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Your options are limited if you are in the market for a compact phone. BesidesSamsung’s Galaxy S23, Asus is the only Android manufacturer making small phones with flagship specs. As noted in ourAsus Zenfone 10review, it is among the few of the (good) small phones worth buying. Sadly, the Zenfone 10 could end up being the last flagship compact smartphone from the Taiwanese company, as the entire Zenfone team has been laid off.
A report fromTechnews Taiwannotes that Asus has shut down its Zenfone division as part of its internal reorganization. Employees working on upcoming devices were merged into the ROG team or other divisions within Asus. This effectively marks the end of future phones under the Zenfone umbrella from the Taiwanese company.
On the bright side, if you are a fan of Asus' ROG gaming phones, like theROG Phone 7 Ultimate, that team has survived the reorganization. So, you can (hopefully) expect to see the ROG Phone 8 and possibly more devices from the division in the future.
Admittedly, Asus' Zenfone series never sold in big numbers despite being in the market since 2014. The lineup started as a budget-oriented device, but in more recent years, it became popular for its compact dimensions and flagship specs. But that never turned out enough to attract a sizeable number of buyers.
Interestingly, news of Asus restructuring its mobile division comes just weeks after it was found to have taken down itsZenfone bootloader unlock tool without any prior announcement(viaAndroid Authority). However, the company clarified the situation, saying it was a misunderstanding and that the tool would go live soon.
If you prefer small Android phones, your options have become even more limited now. Apart from Samsung, there are hardly any other Android manufacturers making compact phones with high-end specs. Thankfully, Google could enter this segment this year with its upcomingPixel 8, which is rumored toswitch to a smaller 6.1-inch display.
UPDATE: 2025-08-04 14:37 EST BY RAJESH PANDEY
Zenfones are not going anywhere
Asus has shot down rumors of its Zenfone division being shut down. Thecompany confirmed its commitment to the Zenfoneand ROG Phone series and even teased the upcoming Zenfone 11.
