RA60L |
| Price | About 170 EUR | £ 189.99 / € 107.98 / ₹ 9,998 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 0.89 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.90 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 117h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.9 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 319219 (v9)
GeekBench: 1797 (v5.1), 1341 (v6)
GFXBench: 7.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 117h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | 744 nits max brightness (measured) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -27.9 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 319219 (v9)
GeekBench: 1797 (v5.1), 1341 (v6)
GFXBench: 7.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Asus Zenfone Max ZC550KL (2016)
- Exceptional battery life
- Affordable (when new)
- Decent screen size
- Outdated chipset
- Slow performance
- Low-resolution display
- Basic camera
- Slow charging
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G
- Modern chipset (Snapdragon 685)
- Bright and vibrant display
- Improved camera
- Fast charging (33W)
- Good value for money
- Plastic build
- May lack premium features
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 4G boasts a significantly brighter display (744 nits vs. Zenfone Max's likely around 300-400 nits, estimated) and a theoretically infinite contrast ratio, offering a much more vibrant and immersive viewing experience. The Zenfone Max's display is adequate but noticeably less impressive.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Redmi Note 12 4G's camera hardware and image processing are undoubtedly superior. Expect better image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance from the Redmi Note 12. The Zenfone Max's camera is adequate for basic snapshots but struggles in challenging conditions.
Performance
The Snapdragon 685 in the Redmi Note 12 4G is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 615 in the Zenfone Max. The newer chipset's Cortex-A73 cores provide a significant performance boost, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance. The Zenfone Max feels sluggish by comparison.
Battery Life
Both phones tout impressive battery endurance (117h rating). However, the Redmi Note 12 4G's 33W fast charging provides a significant advantage, allowing for much quicker top-ups compared to the Zenfone Max's reverse wired charging.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Asus Zenfone Max ZC550KL (2016)? Primarily those seeking a very basic, ultra-budget phone with exceptional battery life and are comfortable with older hardware. Who should buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G? Anyone looking for a reliable, feature-rich smartphone with a good balance of performance, camera quality, and battery life at an affordable price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Zenfone Max still worth buying?
Only if you absolutely prioritize battery life above all else and are on a very tight budget. Otherwise, the Redmi Note 12 4G offers a much better overall experience.
❓ What is the difference between the Snapdragon 615 and 685?
The Snapdragon 685 is a newer and more powerful chipset with improved CPU and GPU performance, better power efficiency, and a more modern manufacturing process (6nm vs 28nm).
