In a market dominated by large-screen flagships, ASUS continues to carve a niche for itself with its Zenfone series, focusing on delivering top-tier performance in a compact form factor. The Asus Zenfone 10, a testament to this philosophy, offers a compelling blend of a high refresh rate display, substantial RAM, and robust performance, making it a strong contender for users seeking a premium experience without breaking the bank, with some variants potentially landing under the Rs. 50,000 mark.
Compact Design, Uncompromised Build
The Zenfone 10 maintains its predecessor’s commitment to portability, boasting a 5.9-inch display that makes one-handed operation a breeze. Despite its smaller size, there’s no compromise on build quality. The phone features a durable construction with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection on the front and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of daily use. Its subtly textured back panel not only adds to the aesthetic appeal but also provides a comfortable and secure grip.
A Visual Feast: 144Hz AMOLED Display
One of the standout features of the Zenfone 10 is its vibrant 5.9-inch Full HD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels) AMOLED display. This panel takes visual fluidity to the next level with a 144Hz refresh rate, although it’s important to note that this super-smooth refresh rate is primarily active in supported games via Game Genie. For general usage, the display operates at a still impressive 120Hz. With HDR10+ support and a peak brightness of 1100 nits, the screen delivers stunning colors, deep blacks, and excellent visibility even under direct sunlight, making it ideal for multimedia consumption, gaming, and everyday Browse.
Performance that Packs a Punch
Under the hood, the Asus Zenfone 10 is a true performance beast. It’s powered by the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform, an octa-core processor clocked at up to 3.2 GHz. This cutting-edge chipset, combined with the Adreno 740 GPU, ensures seamless multitasking, incredibly smooth gaming, and lightning-fast app loading times.
To further amplify its performance, the Zenfone 10 comes with ample RAM options, including a top-tier variant with a massive 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM. This generous amount of RAM allows users to effortlessly juggle multiple demanding applications without any noticeable slowdowns. Complementing the RAM is UFS 4.0 storage, offering incredibly fast read and write speeds, enhancing overall system responsiveness. Storage options typically range from 128GB to 512GB, catering to various user needs. The phone runs on Android 13 with ASUS’s ZenUI, providing a clean and customizable user experience.
Camera Capabilities and Audio Experience
For photography enthusiasts, the Zenfone 10 sports a capable dual-camera setup on the rear. The main camera features a 50MP Sony IMX766 sensor with a wide f/1.9 aperture and an advanced 6-Axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer 2.0. This gimbal stabilization ensures incredibly steady videos and sharper photos, even in challenging conditions. Accompanying it is a 13MP ultra-wide camera with a 120-degree field of view. On the front, a 32MP sensor, utilizing RGBW technology and pixel binning, handles selfies and video calls with impressive clarity.
The audio experience on the Zenfone 10 is equally impressive. It features dual stereo speakers with Dirac HD Sound and Qualcomm WSA8835 smart amplifiers, delivering loud, clear, and immersive sound. The inclusion of a 3.5mm audio jack, along with Hi-Res Audio support, will be welcomed by audiophiles.
Connectivity and Battery Life
Connectivity options are comprehensive, including 5G SA/NSA support, Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and a USB Type-C port. The phone also supports all major global navigation satellite systems, including India’s NavIC.
Powering the device is a 4300mAh battery, which, despite the compact size, offers impressive endurance, often lasting a full day or more on a single charge. The Zenfone 10 supports 30W fast charging and also features 15W wireless charging, adding to its convenience.
Pricing and Availability
While exact pricing for all variants in India can fluctuate, initial reports and listings suggest that the Asus Zenfone 10, particularly its 8GB RAM variants, could be available for under Rs. 50,000, making it a highly attractive option for those seeking a compact yet powerful flagship experience. The 16GB RAM variant, while slightly more expensive, still offers exceptional value for its performance. The phone is available in a range of stylish colors including Midnight Black, Starry Blue, Comet White, Aurora Green, and Eclipse Red.
In conclusion, the Asus Zenfone 10 stands out as a unique and compelling smartphone in the current market. Its compact design, coupled with a stunning 144Hz display, top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, up to 16GB of RAM, and a capable camera system, makes it a true pocket rocket. For users who prioritize performance and portability without compromising on a premium experience, the Zenfone 10 presents an excellent choice, especially with its competitive pricing in the Indian market.