Design and Build: Refining a Compact Powerhouse
The Asus Zenfone series has carved a unique niche by championing the high-performance compact smartphone, a category largely abandoned by other manufacturers. The Zenfone 10 Pro is expected to continue this tradition but with a more premium “Pro” twist. Leaks and industry trends suggest a design language that builds directly upon the successful Zenfone 9, retaining its beloved sub-6-inch form factor that offers unparalleled one-handed usability. The signature textured, grippy polymer back is likely to return, possibly with new color variants and even more premium materials for the Pro model, such as an option with a matte aluminum frame or sustainable accents.
Expect the device to maintain its IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, a essential feature for a modern flagship. The iconic dual-tiered shutter button, which offers a half-press for focus and a full-press to capture, is almost certain to make a return, further cementing its identity as a photographer’s compact tool. The overall design philosophy will be one of iterative refinement rather than radical overhaul, focusing on ergonomic perfection and durability. The placement of the 3.5mm headphone jack, a beloved feature among audio enthusiasts, is strongly rumored to remain, setting it apart from nearly every other flagship on the market.
Display: Brighter, Smoother, More Efficient
The display is one area where the Zenfone 10 Pro is anticipated to make a significant leap forward. While it will likely retain a compact size, speculated to be around 5.92 inches, the panel technology is rumored to see major upgrades. A move from a Samsung E4 to a state-of-the-art Samsung E6 AMOLED panel is highly probable. This new generation display would bring substantial benefits, including a significantly higher peak brightness, potentially exceeding 1500 nits, for vastly improved outdoor visibility.
Furthermore, the adaptive refresh rate is expected to become even more efficient. While the Zenfone 9 featured a 120Hz refresh rate, the Zenfone 10 Pro could implement LTPO 4.0 technology, allowing the screen to dynamically scale its refresh rate from a power-saving 1Hz all the way up to 120Hz. This would be ideal for always-on display functionality and conserving battery when viewing static content. The display will also likely feature HDR10+ support and be protected by the latest Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, ensuring scratch and drop resistance. The inclusion of an under-display optical fingerprint sensor is expected to remain, with potential upgrades to its speed and accuracy.
Performance: Unleashing Raw Power with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
At the heart of the Asus Zenfone 10 Pro will undoubtedly be Qualcomm’s latest and greatest flagship chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This 4nm processor is engineered to deliver a monumental leap in both CPU and GPU performance while improving power efficiency over its predecessor. Early benchmarks of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 suggest a multi-core performance that rivals some desktop-class chips, making the Zenfone 10 Pro a potential pocket-sized powerhouse capable of handling the most demanding tasks, from advanced computational photography to console-quality mobile gaming.
This raw power will be coupled with generous and fast memory configurations. Rumors point to the Zenfone 10 Pro launching with options starting at 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM, with a top-tier variant potentially offering 16GB. For storage, UFS 4.0 technology is a near certainty, offering read and write speeds approximately double that of the UFS 3.1 standard found in the Zenfone 9. This translates to faster app loading times, quicker file transfers, and a snappier overall system responsiveness. Asus’s software optimization, including its performance profiles and Game Genie utility, will work in tandem with this hardware to provide a seamless and powerful user experience.
Camera System: The “Pro” Designation Justified
The “Pro” moniker in the Zenfone 10 Pro heavily implies a substantial upgrade in the camera department. While the main sensor may continue to be a high-resolution Sony IMX sensor, perhaps a custom-tuned version of the 50MP Sony IMX989 or a new-generation IMX8 series sensor, the real upgrades are expected elsewhere. A vastly improved image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 will provide the foundation for superior computational photography, including better low-light performance, more accurate colors, and enhanced HDR processing.
The most significant rumor revolves around the telephoto lens. The Zenfone 10 Pro is expected to finally add a dedicated periscope-style telephoto camera, a feature absent from its predecessors. This would enable high-quality optical zoom at 3x or 5x magnification, a game-changer for portrait photography and capturing distant subjects without a loss in detail. The ultrawide camera is also slated for an upgrade, potentially to a higher-resolution sensor with autofocus, allowing it to double as a capable macro camera. Video capabilities are expected to see a boost, with 8K recording at 24fps or 30fps and advanced stabilization features building upon the excellent HyperSteady tech from previous models.
Battery Life and Charging: All-Day Power, Faster Top-Ups
Despite its compact size, the Zenfone series has consistently delivered impressive battery life. The Zenfone 10 Pro is expected to house a battery capacity slightly larger than its predecessor’s 4300mAh unit, potentially landing in the 4500-4800mAh range. Combined with the power efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and the LTPO display, this could result in best-in-class battery endurance for a phone of its size.
Charging speeds are also rumored to receive a welcome bump. While the Zenfone 9 supported 30W wired charging, the Pro model could see this increase to 65W or even 80W, allowing users to get a full day’s power in just a matter of minutes. Wireless charging, a feature present in the Zenfone 9, will remain and could also see a speed increase from 15W to 15-20W with compatibility for broader Qi standards. Asus is also expected to continue its battery care features, which use AI to slow charging overnight and preserve long-term battery health.
Software and Audio: Clean Android and Sonic Fidelity
The Zenfone 10 Pro will launch with Android 14 out of the box, skinned with Asus’s minimalist and highly-praised ZenUI. This near-stock Android experience is valued for its lack of bloatware, clean aesthetics, and timely updates. Asus has improved its update policy in recent years, and for a Pro device, users can expect a commitment to at least two major Android OS upgrades and three years of security patches. ZenUI’s unique features, like the one-handed mode, customizable shortcut button on the side, and advanced gaming tools, will all be present and refined.
Audio has always been a cornerstone of the Zenfone experience. The retention of the 3.5mm headphone jack is a major differentiator, appealing to audiophiles and casual listeners alike. This will be powered by a high-quality DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) and amplifier. The dual stereo speakers, tuned in collaboration with Dirac, are expected to be even louder and clearer, with enhanced bass response. For wireless audio, support for the latest high-bitrate codecs like Snapdragon Sound and LE Audio is anticipated, ensuring a premium listening experience regardless of how users choose to connect.
Additional Features and Connectivity
Beyond the core specs, the Zenfone 10 Pro will be packed with modern connectivity options. Wi-Fi 7 support is a strong possibility, given its inclusion in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 platform, offering faster speeds and lower latency on compatible networks. Bluetooth 5.3 or newer will be standard. The phone will undoubtedly support a wide range of 5G bands for global compatibility. NFC for contactless payments and a suite of sensors, including an improved accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass, will all be present.
The customizable Smart Key, a physical button on the side of the phone, will return with even more functionality, allowing users to assign single-press, double-press, and long-press actions to launch apps, toggle settings, or trigger routines. Asus may also introduce new software-based features leveraging the AI capabilities of the new chipset, such as more intelligent battery management, context-aware display settings, and enhanced voice recognition. The overall package is shaping up to be the ultimate no-compromise compact Android smartphone.