Comparison between Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1 and Redmi Note 5 Pro. Redmi Note 5 Pro killer? Let’s find out

When it comes to budget Android phones in India, the name which strikes our cognizance first, is Xiaomi. Yes, there are reasons behind it, and it offer the best specifications at a pocket-friendly price, which is pretty handy for most Indian consumers. The Redmi Note 5 Pro, released in February 2018, was also not an exception to that. But, the launch of the Asus Zenfone Max Pro, which will hit the market in the month of April 2018 can be a better package for most Indian users, and that too at a cheaper price. Yes, sometimes Xiaomi can also lag behind, and the introduction of 10 Or phones in last few months proved, Xiaomi is not the only brand, who can give the best value for money products.

Since the two devices, namely the Asus Zenfone Max Pro and the Redmi Note 5 Pro offer similar specifications at different prices, we will find a comparison between the two, which can help you decide, which you should go for, if you are planning to purchase your next smartphone, and your budget is less than Rs. 17,000 or 18,000. I will also discuss the similarities, to keep the game balanced, and to help you take your decision in a better, and in a more convenient way.

The similarities

Let’s first find out the similarities.

Both and Redmi Note 5 Pro and Asus Zenfone Max Pro displays are 5.99 inches, and the type of display is IPS LCD 18:9, and the screen resolutions are 1080×2160 pixels.

Both Asus Zenfone Max Pro and Redmi Note 5 Pro will come with rear-mounted fingerprint scanners, and Micro USB slot of data syncing and charging.

Both the Redmi Note 5 Pro and Asus Zenfone Max Pro SoC are based on Qualcomm Snapdragon 636, which is one of the latest processors by the chip manufacturing giant, and the GPUs, in both the cases, are Adreno 509.

Both Redmi Note 5 Pro and Asus Zenfone Max Pro RAM are 6 GB LPDDR4 modules. Though there are other RAM and storage variants for both the devices, as well.

These were the similarities.

Redmi Note 5 Pro vs. Asus Zenfone Max Pro

Now let the real fight between Redmi Note 5 Pro and Asus Zenfone Max Pro begin, where I will find, where the later one beats the former one, and the domains, where the opposite happens.

Camera is the selling point of most Asus and Xiaomi devices, and that being said, the Redmi Note 5 Pro features a dual primary camera setup with 12 MP f2.2 aperture and 5 MP f2.0 aperture, while the base model of Asus Zenfone Max Pro offers a dual camera setup of 13 MP f2.2 aperture and 5 MP phase detection autofocus.

The 6 GB RAM variant though offers a Dual 16 MP and 5 MP camera setup. The secondary camera of Asus Zenfone Max Pro offers 16 MP single camera, while the Redmi Note 5 Pro offers a 20 MP secondary camera. Though if you are not a frequent selfie taker, it is not going to make a huge difference for you.

The thing which matters is the 4K video recording, and Asus Zenfone Max Pro offers 4K video recording, while the Redmi Note 5 Pro lags behind, and offers just Full HD video recording.

SIM and expandable storage

The next thing, which might seem, doesn’t make a huge difference, but it isn’t actually so, is the dedicated slot for SD card. The Redmi Note 5 Pro offers a hybrid SIM slot, while the Asus Zenfone Max Pro offers a dedicated slot for Micro SD card, which is pretty great for users, who use a Jio connection for data, and another connection for calling and messaging, with the advantage of using an external SD card at the same time.

Operating system and UI

The Redmi Note 5 Pro come with Android 7.1.2 or Nougat, while the Asus Zenfone Max Pro operating system will be Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box. Though it is expected the Redmi Note 5 Pro will get the Oreo update soon, but getting something out of the box is a different experience.

The Asus Zenfone Max Pro features Mi UI, which is not that great, and comes nowhere close, when it comes to the convenience of using Android’s stock user interface, which will be seen in the Asus Zenfone Max Pro. Thus, in user interface and software, as well, Asus Zenfone Max Pro turns out to be a clear winner.

Battery

The battery is doubt an important aspect for smartphones nowadays, and the Asus Zenfone Max Pro battery is 5000 mAh, while the Redmi Note 5 Pro battery is 4000 mAh. Yes, 1000 mAh is a not a small value, and it will really make a difference in everyday use circumstances.

Though both the devices have support for fast charging, but the charging speed of the Asus Zenfone Max Pro is limited to 5 Volt and 2 Ampere, which is something to worry, for the Asus Zenfone purchasers.

Though that is not going to be a deal breaker for the Asus Zenfone Max Pro purchasers, if the other Asus Zenfone Max Pro specs are taken into consideration.

Price

Now, there is a reason, why I am doing the comparison. Both the devices have similar specifications with some things, where the Asus Zenfone Max Pro, surpasses the Redmi Note 5 Pro, and that too at a cheaper and a more affordable price.

Talking about the base variant of the Redmi Note 5 Pro, which is 4 GB RAM and 64 GB internal storage, it is about Rs 14,000 on Mi.com, while the price of the Asus Zenfone Max Pro with the 4 GB and 64 GB is priced at almost Rs. 13,000, and that too with better specifications.

Talking about the base variant, of the Asus Zenfone Max Pro 3 GB RAM, 32 GB storage variant, it is priced at almost Rs. 11,000. If the Asus Zenfone Max Pro 6 GB RAM and 128 GB storage variant is priced within Rs. 15,000 or Rs. 16,000, it is surely going to be the first Redmi Note 5 Pro killer smartphone.

Why Asus Zenfone Max Pro is the winner

Now, from point of view, The Asus Zenfone Max Pro is clearly a winner, not only for the specs and the price, but also because it will be available in the offline market. One problem with the Xiaomi devices, and obviously with the Redmi Note 5 Pro, is that, in most cases, it is unavailable in the online market, which is, under no circumstances, a small issue.

Though the real life performance of the Asus Zenfone Max Pro, is yet to be seen, and I don’t think, that will be a disappointing one. If you can live without the IR Blaster present on most Xiaomi devices, and can get your life adjusted without the Mi UI, which most people can, for sure, just go for Asus Zenfone Max Pro, and you will not regret that.

Hope the small comparison between Asus Zenfone Max Pro and Redmi Note 5 Pro was helpful for you, and I am sure, it will help you take your decision, for purchasing your next budget device.