Xiaomi surprised everybody when they launched and announced the price of the Redmi S2 here in the Philippines. And in true Xiaomi fashion, the device has a better-looking spec sheet than any smartphone in its price category.
But a few weeks after, ASUS tries to go and get them as they bring the Zenfone Max Pro M1. Out of everything that ASUS has released in the country in the last few months, a lot of people were particularly more excited about this handset — for good reason.
Just like the Xiaomi Redmi S2, the ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M1 tries to deliver midrange-like specs, for a price of under Php10k — an impressive feat that only these two brands were able to execute as of the moment.
Can the ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M1 beat the Xiaomi Redmi S2 on a specs battle? Or will Xiaomi’s offering remain as the undefeated champion of the entry-level market? Check out our Xiaomi Redmi S2 versus ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M1 specifications and features comparison to find out the answer to these questions.
| Xiaomi Redmi S2 | ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 8.1 Oreo MIUI 9 | Android 8.1 Oreo |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby Hybrid | Dual SIM Dual standby |
| Display | 5.99-inch HD+ IPS 1440 x 720 resolution ~268ppi 18:9 aspect ratio | 5.99-inch FHD+ IPS 2160 x 1080 resolution ~402ppi 18:9 aspect ratio |
| Processor | 2.0GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 octa-core | 1.8GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 octa-core |
| RAM | 3GB | 3GB |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | Adreno 509 |
| Storage | 32GB expandable via microSD up to 256GB | 32GB expandable via microSD up to 400GB |
| Front camera | 16-megapixel LED flash | 8-megapixel f/2.2 LED flash |
| Rear Camera | 12-megapixel + 5-megapixel PDAF Gyro EIS f/2.2 LED flash | 13-megapixel + 5-megapixel f/2.2 PDAF LED flash |
| Security | Fingerprint scanner | Facial Recognition Fingerprint scanner |
| Connectivity | HSPA+ 4G LTE Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n Bluetooth 4.2 GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS FM Radio microUSB 2.0 | HSPA+ 4G LTE Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth 4.2 GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS FM Radio microUSB 2.0 |
| Dimensions | 160.7 x 77.3 x 8.1mm | 159 x 76 x 8.5mm |
| Weight | 170g | 180g |
| Color | Platinum Silver Rose Gold Champagne Gold | Deepsea Black Titanium Grey |
| Battery | 3080mAh non-removable | 5000mAh non-removable 10w charger |
| Price | Php7,990 | Php9,995 |
The Xiaomi Redmi S2 has an appealing set of specs and a more appealing price tag. However, between the two, I find the ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M1 more lucrative. It is priced a bit higher, but for what you’re getting, it is tough to beat for any smartphone under this category.
For an extra Php2,000, the Zenfone Max Pro M1 offers a better processor. It sports a faster and more modern Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chipset, while the Redmi S2 only runs on Snapdragon 625.
This also means that ASUS’ offering has a better Adreno 509 GPU for games, while the Redmi S2 only has Adreno 506. In terms of RAM and storage, you don’t have to worry about it as both devices have 3GB and 32GB, respectively.
Both phones share the same screen size, but the Zenfone Max Pro M1 has a sharper Full HD+ screen, while the latter is equipped with an HD+ panel. On the downside, the Zenfone Max Pro M1 only has an 8-megapixel selfie camera while the Redmi S2 has a 16-megapixel front shooter.
The shooters on the back are pretty much identical. ASUS’ bet has a 13-megapixel + 5-megapixel combo, while the Redmi S2 has a 12-megapixel + 5-megapixel setup. Both secondary sensors are just used for the Portrait Mode feature, so nothing really special here.
It was a close call until we get to the battery department. The ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M1 has an ultra-large 5,000mAh battery, which is one of the biggest capacities you can get in this price range. On the other hand, the Xiaomi Redmi S2 has an average-sized 3,080mAh battery. It is already good by its own respect but it’s noticeably inferior to the Zenfone Max Pro M1.
So, to wrap it up, there’s no denying that the clear winner here is the ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M1. That’s understandable because of its price difference. Most people who are shopping in this price category are actually price sensitive. So, if you’re not capable of spending Php2,000 more for the Max Pro M1, the Xiaomi Redmi S2 is actually a very good option as well. In fact, there’s probably nothing that the Max Pro can do that the Redmi S2 can’t.
The ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M1 retails for a price of Php9,995, while the Xiaomi Redmi S2 costs Php7,990.