Samsung India has radically changed its smartphone game this year and very recently launched the Galaxy M10 (Review) in the entry-grade segment as a competent and affordable option for young Indians. Asus’s Zenfone Max M2 (Review) also caters to the same affordable price bandwidth.
Now that we have spent some quality time with both of these options and have a fair idea of their strengths and weaknesses, let’s pitch them against one another to help you decide the better one for your personal needs.
First, let’s talk specs.
Samsung Galaxy M10 vs Asus Zenfone Max M2 Specs Comparison
| Model | Samsung Galaxy M10 | Asus Zenfone Max M2 |
| Display | 6.22 inches, 720 x 1500 pixels | 6.3 inches, 1520 x 720 pixels |
| Processor | 1.6 GHz, Octa Core, Samsung Exynos 7870 Processor | 1.8 GHz, Octa Core, Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 Processor |
| RAM | 2GB/3GB | 3GB/4GB |
| Internal Storage | 16GB/32GB (expandable up to 512GB) Dedicated Slot | 32GB/64GB (expandable up to 2TB)
Dedicated Slot |
| Software | Android 8.1 Oreo, Experience UI | Android 8.1 Oreo |
| Primary Camera | 13MP (F1.9) + 5MP (F2.2, Ultra-wide) | 13MP (F2.0)+2MP (F2.2) |
| Front Camera | 5MP (F2.0) | 8MP |
| Fingerprint sensor | Not available | Yes, rear-mounted |
| Battery | 3400mAh, No fast charging | 4000mAh, No Fast charging |
| Price | Rs 7,990- 2GB RAM/16GB ROM
Rs 8,990- 3GB RAM /32GB ROM |
Rs.9,999 – 3GB +32GB
Rs. 11,999 – 4GB + 64GB
|
Display, Design, and Build
It seems Samsung had paid heed to its customer feedback. We are glad for the renovation of the display with the tiny notch atop, which Samsung evangelizes as the Infinity-V display. Asus, on the other hand, has a regular notch which is still smaller than the iPhone-esque cutout. The type of notch could be your choice however tinier the notch, more conspicuous it is. It leaves more free space on the status bar for app icons as well.
A slightly thinner chin adds a 0.1 percent larger screen-to-body ratio in case of the Samsung Galaxy M10. However, when it comes to the quality of the display, Zenfone Max M2 is marginally better than the Galaxy phone due to its better specs. Keeping the specs aside, both phones have nearly same display size and sharpness (or resolution). Noticeably, the Zenfone’s display is warmer while the Samsung display projects a cooler hue.
When it comes to back panel, Zenfone Max M2 clads a metal and plastic design which should be more durable than the glossy polycarbonate material on the Galaxy M10 in the long run. In terms of looks, however, Samsung’s gaudy glass-finish shines.
Asus Zenfone Max M2 manages to keep it lighter than the Samsung Galaxy M10 though it carries a larger battery within. You could buy this Asus phone in two colors, ie. Black and Blue while Samsung offers its new entrant in Denim Blue and Charcoal Black colors.
While Samsung offers Dragon Trail protection for its display, we don’t have any official wording from Asus regarding the shield on Zenfone Max M2.
ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy M20 Vs Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2- Which One Should You Buy?
Performance and Software
Samsung M10 depends on the proven formula when it comes to the processing power within its budget entry. The computing power is helmed by 1.6 GHz Octa Core, Samsung Exynos 7870 Processor. Meanwhile, Asus packs the processing might of 1.8 GHz Octa Core, Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 SOC.
The RAM and Storage combinations are better in case of Asus with 3GB RAM+ 32GB ROM combination as well as a 4GB RAM+ 64GB unit. Samsung’s launch of a 2GB RAM+ 16GB onboard storage is silly and insignificant considering the 2019 standards. You could opt the higher variant with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage instead. Praise to both brands for allowing dedicated external storage slot.
The Zenfone Max M2 has the advantage of up to 2TB MicroSD expansion against the Samsung’s 512GB expandable storage solution, but that shouldn’t make much of a difference at the user end.
On the software side, we have the Zenfone’s minimal and pure stock Android experience. versus Samsung’s infamous Experience UI. Zenfone has lighter and unadulterated software, which is more often considered a safe bet, but it’s still rough around the edges and the optimized Experience UI on M10 feels a lot more polished and premium. 
Samsung has scheduled Pie for the M-series in the month of August. Asus is also likely to bless its users with the Android Pie update in the coming months. Zenfone with its stock-ish Android would be more stable and quicker to receive the monthly security updates.
In our final test of Androbench wherein we measured the storage performance, Zenfone Max M2 had a clear win in terms of Sequential as well as Random Read and Write speeds. And overall, both of them fared well in real-life daily usage too.
Battery
One of the two contenders in this roundup has Max in the moniker. Yeah, we are talking of Asus Zenfone Max M2 which has a 4000mAh battery brick within it. This should be abundant juice, especially considering the 3400mAh battery in Samsung Galaxy M10.
But, we can’t disregard the lower battery size as the South-Korean megacorp bets on their patented low consumption technology to improve mileage. As per our internal testing, Galaxy M10 managed to last for good 16 hours in a loop video playback test with brightness set at 50 percent. This should suffice for any ordinary day usage.
ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy M20 VS Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro: Which One Should You Buy?
Both the phones do not come with the fast charging support. Yeah, that’s a little disappointing! However, we understand considering the price class they are catering. While Samsung supplies a basic 5W charger that takes more than 2 hours to refill the M10 battery, a slightly larger 10W bundled charger with the Zenfone can charge the Max M2 in around 2 hours.
Camera
For the most part, both the brands adhere to the proven formula when it comes to the optics setup. Zenfone Max M2 flaunts a 13 MP + 2 MP dual rear setup with dual-pixel autofocus. Likewise, Galaxy M10 also features a 13MP main shooter, but with a 5MP Ultra-wide secondary sensor on the rear.
On paper, the front camera story weighs better for Asus Zenfone Max M2. It packs an 8MP sensor against the 5MP front shooter on Samsung Galaxy M10.
From the selfies and pictures we took out of the rear shooter in favorable and unfavorable lighting conditions, Samsung Galaxy M20 produced detailed photos. The pictures were projecting a slightly warmer tone. Au contraire, the shots from Zenfone Max M2 were saturated, vivid and seemed better at first glance. However, when we zoom in, the details get weak and washed out in the Zenfone clicks. Asus Zenfone Max M2 is definitely capable of producing social media-ready pics in favorable lighting condition. We still prefer the natural output from the Samsung shooters as our eyes seek attention to details.
Samsung Galaxy M10 VS Asus Zenfone Max M2 Comparison: Which One Should You Buy?
In terms of battery mileage and raw performance (or for gaming) going with Asus Zenfone Max M2 is a no-brainer. The Galaxy M10, on the other hand, offers better brand value, slightly better camera and a more attractive display.
Points in favor of Samsung Galaxy M10
- Trendy water-drop notch
- Better camera performance
- A more refined software interface
Points in favor of Zenfone Max M2
- Light stock Android software
- Metallic build
- Fingerprint sensor
- Better performance
