Asus Zenfone 3 Max vs Vivo V5: Which to Pick?

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This comparison breaks down the Asus Zenfone 3 Max and the Vivo V5, two 2016-era mid-range phones that still get asked about by budget buyers and second-hand shoppers. The Zenfone 3 Max wins on battery life (4,100 mAh vs 3,000 mAh) and display size, while the Vivo V5 wins on selfie camera quality (20 MP front camera vs 8 MP) and a lighter, more compact body. Your choice really comes down to whether you value endurance or self-portraits.

Background: Two Different Mid-Range Philosophies

Both phones launched in late 2016, targeting the same price band but with different strengths. Asus positioned the Zenfone 3 Max as a battery-first device, part of its “Max� line that prioritizes long screen-on time over raw performance. Vivo, meanwhile, focused on the selfie market, using the tagline “Selfie Expert� and putting a 20 MP front camera on the V5, which was a big deal at the time. Neither phone was a flagship, but they were popular in Asia and Europe for people who wanted decent specs without paying premium prices.

Key Specifications at a Glance

Display: Zenfone 3 Max (5.5-inch 1080p IPS LCD) vs Vivo V5 (5.2-inch 720p IPS LCD)
Processor: Zenfone 3 Max (MediaTek MT6737M or Snapdragon 430, depending on region) vs Vivo V5 (MediaTek MT6750)
RAM/Storage: Both come with 3 GB RAM and 32 GB storage, expandable via microSD
Rear Camera: Zenfone 3 Max (16 MP) vs Vivo V5 (13 MP)
Front Camera: Zenfone 3 Max (8 MP) vs Vivo V5 (20 MP)
Battery: Zenfone 3 Max (4,100 mAh) vs Vivo V5 (3,000 mAh)
OS: Both shipped with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, later updated to Android 7.0 Nougat

Battery and Charging: The Zenfone’s Big Advantage

The Zenfone 3 Max has a 4,100 mAh battery, which is nearly 37% larger than the Vivo V5’s 3,000 mAh cell. In real-world use, the Zenfone easily lasts a full day and a half on a single charge with moderate usage, while the V5 usually needs a top-up by evening. The Zenfone also supports reverse charging (OTG), meaning you can use it to charge another phone or a small accessory—a feature that was rare at this price point. The Vivo V5 does not offer reverse charging and its battery is average for the time.

Camera Comparison: Selfie vs. Rear Shooter

The Vivo V5’s 20 MP front camera was its headline feature. It uses a Sony IMX376 sensor and includes a soft LED flash, which makes low-light selfies look significantly better than the Zenfone’s 8 MP front camera. The Zenfone 3 Max, however, has a stronger rear camera at 16 MP compared to the V5’s 13 MP. In daylight, the Zenfone produces sharper, more detailed shots with better color accuracy. At night, both struggle, but the Zenfone’s larger sensor and f/2.0 aperture give it a slight edge. If you take more selfies than scenic shots, the V5 is the obvious choice; if you photograph landscapes or food, the Zenfone is better.

Performance and Software

Both phones use MediaTek processors (the Zenfone in most regions, though some versions have a Snapdragon 430). The Vivo V5’s MT6750 is slightly more powerful than the Zenfone’s MT6737M, so it handles multitasking and light gaming a bit better. The Zenfone 3 Max with Snapdragon 430 is comparable. In day-to-day tasks like social media, messaging, and web browsing, you won’t notice a big difference. Both run Android 6.0 out of the box, with Vivo’s Funtouch OS and Asus’s ZenUI adding heavy custom skins. ZenUI is known for bloatware and occasional lag, while Funtouch OS is cleaner but lacks some stock Android features. Neither phone received more than one major OS update, so you’ll be stuck on Android 7.0 at best.

How to Choose Between Them

To decide, ask yourself two questions: How much do you value battery life, and how often do you take selfies? If you’re a heavy user who is always away from a charger, the Zenfone 3 Max is the better pick—its 4,100 mAh battery is a genuine lifesaver. If you’re a social media enthusiast who takes lots of selfies, the Vivo V5’s 20 MP front camera will give you much better results. Also consider the display: the Zenfone’s 1080p screen is noticeably sharper than the V5’s 720p panel, which matters if you watch videos or read text. The V5 is lighter (154 g vs 175 g) and easier to use one-handed, but the Zenfone’s larger screen and battery make it a better media device.

Common Problems and Limitations

Battery drain on Vivo V5: The 3,000 mAh battery can drain quickly with heavy use, especially with the screen brightness high. Carrying a power bank is recommended.
Zenfone 3 Max charging speed: Despite the big battery, the Zenfone only supports 10W charging, so a full charge takes over 2 hours. The Vivo V5 also lacks fast charging.
Software updates: Both phones are stuck on Android 7.0 Nougat. Many apps today require Android 8.0 or later, so you may experience compatibility issues with newer apps.
Zenfone 3 Max GPS issues: Some users report weak GPS signal, which can be frustrating for navigation. This is not a universal problem, but it’s worth testing if you buy one.
Vivo V5 build quality: The V5 has a metal unibody, but the antenna lines are visible and the phone can feel slippery without a case.

Alternatives Worth Considering

If you’re looking at these phones in 2025, you’re likely shopping used or refurbished. In the same price range, you might also consider the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (better performance and battery), the Moto G5 Plus (better camera and stock Android), or the Samsung Galaxy J7 (solid all-rounder). If you can stretch your budget, a newer budget phone like the Moto G Power or Samsung Galaxy A14 will offer much better performance, longer software support, and modern features like fingerprint sensors and face unlock—both of which the Zenfone 3 Max and Vivo V5 lack (the Zenfone has a fingerprint sensor on some models, but not all).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which phone has a better battery life?

The Asus Zenfone 3 Max has a much larger battery (4,100 mAh vs 3,000 mAh), so it lasts significantly longer on a single charge. In typical usage, the Zenfone can go up to two days, while the Vivo V5 usually needs a nightly charge.

Is the Vivo V5 good for gaming?

The Vivo V5’s MediaTek MT6750 can handle light games like Candy Crush or Clash of Clans, but it will struggle with modern 3D games like PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact. The Zenfone 3 Max is similar, though the Snapdragon 430 variant is slightly better for gaming.

Can I use both phones with a 4G SIM?

Yes, both phones support 4G LTE on most bands used in Asia and Europe. However, they do not support all LTE bands used in North America, so check your carrier’s compatibility before buying.

Do these phones have a fingerprint sensor?

The Vivo V5 does not have a fingerprint sensor. The Asus Zenfone 3 Max has a fingerprint sensor on the rear, but only on certain models (the ZC553KL variant). If fingerprint unlocking is important, verify the exact model before purchasing.

Which phone takes better photos in low light?

Neither phone excels in low light, but the Zenfone 3 Max’s rear camera with a wider aperture (f/2.0) performs slightly better than the Vivo V5’s f/2.2. For front cameras, the Vivo V5 is much better in low light due to its 20 MP sensor and soft LED flash.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.