Asus Zenfone 3S Max: Pros and Cons
Asus announced the launch of the Zenfone 3S Max smartphone in 2017. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.2 inch IPS display, Mediatek MT6750 SoC, and 3 GB of RAM. The smartphone runs on the Android OS v7.0 (Nougat) operating system. This phone uses a high resolution 720 x 1280 px, 5.2 inch IPS display. This phone has only one rear-camera (13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus) on its back for photos and videos. Will it prove its worth? I aim to reveal that by the end of my review.
Table of Contents
- Asus Zenfone 3S Max specifications
- Weight, dimensions, colors
- System, chipset, performance
- Display type, size, resolution
- Memory, storage
- Cameras, flash
- Connectivity, network, wireless
- Battery type, capacity, charger
- Features, sensors, specials
- Verdict, pros and cons
This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Asus Zenfone 3S Max smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.
Asus Zenfone 3S Max specifications
Brand | Asus |
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Name | Zenfone 3S Max |
Model | ZC521TL |
Release date | 2017 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
Weight | 6.17 oz |
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Dimensions | 5.89 x 2.9 x 0.35 inch |
Colors | black, gold, rose-gold |
SIM type | Nano SIM, Micro SIM |
The weight of the Asus Zenfone 3S Max is still considered to be lightweight and portable. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card. A micro SIM is larger than the current standard Nano SIM card but smaller than the older SIM card size.
System, chipset, performance
OS version | Android OS v7.0 (Nougat) |
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SoC | Mediatek MT6750 |
CPU | Octa-core Cortex-A53 |
GPU | Mali-T860 MP2 |
The Asus Zenfone 3S Max comes with Android OS v7.0 (Nougat) out of the box. Android is an open-source operating system. This means the source code is free to the public. This CPU makes it ideal for running resource-intensive applications. Many people consider ARM Mali GPUs a good option for mobile devices.
Display type, size, resolution
Display type | IPS |
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Screen size | 5.2 inch |
Resolution | 720 x 1280 px |
Multitouch support | yes |
People know IPS for its wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction. The 5.2 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.
Memory, storage
RAM | 3 GB |
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Internal storage | 32 GB |
Memory card slot | microSD |
The smartphone has 3 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The Zenfone 3S Max has 32 GB. You can expand the internal storage of the Zenfone 3S Max (32 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.
Cameras, flash
Main camera | 13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus |
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Flash | Dual LED |
Selfie camera | 8 MP |
You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The Zenfone 3S Max does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).
Connectivity, network, wireless
GSM 2G bands | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
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Network coverage | 2G / 3G / 4G |
Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
Bluetooth | v4.0, A2DP |
GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS |
NFC | no |
FM radio | yes |
USB | microUSB 2.0 |
Headphone | 3.5 mm jack |
The Asus Zenfone 3S Max supports 4G/LTE networks. This Asus phone can connect to Wi-Fi networks at home, at work, or in public places. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Zenfone 3S Max smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS receiver. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.
Battery type, capacity, charger
Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
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The Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The Zenfone 3S Max does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.
Features, sensors, specials
Sensors | accelerometer, fingerprint, light, proximity |
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Specials | Dual SIM, ZenUI |
Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth). The fingerprint reader is a biometric security feature found in Zenfone 3S Max smartphones. The light sensor is a type of sensor in a smartphone. It lets the phone measure light intensity around the device. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.
Verdict, pros and cons
Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Asus phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.
Pros
- microSD slot
- good battery
- Dual SIM support
Cons
- limited-size screen
- single camera setup
- no OIS function
- no 5G support
- no NFC feature
- no Type-C USB port
- no digital compass
Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.