Over the years, ASUS has shifted its device strategy greatly. No longer do their phones have a heavy, bloated UI, like they used to before. Instead, new ASUS devices like the ZenFone 6 and the ROG Phone II are using much lighter takes on ZenUI, resembling stock Android Pie functionally and cosmetically. Devices like the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 have greatly benefited from this shift as the phone presented itself as an option for a clean Android experience in a price range that is notorious for monetized UX skins. The phone was expected to receive Android Pie, and indeed, it did. Despite being an early mid-range device at best, the phone nowadays still enjoys frequent updates, which serves as a testament to ASUS's improved mobile strategy.

ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 XDA Forums

Now, a new update is rolling out for the Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1. The biggest improvement within this update is the addition of Digital Wellbeing, a feature that made its way to Android with Android Pie and allows you to keep track of your phone usage and limit it, if needed. It tracks what apps you use the most on your phone, and tries to help you cut down a bit on your phone usage. This will in-turn help avoid smartphone addiction and promotes a healthier, more social lifestyle. If you've found Digital Wellbeing or other alternatives, like OnePlus' Zen Mode, useful for combating smartphone addiction, then this feature will come pretty handy for you while using your device.

The update also includes a better, improved Dark Mode feature that blends in better across the UI, in a similar fashion to Android Q. It is still Android Pie, though, and dark mode is still not supported natively, so it is to be expected that this dark mode will only stick throughout system apps.

The official changelog for this v16.2017.1906.056 update for the Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 is as follows:

  • Enable Digital Wellbeing
  • Optimize Unlocking experience: Faster PIN and Pattern unlocking experience
  • Optimized Battery Consumption
  • Optimize Dark mode experience: Enables better dark mode support across the UI, apps and app notifications that support the Dark Mode
  • Updated Google security patch – June 2019

The update is now rolling out over-the-air, and should reach all users over the next few days.