ASUS ZenFone 4 Max Lite Review
After bringing the ASUS ZenFone 4 Max Lite to my different travel destinations, it's time to finally drop the verdict! Is this entry-level smartphone worth the investment for wanderers like me? Read on to know my impressions on the toned-down version of the battery king, the ASUS ZenFone 4 Max.
UNBOXING
I've always preferred my smartphone in gold because this color evokes elegance. Props to this phone for looking sleek and premium even if it's in the budget range. Provided that it's the affordable take on the ASUS ZenFone 4 Max line, its aesthetics compared to its mother unit still looked the same.
After reviewing quite a number of smartphones in the past, it is the first time I've encountered the OTG cable. It is an extra cable that enables the smartphone to charge other USB-powered devices. (I've been bringing this with me from the day I've had it!)
Aside from this cable, every purchase of the ASUS ZenFone 4 Max Lite also comes with a clear phone case, earphones with two extra earbuds, phone manual, charger adapter, USB cable, and PIN.
Aside from this cable, every purchase of the ASUS ZenFone 4 Max Lite also comes with a clear phone case, earphones with two extra earbuds, phone manual, charger adapter, USB cable, and PIN.
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| Unboxing the ASUS ZenFone 4 Max Lite |
Another features to take note about this smartphone: It boasts a 4100 mAh battery life and a 16 GB internal storage. Also, it has triple slots that support Dual SIM cards and one MicroSD card.
BATTERY POWER
With its battery-centric selling point, this phone didn't fail to deliver the demands that I have in a smartphone. My phone behavior would mostly be on a WiFi network, changing from one social media app to another with Spotify in the background. I sometimes use my Bluetooth headphones when I feel like listening to high-quality music, too.
On a day to day basis, I find the ASUS ZenFone 4 Max Lite phone with few battery percentages left. Just in time to recharge it for another day of wandering as soon as I reach home.
As much as possible, I don't want to leave my phone charging overnight because of the danger it can bring. With this smartphone's fast-charging capability, it fits my always-on-the-go personality and I don't have to rely on overnight phone charging.
CAMERA
The camera phone is my make-or-break when investing in a new mobile phone. I haven't invested yet in another battery for my mirrorless camera that's why I want my phone to be capable of taking great images just in case my camera battery runs out.
FRONT CAMERA
The ASUS ZenFone 4 Max Lite has an 8 megapixels front camera that has 4 PixelMaster camera modes: Beauty, Auto (with HDR features), Selfie Panorama, and GIF Animation. For this review, I focused on shooting in auto because I prefer enhancing my images with third-party applications.
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| Shot in Auto mode in broad daylight |
The front camera takes sharper photos in well-lit places (of course). However, it is understandable that photos in darker locations tend to be grainy because of camera restrictions. Whenever taking a selfie, I need to find the light source to correct the color of the image and to make the subjects sharper, at the same time.
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| Shot in Auto mode in a room with a restricted light source |
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| Shot in Portrait mode in broad daylight |
REAR CAMERA
Just a quick background, the ASUS ZenFone 4 Max Lite has a dual-camera system, prevalent among the latest smartphones nowadays. It also has a 13MP PixelMaster rear camera with zero shutter lag that's perfect for taking sharp photos quickly. (That millisecond is important when you're still taking photographs of your lunch and your friends are literally hungry already! haha) 
I've also put the rear cameras to a test just to see how well it can perform in different situations.
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| ASUS ZenFone 4 Max Lite's Main Camera vs Secondary Camera |
In my opinion, the camera performs better in a non-moving subject provided that the photographer is shooting in auto mode.
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| Shot in Auto mode in broad daylight |
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| Shot in Auto mode with secondary camera in broad daylight |
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| Shot in Auto mode with main and secondary camera in a room with a restricted light source |
VERDICT
I'm recommending the ASUS ZenFone 4 Max Lite to busy people on a budget who wants a versatile phone to cater their daily mobile needs: from daily communication, camera, to long battery life.
Coming from a person who invests in flagship items, I've realized that affordable smartphones like this can also make a nice alternative should I run out of my budget since it serves me well given its price.
I have high regards to this smartphone's battery life. For its price, getting a 4,100 mAh battery capacity is a huge win already. Not only I have an extended time of using my phone, I can also do reverse-charging should I need to charge my other devices.
However, the cameras of the ZenFone 4 Max Lite require a little patience from its owner. But if you already mastered the art of taking a photo using a smartphone, the photographs with this one can be satisfying.
You can grab the ASUS ZenFone 4 Max Lite for Php 7,995 in your trusted gadget stores nationwide! For the complete specifications of this phone, you can click here.
Let me know your thoughts on this smartphone in the comment box below. 😊
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