More powerful compressed format

The Asus Zenfone 10 smartphone represents the top of the range of the Taiwanese brand and replaces the current Zenfone 9. It takes the compact format of its predecessor which did the same with the Zenfone 8. This new model is more powerful than its predecessor benefited from the fastest chipset at the moment, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and also relies on an updated and brighter display that includes the same main image sensor, which is proven on a wide Wide for his good achievements in the pictures, without forgetting his tightness and very good contact. We managed to take it in hand and here are our impressions.

Design, like its predecessor

So the Zenfone 10 succeeds the Zenfone 9, which we found to be excellent in its performance. It is presented according to many 8 + 128 GB, 8 + 256 GB or 16 + 256 GB configurations and in 5 different colors : white, black, blue, green or red. It takes on the compact shape of its predecessor with dimensions in length and width that are absolutely identical, namely 146.5 x 68.1 mm. On the other hand, Zenfone 9 was slightly thicker than Zenfone 8. So the Zenfone 10 is also slightly thicker than Zenfone 9 With 9.1mm, it offers a profile of 9.4mm. Weight has also been adjusted up with 172 grams, compared to 169 grams previously ;
The profiles are particularly flat, a bit like on the iPhone or on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12, for example. They are black in different colors, but silver on the white version.

The frame is metal Antennas appear around the device. Like the Zeneonf 9, the back is very light, leaving nothing out There are no fingerprints and very pleasant to the touch. We were able to test the white version, which is a bit grey. We can see the mention of the Asus Zenfone with two small triangles which indicate the position of the cameras on the back.

Two photo sensors are always on the back

Just like the previous model, The two image sensors are as if placed in the upper left corner, background, vertically aligned. The main module protrudes a little more than the secondary sensor. We salute the manufacturer’s sobriety for the number of sensors as we can find up to 4 units on the back of certain models. Having multiple sensors does not necessarily mean we will have better photos. Here, the idea is to keep the format compact and add a third sensor that could have been a source of many compromises in a larger format, which the manufacturer doesn’t want. So there is a 50 Megapixel main unit, Sony IMX766 Which is also found on many mid-to-high-end models and which was already present on the Zenfone 9. It is optically stable and benefits from 6-axis stabilization system 2.0 In order to reduce camera shake thanks to both the electronic and optical system. Moreover, in the interface of the camera application, it is possible to display a central circle with a ball inside it that moves according to the orientation of the phone to indicate to the user that it is straight and stable. Several shooting modes are available at once.

The main image sensor is accompanied, this time, with an 13 MP secondary sensor which has to handle 120-degree ultra-wide angle shots.
for personal photosOn the front, we switch from a 12MP unit to a 32 MP with RGBW sensor Which promises more faithful colors especially to skin tone compared to the previous model. The AI ​​is there to optimize settings and find the right parameters for different scenes using object and landscape recognition.

Very good ergonomics for this small mobile phone

As on the Zenfone 9, the fingerprint reader is mounted on the standby button while it is below the display on the Zenfone 8.

Its location is perfect, at just the right height to put your thumb in there for instant unlocking. The volume is controlled by a double button. On the upside there audio jack. Asus is one of the few, if not the only, companies to offer such connectivity on its top-of-the-range model, the others just don’t. It is integrated into the upper profile, as in its predecessor. Unlike Zenfone 9, Zenfone 10 is capable of wireless charging. It supports 15W fast charging, which is good. On the other hand, there is no improvement in terms of capacity Wired charging since Zenfone 10, like its predecessor, only supports 30 watts, with some mid-range models offering charging capability at 120W…much faster. The mobile phone is perfectly balanced in the hand.

Compact, high-quality screen

Zenfone 10 is equipped with a file 5.9 inch AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate Which can automatically adapt according to the applications used. This is better than the 120Hz displayed on the Zenfone 9 and in particular allows for smoother scrolling when it comes to browsing long pages of websites or social networking walls. Brightness is still 1100 cd / m²which is enough to enjoy even in the full sun in the afternoon.

Thanks to its small size, we benefit from good ergonomics and a fairly easy use of the touch surface. If you are not satisfied enough yet, the one-handed mode is available in the settings. Like on Zenfone 9, The selfie sensor is placed in the upper left corner And not in the middle, as is the case with almost all other mobile phones. However, we can regret that the edges are not thinner, especially the chin.

As for the multimedia aspect, the manufacturer indicates this The screen supports the HDR10 + format, but it is not mentioned in the playback specifications of the Netflix app. However, it allows to enjoy the content in Full HD quality.

Very lightweight and responsive interface

The interface offered on Zenfone 10 is based on Android 13 with a simple software overlay Which means we are entitled to an enhanced version with minimal pre-installed apps. Asus promises 2 years of system updates and 4 years of security updates. Navigation is particularly fast and fast. The mobile phone reacts incredibly quickly And we feel that it can provide very large computing power and thus enjoyable use of applications such as games in all conditions. When we got to grips with it, the mobile phone remained rather mild. It will have to be put through several benchmarking tools and other more advanced tests to try and push it to its limits and see if the cooling system Asus envisions, consisting of a flat vapor chamber, is just as effective. What does the manufacturer mean?
There are many convenient features. A sidebar is available if needed to quickly access some of your favorite features or applications. The Smart Key function allows you to quickly press the button twice to put it into standby mode and then trigger a pre-set action like opening the voice assistant or opening a specific app. Overall, the customization options are plentiful and seem relevant.
We will see during a full test whether the ergonomics are really there as well as its performance without forgetting its autonomy and the quality of the images produced. Anyway, our first impressions of this smartphone are really excellent.