Asus Zenfone 10

Asus Zenfone 10 Review: Small Phone, Big Performance – But Is It For You?

I've spent the better part of the last few weeks living with the Asus Zenfone 10 as my daily driver, and it's been a genuinely interesting experience. At a time when phone sizes seem to be perpetually increasing, the Zenfone 10 boldly bucks that trend. My testing involved everything from demanding gaming sessions and extensive photography to the mundane tasks of everyday communication and browsing. My initial impression was one of slight surprise at its diminutive size, but that quickly evolved into appreciation for its comfortable ergonomics and surprising power. Priced around the mid-range to upper-mid-range bracket, it's clearly aiming for a specific audience – those who prioritize pocketability without sacrificing performance.

Market Context: Finding Its Niche

The Zenfone 10 arrives at a fascinating juncture in the smartphone market. Most manufacturers are chasing larger screens and feature-packed behemoths. Asus, however, seems to be carving out a niche for those who remember (or long for) the days of truly pocketable power. From my perspective, this is a smart strategic move. Not everyone wants a tablet in their pocket, and the Zenfone series caters directly to this underserved segment. The price point, while not budget-friendly, reflects the high-end internals and aims to deliver a premium experience in a compact form factor. It's a direct challenge to the notion that flagship performance requires a large device.

Design & Hardware: A Refreshing Dose of Compactness

Picking up the Zenfone 10 for the first time was genuinely refreshing. Its 5.92-inch frame feels almost nostalgic in my hand, a welcome change from the increasingly unwieldy slabs that dominate the market. The textured back provides excellent grip, and the rounded edges make it incredibly comfortable to hold for extended periods. The build quality feels solid and premium, even if the back is polycarbonate – it doesn't feel cheap. While I haven't intentionally subjected it to rigorous drop tests, it feels reassuringly robust for everyday use. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button is lightning-fast and intuitively placed, a feature I've grown to appreciate immensely.

Display: Small But Mighty

Despite its smaller stature, the Zenfone 10's display is a knockout. The Super AMOLED panel delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. I've found the brightness levels to be more than adequate, even under direct sunlight, thanks to its peak brightness. Media consumption, from watching YouTube videos to streaming movies, is a surprisingly enjoyable experience on this smaller screen. The 144Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations incredibly smooth, contributing to a feeling of responsiveness. Gaming also benefits from this fluidity, making fast-paced action feel incredibly sharp. In my daily use, I've had no complaints about the display – it's sharp, bright, and a pleasure to look at.

Performance: Flagship Power in a Pocketable Package

Under the hood, the Zenfone 10 packs a serious punch with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. My testing involved some graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile, and the phone handled them with impressive ease. I experienced no noticeable lag or stuttering, even on high settings. Multitasking is also a breeze; switching between numerous apps felt seamless. What impressed me most was the phone's ability to maintain this level of performance without getting excessively hot. While it does warm up under heavy load, it never became uncomfortably hot to hold, a testament to its thermal management. From my experience, this phone offers flagship-level performance without the flagship size.

Camera System: Unexpectedly Capable

The camera system on the Zenfone 10 has been a pleasant surprise. I took it with me on a weekend trip and put it through its paces in various shooting scenarios. The 50MP main sensor, equipped with a six-axis hybrid gimbal stabilizer, consistently produced sharp and detailed images, especially in good lighting conditions. Colors are accurate, and the dynamic range is commendable. I found the ultrawide lens to be quite capable as well, offering a decent field of view without significant distortion. Video recording is also a strong point, with the gimbal stabilization working remarkably well to smooth out shaky footage, even while walking. Compared to other phones in its price range, the Zenfone 10 holds its own, delivering consistently good results. While it might not have the sheer versatility of some multi-lens setups, the image quality from its primary and ultrawide lenses is genuinely impressive for real-world usage.

Battery & Charging: Solid Endurance, Convenient Options

Battery life on the Zenfone 10 has been generally good. In my typical day, which involves a mix of browsing, social media, some gaming, and calls, I've consistently made it to the end of the day with some charge to spare. While it might not be a two-day phone for heavy users, its endurance is certainly respectable. Charging speeds with the 30W charger are decent, bringing the phone from empty to a significant charge in a reasonable amount of time. The inclusion of 15W wireless charging is a welcome addition, providing a convenient way to top up the battery throughout the day, even if it's not the fastest option. From my experience, the battery performance is reliable and meets the needs of most average users.

Software: Clean and Efficient

The Zenfone 10 runs on Android 13 with Asus' ZenUI skin. My daily usage experience has been positive. The interface is clean, intuitive, and doesn't feel overly cluttered with bloatware. The promised updates up to Android 15 and four years of security updates are reassuring, although some competitors are now offering longer support periods. I've found the additional features Asus has included to be genuinely useful without feeling intrusive.

Value Analysis: A Unique Proposition

Analyzing the value of the Zenfone 10 is interesting. For the price, you're getting flagship-level performance in a compact body, a truly unique offering in today's market. If you prioritize pocketability and one-handed usability without compromising on power, this phone is a strong contender. It's not for those who prioritize the absolute largest screen or the most extensive camera zoom capabilities. Competitively, it stands out due to its size. While other phones might offer more cameras or slightly better battery life, none deliver this level of performance in such a small form factor. I believe this phone is ideal for those who are tired of bulky phones but still demand top-tier performance. Those seeking a massive screen for media consumption or a telephoto lens for advanced zoom might want to look elsewhere.

Conclusion: A Pocket Rocket Worth Considering

In conclusion, the Asus Zenfone 10 is a compelling and unique smartphone. It delivers a premium experience in a compact and comfortable design, boasting impressive performance and a surprisingly capable camera system. While its battery life is solid rather than exceptional, and its update policy could be longer, the overall package is undeniably appealing. My personal recommendation is that if you value a powerful, pocketable phone that's a joy to use one-handed, the Zenfone 10 should be high on your list. It's a refreshing reminder that flagship experiences don't always come in supersized packages. For the right user, the Zenfone 10 offers excellent value and a genuinely enjoyable smartphone experience.