The ASUS Zenfone 10 is a compact smartphone with premium options, with a dual-camera setup, and flagship processor. For those who’re out there for a compact cellphone with a headphone socket, and don’t wish to pay premium cellphone costs, then the Zenfone 10 may very well be for you.
The Zenfone 10 is roughly $699 / £719, lower than most flagship telephones, however is it a very good purchase, notably when you’re serious about pictures?
Asus Zenfone 10. Photograph JW/AP
Asus Zenfone 10 Key Options
- 50MP wide-anglef/1.9, Sony IMX766, 6-axis, PDAF
- 13MP ultra-wide-angle f/2.2 mounted focus
- 32MP f/2.2 selfie cameras, mounted focus, FullHD video
- 6-Axis Hybrid “Gimbal” stabilisation (photograph/video, major digicam)
- 5.9inch AMOLED HDR10+ display144Hz, Gorilla Glass Food regimen
- 4300mAh battery
- 8GB/256GB ram/storage (16GB/512GB choices accessible)
- Android 13 / Snapdragon 8 Gen2 / 5G
- 146.5 x 68.1 x 9.4mm, 172g weight
Asus Zenfone 10 Options
We assessment smartphones from the attitude of selecting a smartphone for it’s pictures and digicam efficiency, so we’ll be beginning by what the ASUS Zenfone 10 affords when it comes to cameras and what options are included for pictures and video.
So, how does the Asus Zenfone 10 examine to the Asus Zenfone 9?
The wide-angle digicam stays the identical, with a 50MP digicaman f/1.9 aperture, gimbal OIS (optical picture stabilisation), PDAF (phase-detection auto-focus), a 24mm equal focal size, and a 1/1.56inch sensor. This Sony IMX766 Quad Bayer sensor makes use of pixel binning to provide 12.5MP pictures. This digicam and options are the identical on each the Zenfone 10 and 9.
Nonetheless, the ultra-wide-angle digicam on the ten has been modified to a 13MP f/2.2 digicam with mounted focusand when in comparison with the 12MP f/2.2 digicam on the Zenfone 9, with PDAF (PD Auto-focus), this can be a backwards step, as there isn’t a longer a 4cm macro mode. The ultra-wide-angle is barely wider now at 12.5mm equal (in 35mm equal phrases).
The selfie digicam has been modified, with the Zenfone 10 now that includes a 32MP f/2.2 digicam which makes use of pixel binning to offer 8MP picturesin addition to Full HD video recording. That is one other downgrade, in comparison with the 12MP f/2.5 digicam on the Zenfone 10, which makes use of PDAF, and in addition offers 4K video recording.
Gone is the 4cm macro function that the Zenfone 9 featured, gone is the auto-focus and 4K video recording on the selfie digicam. Why these decisions had been made and carried out on the Zenfone 10 we might by no means now, however within the meantime, let’s learn the way the cameras carry out.
Asus Zenfone 10. Photograph JW/AP
For these recording video you’re effectively catered for, the principle digicam affords the very best video recording options with resolutions as much as 8K (at 24fps with OIS + EIS). 4K video could be recorded at 60/30fps, once more with OIS + EIS. When recording at a FullHD decision, “HyperSteady” stabilisation turns into accessible, at 60/30fps. Sluggish movement video could be recorded at 120fps (4K), 240fps (FullHD), and 480fps (720p).
Asus Zenfone 10. Photograph JW/AP
Photograph options embody a “Gentle Path” mode, Evening mode, Professional mode, Panorama, Portrait, Sluggish-motion and time-lapse modes. There’s additionally video, and Professional video modes. Gentle path consists of choices for site visitors trails (lights), mild graffiti, waterfalls, circulate of individuals, and star trails. Star trails could be set to a period of 4.5hours! Lengthy publicity pictures is feasible, with the digicam permitting exposures as much as 32 seconds.
Asus Zenfone 10. Photograph JW/AP
The 5.9inch display is an AMOLED unit (made by Samsung) with as much as 144Hz refresh charge, 112% DCI-P3 (giving a large color gamut), HDR 10+, and a color accuracy of Delta-E <1 (in response to ASUS). The display affords an always-on show in addition to Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
Regardless of the small dimension, there’s twin stereo audio system, in addition to a headphone socket – an more and more uncommon function on trendy smartphones.
Asus Zenfone 10 headphone socket. Photograph JW/AP
Different options that belong on flagship smartphones, embody Wi-Fi 6/6E, and Wi-Fi 7, 5G, NFC, and Bluetooth 5.3.
There’s a single LED flash, which can be utilized when wanted so as to add additional mild to the scene. The Asus Zenfone 10 comes with a 30W charger within the field, in addition to a protecting plastic case.
There’s a fingerprint sensor built-in to the facility/unlock button, on the aspect of the cellphone, and as well as, the cellphone helps face recognition unlock.
The Zenfone 10 has good battery life for a compact cellphone. Actually, it’s acquired the virtually the identical battery energy, at 4300mAh because the considerably bigger Samsung Galaxy Observe 20 Extremely – solely crushed by 200mAh. That is greater than the Samsung Galaxy S22 for instance.
Asus Zenfone 10 professional mode offers handbook controls. Photograph JW/AP
One factor that has been added to the Zenfone 10and that was lacking from the Asus Zenfone 9, is wi-fi chargingwhich is one thing you’ll discover on most premium smartphones.
Asus Zenfone 10 Efficiency
Pattern photograph taken with the ASUS Zenfone 10. Pink McLaren outdoors St. Pancras – the colors a bit off on this photograph, and it’s overexposed. Photograph JW/AP
ASUS_AI2302 · f/1.9 · 1/838s · 5.53mm · ISO26
The primary digicam on the Zenfone 10 is the very best of the bunch, and the pictures produced are usually ok, when viewing them on their very own, on-screen, nevertheless, when in comparison with different smartphones, the general tone can appear a bit of cool or over-exposed leading to a scarcity of element. Actually this similar shot taken by a less expensive cellphone from Samsung was noticeably extra detailed.
Extremely-wide-angle photograph. Sheffield. Asus Zenfone 10 pattern photograph. Photograph JW/AP
ASUS_AI2302 · f/2.2 · 1/192s · 2.13mm · ISO26
The ultra-wide angle digicam offers cheap outcomes, with comparatively little distortion. Color can be cheap, and appears pretty pure in comparison with another telephones. The shortage of auto-focus is a disgrace.
Instance of lens flare. Asus Zenfone 10 pattern photograph. Photograph JW
ASUS_AI2302 · f/1.9 · 1/222s · 5.53mm · ISO26
The cameras are usually susceptible to lens flare even when the solar isn’t within the body. It’s notably noticeable on this cellphone, extra so than others.
Chips – typically color is sweet as proven on this photograph. Asus Zenfone 10 pattern photograph. Photograph JW
ASUS_AI2302 · f/1.9 · 1/517s · 5.53mm · ISO25
While there isn’t a devoted telephoto digicam, the digicam affords a 2x digital zoom, and like different smartphones combines a number of pictures which is meant to supply improved element. Outcomes are cheap, however not up there with different telephones.
Good shut up, major digicam. Asus Zenfone 10 pattern photograph. Photograph JW
ASUS_AI2302 · f/1.9 · 1/139s · 5.53mm · ISO26
The primary digicam may give cheap close-up images, however there isn’t a macro mode accessible, and in contrast to the Zenfone 9, you’ll be able to’t use the ultra-wide-angle digicam to get any nearer both.
Low-light shot. Asus Zenfone 10 pattern photograph. Photograph JW
ASUS_AI2302 · f/1.9 · 1/13s · 5.53mm · ISO2016
The Evening mode kicks in routinely when the scene is darkish sufficient, and outcomes are fairly good. A devoted night time mode could be discovered within the “MORE” part of the digicam app, nevertheless, it’s a disgrace that the auto night time mode isn’t setup to be faster to entry.
Lights. Asus Zenfone 10 pattern photograph. Photograph JW
ASUS_AI2302 · f/1.9 · 1/50s · 5.53mm · ISO190
As talked about, publicity generally is a bit brilliant at instances, and for this shot, publicity compensation was wanted to get an accurate publicity.
Utilizing the “Gentle Trails” mode, you’ll be able to choose from plenty of totally different long-exposure modes. One in all these is named “Waterfalls” and is designed to allow you to take images of transferring water.
Selfie with background blur. Asus Zenfone 10 pattern photograph. Photograph JW/AP
ASUS_AI2302 · f/2.45 · 1/179s · 3.74mm · ISO25
The selfie digicam offers cheap outcomes, and so long as you don’t thoughts that it’s mounted focus, and solely outputs 8MP pictures, it may give cheap outcomes, particularly when mild ranges are good. Background blur is pleasant when utilizing the portrait mode. As compared nevertheless, the selfie digicam on the Zenfone 9 is best, with AF and 4K video recording.
Video efficiency
Video stabilisation does a very good job on commonplace settings, nevertheless, change to HyperSteady, which is accessible at 1080P resolutions or decrease, and the stabilisation ranges kicks it up a notch to offer very steady video footage. There’s additionally a Professional video mode that offers extra management over video, ought to this be of curiosity.
On this pattern video, the main target appeared to battle a bit of bit, however your outcomes might differ, and the motion of the flowers on this video didn’t assist. Lens flare can be a problem.
Worth for Cash
The Asus Zenfone 10 is accessible for round $699 / £719, or probably much less when you store round, nevertheless, in comparison with the Asus Zenfone 9, which has higher cameras, the ten is just not notably good worth for cash. Particularly once you take a look at opponents just like the Samsung Galaxy S22 and S23, with a triple digicam system on the again, and comparable pricing.
Samsung Galaxy S22 (left) subsequent to the Asus Zenfone 9 (proper)
There are different smartphones accessible which are on the smaller aspect of issues together with the Xiaomi 13, with triple digicam system. There’s additionally the Google Pixel 7, accessible for much less cash, and for the same worth, the brand new Google Pixel 8.
Asus Zenfone 10 Verdict
In order for you a very small Android cellphone, and wish higher digicam efficiency, you then’d be higher off trying on the earlier model of this cellphone, the Asus Zenfone 9, which has a greater set of cameras. Alternatively it is best to take a look at the Samsung Galaxy S23, and S22, which each function a triple digicam system with a telephoto digicam.
Just like the Zenfone 9, nevertheless, the ten affords some blended outcomes, with the principle digicam performing the very best, however worse than different telephones in the marketplace, with lens flare being an issue. There’s an affordable however downgraded ultra-wide-angle digicam, and a downgraded selfie digicam. It’s unlucky that this cellphone can’t appear to match or compete with Samsung or Google. There are different telephones accessible for much less that supply higher cameras, and higher images.
Outdated cameras. Asus Zenfone 10 pattern photograph. Photograph JW/AP
ASUS_AI2302 · f/1.9 · 1/25s · 5.53mm · ISO1031
We weren’t overly impressed by the Asus Zenfone 9, as telephones from Google, Samsung and Apple delivered higher pictures outcomes. Nonetheless, the Asus Zenfone 10 makes the 9 look good, because it’s so clearly a step backwards when it comes to digicam efficiency. That is an odd transfer, and while the Zenfone 9 was quirky, it had some good digicam options that stored us . Now that these are gone, the Zenfone 10 is relegated to simply one other cellphone, with nothing to make it stand out to photographers. Stick to the Zenfone 9 when you want a small cellphone with a headphone socket.
For extra choices take a look at the very best digicam telephones for pictures, or for a extra price range possibility take a look at our information to the very best price range digicam telephones. How do you pronounce ASUS? Discover out in our video.
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