Asus Zenfone 10 review

Trade in Asus Zenfone 10

(Image credit: Andrew Lanxon/CNET)

The Asus Zenfone 10 defies the norm by offering impressive power within a compact design. Amidst a sea of high-end contenders like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro Max, with displays expanding to nearly 7 inches, the Zenfone 10 stands out with its manageable 5.9-inch screen, ensuring comfortable single-handed usage.

Noteworthy is its robust performance, driven by the formidable Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, accompanied by a potential 16GB RAM configuration. The device boasts IP68 water resistance and even resurrects the nostalgic 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature Asus notably retains.

However, my time testing the Asus Zenfone 10 unveiled some shortcomings for enthusiasts of compact phones. The dual cameras on the rear side fall short in quality, while the 30-watt fast charging pales in comparison to the industry’s 80-watt capabilities elsewhere. Additionally, Asus disappoints with its offering of solely two years for Android OS updates and four years for security updates. This update duration falls brief when measured against the more generous timelines of Samsung and OnePlus, both extending to four years of OS updates and an additional fifth year for security updates.

Despite these setbacks, the starting price of £750 (£820 as reviewed) positions the Zenfone 10 as a reasonable all-around option, particularly for those seeking a more pocket-friendly device. While official US prices remain unconfirmed, projections suggest a price point similar to the previous year’s $699 Asus Zenfone 9.

(Image credit: Andrew Lanxon/CNET)

Comfortable, compact size

The Zenfone 10’s compact form factor emerges as its most compelling feature. As the curator of CNET’s “Best Small Phones” guide for several years, I’ve observed the increasing scarcity of sub-6-inch options to recommend. Even Google’s Pixel A series, once known for their modest sizes, have expanded beyond 6 inches. Therefore, the Zenfone 10’s arrival as an alternative is a welcomed development.

This device seamlessly fits into one hand, effortlessly slips into a pair of jeans without causing any unsightly protrusions, and its display delivers vibrant and sharp visuals, ensuring an immersive experience for gaming or video content consumption.

(Image credit: Andrew Lanxon/CNET)

The Zenfone 10 showcases a back panel crafted from bio-based polycarbonate, offering a pleasing tactile sensation. Personally, I’m drawn to the striking Eclipse red variant that exudes vibrancy. With an IP68 certification, this phone ensures defense against dust and water, safeguarding against accidental spills. Notably, the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack, an increasingly uncommon feature, caters to those who prefer to hold onto their wired audio accessories.

Positioned on the side is a fingerprint scanner that serves a dual role as a quasi-trackpad. By swiping your finger vertically, you can navigate through web pages or pull down the notification panel. This innovative functionality adds an element of enjoyment and practicality, provided you remember its presence.

(Image credit: Andrew Lanxon/CNET)

Potent power, disappointing support

At the heart of the Zenfone 10 resides the potent Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, accompanied by a substantial 16GB of RAM, as featured in my reviewed model. This dynamic combination proved its mettle during rigorous benchmark assessments and effortlessly tackled resource-intensive undertakings. The phone exhibited exceptional competence while handling demanding 3D games like Genshin Impact, Asphalt 9 Legends, Real Racing 3, and PUBG Mobile, maintaining seamless gameplay even at the highest graphical settings. The Zenfone 10 further demonstrated its prowess through swift and responsive overall system navigation.

(Image credit: Andrew Lanxon/CNET)

Equipped with a 4,300-mAh battery, the Zenfone 10 displayed commendable, though not extraordinary, results in our rigorous battery rundown trials. With moderate usage, a full day of mixed tasks shouldn’t present challenges. However, if you engage in frequent gaming sessions or indulge in extensive video streaming, a supplementary charge might be required come evening. Similar to most smartphones, it’s advisable to fully recharge the battery overnight. Notably, the device offers 30-watt fast charging—a satisfactory feature, but several other phones outpace it in this aspect, including Asus’s own ROG Phone 7, which more than doubles the charging speed.

Running on Android 13, the Zenfone 10 adopts a nearly stock Android appearance and functionality, with minor customizations through Asus’s Zen UI. This user-friendly approach caters to both newcomers and seasoned smartphone users. I personally appreciate the software experience; however, it’s regrettable that Asus doesn’t commit to a longer support duration for the software.

(Image credit: Andrew Lanxon/CNET)

Asus’s commitment of merely two years for OS updates places it at a disadvantage compared to industry counterparts like Samsung and OnePlus, who provide an extended four-year promise. While Asus does pledge four years of security updates, ensuring a lengthened period of safe usage, it still falls short when contrasted with the five-year security support offered by Samsung, OnePlus, and Google.

The advantages of protracted OS and security support are manifold. Not only does it enable users to employ their devices securely for an extended duration, capitalizing on fresh software functionalities, but it also diminishes the urgency to upgrade swiftly. This extended lifecycle contributes to the reduction of electronic waste, a critical concern. It’s imperative to encourage all companies to embrace elongated support periods, ideally spanning five years, to benefit users, the environment, and technological sustainability.

(Image credit: Andrew Lanxon/CNET)

Problematic cameras

Positioned on the rear panel of the phone are two cameras: a primary 50-megapixel sensor featuring optical image stabilization, and a secondary 13-megapixel sensor coupled with an ultrawide lens. The main camera captures intricate details, albeit accompanied by an overly aggressive image processing approach. This results in images that appear excessively saturated and exhibit unusual color shifts around clouds, reflecting the phone’s struggle to maintain optimal exposure levels.

(Image credit: Andrew Lanxon/CNET)

(Image credit: Andrew Lanxon/CNET)

(Image credit: Andrew Lanxon/CNET)

(Image credit: Andrew Lanxon/CNET)

(Image credit: Andrew Lanxon/CNET)

When transitioning to the wide-angle lens, the saturation levels appear more balanced, but a discernible presence of image noise and peculiar blue fringing in the sky persists.

On the front-facing side, the 32-megapixel camera demonstrates its potential by capturing commendable selfies. However, even in this aspect, results can be inconsistent. In scenarios of intense sunlight, lens flares or overexposed skies occasionally manifest, requiring multiple attempts to achieve a satisfactory shot. This endeavor isn’t solely attributed to personal appearance, but also to the camera’s behavior.

Should you buy the Asus Zenfone 10?

For those seeking a compact phone that doesn’t compromise on gaming capabilities, the available choices have noticeably dwindled in recent times. Therefore, it’s invigorating to witness a company integrate top-tier hardware into a device that doesn’t demand hands of gargantuan proportions for practical use.

While the phone does excel in processor performance and delivers respectable battery life, it stumbles in several crucial aspects. Most notably, the camera performance leaves much to be desired, and the limited support duration Asus extends stands as a notable shortcoming against competitors, a concern compounded by the device’s relatively higher price tag.

If your primary criterion is a sub-6-inch phone and photography prowess isn’t paramount, the Zenfone 10 is a contender worth contemplating. However, alternatives like the Pixel 7A present a more comprehensive package at a lower cost, albeit with a modest size increment.

Source: CNET