Asus has added yet another compact flagship smartphone to its portfolio. Unlike most high-end smartphones that come with larger displays, the Zenfone 10 boasts a 5.9-inch screen, making it the most compact Android flagship available in the market. To put things in perspective, the iPhone 14 has a 6.06-inch screen, while the Galaxy S23 has a 6.1-inch display, making the Zenfone 10 stand out in the smartphone world.
The handset weighs just 172 g, measures 9.4mm in width, and will be available in five colors- Midnight Black, Comet White, Eclipse Red, Aurora Green, and Starry Blue all flaunting matte finish back panels.
Despite its smaller size, the Zenfone 10 does not compromise on features. The device’s display delivers a peak brightness of 1100 nits and is also DCI-P3 calibrated. With a Delta-E rating below 1, the full HD AMOLED display should ace color accuracy. In terms of durability, the Zenfone 10’s display is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus.
While the Zenfone 10 may bear a resemblance to its predecessor in terms of design, significant improvements have been made internally. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, the all-new Zenfone 10 offers up to 16GB of RAM, providing enhanced multitasking and computing performance compared to its predecessor. The smartphone will be available in three storage variants- 128GB, 256GB and 512GB UFS4.0. Speaking of audio, the Zenfone 10 gets Dual stereo speakers with Dirac HD Sound support.
Asus has also incorporated wireless charging into the new compact flagship, a feature absent in last year’s Zenfone 9. The device supports 15W Qi charging, while wired charging remains unchanged at 30W HyperCharge for the 4,300mAh battery. The Zenfone 10, equipped with dual-nano SIM capability, also features Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth v5.3, NFC, a USB Type-C port, and retains the classic 3.5mm audio jack.
In terms of cameras, the IP68-rated Zenfone 10 boasts a 50MP f/1.9 primary camera with 6-Axis Hybrid Gimbal stabilization. The sensor is capable of recording videos up to 8K resolution. It is accompanied by a 13MP ultrawide sensor for 120-degree wide-angle shots. For selfies, the Zenfone 10 offers a 32MP front-facing camera.
The standout feature of the Zenfone 10 is undoubtedly its compact size. While other manufacturers continue to offer smartphones with larger screens exceeding 6 inches, Asus has chosen to maintain the smaller form factor, catering to users who prefer more manageable handsets. If you prioritize compactness, the Zenfone 10 is a compelling option.
Unfortunately, the device has been launched in select markets and its official availability in India remains uncertain. The Zenfone 10 is now available for purchase in Europe, with plans to expand its release to the US, Canada, UK, Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong in the third quarter of 2023. There has been no official confirmation regarding its launch in India.
This may come as a disappointment to interested buyers in India, as the options currently available in the market are limited to Google Pixels, vanilla Galaxy S23, and base model iPhones. It is hoped that Asus will consider launching the Zenfone 10 in India, even if it is in limited quantities to gauge consumer interest. We will keep this space updated with any official announcements from Asus.