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Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Asus Zenfone 9 depends on your priorities. If you prioritize a larger screen, longer battery life, and a higher-quality camera system, go with the iPhone 15 Pro Max; however, be aware that it's significantly more expensive. On the other hand, if you prefer a more compact phone with a headphone jack and a more affordable price, the Zenfone 9 is the way to go. Keep in mind that the iPhone runs iOS, while the Zenfone runs Android, which may affect your choice depending on what operating system you're comfortable with. The iPhone also has higher peak brightness for the display and a faster A17 processor, but the Zenfone offers a high refresh rate and a strong overall performance for its price range. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
- Best in class for taking photos
- Best in class for recording videos
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class display quality
- Best in class performance
Advantages of the Asus Zenfone 9
- The Asus Zenfone 9 has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
10.0
6.2
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has best in class overall camera quality, while the Asus Zenfone 9 has only fair overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max's cameras outperform the Asus Zenfone 9, notably in selfie quality, offering superior resolution, software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance, which are essential aspects of a camera. Conversely, the Asus Zenfone 9's cameras have limitations in dynamic range, low light capability, and versatility, making the iPhone 15 Pro Max a better option for those prioritizing photographic performance.
Photo Quality
10.0
6.0
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max takes best in class photos, while the Asus Zenfone 9 takes only fair photos.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max delivers superior photo quality with best scores in software experience and selfie quality compared to the Asus Zenfone 9, which shows competent software experience but poor performance in the areas of dynamic range and low light, impacting the overall photo quality.
Video Quality
10.0
6.4
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max takes best in class videos, while the Asus Zenfone 9 takes only fair videos.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max provides a superior video experience with better software, stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality compared to the Asus Zenfone 9, which demonstrates competent qualities but doesn't reach the same level of excellence in these aspects. Additionally, the iPhone 15 Pro Max also benefits from a higher video resolution and frame rate capability, contributing to its best-in-class video output.
Battery
9.8 Hours
7.8 Hours
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has 9.8 hours of battery life. The Asus Zenfone 9 has 7.8 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Asus Zenfone 9 is 5.9 inches.
Cost
$1,100
$700
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has a price of $1,100 and the Asus Zenfone 9 costs $700.
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How the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Asus Zenfone 9 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max | Asus Zenfone 9 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,100 | $700 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Asus | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 22, 2023 | September 15, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 5.9" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 445 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A17 | SD8+G1 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 256 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 10/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 10/10 | 6/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 10/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Super Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9.8 Hours | 7.8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4441 mAh | 4300 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.3" x 3.02" | 5.77" x 2.68" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.80 oz | 5.96 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 6e | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 89 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Side | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium, White Titanium, Black Titanium | Sunset Red, Starry Blue | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Mark Spoonauer | September 2023
"The iPhone 15 Pro Max is a powerful flagship phone that delivers upgrade-worthy features, including a lighter and more compact titanium design, a bigger 5x zoom and a useful Action button. The A17 Pro chip is the fastest around and enables console-quality gameplay, while the battery lasts an epic 14 hours."
Asus Zenfone 9
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Robert Triggs | March 2023
"The Asus Zenfone 9 is a compact device that still packs more than enough power under the hood. It's compact size, Bluetooth and audio features (including a headphone jack!), and hardware gestures combine to offer a package that does enough differently to warrant your attention."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max or the Asus Zenfone 9
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
About ASUS
Asus is a well-known player in the mobile world, and in the past few years it has been known for covering specific niches in the smartphone market. Their Zenfone line of devices appeal to small phone enthusiasts, by providing very well-rounded and capable phones at a package that is not too large to operate with one hand – something hard to find in modern Android smartphones. Conversely, their ROG line of devices cater to mobile gamers, by providing a slew of hardware and software features, specifically tailored to enhance the mobile gaming experience. Additionally, Asus is one of the only manufacturers left that continues to include headphone jacks in their lineup of phones, a feature that has become exceedingly rare in today's market.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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Phones evaluated
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