24 Hours Series
24 Hours in Hong Kong & Macau: Zenfone 3 vs Zenfone 3 Max 5.5
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/24-hours-hong-kong-macau-20170222.jpg)
While I love taking photos while traveling, soaking up the experience will always be my top priority.
I’m fine with quick snapshots knowing I can always go back and post-process my photos later. When you’re traveling, you don’t have the time to fiddle with manual controls, so when it comes down to it, shooting on auto is a compromise worth making.
For me a good smartphone is one that can quickly churn out photos that barely need any tweaking. This especially rings true when you’re on a holiday in one of the most fast-paced cities in the world: Hong Kong.
On a recent trip to Asia’s World City, I brought along both the ASUS Zenfone 3 and Zenfone 3 Max 5.5, to see how much the $200 premium of the former makes.
Morning walk in Tsim Sha Tsui
There are several hotel options for any budget in Tsim Sha Tsui, making it the perfect place to stay. If shopping is your thing, you will want to set aside plenty of time for perusing the numerous shops and malls the area has on offer.
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Hong-Kong-05.jpg)
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Max-Hong-Kong-05.jpg)
Right from the start of the trip, it was clear that the Zenfone 3 produced more balanced highlights and shadows compared to the Max; see how bright the light hits the top of the bus on the right. The sky is almost washed out on the photo taken with the Max, although the clouds are barely visible in the Zenfone 3 photo, as well.
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Hong-Kong-03.jpg)
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Max-Hong-Kong-03.jpg)
Avenue of Stars is one of Hong Kong’s must visits. It was under renovation during our visit, so we had to settle for this view a few meters away from the usual photo spot. The Max’s photo seems to have undergone VSCO editing with its natural greenish tint, but really it has #nofilter.
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Hong-Kong-04.jpg)
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Max-Hong-Kong-04.jpg)
Zenfone 3 photos are generally brighter and much more balanced overall, but the way the Max processes the greens and blues is probably how I would want my photos to look like on Instagram. I like how rich the blues are, and the deeper contrast makes for a little dramatic effect.
[irp posts=”7939″ name=”ASUS ZenFone 3 Max 5.5-inch review”]
Ferry ride to Causeway Bay
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Hong-Kong-08.jpg)
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Max-Hong-Kong-08.jpg)
By lunch time, we were hungry. For a change of scenery (or more scenery), we opted to take a quick (and cheap) ferry ride to Causeway Bay instead of the MTR. The Zenfone 3’s dynamic range is the star in this photo; you can even see the skyline!
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Hong-Kong-09.jpg)
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Max-Hong-Kong-09.jpg)
While the Zenfone 3’s colors are more accurate, it needs to be pointed out that the letters HKT on the ferris wheel are legible in the Max photo, while it’s barely there in the photo shot with the Zenfone 3.
Macau street art
We took another ferry ride, although a much longer one to the autonomous region of Macau. While the city is famous for casinos, Portugese egg tarts, and to a certain extent, replicas of European landmarks, there’s a lot more to the discover in the place.
We took an afternoon stroll along the busy streets of San Malo, going from shop to shop to try every possible food sample. One turn and we found this esquina of Instagram-worthy street art.
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Hong-Kong-15.jpg)
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Max-Hong-Kong-15.jpg)
The yellow-green tint produced by the Zenfone 3 Max is visible in these comparison photos from Macau.
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Hong-Kong-16.jpg)
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Max-Hong-Kong-16.jpg)
Focusing was also difficult for the Max, even if these were taken in broad daylight.
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Hong-Kong-17.jpg)
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Max-Hong-Kong-17.jpg)
The Zenfone 3 also captured more detail compared to the Zenfone 3 Max. You can clearly see the depth of the dents on the concrete in this mural.
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Hong-Kong-18.jpg)
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Max-Hong-Kong-18.jpg)
What’s a trip to Macau without a visit to the Ruins of St. Paul’s? Fair warning: No matter how long you wait, your Instagram will have to settle for a shot with the thick crowd, or you can get creative and frame it another way.
[irp posts=”9308″ name=”ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom hands-on”]
Celebrity sightings at Victoria Peak
After sunset, we decided to head back to Hong Kong and take the tram up to the famed Victoria Peak. I tried to take photos of the view from 500 meters up using the two Zenfones, but it was too cold and windy. Wax museum Madame Tussauds was just a few floors below though, so I didn’t let this chance pass to get closer to famous people and characters.
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Hong-Kong-12.jpg)
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Max-Hong-Kong-12.jpg)
Check out how on fleek those eyebrows are on the left! The Zenfone 3 did a great job capturing the details, while the Max seemingly gave Holly Golightly unwanted jaundice.
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Hong-Kong-13.jpg)
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Max-Hong-Kong-13.jpg)
Yayoi Kusama’s exhibit-slash-wax-figure was actually closed to the public, but I managed to sneak a photo of the renowned artist from the exit. The difference in the photos is negligible, but this is where I had the hardest time focusing on the Max. All photos except this one had Yayoi’s face blurred out. The Zenfone 3, meanwhile, gave me a lot of good options with minimum effort on my part.
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Hong-Kong-23.jpg)
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Max-Hong-Kong-23.jpg)
Lady Gaga’s poker face aside, I like the way the colors turned out more on the Zenfone 3. While I tend to up the contrast when editing my Instagram photos, I’m not a fan of how pink my face looks on the Max selfie. I was NOT born that way.
[irp posts=”9998″ name=”ASUS ZenFone 3s Max is launching next week”]
Last stop: Mongkok
With its neon signs that light the streets, the smell of street food cooking from three feet away, the bustling crowd of tourists and locals alike, endless shopping options, Mongkok is probably the best place to go to for that authentic Hong Kong experience when you’re pressed for time.
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Hong-Kong-11.jpg)
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Max-Hong-Kong-11.jpg)
The Zenfone 3 captures the red tiles of Mongkok station nicely while the Max’s yellowish greenish tint is quite prominent.
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Hong-Kong-21.jpg)
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Max-Hong-Kong-21.jpg)
What’s a Mongkok experience when you can’t capture those neon Chinese signs the way they appear in real life? The Zenfone 3’s dynamic range makes a world of difference in these photos. In the Max’s case, the crowd is already too dark, and the signs don’t look very sharp because the lights are a bit washed out.
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Hong-Kong-22.jpg)
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GadgetMatch-24-hours-Zenfone-3-Max-Hong-Kong-22.jpg)
Verdict
The Zenfone 3 has a clear advantage over the Max. It’s faster, consistent, more reliable, has better dynamic range, and takes good photos you wouldn’t mind showing off online, even if it’s on auto mode. The photos that came out of the Zenfone 3 Max had a yellowish greenish tint making colors evidently inaccurate.
Although I wasn’t able to show it here, it took more tries for the Zenfone 3 Max to focus properly even when there was ample light on my subject. Its camera also launches much slower, so I actually missed a lot of great photo opportunities for the comparison.
While for its price it takes good photos — and in certain scenarios, even better than the Zenfone 3 — the Zenfone 3 Max 5.5 is built for people with a lot of patience and not a lot of cash to burn.
In several instances, it felt like the Max took forever to launch and took too long to focus, just to get decent shots worth comparing to the Zenfone 3. Although that shouldn’t really be a problem if you’re not in a hurry, I personally wouldn’t choose to use it on my next trip even if I had two weeks to explore a city.
24 Hours is a series on GadgetMatch.com where we showcase our travels through a smartphone camera’s perspective. It’s also a documented guide on things to see and do in a city in case you happen to plan a trip there.
SEE ALSO: 24 Hours on Sumilon Island with the Honor 6X
[irp posts=”9923″ name=”24 Hours on Sumilon Island with the Honor 6X”]
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/gadgetmatch-366x120a-3-1.png)
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/gadgetmatch-20230410-vivo-v27-04.jpg)
It’s spring 2023 and vivo is back with the V series. The vivo V27 comes with a new feature called Aura Light Portrait System, which takes its main camera to another level. Like its predecessor it’s got a color-changing back, making it a fashionable choice for different users.
Stylish color-changing design
We have the V27 in Emerald Green, which starts off with a lighter tint that looks like jade. When exposed to UV light, it changes into a darker shade of green. This is achieved thanks to the Emerald Glass processing technique. The phone also comes in Magic Blue, Flowing Gold, and Noble Black.
Chay is wearing light colors so the Emerald Green model matches her outfit better. It makes a nice, subtle pop of color, and goes with her pastel-y mint green purse and boots.
It’s also worth pointing out the 3D curved screen and this curved back on the V27 make it feel extremely thin and light.
Studio lights in your pocket
As mentioned earlier, the vivo V27 features the Aura Light Portrait System for great portraits even in low light. It’s a combination of the IMX677V sensor, which Sony designed with vivo specifically for this phone, algorithm optimizations, and the Aura Light. Its outer ring is matte and sandblasted, softening the light coming out of it.
The Aura Light, combined with the large sensor, and algorithm optimizations work together to take great portraits even in low light.
Lunch and coffee
The day before was a very long day so we figured we should get food and coffee. We found this dimly lit restaurant in Soho called Cafe Select. I think it’s a German restaurant because we had some schnitzel and there’s German decor everywhere.
We also specifically asked for the corner booth to test out the V27’s low light capabilities. Despite the lack of light sources, it’s impressive that the V27 managed to produce an accurate cutout of me even when I kept moving with the Bokeh Portrait video mode on.
There’s no natural light in this restaurant so it’s also the perfect place to take portraits and test out the Aura Light Portrait System. It’s like a portable ring light that you can use to take clearer portraits. Take a look at some examples.
On video mode, you can also use LUTs. We had fun using the Nostalgia filter to film a short video in the restaurant, which perfectly matches the vintage vibe of its interiors.
High definition selfies
The vivo V27 would not be a V-series smartphone if it didn’t have an amazing selfie camera. On the V27, we got a 50MP HD selfie camera with autofocus.
It’s worth noting that the phone feels so light in the hand. It’s so easy to take one-handed selfies. I also love how subtle the color change is on the Emerald Green model.
The V27 offers three levels of selfie filters that help hide blemishes and enhance your features — None, Natural, and Classic.
The 50MP front camera means clear selfie details. Most other smartphones have inferior selfie cameras compared to its rear counterparts, but not the V27. As you can see in the example below, zooming in on my eyes show that you can clearly see the strands of my eyebrows.
Walking the High Line & shopping
To test its video stabilization and macro camera, we continued to walk the High Line. Both features produced very impressive results.
Another feature we tried is MicroMovie. It’s perfect for creators like me. It comes with a whole bunch of templates that you can use for TikTok or Instagram Reels. I filmed a daily vlog with it and had so much fun.
While we were shopping, I noticed too that the V27 changed colors after being indoors for a bit. It turned into a beautiful white marble-like finish that fades into mint green at the bottom.
After the sun has set, it’s time to take more low-light portraits and OOTD. Our friends Alex and Leslie even joined us for a quick photo shoot. New York City comes to life at night, and with a 1/1.56-inch sensor and Super Night Mode, the vivo V27 can easily capture the hustle and bustle of the city streets.
More than just a camera smartphone
The vivo V27 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 and comes with either an 8GB or 12GB of RAM.
With Extended RAM the phone borrows memory from your internal storage and gives you an additional 8GB RAM. This way you get either 16GB or 20GB available RAM.
Vivo says this will help when you’re playing memory intensive games or if you like keeping plenty of apps open in the background.
The phone is packed with a 4600mAh battery and supports up to 66W FlashCharge. It comes bundled with an 80W charger.
In our GadgetMatch Charge Test we got to 50% in 19 minutes. A full charge took 57 minutes.
I’ve always been a fan of vivo’s V Series. We’ve done plenty of videos on it in the past and this one is another excellent phone.
It offers users a top notch smartphone experience for less. I enjoyed using all its camera features and I think creators on a budget will too.
I also love this cool color changing Emerald Green model. This phone is definitely the prettiest vivo phone I’ve reviewed lately.
Watch our 24 Hours video with the vivo V27: https://youtu.be/nJ18OMK43yE
24 Hours Series
Google Pixel 7 Pro Unboxing and First 24 Hours
Plus a photowalk using its great set of cameras
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/pixel-7-pro-first-24-hours.jpeg)
The new Google Pixel 7 Pro has just been released to the public!
Aside from our previous first look video, Michael Josh also did a quick unboxing and hands-on.
Plus, he took it to the streets to test out its battery prowess as well as the power of its three cameras — including the new Super-Res Zoom feature.
Can’t wait to see what the Pixel 7 Pro has to offer?
Here’s our quick unboxing, hands-on, and first 24 hours with the Pixel 7 Pro.
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/220917-GadgetMatch-Apple-iPhone-14-24-Hours-Thumbnail.jpeg)
September 11 marks a historical day not just for New Yorkers, but for (almost) everyone in this world.
With a memory that lives forever in our heads, Michael Josh has tried commemorating it.
He went to the pier along Brooklyn Bridge to recreate a shot he wanted to do for so long.
But instead of the best-in-class iPhone, he instead used the 6.1-inch iPhone 14.
Can’t wait to see how the shot turned out? Or just curious how the iPhone 14’s gonna last throughout the day?
Head over now to our iPhone 14 First 24 Hours video to feed your curiosities.
-
Reviews2 weeks ago
The Xiaomi Pad 6 is great for the editor on-the-go
-
Reviews2 weeks ago
HONOR 90 review: Simply bedazzling
-
Gaming2 weeks ago
Refurbished Steam Decks are now available through Valve
-
Health2 weeks ago
Redmi Watch 3 Active: Basic but better
-
Gaming2 weeks ago
Rockstar officially partners with Grand Theft Auto V roleplay servers
-
Gaming2 weeks ago
PlayStation 5 Slim supposedly leaked online
-
Entertainment2 weeks ago
Catch Cinemalaya 2023 films at Ayala Malls this weekend
-
Apps2 weeks ago
Spotify DJ feature now available in the Philippines