Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 VS Redmi Note 6 Pro Comparison: Which one to buy?

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Last year, Asus pitched in its Zenfone Max Pro M1 as the first real alternative to the Redmi Note 5 Pro. As of today, both OEMs have introduced the next iteration of these popular phones – The Redmi Note 6 Pro and the Zenfone Max Pro M2 – which are both among the most popular affordable phones these days.

So, it’s understandable if you are confused between the two. Xiaomi’s Notes have a longstanding legacy of dependable performance and value, and Asus’s Stock Android alternative is currently one of the most lucratively specced phones. Let’s try and help you make up your mind.

Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 VS Redmi Note 6 Pro Specifications

Model Zenfone Max Pro M2 Redmi Note 6 Pro
Display 6.26-inch FHD+ (1080 x 2280) display;19:9 aspect ratio 6.26-inch FHD+ (2280×1080 pixels); 19:9 IPS display
Processor 2.2GHz Snapdragon 660 64-bit Octa-core (14nm); Adreno 512 GPU 1.8GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 636 (14nm); Adreno 509 GPU
RAM 3GB/4GB/6GB 3GB/4GB/6GB
Internal Storage 32GB/64GB (expandable up to 2TB)

Dedicated card slot

32GB/64GB (expandable up to 256GB)

Hybrid card slot

Software Android 8.1 Oreo Android 8.1 Oreo- MIUI skin
Primary Camera 12MP Sony IMX486; 5MP secondary, LED Flash, PDAF 12MP+5MP AI dual rear camera, LED flash, PDAF
Front Camera 13MP 20MP + 2MP, AI portraits
Fingerprint sensor Yes, rear-mounted Yes, rear-mounted
Battery 5000mAh with fast charging 4000 mAh, Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0
Price Rs.12,999 – 3GB + 32GB

Rs.14,999 – 4GB + 64GB

Rs.16,999 – 6GB + 64GB

Rs.13,999 – 4GB +64GB

Rs. 15,999 – 6GB+ 64GB

 

Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 vs Redmi Note 6 Pro: Design and Build

Let’s start from the front of the phones where the notch resides. On one hand, we have a large notch island on the Redmi Note 6 Pro, housing the camera duo and the sensors. The Zenfone Max Pro M2 on the other hand sports a smaller notch with a single front shooter. You could go with the wide or smaller notched display, depending on your choice. However, notably, a smaller notch leaves more room for icons in the status bar, and also looks neater in our opinion.

Both the phones flaunt a 6.26-inches, full-HD+(1080 x 2280 pixels) display with 19:9 aspect ratio and a similar screen-to-body-ratio. We feel the colors on the Note 6 Pro to be more vibrant than the Zenfone Max Pro M2.

In terms of build quality and design, Note 6 Pro hasn’t made a major leap when compared to its predecessor. We feel that Xiaomi has kept the design choices pretty straight and simple. The same can’t be said for the Zenfone Max Pro M2 which went with an attractive glossy glass-finish back that makes it looks fresher and more premium than the Note 6 Pro. But as is with glass-finish phones, the back of Zenfone smudges easily.

ALSO READ: 12 Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 Hidden Features, Tips and Tricks To Try

The protection offered on Note 6 Pro is however just Gorilla Glass 3 against the newer Gorilla Glass 6 on Zenfone Max Pro M2. Yet again, we advise to put on a case, well in both devices.

In both the phones, you could find the micro-USB port at the bottom. Zenfone Max Pro M2 has the 3.5mm headphone jack also at the bottom while Xiaomi decided to place it atop the chassis.

Kudos to Asus as the Zenfone Max Pro M2 weighs lighter than the other despite a bigger battery.

Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 is available in Blue and Titanium colors while the Redmi Note 6 Pro is available in Black, Blue, Rose Gold hues.

Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 VS Redmi Note 6 Pro: Performance and Software

Welcome to round 2 where we clash the phones against each other on different grounds like their internal specs, software, updates, etc. Zenfone Max Pro M2 with its 2.2 GHz, Octa Core, Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 Processor is the clear winner in terms of processing power. It has around 22% faster CPU than Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro, which means a smoother experience under demanding loads. In comparison, the Note 6 Pro is powered by an older 1.8 GHz, Octa Core, Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 Processor.

You will get more options in terms of RAM and onboard storage combos with the Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2. It is available in 3GB RAM plus 32GB storage, 4GB RAM plus 64GB and finally a 6GB RAM plus 64GB variant as well. Additionally, it could be expanded up to a whopping 2TB with an external memory card using a dedicated card slot.

ALSO READ: 13 Redmi Note 6 Pro Hidden Features, Tips and Tricks That You Should Try

Now coming to the other side, Xiaomi has two RAM variants with 64GB of storage i.e. 4GB and 6GB. Additionally, you could opt the 3GB variant with 32GB inbuilt storage. This one also has the expandable storage option up to 256GB, but the slot is Hybrid.

Speaking of software, the difference is like night and day. Zenfone took the vanilla route which is minimal and pure stock Android experience as intended by Google. However, if you like the phone to come bundled with features and applications out of the box, then take the Xiaomi route. One gripe with Xiaomi’s MIUI skin is its intrusive ads which pop out of nowhere while we are using the phone.

Both Asus and Xiaomi are good with updates. The Max Pro M2 is expected to get the next Android version before the Note 6 Pro. And since it’s running simpler interface, you can expect the update to be more stable (which has been a problem with version updates on Xiaomi phones in the past).

Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 VS Redmi Note 6 Pro: Camera

Back of these phones house a 12 MP + 5 MP Dual Camera setup with dual-pixel autofocus. Redmi’s 12MP sensor has 1.4-micron pixel size and a wide f/1.9 aperture. Meanwhile, the primary shooter in Zenfone has a Sony IMX486 sensor with 1.25-micron pixel size and an f/1.8 aperture. The secondary 5MP sensor in both the devices takes care of depth in your portrait shots.

Overall, the rear camera performance is better on Redmi Note 6 Pro. The software on the Note 6 Pro is smarter and better at metering images in tricky lighting. The images captured look pleasant and have better dynamic range. The Redmi Note 6 Pro is also better at capturing portraits.

When it comes to the front optics, however, Redmi Note 6 Pro boasts a larger 20 MP + 2 MP duo snappers than that of 13MP front camera sensor in Zenfone Max Pro M2.

The selfies on Zenfone Max Pro M2 have natural colors and better details, but the Redmi Note 6 Pro still wins with more pleasant images and better performance indoors.

So, overall, the camera performance is still better on Redmi Note 6 Pro.

Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 VS Redmi Note 6 Pro: Battery

In the battery realm, Zenfone Pro Max M2 is the clear winner as it packs a mammoth 5000mAh battery that lasts longer. Ergo, Redmi Note 6 Pro with its huge 4000mAh takes the second spot. Note 6 Pro could be refueled with Quick 3.0 fast charging, but Xiaomi doesn’t bundle fast charger in the box. Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 supports 10W fast-charging.

Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 Vs Redmi Note 6 Pro: Who wins?

Biggest upsides for the Zenfone Max Pro M2 are light software, more processing power, and battery mileage. The software experience and design aesthetics are subjective to each person’s interest. Our likes would slant towards the stock Android software and the trendy build of Zenfone Max Pro M2.

ALSO READ: Redmi Note 7 With 48MP Camera and Glass-Finish Launched: Price, Specifications

After the recent updates on the Zenfone Max Pro M2, the two phones are also very close in terms of photography, but the Redmi Note 6 Pro still has better camera performance.

None of these two phones is perfect, and they are both still very good for their prices. We will still side with the Zenfone Max Pro M2 as it emerges as the better option of the two.

Vasan G.S.Vasan G.S.
An inquisitive mind who spends a big chunk of the day keenly tracking every emerging detail and is responsible for quickly passing on important developments to Smartprix followers. He loves to stay in his bubble scripting his destiny involving amazing technology and people with good character, passion, and brilliance.

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