2 Days in Cebu City with Asus Zenfone Max

January 24, 2016 Ruth Dela Cruz

Asus Philippines flew us to Cebu to #SeeMoreinFullCharge with the new Asus Zenfone Max – a new smartphone that promises 38 days of battery life in Stand-by Mode. Click Read More to read my review and sample shots of Asus Zenfone Max.

When you received an invitation to fly to Cebu to attend a product launch and experience a new smartphone to take beautiful pictures and memories, you just say yes. You just simply say yes.

(Okay, I said yes after checking my schedule and making sure I don’t have conflicts in every aspect).

So I said yes to Asus Philippines’ invitation to fly to Cebu. Included in the plane ticket that they sent me home is the new Zenfone Max that promises 38 days of battery life in Stand By Mode. But you know me, I don’t just “stand by”.

It was sent to me Thursday (and it was already preloaded with apps) but because of the many other things that I do, I only got the chance to unbox it in the airport – Saturday morning.

Taken with #shootmewithvibexruth

The battery is in full charge. I was ready to take it to my #RuthGoestoCebu adventure. I had 3 phones with me that day, but I make sure that I get to use and test the Asus Zenfone Max. Please note that I will label the photos correctly which ones I used to take them so you can see the actual sample shots of the new phone/s from Asus.

First off, The Design

It is easy to carry and I love the white color I got. The back cover is made of matte material which is however a dirt magnet (can you imagine eating cheese flavoured chips and holding the phone)?

Taken with #shootmewithvibexruth

The Asus Zenfone Max is equipped with 13 megapixel camera with laser auto focus technology for a nearly-instant focusing time of just 0.03 seconds. It has PixelMaster Camera that enables one to take creative shots based on different conditions. It has IPS display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4. ZenFone Max’s front camera is a 5MP, f/2.0-aperture camera with 85̊ wide-viewing angle for getting more information and details into the picture.

Setting my expectations on the Asus Zenfone Max battery life:

Here are some initial results from our own lab testing*:
• Standby time: up to 914.4 hours
• Talk time (3G): up to 37.5 hours
• Internet use time (Wi-Fi): up to 32.5 hours
• Audio playback (local): up to 72.9 hours
• Video playback (local): up to 22.6 hours

7:00 AM Saturday – NAIA TERMINAL 2

Taken with #shootmewithvibexruth

Here are some sample photos taken using Asus Zenfone Max (without editing and filter) taken at the airport NAIA 2 before our flight.

Asus invited mix of bloggers from different niche.

(1) with MJ de Leon, Jeng Bauto and Edsel Roy (2) with Rodel Flordeliz and Earth Rullan (3) the bags – HIMSchel and Herschel 😀 (4)Roddy and Guam-y Bear Myke (5) Suspect John Bueno, Rodel and Adrian Benepayo

Rodel got chummy with his seatmate. So I took the chance to test the zoom feature of the Asus Zenfone Max 🙂

I love this! #ruthapproved !

9:00 AM Saturday – Inside the Aircraft

Taken with #shootmewithvibexruth

Below are the sample shots using Asus Zenfone Max

The Selfie camera has an option to make your eyes BIGGER, make your chin thinner or put a blush on your cheek.

10:50 AM Saturday – MACTAN AIRPORT CEBU

Side story: we flew in with other celebrities and personalities who were also bound to Cebu for the Sinulog Festival. It was chaotic in the airport when we arrived. People were having their pictures taken with the Red Jumpsuit Appratus. We already spotted them in Manila airport but it was too compelling when I saw them with the crowd. 😀

Taken with #shootmewithvibexruth

Enroute to the hotel, here are some more photos:

11:30 AM Saturday – MARRIOTT HOTEL, CEBU

We arrived in Marriott Hotel in Cebu and was welcomed by these lovely Cebuanas.

Quick snap:

Before we checked in, we were on to another treat – the launch of the new Asus Zenfone Zoom. But I’ll tell you more about it on a separate post.

(1) getting ready for the launch – can you spot the photographer from the Zenfone Max camera? (2) Battery life check (3) Rodel started it, then I followed (3) and Earth too 🙂 Pictures taken #ShootMeWithVibeXRuth (4) Battery-check

Sample shots using Asus Zenfone Max during the launch:

(1) with the man of the hour – Eason (2) Duane joined us for the launch! I think the BIG EYES feature was still ON (3) with the Asus Zenfone Zoom that we got to test during our Cebu stay

3:00 PM Saturday – Check-in at Marriott Hotel

At 3:00 pm, we finally got to check in. The Asus Zenfone Max battery is still at around 80% full. I mainly used it for taking pictures and videos – and listening to music.

4:00 PM to 6:00 PM Saturday – Quick City Tour with Zenfone Zoom

I will tell you more about it on a separate post. It was my first time to experience and be in the streets with a crowd. I felt like a tourist in my own country.

Turista Pic with Nognog in the City

7:00 PM Saturday – Dinner and Introduction of Asus Zenfone Max

Back in our hotel, we had dinner at Marriott where the new Asus Zenfone Max was finally introduced.

Below: Taken with Lenovo Vibe Shot

Above: Taken with Asus Zenfone Zoom

At around 9:00 PM, we transferred to Blue Elephant which is just walking distance from our hotel. We got a good view of the city at night. It was amazing. It is like seeing the city in another country.

Mirror Picture with Duane Bacon 🙂

9:00 PM Saturday – Blue Elephant

Sample Shots of Asus Zenfone Max in Low Light

11:00 PM Saturday – Pool Area – Marriott Hotel

After a few glasses of wine, the Titos and Titas decided to go back to the hotel. I had my alone-time at the pool before I went back to the room. The Asus Zenfone Max battery is surprisingly at 50% full. Although I was using 3 different phones that day, I still use the Zenfone Max to record videos and take pictures which can still consume battery. I also used it for social media whenever there’s a wifi connectivity available.

11:59 PM Saturday – Room 1009 Marriott Hotel

I went to bed at 12 midnight. The Asus Zenfone Max is at 50%. It weirdly updates the clock into a different timezone despite configuring it (so you would have guessed, that my pictures timestamps are a mess). Same with Earth’s Zenfone Max. But it was a minor glitch (or something that we probably haven’t configured and figured out yet).

7:00 AM Sunday – Room 1009 Marriott Hotel

I woke up the following day at 7 in the morning. It was good that I was already done with spiritual responsibilities back in Manila. We were scheduled to attend the parade but we already made arrangements to skip it and just explore the city (or the Ayala mall beside the hotel).

8:00 AM Sunday – Breakfast at Marriott Hotel

11:00 AM Sunday – Pool Time and Mall Time

Rodel and I decided to just stay in a hotel, take a dip in the pool and stroll around Ayala Mall which has direct access to our hotel.

A #ruthgoestocebu story: while checking out the pool in @cebumarriott hotel, I thought I spotted a hottie. I have to use the @asusph #zenfonemax 3x OPTICAL ZOOM and discovered that it was just the nognoginthecity @rodelflordeliz 😭 Define DISAPPOINTMENT. I need to get my eyes checked soon. #zenfonezoom #seehwhatothercantsee #seenognogupclose Not #seesinulogupclose

A photo posted by Ruth dela Cruz (@ruthilicious) on Jan 18, 2016 at 4:53am PST

Skipped the parade and decided to take a dip. Met these two cute kids and told them I am only 10 years old 😂💖💋 Taken using @asusph #zenfonezoom 📷 by @rodelflordeliz #seewhatotherscantsee #thisisruth #RuthGoestoCebu Great capture on the kid’s jump with 0.03 Laser Auto Focus ❤ not #seesinulogupclose

A photo posted by Ruth dela Cruz (@ruthilicious) on Jan 17, 2016 at 12:46am PST

It is not easy being GREEN, sabi ng trees. 😂🌲🌱🌳 New blog post now up on the blog 💖💋 www.ruthdelacruz.com PS. Love plain tops from @giordanoph 💖 Taken using #zenfonemax #seewhatotherscantsee #thisisruth #wiwtd #travel #instafashion #cebu

A photo posted by Ruth dela Cruz (@ruthilicious) on Jan 18, 2016 at 8:19pm PST

1:00 PM Sunday – Lunch at Marriott Hotel

We had lunch at Marriott Hotel. Thank you Alvin and Louie for arranging this for us! I was taking my sweet time enjoying the fruits that I completely forgot we needed to check out at 2pm. Thankfully, I only brought few stuff during the trip and I was done packing in 5 minutes 🙂

2:30 PM Sunday – En Route to Mactan Airport

It was around 2:30 pm when we left the hotel. Battery-check shows that it was already showing red flag. En route, I was able to connect with JuanderfulPinoy and Lakwatseros. They are camera-shy though. But it was nice to get to know some of the first travel bloggers in the Pinoy Blog Community.

Taken with #shootmewithvibexruth

4:00 PM Sunday – En Route to Mactan Airport

Our flight got delayed for 30 minutes but I have so much faith in Philippine Airlines 🙂 The Asus Zenfone Max was surprisingly still functional even with almost zero battery.

(1) #TeamSuspects with Myke (2) #TeamBeddables – Rodel, Ruth and Myke

Disregard the time, it was taken prolly around 4:30 pm. On the background was my bag and packs of Cebu Lechon!!!

Thank you so much @asusph for flying me to Cebu and letting me to be one of the first to try the new #zenfonemax and #zenfonezoom 💖 I had an awesome weekend with these peeps. Will share my experience and sample shots on the blog www.ruthdelacruz.com 💖💋 #thisisruth #RuthGoestoCebu #seemorewithfullcharge #seewhatotherscantsee #seesinulogupclose

A photo posted by Ruth dela Cruz (@ruthilicious) on Jan 17, 2016 at 6:08am PST

The Verdict: Asus Zenfone Max

I have mentioned in my previous reviews of different gadgets that battery life and camera are more important features for me. The best camera is the one that you have at the moment. But what good is a camera if you have no battery?

You have seen all the evidences of how powerful the battery of the new Asus Zenfone Max.
Yes, it is impressive that it lasted for me for 2 days. I wish I have tested it fully by making it my main phone for social media posting and for connectivity. The better news, the Asus Zenfone Max can also be used to charge up your other phone. You just have to connect the second device with the bundled USB on-the-go (OTG) cable and begin charging.

Here’s my battery life usage. Screenshot taken at around 4:30 pm on a Sunday.

The camera can take good, quality pictures with good lighting. It is a pretty decent smartphone with good camera for its price. I noticed though that switching between apps is quite a challenge as it tends to lag in a millisecond.

Overall, I think the Asus Zenfone Max is the best deal from all the Asus Zenfones I have tested and used. It is compact, sleek and sexy. It has good camera with battery that can last you until your last selfie for the day.

Here are the Asus Zenfone Max Specs:

Technical Specifications*

Finish / Color
Leather-like finish: Osmium Black
Eggshell finish: Pure White

Capacity
Internal storage: 16GB
Micro SD: Up to 64GB
ASUS WebStorage: 5GB free for life
Google Drive: 100GB free space (2 years)

Weight / Dimensions
202 g (with battery) / 77.5 x 156 x 5.2 ~ 10.55 mm (LxWxH)
Display 5.5-inch
HD (1280 x 720) IPS display with full-screen lamination
ASUS TruVivid technology
450nits brightness
Corning® Gorilla® Glass 4
Bluelight Filter for Eye Care

Touch
Industry-leading 60ms touch response time
Fingerprint and smudge-resistant oleophobic coating
Support glove touch

Processor
Qualcomm® SnapdragonTM 410 quad-core ARM® CortexTM A53 at up to
1.2 GHz per core; 32-bit and 64-bit capable
Adreno 306 GPU

Memory
RAM: 2GB LPDDR3

PixelMaster Camera Modes:

HDR (up to 400% brightness), Low Light (up to 400% better light
sensitivity), Manual (DSLR-like) , Real Time Beautification, Super
Resolution (52MP), Night, Depth of Field, Photo Effect, Selfie Panorama,
Selfie, GIF Animation, Panorama, Miniature, Time Rewind, Smart Remove,
All Smiles, Slow Motion, Time Lapse

What do you think of Asus Zenfone Max?
Where will you bring it?

Coming up next, #RuthGoestoCebu Photo Diary using Zenfone Zoom

Thank you Asus Philippines for the opportunity to test the new Asus Zenfone Max and Asus Zenfone Zoom in Cebu.
Asus Philippines sponsored the trip but all opinions and pictures in this blog are all mine.

Enter your email address: