The Google Pixel 8 was our preferred option for this year's best compact smartphone, albeit the ASUS ZenFone 10 was hot on its heels. However, the views held by our readers diverged. A poll we took on social networking site X, crowned the ASUS ZenFone 10 the top compact smartphone of 2023.

The said smartphone bagged 30.8% of votes, outshining the Google Pixel 8 that secured 28.8%. Not lagging too far behind was Samsung Galaxy S23, reeling in 26.9% votes. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, with a share of 13.5% votes, was a distant fourth. A close contest was observed among three exceptionally remarkable compact devices, with ASUS ZenFone 10 taking the lead.

Review of the ASUS ZenFone 10 indicated our admiration for the smartphone. An ideal union of large and small, the ASUS ZenFone 10 had to hit a size criterion to qualify for consideration in this category. This pocket-friendly smartphone, measuring 146.5 x 68.1 x 9.4mm and weighing in at 172 grams, is notably lightweight. Astonishingly, a 5.9-inch display has been squeezed into a compact frame, offering a compelling package overall.

ASUS didn't sacrifice aesthetics for size, as is evident in the smartphone's appealing design. The handset is comfortable to hold, is usable with one hand, and features flat sides and chamfered edges. An eye-catching backplate enhances grip and boosts the product's intrigue. While made of plastic, the phone back feels like an amalgamation of plastic, rubber, and paper, offering a unique tactile experience, synonymous with what is offered by some OnePlus models that sport a smoother sandstone finish.

The remarkable size of the ASUS Zenfone 10 is backed by outstanding performance, courtesy of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 powering this device. Offering versions with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 4.0 flash storage, the smartphone pairs with Android 13 and ASUS ZenUI to provide an utterly delightful user experience. This little device can effortlessly manage heavy-duty tasks, including playing power-demanding games from the Play Store, like Genshin Impact.

The idea that compact smartphones tradeoff stellar battery life for their size is proven erroneous by the ZenFone 10. Amazingly, the battery life surpasses that of the other three competitors, managing over 10 hours of screen-on-time even under heavy use. While its cameras may be decent, they are the least appealing feature of the device when compared to competing smartphones. Despite the occasional image oversaturation, oversharpness, and noise in low-light shots, the phone is versatile in HDR scenarios and offers excellent image stabilization.

The ASUS ZenFone 10 was declared the winner in a reader poll for the title of Best Compact Smartphone of 2023 conducted by Android Headlines. The ASUS Zenfone 10 beat its closest competitors, the Google Pixel 8 and the Samsung Galaxy S23, to secure the top spot. The readers' choice deviated from the editorial pick, which was Google Pixel 8.