Within days after the official announcement of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 in the Philippines, news has broken out that ASUS intends to counter with an affordable ZenFone based on Qualcomm’s new midrange platform.
SEE ALSO: Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 global-version review: Midrange monster
And no, we’re not talking about the ASUS ZenFone 5, which has already made its way to the country (in a new silver color variant even) for a suggested retail price of P19,995 (around $382).
Of course, we’re referring to the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 with pure Android 8.1 Oreo. The smartphone was launched in India the previous month with a starting price of ₹10,999 (P8,562 or $163) for the base model with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage. The version with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage retails at ₹12,999 (P10,119 or $193).
READ ALSO: New ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 undercuts Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro
As we previously reported, the 4GB RAM and 64GB storage model of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 has been priced at P11,990 ($229) in the Philippines. It will go on sale from May 15 at the Mi Authorized Stores at SM Megamall and TriNoma, as well as online through Xiaomi’s official store on Lazada Philippines.
Going back to the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1, several sources are said to have confirmed the release of the phone in the country, according to YugaTech. It has been listed on the manufacturer’s local website as well, further suggesting that ASUS might get it on shelves sooner rather than later.
SEE ALSO: Confirmed by ASUS: ASUS ROG gaming smartphone launching in June
Perhaps the announcement will be made before Taiwan’s Computex 2018 computing show in June, where ASUS is expected to reveal its very own ROG-branded gaming phone. Your guess is as good as ours.
As for the main highlights besides the pure Android experience, the ZenFone Max Pro M1 will launch with these specs: a 6-inch, 18:9 display without a cutout or notch at the top; a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 with 3GB or 4GB of RAM and up to 64GB of storage; a 13- or 16-megapixel main camera complemented by a 5-megapixel sensor at the back; an 8- or 16-megapixel camera for selfies; and a massive 5,000mAh battery.
ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 specs
- 5.99-inch 18:9 LCD display, 2,160 x 1,080 pixels
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 636
- Adreno 509 GPU
- 3GB, 4GB/6GB RAM
- 32GB, 64GB of expandable memory (microSD card: up to 2TB)
- Dual rear camera: 13 megapixels (f/2.2), 5 megapixels
- 8-megapixel front camera (f/2.2)
- 4G LTE
- Dual SIM
- Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor
- MicroUSB 2.0, USB On-The-Go
- 5,000mAh battery
- Pure Android 8.1 Oreo
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