Asus Zenfone 10

Specification

Small Size, Big Impact — The True Flagship Compact?

In a world where every phone seems to be getting larger, heavier, and more AI-focused, Asus takes a bold step in the opposite direction — offering a compact flagship that still packs a punch. The Zenfone 10 is not trying to compete by size, but by experience.

So, is this just a small phone for small tasks, or is it a compact beast that delivers flagship-level performance without compromise? Let’s dive into the real-world review — covering design, display, performance, battery, camera, gaming, software, and more.

1. Design & Build: One-hand king with a rugged soul

At first glance, the Zenfone 10 looks similar to its predecessor — and that’s a good thing. Asus continues the philosophy of compact yet durable, and this year it gets even more refined.

Highlights:

• Size: Just 5.9 inches — easily pocketable
• Weight: 172g only — lightest flagship-class phone in 2024
• Back Material: Textured bio-based polymer — soft to touch, anti-slip, and eco-friendly
• IP68 Water/Dust Resistance
• Colors: Aurora Green, Midnight Black, Starry Blue, Eclipse Red, Comet White

2. Display: Small, but sharp

Despite its smaller size, Zenfone 10’s 5.9″ AMOLED display punches above its weight. While it’s not a QHD+ screen, it’s sharp, fast, and smooth enough for everyday enjoyment.

Specs:

• 5.9″ FHD+ AMOLED (2400×1080)
• 120Hz refresh rate (adaptive)
• Peak Brightness: 1100 nits
• Gorilla Glass Victus
• HDR10+ certified

Display Experience:

• Colors are vivid but natural — not oversaturated
• Great outdoor visibility, though not as bright as Pixel or Galaxy Ultra models
• Touch response is buttery smooth, especially during gaming
• The small size might not suit binge-watchers, but ideal for reading and daily use

3. Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 makes it fly

Unlike Pixel, Asus doesn’t use its own chip. Instead, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 powers the Zenfone 10 — and that’s a great thing. It ensures top-tier performance with excellent thermal management in this compact form factor.

Specs & Benchmarks:

• Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm)
• 8GB/16GB LPDDR5X RAM
• 128GB/256GB/512GB UFS 4.0 Storage
• AnTuTu: ~1.4 Million
• Geekbench Multi-core: 5200+

Real-life Usage:

• Absolutely fluid in daily apps — Chrome, Gmail, social media
• No heating in 30–40 mins usage
• Multitasking works fine even with 20+ apps in the background
• Very snappy UI transitions

4. Camera: Smart simplicity, not flashy numbers

The Zenfone 10 has just two rear cameras, but don’t let that fool you. Asus focuses on stabilization, color balance, and video performance — and it shows.

Rear Cameras:

• 50MP IMX766 Main Sensor (f/1.9, gimbal OIS 2.0)
• 13MP Ultrawide (120° FOV)
• Front: 32MP selfie with RGBW sensor

Photo Performance:

• Daylight: Sharp, well-exposed shots with natural tones
• Low Light: Night mode is decent, but not Pixel-level
• Ultrawide: Good during the day, a bit noisy at night
• Portraits: Edge detection is solid, skin tones accurate

Video:

• 4K 60fps with gimbal-level stabilization
• EIS + OIS = rock steady, vlog-ready footage
• Mic quality and wind reduction are excellent

5. Gaming & GPU: Surprisingly solid for its size

With a small chassis, you’d think gaming would be an afterthought. But Asus tunes the thermals well, and the Adreno 740 GPU delivers where it counts.

Gaming Performance:

• COD Mobile: Max settings, zero stutter
• Genshin Impact: 60fps mostly stable, slight dips in heavy areas
• Asphalt 9: Fast load, smooth visuals, haptics on point

Thermals:

• No throttling till after 25–30 mins of gameplay
• Body gets warm, not hot
• Game Genie overlay helps with FPS monitoring and screen recording

6. Battery Life: Better than expected

With a 4300mAh battery, Zenfone 10 surprises by lasting a full day — thanks to software optimization and the energy-efficient Snapdragon chip.

Battery Test:

• SOT: 6–7 hours (mixed use)
• Gaming for 1 hour: ~15% drop
• YouTube streaming (Wi-Fi, 50% brightness): ~10% per hour

Charging:

• 30W Wired (USB-C PD)
• 15W Wireless Charging (finally added!)
• Reverse charging via cable

7. Software: Near-stock with some smart Asus touches

Zenfone 10 runs Android 13 out of the box, with Asus’ lightly customized skin. It’s close to Pixel-level clean, with a few smart additions.

Highlights:

• Edge Tool: Slide in from the side to access quick shortcuts
• One-handed Mode: Custom gestures, easily toggleable
• Audio Wizard: Manual EQ + presets
• Game Genie: Game overlay with real-time tools

Update Promise:

• 2 Years Major OS Updates
• 4 Years Security Patches

Not Pixel-level update policy, but decent for this segment.

8. Audio, Connectivity & Biometrics

• Stereo Speakers: Loud and clear with Dirac tuning
• 3.5mm Headphone Jack: A rarity in flagships!
• Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6E, NFC
• Dual SIM (no microSD)
• Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted, blazing fast

11. Who should buy the Zenfone 10?

This phone is for you if:

 You want a true one-handed flagship
 You prefer clean, fast software
 You value durability, portability, and stability over gimmicks
 You still use wired headphones or record a lot of videos
 You want a compact gaming companion

Avoid if:

 You need the best low-light photography
 You prefer a larger screen for videos/games
 You want 5+ years of updates

⭐ Final Verdict:

The Asus Zenfone 10 is not trying to be the flashiest, biggest, or most AI-loaded phone — and that’s exactly its strength.

It’s a true flagship for compact phone lovers, with no major compromises on performance, camera, or software. In 2024, phones like these are rare — and Asus has built a solid fan-favorite here.