Smartphones & Tablets | July 10, 2023
In the end, the rumors were not true, and the best compact phone remains both small and good. ASUS has announced today the new Zenfone 10, priced at 829 euros, a phone that represents a step forward compared to the previous generation while still retaining the features that made it stand out from other phones in the market.
Of course, we are talking about its size, which remains at 5.9 inches, just like the Zenfone 9. Although we can’t say it’s exactly tiny, it’s a much smaller figure compared to what is usually found in stores, as most models, even low-end ones, approach 7 inches.
ASUS has clearly found its niche in small yet powerful phones, a combination that is not very common. In fact, this is touted as the most powerful compact phone in the market, as it is based on the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
The new processor is the most powerful one available for Android so far, placing the Zenfone 10 at the top of the sector. But unlike other phones that use the same processor, this one can be easily operated with one hand, which can be much more appealing to many users. The new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is accompanied by 8 or 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM with a speed of 8533 Mb/s and USF 4.0 ROM technology for storage, ensuring high performance whether we’re gaming or using demanding applications.
The processor is not the only component that has received a technical upgrade. Although the screen is the same size, it has actually been improved and now features a refresh rate of 144 Hz, with enhanced color representation, covering sRGB at 151.9% and DCI-P3 at 112%. ASUS boasts its collaboration with Pixelworks for visual processing and improved color accuracy.
There are fewer innovations in the camera department. The main sensor remains at 50 MP, but with a new 6-axis 2.0 gimbal hybrid stabilizer, capable of controlling all the movements we make with the phone in hand to adjust the position of the camera module. In practice, this should reduce ghosting and optical distortion. The sensor has been improved in the front-facing camera, which is now 32 MP with larger pixel size, aiding in capturing light better. This change will be reflected in better selfies in low-light scenes, aided by the new algorithms. ASUS states that other camera modes, such as portrait mode, have also been enhanced with new zoom options.
The major challenge with a compact phone lies in the battery, which obviously cannot be as large. This is confirmed in the Zenfone 10, as it retains a capacity of 4,300 mAh. However, ASUS promises that it is possible to achieve double the battery life, thanks to improvements in CPU utilization and the use of low-power components. The HyperCharge fast charging is 30 W and is compatible with Qi wireless charging.
The ASUS Zenfone 10 will be available for pre-order starting today, with a price of 829 euros for the 8/128 GB version, 879 euros for 8/256 GB, and 979 euros for 16/512 GB. It will be available in three colors: Aurora Green, Eclipse Red, and Comet White. As part of the offer, buyers will receive a 100 euro discount if they pre-order it on the ASUS website until its launch in July.
