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Asus Zenfone 3 Max (5.5 ZC553KL 3GB RAM) vs Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB)

Side by side comparison between Asus Zenfone 3 Max vs Samsung Galaxy Note 9 phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?

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Compare Samsung Galaxy Note 9 X Asus Zenfone 3 Max (5.5 ZC553KL 3GB RAM) 03Points
5.5"
IPS

1080x1920

16
MP

8mp

3GB
RAM

Octa-core

4100
mAh

(Non removable)

vs
31Points Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) Compare Asus Zenfone 3 Max X
6.4"
AMOLED

1440x2960

12.2
MP

8mp

6GB
RAM

Octa-core

4000
mAh

(Non removable)

What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB)

The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!

Zenfone 3 Max (5.5 ZC553KL 3GB RAM)} 3 Advantages Asus Zenfone 3 Max (5.5 ZC553KL 3GB RAM) vs Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB)} 31 Advantages Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB)
+175 grams (6.13 ounces)15%
Lighter
vs201 grams (7.04 ounces)
+8.3 millimeters (0.33 inches)6%
Thinner
vs8.8 millimeters (0.35 inches)
+4100 mAh2%
Battery - higher amperage (mAh) allows more device usage time, but it also depends on the hardware and use
vs4000 mAh
1.4GHz 64bit Octa-corevs+2.7GHz 64bit Octa-core (10nm)78%
More powerful processor, you can open your applications faster
3GB LPDDR3vs+6GB LPDDR4X100%
More RAM memory. Typically more responsive and better for multitasking.
32GB (24GB available)vs+128GB (111GB available)4 times
More internal storage for applications and files
Until 256GB microSD, microSDXCvs+Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC3 times
More external storage for files using memory cards
TFT IPS LCDvs+Super AMOLEDAdvantage
Super AMOLED display is brighter and more vivid
1080x1920 pixelsvs+1440x2960 pixels106%
Higher resolution screen
401 PPIvs+514 PPI28%
Crisper display of text, images and videos because it has more pixels per inch (ppi)
5.5"vs+6.4"16%
Larger screen
(back) 16MPvs+(dual camera) 12.2MP + 12MP52%
Higher resolution main camera
Only digital zoomvs+Digital and optical zoomAdvantage
The zoom allows for better focus and approach to take pictures
EIS: Digital stabilizationvs+OIS: Optical stabilizationAdvantage
Image stabilization prevents blurry photos and helps in recording motion video
Not supportedvs+BSI sensorAdvantage
The BSI sensor allows the entry of more light generating photos with more detail and brightness
1/3" inchesvs+1/2.55" inches18%
The larger sensor camera lets you take photos with better depth.
f/2.0 (aperture)vs+f/1.5 (aperture)33%
Diaphragm opening (Aperture) of the camera which has the smallest F number takes photos with better light exposure.
Full HD (1920x1080)vs+4K UHD (3840x2160)3 times
More image quality for recording videos with the primary camera
(front) HD (1280x720)vs+(front) 2K UHD (2560x1440)3 times
More image quality for recording videos with the secondary camera
Android 8.1 Oreovs+Android 10Advantage
Android 10 is newer and safer
(4G LTE) 150 Mbpsvs+(4G LTE-A) 1200 Mbps7 times
Faster for surfing the internet and download files
Not supportedvs+ANT+Advantage
Sensors help you use the device
Not supportedvs+BarometerAdvantage
Sensors help you use the device
Not supportedvs+Face unlockAdvantage
Sensors help you use the device
Not supportedvs+Heart rateAdvantage
Sensors help you use the device
Not supportedvs+Iris scannerAdvantage
Sensors help you use the device
Not supportedvs+SpO2Advantage
Sensors help you use the device
10Wvs+15W50%
More power (watts) to charge the battery faster. Sometimes, the charger that comes with the device doesn't have the same power supported by the device. Check before you buy it.
802.11 b/g/n [wifi4]vs+802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5]Advantage
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] is newer and faster
4.1 + A2DPvs+5.0 + A2DP/LEAdvantage
Bluetooth 5.0 + A2DP/LE is newer and faster
Not supportedvs+NFCAdvantage
NFC allows you to make payments by approach quickly and securely
MicroUSB 2.0vs+USB 3.1 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-GoAdvantage
Newer and faster USB version for transferring photos, mp3 or data.
MicroUSB 2.0vs+Type-CAdvantage
Reversible connector, you can stick in a USB-C cable any which way; either side is up.
Not supportedvs+IP68 certifiedAdvantage
Protection against water allows you talk to your friends in the rain, for example

25 Common items in both devices
16 million
Dual-LED flash
LDAF/PDAF: laser/phase detection autofocus / PDAF on back camera and autofocus front camera
HDR photo on both cameras / HDR photo/video on both cameras
(front) 8MP
4G LTE / 4G LTE-A
Capacitive
+18 specs and more in the table below

Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.

Highlight differences Clear highlight

📱 Model features

Asus Zenfone 3 Max (5.5 ZC553KL 3GB RAM)Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB)
ModelZenfone 3 Max (5.5 ZC553KL 3GB RAM)Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB)
Other model namesAsus Zenfone 3 Max ZC553KL 3GB/32GB 5.5" Dual-SimGalaxy Note9 (Exynos) Dual-sim (6GB RAM), Samsung Crown
Country or region available(Global, International)(Europe)PhilippinesIndiaIndonesiaJapanTaiwan
(Global, International), (Europe), Philippines, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan
(Europe)(Global, International)United Arab Emirates
(Europe), (Global, International), United Arab Emirates
BrandAsusSamsung
Release date9/1/20168/24/2018, Announced: 8/9/2018
Depth8.3 millimeters (0.33 inches)8.8 millimeters (0.35 inches)
Size (width x height)76.24 x 151.4 millimeters (3 x 5.96 in)76.4 x 161.9 millimeters (3.01 x 6.37 in)
Weight175 grams (6.13 ounces)201 grams (7.04 ounces)
Build, materialsfeature not registeredAluminum frame, glass front/back
Back: Gorilla Glass 5
Protection against water and othersNot supportedIP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant

📲 Display

Asus Zenfone 3 Max (5.5 ZC553KL 3GB RAM)Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB)
Display typeTFT IPS LCDSuper AMOLED
Screen size5.5" inches6.4" inches
Screen-to-body ratio~72.2% (screen-to-body ratio)~84% (screen-to-body ratio)
Display resolution1080x1920 pixels1440x2960 pixels (18.5:9)
TouchscreenCapacitive Multitouch 10-pointsCapacitive Multitouch 10-points
Pixel density (dot pitch)401 PPI514 PPI
Colors16 million16 million
Scratch-resistant glassGorilla Glass 3Gorilla Glass 5
Refresh ratefeature not registered60Hz
Display featuresfeature not registeredHDR10
2.5D glass
Always-On Display

🤖 Operating System

Asus Zenfone 3 Max (5.5 ZC553KL 3GB RAM)Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB)
System versionAndroid 6.0.1 MarshmallowAndroid 8.1 Oreo
Firmware updateAndroid 8.1 OreoAndroid 10
User Interfacefeature not registeredOne UI 2.0 / 2.5

⚙️ Processor

Asus Zenfone 3 Max (5.5 ZC553KL 3GB RAM)Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB)
Chipset64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 MSM8937 (28nm)64bit: Samsung Exynos 9810 (10nm)
CPUOcta-core, 2 processors:
4x 1.4GHz ARM Cortex-A53 (Quad-core)
4x 1.1GHz ARM Cortex-A53 (Quad-core)
Octa-core, 2 processors:
4x 2.7GHz Mongoose M3 (Quad-core)
4x 1.79GHz ARM Cortex-A55 (Quad-core)
GPU graphical controllerQualcomm Adreno 505 450MhzARM Mali-G72 MP18 (572MHz)
Performance (benchmark)feature not registeredAnTuTu: 249124 (v7), 316449 (v8)
Geekbench: 9026 (v4.4), 2092 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

💽 Memory and storage

Asus Zenfone 3 Max (5.5 ZC553KL 3GB RAM)Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB)
RAM memory3GB LPDDR36GB LPDDR4X
Internal storage32GB (24GB available)128GB (111GB available)
UFS 2.1
External storageUntil 256GB microSD, microSDXC
(hybrid slot/shares the same SIM-2 slot)
Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC
(hybrid slot/shares the same SIM-2 slot)

📶 Mobile networks

Asus Zenfone 3 Max (5.5 ZC553KL 3GB RAM)Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB)
Dual-SIMDual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card
(hybrid slot/shares the same microSD slot)
Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card
(hybrid slot/shares the same microSD slot)
SIM card2 slots (Dual-SIM)
micro-SIM (3FF) and nano-SIM (4FF)
2 slots (Dual-SIM)
nano-SIM (4FF)
Maximum Download / Upload150/50 Mbps1200/150 Mbps
Network technology2G, 3G, 4G2G, 3G, 4G
Frequency, bands Expand band details Collapse details
GSM MHz bandQuad-Band 850/900/1800/1900Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 2G networkGSM 850/900/1800/1900GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 3G networkGlobal version:
UMTS 850/900/1900/2100
Taiwan/Japan:
UMTS 800/850/900/1900/2100
India/Indonesia:
UMTS 850/900/2100
UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100
Primary 4G networkLTE Cat4
Global version:
LTE 800/850/900/1800/1900/2100/2600 (Bands 1,2,3,5,7,8,20)
Taiwan/Japan:
LTE 700/800/850/900/1800/1900/2100/2600 (Bands 1,2,3,5,6,7,8,18,19,26,28)
TD-LTE 2500/2600 (Bands 38,41)
India/Indonesia:
LTE 850/900/1800/2100 (Bands 1,3,5,8)
TD-LTE 2300 (Band 40)
LTE Cat18 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 29, 30)
TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41)
Primary 5G networkNot supportedNot supported
Primary data networkGPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTEGPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A
Secondary 2G networkGSM 850/900/1800/1900GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Secondary 3G networkNot supportedUMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100
Secondary 4G networkNot supportedLTE Cat18 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 29, 30)
TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41)
Secondary data networkGPRS, EDGEGPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A

📷 Camera

Asus Zenfone 3 Max (5.5 ZC553KL 3GB RAM)Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB)
Back camera (main camera)16 megapixels(dual camera)
12.2 megapixels
12MP telephoto f/2.41/3.4"52mm1.0µmAFOIS2x-optical-zoom
Main camera resolution4608x3456 pixels4032x3024 pixels
Video recording (primary)Full HD (1920x1080) 30 fps4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps
FlashDual-LED flashDual-LED flash
Focal aperturef/2.0 (aperture)f/1.5 (aperture)
Focal lengthfeature not registered26mm (lens)
Sensor size1/3" inches1/2.55" inches
Pixel sizefeature not registered1.4µm pixel
AutofocusLDAF/PDAF: laser/phase detection autofocusPDAF on back camera and autofocus front camera
Touch focusSupportedSupported
Image stabilizationEIS: Digital stabilizationOIS: Optical stabilization
ZoomOnly digital zoomDigital and optical zoom
Face/smile detectionFace detection, Smile detectionFace detection, Smile detection
BSI sensorNot supportedSupported
HDRHDR photo on both camerasHDR photo/video on both cameras
Camera extrasfeature not registeredfeature not registered

📸 Front camera

Asus Zenfone 3 Max (5.5 ZC553KL 3GB RAM)Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB)
Front camera (secondary)8 megapixels8 megapixels
Front camera resolution3264x2448 pixels3264x2448 pixels
Video recording (secondary)HD (1280x720)2K UHD (2560x1440)
Front flashNot supportedNot supported
Focal aperturef/2.2 (aperture)f/1.7 (aperture)
Focal lengthfeature not registered25mm (lens)
Sensor sizefeature not registered1/3.6" inches
Pixel sizefeature not registered1.22µm pixel

🔉 Sound and multimedia

Asus Zenfone 3 Max (5.5 ZC553KL 3GB RAM)Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB)
LoudspeakerSupportedStereo sound
32-bit/384kHz
Active noise cancellation2 microphones or more2 microphones or more
RadioFM (RDS)FM
TVNot supportedNot supported
Video formatsMP4, H.264, H.263MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, DivX, XviD
Audio formatsMP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLACMP3, OGG, eAAC+, FLAC

🔌 Connectivity

Asus Zenfone 3 Max (5.5 ZC553KL 3GB RAM)Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB)
USBMicroUSB 2.0USB 3.1 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go
Audio output3.5mm jack3.5mm jack
TV outputNot supportedUSB Type-C SlimPort®
Bluetooth4.1 + A2DP5.0 + A2DP/LE
WiFi802.11 b/g/n [wifi4] (2.4GHz)
WiFi Direct, hotspot
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO
WiFi Direct, hotspot
DLNANot supportedNot supported
GPSA-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, BeiDouA-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou
NFCNot supportedSupported
Infrared portNot supportedNot supported

🧭 Sensors

Asus Zenfone 3 Max (5.5 ZC553KL 3GB RAM)Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB)
SensorsAccelerometer
Ambient light sensor
Compass
Fingerprint sensor
Gyroscope
Hall effect
Proximity sensor
Accelerometer
Ambient light sensor
ANT+
Barometer
Compass
Face unlock
Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted)
Gyroscope
Hall effect
Heart rate
Iris scanner
Proximity sensor
SpO2
Vibrating alertSupportedSupported

🔋 Battery

Asus Zenfone 3 Max (5.5 ZC553KL 3GB RAM)Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB)
Battery typeLiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable)Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable)
Battery capacity4100 mAh4000 mAh
Charger, watts10W (5V/2A) Wired charging15W Wired fast charging
Inductive / wireless chargingfeature not registeredQi wireless charging (Qi/PMA)
Talk time autonomy17 hoursfeature not registered
Standby912 hours (38 days)feature not registered

➕ Other features

Asus Zenfone 3 Max (5.5 ZC553KL 3GB RAM)Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB)
Call controlVoice dialing, Voice recorderVoice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands
MessagingSMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mailSMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail
Hands-free callingSupportedSupported
Video callingSupportedSupported
RingtonesPolyphonic and customizedPolyphonic and customized
Web browserHTML, XHTML, HTML5HTML, XHTML, HTML5
AntennaInternal antennaInternal antenna
Qwerty physical keyboardNot supportedNot supported
Miscellaneous• Colors: Titanium Grey, Glacier Silver, Pink, Gold
• USB OTG On-The-Go
• Asus ZenUI 3.0
• 2.5D glass screen
• 450nits brightness screen
• Colors: Black, Copper, Purple, Blue
• S Pen Stylus (Bluetooth)
• Samsung Pay
• Samsung DeX

☢️ Radiation rate

Asus Zenfone 3 Max (5.5 ZC553KL 3GB RAM)Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB)
SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.)feature not registeredfeature not registered
SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.)feature not registered0.381W/kg (head), 1.509W/kg (body)
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