ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2 v/s Pro M1: What's different
Since its launch, the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 has garnered a lot of praise in the mid-range smartphone market. And now, as its successor, the company is all set to launch ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2 in India on December 11. Notably, the upcoming phone has already gone official in Russia, allowing for an interesting comparison. So, here are the key differences.
At a glance
Right off the bat, the M2 variant features the in-trend notched display with a slim bottom bezel - a change adopted to offer more screen real estate than the conventional, rectangular display on the M1. Further, on the back, the M2 gets a glass-like finish and an LED flash that is now contained within a bigger dual rear-camera module. Winner: ZenFone Max Pro M2.
All about the screen
The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 sports a 5.99-inch full-HD+ (1080x2160 pixels) IPS display with an 18:9 aspect ratio. In comparison, the M2 sports a 6.3-inch full-HD+ (1080x2280 pixels) display panel with a 19:9 aspect ratio - thanks to the notch. Moreover, the M2 comes with industry-leading Gorilla Glass 6 protection which is a segment-first feature. Winner: ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2.
For the shutterbugs
In India, the top-end 6GB RAM variant of ZenFone Max Pro M1 comes with a 16MP (f/2.0)+5MP dual rear-camera module whereas the 3GB/4GB RAM variants house a 13MP (f/2.2)+5MP dual rear-camera setup. The ZenFone Max Pro M2 gets an improved dual-camera setup comprising a 12MP (f/1.8) Sony IMX486 sensor and a 5MP secondary sensor. Winner: ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2.
For the love of Selfies
The 6GB RAM variant of the M1 offers 16MP (f/2.0) selfie snapper whereas the regular variants come with an 8MP (f/2.0) front camera. On the other hand, the M2 model sports a 13MP (f/2.0) selfie camera with a dedicated LED flash module. Winner: ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2.
All the important stuff
The M1 is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor, paired with 3GB/4GB/6GB of RAM, and 32GB/64GB of inbuilt storage (expandable upto 2TB). In comparison, the M2 comes with Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor with 4GB RAM (6GB RAM variant expected in India) and 64/128 GB internal storage (expandable upto 2TB). Winner: ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2.
Lifeblood of your smartphone: Sensors and software
In this department, the M2 model retains all the goodness of its predecessor. So, with ZenFone Max Pro M2, you still get stock Android Oreo (would have loved Android Pie though) and other essential sensors including the fast and reliable rear-mounted fingerprint scanner.
Staying connected
In terms of connectivity, like the M1, the M2 comes with all the standard options seen including 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, GPS, 3.5mm headphone jack, micro-USB port, and the latest Bluetooth v5.0 (version 4.0 on M1) Further, like its predecessor, the M2 retains a 5,000mAh battery - another best-in-class feature. Winner: Tie.
Pricing: The key factor
The M1 was launched in India at a starting price of Rs. 10,999 for the 3GB/32GB configuration. In comparison, the M2 has been launched in Russia at 17,990 Rubles (approx. Rs. 19,140) for the 4GB/64GB configuration.
How things stack up?
The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2 comes with a trendier design, a larger display, improved cameras, a more powerful processor, stock Android Oreo, and massive 5,000mAh battery - a complete package. However, for M2, to build upon the success of its predecessor, it will have to be priced aggressively. That said, while pricing remains key, this is a champion phone.
