Released in 2018, both the Oppo A1 and the Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M1) targeted the budget-conscious smartphone user. However, they approached this segment with different philosophies. The Oppo A1 focused on a streamlined experience, while the Zenfone Max Pro prioritized performance and battery life. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M1) is the superior choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chipset, built on a more efficient 14nm process, delivers significantly better performance than the Oppo A1’s MediaTek Helio P23. While both offer respectable battery life, the Zenfone Max Pro’s optimized power management and faster charging provide a more refined user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 - India |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, March. Released 2018, April | 2018, April. Released 2018, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 150.5 x 73.1 x 7.7 mm (5.93 x 2.88 x 0.30 in) | 159 x 76 x 8.5 mm (6.26 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 143 g (5.04 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~404 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~76.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.99 inches, 92.1 cm2 (~76.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | S-IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6763T Helio P23 (16 nm) | Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP1 | Adreno 509 |
| OS | Android 7.1.1 (Nougat), ColorOS 3.2 | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | 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 | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 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 |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/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 | - | 10W wired |
| Music play | - | Up to 199 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 840 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 42 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3180 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Deep sea blue, Cherry red, Pearl white | Meteor Silver, Deepsea Black |
| Models | - | X00TD, X00TDB, X00TDA, ZB601KL, ZB602K, ZB602KL, ASUS_X00TD, X00T, X00TDE |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 115509 (v7)
GeekBench: 4910 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Oppo A1 (2018)
- Potentially simpler software experience.
- May be more readily available in certain regions.
- Lower price point (likely, given its initial positioning).
- Inferior processor performance (Helio P23 vs Snapdragon 636).
- Less efficient chipset (16nm vs 14nm).
- Likely inferior camera performance.
Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M1) ZB601KL/ZB602K
- Superior processor performance (Snapdragon 636).
- More efficient chipset (14nm process).
- Better battery life and power management.
- Faster charging (10W).
- May be slightly larger and heavier.
- Potentially more complex software (depending on Asus’s customizations).
- May be harder to find new.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, common for this price point in 2018. However, display specifications beyond panel type are unavailable. The Zenfone Max Pro’s larger form factor (implied by its battery capacity) likely translates to a slightly larger screen, potentially offering a more immersive viewing experience. Color accuracy and brightness are expected to be similar, leaning towards adequate rather than exceptional.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited. Both phones likely featured dual-camera setups common in 2018, but sensor sizes and image processing algorithms are unknown. The Zenfone Max Pro’s superior processing power allows for more sophisticated image processing, potentially leading to better dynamic range and low-light performance. While both may include a secondary depth sensor, the primary camera’s capabilities, driven by the Snapdragon 636’s ISP, will be the deciding factor. Expect the Zenfone Max Pro to capture sharper, more detailed images.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M1) utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 (14nm), featuring a Kryo CPU architecture with a mix of performance (1.8 GHz) and efficiency (1.6 GHz) cores. This contrasts sharply with the Oppo A1’s MediaTek Helio P23 (16nm) and its homogenous octa-core 2.5 GHz Cortex-A53 setup. The Snapdragon 636’s smaller 14nm fabrication process inherently offers better power efficiency, reducing heat and improving sustained performance. The Kryo architecture also provides a more intelligent workload distribution, resulting in smoother multitasking and a more responsive user interface. The Zenfone Max Pro will demonstrably outperform the A1 in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming.
Battery Life
The Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M1) is marketed for its exceptional battery life, and this is a key advantage. While the exact mAh capacity isn’t specified in the provided data, the ‘Max’ branding suggests a larger battery than the Oppo A1. Furthermore, the Snapdragon 636’s 14nm process contributes to significantly better power efficiency. The Zenfone Max Pro also supports 10W wired charging, a standard rate for the time, while charging speed for the Oppo A1 is unknown. The combination of a larger battery and a more efficient chipset gives the Zenfone Max Pro a clear edge in longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A1 (2018) if you prioritize a simple, uncluttered software experience and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M1) ZB601KL/ZB602K if you value performance for gaming or multitasking, appreciate a more efficient processor, and want a phone that can handle demanding applications without significant slowdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 636 in the Zenfone Max Pro still capable of running modern apps?
While not a flagship processor, the Snapdragon 636 remains surprisingly capable. It can handle most everyday apps and even some moderately demanding games with reasonable settings. However, expect longer loading times and reduced graphical fidelity compared to newer chipsets.
❓ Does the Oppo A1 (2018) suffer from significant performance throttling under sustained load?
Yes, the MediaTek Helio P23, built on a 16nm process, is more prone to thermal throttling than the Snapdragon 636. Prolonged gaming or intensive multitasking will likely result in reduced performance as the chip heats up.
❓ How does the battery life of the Zenfone Max Pro (M1) compare to newer phones with 5000mAh batteries?
While newer phones boast larger battery capacities, the Zenfone Max Pro’s combination of a large battery (likely around 4000-5000mAh) and the efficient Snapdragon 636 still delivers excellent battery life. It will likely outperform phones with larger batteries but less efficient processors.
