Approx. read time: 2.1 min.
Post: The End of an Era: Asus Zenfone’s Transition from Compact to Ultra-Sized Displays
It appears that one of the remaining smaller Android smartphones is following the path of the iPhone Mini into obsolescence. Amid a trend towards larger phones, the Asus Zenfone has consistently held its own as a compact option year after year. However, this seems set to change, marking a moment of reflection for those of us who are enthusiasts of smaller phones.
Asus has openly hinted at the new direction with the teaser for the upcoming Zenfone 11 Ultra, which showcases the device’s screen size increasing, accompanied by the phrase “Expand your vision.” The company has scheduled a formal reveal for March 14th, with additional teasers highlighting its “ultra size” and enduring battery life, leaving little to the imagination.
Historically, the Zenfone series, particularly the Zenfone 9 and Zenfone 10, featured a 5.9-inch display, modest by today’s standards of flagship Android phones with screens measuring 6.6 to 6.7 inches. These Zenfones were notable for their superior processors and thoughtful design elements, including a rare headphone jack in today’s market.
Despite the charm of these smaller phones, their future seemed uncertain. Rumors suggested Asus might exit the mainstream smartphone market to concentrate on laptops and gaming devices, a claim the company refuted. Nevertheless, the reality remains that smaller phones are challenging to market successfully, a struggle evidenced by Apple’s discontinuation of the iPhone Mini despite its marketing prowess.
Furthermore, when directly compared, the Zenfone 10 is only marginally smaller than competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S24, being just a few millimeters narrower and half a millimeter shorter, despite the S24 boasting a larger 6.2-inch screen. Although these slight differences in dimensions can enhance one-handed use and accessibility to screen corners, they may not justify the trade-offs in screen size for many consumers.
This sentiment is echoed by dedicated small phone fans, myself included, who highly value compact design. Nonetheless, it seems Asus is poised to abandon this niche market and transition towards producing larger smartphones, aligning with broader industry trends.
Related Posts
The Longevity Blueprint: AI-Powered Health Optimization
About the Author: Bernard Aybout (Virii8)
