ASUS has established a reputation for introducing compact, high-end smartphones over the years. The ASUS ZenFone 8 and ZenFone 9 models were both attractive products, and the launch of the ZenFone 10 this year followed suit. As with its predecessors, the ASUS ZenFone 10 didn't receive the acclaim it deserved; hence, we've chosen to spotlight it as the most underestimated mobile phone for 2023 in our annual awards segment.

The ASUS ZenFone 10 not only excels in performance, but also boasts a compact design. Also, the device is attractively priced. Its design is almost a mirror image of its predecessor, which isn't a negative aspect. When it launched in June, it showcased the most potent processor ASUS could procure, along with the fastest available RAM coupled with an ample amount of storage. The phone also has promising specs, including a flat 144Hz AMOLED screen, a competent camera package, and options for both wired and wireless charging.

Let's probe a little further to give you a better understanding of what this phone offers. The ASUS ZenFone 10 has metal and soft-touch plastic construction. The plastic used on the back doesn't feel like your typical plastic; it feels more like a hybrid of plastic, rubber, and paper. While it may sound odd, it provides a pleasant tactile experience. ASUS made improvements to this over the ZenFone 9 model, meaning the product should now be more durable and maintain its initial appearance over an extended period of use.

In our tests, this claim proved to be accurate, with the device holding up well after months of handling. It was also comfortable to hold, making it an optimal choice for one-handed use. There were minor points of contention like its uneven bezels, but the majority of design attributes were commendable.

Performance-wise, the ASUS ZenFone 10 was strikingly smooth. From the array of smartphones that we've tested this year, the ZenFone 10 stood out as one of the smoothest performers. The contributing factors were not only its powerful hardware but also its top-tier software management. The ZenUI by ASUS is essentially a stock Android supplemented with various beneficial features from ASUS.

For battery life and wireless charging, the ZenFone 10 excels. Despite its reduced form factor, this phone provided an exceptional battery performance. We were even able to achieve a 10-hour screen-on time with this device. This is impressive for a phone that sports a 5.92-inch display. Regular screen-on times of 8-9 hours were easily achievable, and the device's 30W wired charging capability was satisfactorily fast. Moreover, ASUS introduced 15W wireless charging support for increased convenience with this model.

While the phone's camera setup may not be the market's best, it holds its own. The main and ultrawide shooting options are reliable, and ASUS has put in a considerate effort on video stabilization, which is also useful for image capture.