The ASUS Zenfone 10 is a compact flagship phone with a 5.9-inch screen. ASUS announced it on June 29, 2023, and opened pre-orders in Europe the same day. US pre-orders followed on August 22, 2023, at $699.99 for the 8 GB / 128 GB model. In Europe, it started at €799. It sits in the small-flagship segment, where few Android phones remain.
Design and display
The phone measures 146.5 x 68.1 x 9.4 mm and weighs 172 g. It has a metal frame and a textured polycarbonate back. The Eclipse Red, Comet White and Aurora Green versions use a bio-based polycarbonate. Midnight Black and Starry Blue complete the five colors, which were sold in every launch market.
The 5.9-inch Samsung AMOLED panel has a 2400 x 1080 resolution and up to 1,100 nits of peak brightness. It runs at up to 120 Hz in daily use. The 144 Hz mode works only in games through Game Genie. Gorilla Glass Victus protects the front, and the body is rated IP68.
Performance
Inside is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, a 4 nm chip with a top core speed of 3.2 GHz. It pairs with 8 GB or 16 GB of LPDDR5X memory. Storage uses UFS 4.0 at 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB. There is no microSD slot. In reviews, the small body got warm during long gaming sessions.
Cameras
The main camera uses a 50 MP Sony IMX766 sensor with an f/1.9 lens. ASUS adds its 6-Axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer 2.0, which combines optical and electronic stabilization. A 13 MP ultrawide camera covers a 120-degree view. There is no telephoto lens.
The rear camera records video at up to 8K at 24 fps or 4K at 60 fps. On the front, a 32 MP sensor uses pixel binning to save 8 MP photos.
Battery and charging
The Zenfone 10 has a 4,300 mAh battery. It charges at up to 30 W over USB-C, and the port runs at USB 2.0 speed. This model is the first Zenfone with wireless charging, rated at 15 W over Qi.
Software and updates
The phone launched with Android 13 and a near-stock ZenUI. ASUS promised two major Android upgrades. Security updates run through 2027, which gives about four years in total.
Extra features include a 3.5 mm headphone jack, stereo speakers, NFC and Wi-Fi 7. The side fingerprint reader also handles ZenTouch gestures. Two nano-SIM cards are supported.
Should you buy the Zenfone 10?
The Zenfone 10 suits buyers who want a flagship chip in a small, light phone. The headphone jack, IP68 rating and wireless charging add to its appeal. However, the camera has no zoom lens, and the update promise is shorter than on recent Samsung and Google phones. ASUS later moved to the larger Zenfone 11 Ultra, so new stock is getting harder to find.
