Asus Zenfone 3 Max ZC520TL
Specifications
Secondary Camera: 5 MPix
Pricecompare
Average of 35 scores (from 70 reviews)
Reviews for the Asus Zenfone 3 Max ZC520TL
Long battery life, limited performance. Asus' ZenFone 3 Max aims to impress with its high-capacity battery and satisfy all runtime-junkies. However, they will have to make compromises in other aspects as our test shows.
Source: Toptenreviews Archive.org version
At this price point, it holds up well for daily usage. Great for worry free travels for the casual traveller.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 04/03/2017
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Laptop Media Archive.org version
As we expected, the available 4130mAh battery is Zenfone 3 Max’s key advantage in its battle with the competitive models in this price range. Apart from ensuring high durability, it is also complemented by several battery saving modes which can significantly increase battery life between separate charges. They are part of the feature-rich Zen user interface by ASUS which complements the Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS in the best possible way. Additionally, you get an HD display which ensures good enough image detail plus high brightness levels allowing easy use when outdoors.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 01/24/2017
Source: PC Quest Archive.org version
Bottomline: If you’re looking for a great battery phone but don’t want to carry weight, then this is the right device with good overall performance, but a bit expensive. So, if you are ready to spend 18k then it’s a perfect choice.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 12/02/2016
Rating: Total score: 100% price: 90% performance: 100%
Source: Unbox Archive.org version
If you’re looking to grab a member of the ASUS ZF3 family and have limited funds, then you can’t do any better than the 5.5-inch version of the ZF3 Max. It has many of the same features that both the ZF3 Laser and the smaller ZF3 Max have – big battery, fast performance and insane battery life – at a price that’s hard to beat.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/30/2016
Source: Yugatech Archive.org version
The Asus Zenfone 3 Max 5.5 (ZC553KL) is yet another quality smartphone from Asus. Although, it’s already above the Php10k mark making it a bit difficult to suggest among budget consumers who prefers long battery life. At Php10,995, it’s a good balance for what you’re getting and this makes it the second cheapest Zenfone 3 member you can purchase.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/30/2016
Source: Mobygyaan Archive.org version
People already wants a phone with longer battery life and you are the one, consider it if you like the brand value. There are some alternatives to it like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 which also comes to play when it’s a showdown for the battery runtime, but only if you want a phone without a recognized brand and yes, the camera of course. Even though its smaller sized form factor, I like the design, the camera, and its battery life. What I would expect here would be a better CPU at this price range. Overall, the long battery run is a deal breaker. Not to mention it can charge other phones, consider it also as a 4,100 mAh pocket power bank.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/26/2016
Source: Mobile and Apps Archive.org version
If you need a smartphone that packs a great battery, you might need to look at the Asus ZenFone 3 Max. It is one of the many phones that Asus has released in its lineup and promises steady performance on the user end.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 11/24/2016
Source: Unbox Archive.org version
The only thing missing now is price – there’s no pricing for the 5.5-inch ZF3 Max in the Philippines yet unfortunately, but if India pricing is anything to go by, it’ll probably retail close to the SRP of the Zenfone 3 Laser. That’s why we think that ASUS may discontinue the ZF3 Laser, since their prices are so close to each other anyway. The 5.5 ZF3 Max having an almost identical feature set with the ZF3 Laser means that the two phones will cannibalize each other in the market if they’re both available.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/22/2016
Source: Tech Magnifier Archive.org version
The Asus Zenfone 3 Max impresses when it comes to gaming performance, video playback and battery backup. The battery lasts more than a day in average usage and about a day in heavy usage. The screen is visible in direct sunlight and color is rendering is also appropriate. But considering the price there are better options available such as Le eco Le Max 2, One plus 3 and Mi Max Prime.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/17/2016
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Gogi.in Archive.org version
The Asus Zenfone 3 Max ZC520TL is a good handset, quad core but quite powerful and heat up is under control. Battery life is very good. Handset has got a premium feel and the price is on the higher side. I was expecting it to be somewhere under Rs. 10,000.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/11/2016
Rating: Total score: 76%
Source: The Indian Express Archive.org version
Yes, if your pain-point is battery and you just need good performance overall on other fronts, then this is among the best bets in the market at the moment. Given the price, the Asus ZenFone 3 Max seems good value for money given that it offers a dependable piece of hardware that will keep most users happy.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/11/2016
Source: Mobygyaan Archive.org version
Given that the hardware is relatively low powered along with the display, the 4,100 mAh battery should offer a plenty of uptime. It is priced at ₹12,999 and available on online and offline stores.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/10/2016
Source: Gadgets Now Archive.org version
The Asus Zenfone 3 Max is no doubt one of the best handsets in the particular series I've come across so far. It has a huge battery capacity of 4100mAh, which is not the highest but good enough to keep the device running for over a full day of use. There are other battery-focussed handsets too in the market but are priced higher.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/10/2016
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Tech2.in.com Archive.org version
I can’t for the life of me figure out why Asus has priced the ZenFone 3 Max as they did. I appreciate the battery life and the build quality at this asking price of Rs 17,999, but that sluggish SoC completely ruins the experience for me. The camera is also lack-lustre. The elephant in the room is, of course, the Redmi Note 3, and that device sells for about Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000 less than the ZenFone 3 Max. It also offers a massive performance bump, a better camera and the same battery life. Why would anyone in their right minds pick a ZenFone 3 Max over the Redmi Note 3, at the current pricing?
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/09/2016
Rating: Total score: 60% performance: 40% features: 70% display: 75% mobility: 90% workmanship: 70%
Source: India Today Archive.org version
Then there's the pricing. The ZenFone 3 Max (ZC553KL) will cost buyers Rs 17,999. That's right. It's mighty expensive and easily forgettable. Especially, when a phone like the Redmi 3S Prime offers so much more (even equally good battery life, at just about Rs 9,000) in actual usage. Not to forget, phones like the Moto G4 Plus and the Lenovo Vibe K5 Note are equally competitive.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/09/2016
Rating: Total score: 65%
Source: The Mobile Indian Archive.org version
ZenFone 3 Max Review: Maximised the battery experience The Zenfone 3 Max comes out as a decent smartphone to keep in your wish list. The battery output and camera performance are impressive. Even the performance will not disappoint.. The only issue that Asus needs to sort out at the earliest in to remove bloatware they need to give users freedom to choose what they want to download.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/09/2016
Source: NDTV Gadgets Archive.org version
The ZenFone Max name no longer means you're getting a one-trick pony, as this new model aims to offer a well-rounded solution to aspiring smartphone buyers. This shows in the new aesthetics, improved display and cameras, and of course, solid battery life. It would have made a perfect rival to Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 3, but Asus has priced the ZenFone 3 Max in line with higher aspirations. Keep in mind that the ZC520TL variant does fall in the Redmi's price range but it doesn't seem to match up to it, at least on paper. It's also important that you check the model number behind the box carefully as its easy to confuse the two versions.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/09/2016
Rating: Total score: 70% price: 60% performance: 60% display: 70% mobility: 90% workmanship: 80%
Source: Fone Arena Archive.org version
The Zenfone 3 Max is quite a decent smartphone and this is something that can be said for the entire Zenfone range. It however lacks a differentiating factor. In fact even within it’s own product lineup, Asus would find it hard to set the Max aside given that phones like the Zenfone 3 Laser too have really good battery life.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/08/2016
Source: Hardware Zone Archive.org version
The ASUS ZenFone 3 Max will have a tough time measuring up to its own past model and rivals. For an extra S$50, you get a 1080p display and better battery life with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3, but the same price will net you the older ZenFone Max that comes with a larger battery capacity and significantly longer battery life - exactly what we expect out of a "Max" class ZenFone product.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/04/2016
Rating: Total score: 60% price: 60% performance: 40% features: 75% workmanship: 90%
Source: Yugatech Archive.org version
The Zenfone 3 Max is more of an update rather than an upgrade for the Max series of the Zenfone. The smaller screen size is the culprit behind the shrunken battery capacity. While it’s still above the standard Android phone battery life, it’s not as impressive as before or even when compared to its Zenfone 3 siblings.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/13/2016
Source: Unbox Archive.org version
The ZF3 Max is shaping up to be a promising smartphone on its own right – we’re in the middle of the review process of the phone and the review should be out by next week. Stay tuned till then.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 09/12/2016
Source: Unbox Archive.org version
While the original Zenfone Max delivered insane battery endurance, it sacrificed everything else to get that legendary battery performance. That’s not the case with the Zenfone 3 Max – while it performs a little worse in the battery department because of the smaller capacity, it’s a better phone in almost every other category. ASUS compromised a little bit on the battery to give users a phone that’s not just a glorified powerbank, and they’ve succeeded.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/12/2016
Source: Unbox Archive.org version
That’s pretty much it for this initial review for the Zenfone 3 Max. We’ll be running PCMark’s battery benchmark as soon as possible on this phone so you can watch out later on to see just how far the Zenfone 3 Max can go on a single charge. The Zenfone 3 Max is available to buy now, priced at Php 8,995.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/05/2016
Foreign Reviews
Source: Teltarif DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 05/22/2017
Rating: Total score: 82% price: 97% display: 70% mobility: 80%
Source: Android Pit - 2/2017
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 01/01/2017
Rating: Total score: 60%
Source: Tom's Hardware DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 11/18/2016
Source: Ocaholic.ch DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/20/2016
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Notebooksbilliger Blog DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/05/2016
Source: Mi Mundo Gadget ES→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Compact size; high autonomy; fast fingerprint sensor; decent cameras; good price. Negative: Poor display; many bloatwares; weak hardware.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 06/04/2017
Source: PC Guia PT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 04/25/2017
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Target HD PT→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Good hardware; nice design; fast fingerprint sensor; high autonomy. Negative: Poor display.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 02/01/2017
Source: Tecno User IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 12/12/2016
Rating: Total score: 80% price: 95% performance: 75% display: 85% mobility: 90%
Source: Tecnoandroid.it IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/30/2016
Rating: Total score: 75% price: 85% features: 75% mobility: 85% workmanship: 80%
Source: Optima IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/30/2016
Rating: Total score: 69% display: 80% mobility: 80% workmanship: 75%
Source: Megapk IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/02/2016
Rating: Total score: 80% features: 80% display: 75% mobility: 85%
Source: Geek 4 You IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/31/2016
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Smartphone Italia IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/21/2016
Rating: price: 90% features: 80% display: 80% mobility: 70% ergonomy: 80%
Source: Hardwareready.it IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 10/04/2016
Rating: Total score: 77% price: 80% features: 70% display: 70% mobility: 90% ergonomy: 75%
Source: Key for web IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/04/2016
Rating: Total score: 75%
Source: Chimera Revo IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 09/28/2016
Rating: Total score: 83% price: 90% features: 75% mobility: 95% workmanship: 80% ergonomy: 80%
Source: Leonardo.it Tech IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/26/2016
Rating: Total score: 79% price: 85% display: 78% mobility: 89% workmanship: 84% ergonomy: 82%
Source: HDblog.it IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/25/2016
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Lupo Kkio IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/22/2016
Rating: Total score: 75%
Source: AndroidWorld.it IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/14/2016
Rating: Total score: 78% price: 80% display: 75% ergonomy: 80%
Source: Andrea Galeazzi IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 09/12/2016
Rating: Total score: 69% price: 70% display: 65% mobility: 89% workmanship: 72%
Source: MrInformatica IT→EN Archive.org version
Positive: High autonomy; low price; nice design; decent display. Negative: Sim and microSD are on the same slot.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 02/18/2017
Source: InstaNews IT→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Low price. Negative: Mediocre hardware; low performance.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 02/03/2017
Source: Androidiani IT→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Low price; high autonomy. Negative: No NFC; average performance; poor cameras.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/23/2016
Source: Techstation.it IT→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Long battery life; great built quality; good price; decent cameras. Negative: Average speakers.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 10/24/2016
Source: Tech Different IT→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Elegant design; long battery life; good price. Negative: Unsupport fast charge.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/05/2016
Source: Pianeta Cellulare IT→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Metal case; nice design; decent hardware; long battery life; good price; decent cameras. Negative: Unsupport fast charge.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/03/2016
Source: Techzilla.it IT→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Solid workmanship; high autonomy; good price. Negative: Average fingerprint sensor.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 09/26/2016
Source: Nieuwe Mobiel.nl NL→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Beautiful design; metal case; high autonomy. Negative: Poor display; slow system; many bloatwares; poor cameras; inflexible fingerprint sensor.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 05/03/2017
Source: AndroidPit.fr FR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 01/17/2017
Rating: Total score: 60%
Source: 01Net FR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/16/2016
Rating: Total score: 64% performance: 50% display: 80% mobility: 80%
Source: Top for Phone FR→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Good price; long battery life; premium design; flexible fingerprint sensor; decent hardware. Negative: Poor display; average performance.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 02/02/2017
Source: Tabletowo PL→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/19/2016
Rating: Total score: 81% performance: 70% display: 75% mobility: 90% workmanship: 85%
Source: Log.com.tr TR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 03/17/2017
Rating: Total score: 77%
Source: Chip Online TR TR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 03/14/2017
Rating: Total score: 79%
Source: Inceleme.co TR→EN Archive.org version
Positive: High autonomy; nice design; decent display; good price. Negative: Sim and microSD are on the same slot.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 04/06/2017
Source: Product Test RU→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/04/2016
Rating: Total score: 71%
Source: Zing VN→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Long battery life; nice cameras; stylish design; metal case; fast fingerprint sensor; low price.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 03/24/2017
Source: Zing VN→EN Archive.org version
Positive: High autonomy; impressive color; good price; large screen; metal case; decent cameras; fast fingerprint sensor.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/18/2017
Source: The Gioididong VN→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Stylish design; impressive color; decent hardware; long battery life; good price.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 03/06/2017
Source: VNReview VN→EN Archive.org version
Positive: High autonomy. Negative: Unsupport fast charge.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 12/24/2016
Source: The Gioididong VN→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Good price; powerful hardware; long battery life.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 12/18/2016
Source: VNReview VN→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Low price; attractive design; nice display; decent cameras; good performance. Negative: Short battery life.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 11/04/2016
Source: Smartphone.bg BU→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Stylish design; long battery life; fast fingerprint scanner; good cameras. Negative: Low performance.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 01/11/2017
Source: Digitalportal.sk SK→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/03/2016
Rating: Total score: 75%
Comment
Model: Asus has just introduced the new Zenfone 3 Max, which focuses on delivering best possible battery life without making too many compromises. The result was a decent package that balances performance and price well enough, while still delivering its key objective. The phone is encased in a 149.5 x 73.7 x 8.6 mm sand-blasted aluminium alloy body, and weighs about 148 g. With a thin 2.25 mm bezel and 75% screen-to-body ratio, it allows for more display and less bulk. Its 5.2-inch IPS touchscreen is covered by 2.5D protective glass with oleophobic coating, so fingerprints will not be an issue. The screen has a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, 16M colors and a brightness of 400 nits for easy viewing under direct sunlight.
The Zenfone 3 Max runs on Android v6.0.1 Marshmallow with ZenUI 3.0 out of the box. The ZC520TL variant is powered by a quad-core Mediatek MT6737M SoC clocked at 1.45 GHz. This variant comes with the option of either 16 GB storage with 2 GB RAM or 32 GB storage with 3 GB RAM, but both have a microSD card slot which allows adding up to 358 GB. But the crowning jewel of the Zenfone 3 Max is its considerably large 4100 mAh battery. The phone’s ZenUI 3.0 brings super saving modes, which allows the phone to squeeze out more juice from its battery. The super saving modes are pre-configured to maximize every last milliamp, and, when enabled, can extend ZenFone 3 Max’s standby time by 36 hours – even when it’s as low as 10%. The Zenfone 3 Max’s ability to perform reverse-charging is what truly sets it apart from other devices on the market. Thanks to its large battery capacity, the Zenfone 3 Max can double up as a power bank to charge other digital devices.
The Zenfone 3 Max has a 13 MP primary camera with f/2.2 aperture, autofocus, and LED flash. It can take high-resolution photos with zero shutter lag, and record 1080p videos at 30 fps. It also has a 5 MP secondary front camera with f/2.0 aperture, which shoots sharp selfies and is able to produce clear video chats. It is also notable that in one of the Zenfone Max 3’s PixelMaster modes, i.e. the Super Resolution mode, the device can capture multiple shots simultaneously for a single photograph with stunning 52 MP detail. The other two PixelMaster modes are HDR mode, which can see clearly through daytime shadow, and Low Light mode, which takes clear and bright photos, even in poor lighting conditions. Just below the rear camera is the phone’s fingerprint sensor, which unlocks the phone in 0.3 seconds. Swiping down the fingerprint sensor will summon the selfie camera, and the sensor also acts like a second shutter button, which can be tapped to snap a photo. The Zenfone 3 Max is truly one of a kind. It offers a good design and great battery life for just a fraction of the price.
Hands-on article by Jagadisa Rajarathnam
ARM Mali-T720 MP2: Integrated graphics card in ARM based SoCs. Can be configured with up to 8 cores (T720 MP8) and 650 MHz core clock (at 28nm). Supports OpenGL ES 3.1, OpenCL 1.1, DirectX 11 FL9_3, and Renderscript.
These graphics cards are not suited for Windows 3D games. Office and Internet surfing however is possible.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.
MT6737: ARM based quad-core SOC (4x Cortex-A53) with 64-bit support and a clock of up to 1.3 GHz.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.
5.20":
It is a very small display format for smartphones. You should by no means be mis-sighted and you will generally see very little on the screen and only have a small resolution available. In return, the device should be very small and handy.
» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.Asus: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. is a major Taiwanese computer hardware manufacturer based in Taipei, founded in 1989. Under the Asus brand name, the company manufactures a wide range of products, including laptops, desktops, motherboards, graphics cards, monitors, smartphones and networking equipment, complete systems and PC components for end users.
Under the ROG (Republic of Gamers) brand name, ASUS manufactures gaming laptops known by gamers for their powerful specifications, dedicated graphics cards, high refresh rate displays and advanced cooling systems.
Beyond gaming, a wide range of notebooks are offered for different needs and budgets, from ultra-slim and lightweight ultrabooks to versatile 2-in-1 convertibles and budget-friendly options. In 2023, Asus had a 7% global market share of the PC market.
Customer satisfaction with ASUS notebooks concerns performance, the features, and the good price-performance ratio of ASUS notebooks. However, as with any brand, there are occasional reports of problems such as overheating, driver compatibility, or build quality issues.
74.97%: This rating is poor. More than three quarters of the models are rated better. That is rather not a purchase recommendation. Even if verbal ratings in this area do not sound that bad ("sufficient" or "satisfactory"), they are usually euphemisms that disguise a classification as a below-average laptop.
» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.