Asus Zenfone Max M2 (4GB RAM + 64GB)

Apart from the ‘Pro’ model, Asus also launched the Regular Zenfone Max M2 in India as a lower price option. The Max M2 is not meant to replace Max M1, but is more of an upgrade to the last gen Max Pro M1. The Max M2 has a 6.26-inch (19:9) screen size with HD+ resolution. The display is one area where Asus is cutting some corners, but again, that’s understandable considering the price. The panel isn’t sharp and colors are a bit off but these compromises should be acceptable for people who aren’t particularly fastidious about display quality. The Max M2 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 636 octa-core chipset, which is perhaps the best option available at this price point.The use of almost stock Android software further makes Zenfone Max M2 a safe bet for people who are particular about software running on their phones. The Max M2 comes in two RAM or storage options. The base variant with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage, the one we have been testing for this review, is the one that should be more popular, since the 4GB/64GB option overlaps with the Pro variant. Anyways, you get a dedicated card slot and 100GB of Google Drive storage irrespective of the variant you choose. The Max M2 has two cameras on the rear. There is a 13MP primary sensor with a wide f/1.8 aperture lens, accompanied by a 2MP depth sensor.The camera can capture good shots in day-light every now and then, but photography is not an upside here. The camera is slow in locking focus and there is some shutter lag too. In low-light, camera stumbles further and clicked images aren’t much to write home about. The 4000mAh battery on the Max M2 is as good as it sounds. No ugly surprises here. With moderate usage, we could easily manage a day of battery mileage with two SIM cards and two Google accounts synced. Fast charging is not supported. The Asus Zenfone Max M2 is surely a great phone for its price. It’s slim and solid, runs almost stock Android software, and delivers reliable performance and battery backup – which is more than what most people ask of their budget phones. Having said that, if you are particularly interested in a decent camera, we’d recommend you spend a bit more and go for the Max Pro M2 or the Redmi Note 6 Pro.