The ASUS Zenfone 10 is currently regarded as the best compact flagship, offering a powerful experience in a small form factor without the typical drawbacks.
Both the Zenfone 10 and its predecessor, the Zenfone 9, have received high praise from reviewers. Many commend ASUS for sticking with popular features like the 3.5mm headphone jack and for maintaining a compact flagship without significant compromises.
However, recent reports suggest that this may be the end for the Zenfone series, as ASUS is reportedly shutting down the Zenfone division.
Technews Taiwan has reported that ASUS is undergoing internal restructuring, leading to the reduction of several departments, including the Zenfone division. Employees from this division have been reassigned to the ROG Phone team and other areas of the company.
The report indicates that the Zenfone 10 will be the final model in the Zenfone lineup, with no successor expected due to the dissolution of the team responsible for the series.
This development follows recent changes affecting the Zenfone. Earlier this month, ASUS stopped allowing bootloader unlocks for Zenfone devices, citing the unavailability of the unlocking tool, though not a complete halt of the process.
Additionally, ASUS removed older Zenfone firmware versions from its website, with community moderators noting that the company no longer provides previous firmware versions or downgrade options to keep users on the latest updates.
While these actions do not directly confirm the shutdown of the Zenfone division, they lend weight to the reports and raise questions about the series’ future.
We have reached out to ASUS for confirmation and a statement regarding these reports and will update this article once we receive a response.
If true, the end of the Zenfone lineup would be a significant loss to the smartphone market. While ASUS might continue to release ROG-branded phones, the absence of the Zenfone series would leave a gap for those who appreciate a clean Android experience in a compact device.
Consumers benefit from a variety of options, and the departure of the Zenfone lineup could lead to a more monotonous market.
While ASUS could potentially introduce a smaller gaming phone under the ROG brand, it would likely cater to a niche audience, and its development is uncertain.
