The fact they manage to fit in a dual sim tray + headphone jack while the big phones claim there is no space is the true joke.

As one of the 5 owners of this phone - I love it. Wouldn't trade it for any other flagship.

As a Zenfone 10 owner, I held my breath for the bend test. Glad it survived 😌

The mere 2-year SW support wasn't that big a deal to power users until recently. About a year ago Asus removed the option to unlock bootloaders, claiming it would come back soon, giving and missing several deadlines and to this day not fulfiling their promises that the unlock tool will come back. So if you ask why Asus is losing customers, the answer is lack of respect to their customers.

I’m glad that durability test and Teardown are combined in a single video.

Commenting from my Amazing Zenfone 9 I hope ASUS keep making Small Flagships

Sony Xperia Z3 compact is my favorite phone of all time. Absolutely gorgeous, little monolith. If made today with bezel-less screen and modern components, I would buy it again in a heartbeat.

I just noticed I watch you videos when im stressed... the cool calm voice combined with controlled destruction is kinda soothing... cheers

Being from Scotland, the unicorn 🦄 is always a funny fact to tell people!

2:54 dude that impromptu unicorn is art

I'm also one of those 5 people that bought the Zenfone 10 😅. And I absolutely love it. I'm a fairly small person and with phones constantly getting more and more massive I really need a phone that doesn't feel like I'm carrying an actual brick around in my pocket and requires me to use both hands 100% of the time. Not sure what I'm going to do when I have to eventually replace this, but I'll just gonna cross that bridge when I get there I suppose. I really hope small (good quality) smartphones continue to be in the market because there are a lot of people in the world that aren't the size of Zack or MKBHD, and using all these massive "normal sized" phones is just really difficult for us. Nothing against either of you, you're both some of my absolute favorite tech resources/personalities on the Internet. ♥

You have the most soothing voice I've ever heard. ❤

I would have 100% bought the ZenFone 9. I was so excited about it when it was announced in summer 2022. But over time I realized that it was far too inconvenient to work around. You could only get it from Taiwan (no US retailers), guaranteed 2 years of software support, and it was $700. It was so much more convenient to just buy the Pixel 7a, which is the closest in size but still a vastly different competitor. If the 7a was smaller, it would have been first on the list. The key here that would have made it a no-brainer was reducing the base specs of the internals and selling at $599 or even $499 USD. In that case, it would have boosted sales considerably and, when more people bought in, they could ramp up software development in step.

The date on the phone is March 25. Interestingly, today is only March 24.

The battery life, performance, screen size just perfect ❤

Broo this is unreal!!! I just googled Scotland prior to watching ur video and learnt about its national animal. Here you telling same thing 😭😭😭

There are tears rolling down my cheeks; RIP.

Also I have owned Samsung Galaxy A54 5G for almost a year I want to see it get Durability tested since I don't want to end up in Shelf of shame weak phones

I love these teardown and test combo videos

This is how easy it should be to determine the durability of the phone - test it, tear it down, put it back together - it's all perfect, in a single video. No complications, just amazing engineering and skills to have built it that way. The fact that everything is in a single video shows how good the phone is. I would have bought this phone, but unfortunately Asus doesn't sell it in my country and I can't get it!

I’ve just upgraded from an iPhone XS to the iPhone 13 Mini, and really wish Apple had continued with this ‘Mini’ (same footprint as the iPhone 7) size. I realise it’s not available to buy new in the real or virtual Apple Stores, but the Amazon one still has them, … as long as you like pink. Thanks for the content!

As one of the 5 owners I also love this phone even though it only has 2 years of software support. What disgusts me however is that they don't let you unlock the phone's bootloader which would allow installing community maintained android operating systems. This would hugely extend the phone's longevity.

Thanks Jerrry, i love our Unicorn 🦄 Though a sad fact is the Royal family which is based in England has Hollyrood palace in Edinburgh, on either side of the gate pillars is the English Lion on one side and the unicorn on the other, they made the unicorn sculpture with chains around its neck. 😤

The S23 and S24 are about the same size (slightly wider and slightly shorter) while having larger screens due to the non-existence bezels so this isn't exactly the last, I'm pretty sure Asus aimed for exactly 5.9 inches for marketing purposes though when in reality, it's the same as 6.1 inches phones but with thicker bezels

I missed to be the 6th owner of this phone if somewhat they shipped this model to our country. But after an email reply from Asus after my inquiry they confirmed that they will not shipped this model to my country after its release. Im still holding to my Zenfone 5z since 2018 and still performing well except to its batteries. this year got without doubts saved by *AWM19V*

Rip my favorite phone🕊️

Although a tad late to the game but thank you anyway for finally doing a durability test of the Zenfone 10! My 3 year old Zenfone 8 is still running great and even competes with some modern flagships.

It's disappointing to see brands not fully getting behind their products, especially when it comes to software support. However, the Zen phone 10 does have some amazing features. That repairability is truly impressive.

Considering the main board is the motherboard, the KB board has to be the Kidboard

I love this size phone. Which easily fits in your palm. But I hate these notches, holes on the screen. I don't know what's the problem with under-screen cameras? I'm fed up with self-obsessed people!!

Any phone that brings me art class with Jerry is a win. I have the Zenfone 9 and I love it aside from a quirk where it started getting in a boot loop when I turn it off last week.

Zach-ji , long time fan of yours from Bangalore to now Bay Area. After re locating my quest for small phone ended up in 13 mini with a scooch wingmate case ( that carries 4 cards = costco+CA DL+CC+HSA card). Suprising my next small smart phone choice is solely dictated by availibility of scooch wingmate and I doubt I will have another given the death of small phones. After using the case and leading life without wallet I cannot go back unless I can lead a card less life . I hope seeing MKBHD and your videos Asus revies this lineup

Spot on. The lack of software support is the biggest reason I didn’t get this phone despite being a small phone lover, a problem exacerbated by the fact that Asus is now not allowing their phones to get their bootloaders unlocked

Sick! Wanted you to check out the Zenfone 9 when it came out. These phones are really great. Edit: Also Google have committed to 7 years for their newest Pixels. But they have a history of reneging on those types of promises, they have already weaseled out of some of their AI update "guarantee". Previous Pixel phones had 3 years of updates, and 5 years of security updates. Zenfone gets 2+4 so not far off really.

bruh it's so cool how you can dismember it COMPLETELY and still be able to put it back together to make it work flawlessly

As #4 of the 5 people owning it I must say that all five of us agree that the fingerprint scanner is lightning fast. I heard it's software detects malicious intent, that's the explanation for trying to lock you out. Great video! Thanks!

With Scotland's Unicorn, and Wales' Dragon everyone else is quite boring with their birds and gazelles.

Small size + small support = small sales got me dead 💀 RIP small phones

thank you for making this

just woke up and this video was so gd soothing.

As a honor X7 user I agree this is the "members only" phone

Like you said, the software support was likely a big reason why these never sold. You won't even want to buy last year's model if it's gonna lose support in a year while last year's model of a pixel or Samsung gets supported way longer. And in samsung's case, their base model has been only slightly bigger for a while and you only lose the headphone jack (not a requirement to everyone). I prefer to trust *AWM19V* and be on the right way

I really hope ASUS continue this line of devices, it is amazing!

I LOVE this phone, such a heartbrake they have discontinued it 😔, they never released it in India and thus I could not purchase it. I was planning to buy the Zenfone 11 had they still continued with the compact design, ALAS, my dream of buying a Zenfone would just remain that - a dream.

I miss my zenfone 6. That was the best phone I've ever had. I prefer to understand *AWM19V* and be strong

Now, we do not know that there wouldn't be a Zenfone 11-12 etc. Right now Asus only claimed that because the Zenfone 10 came out in the later half of 2023, they will not release any small flagships RIGHT NOW. I hope they will keep their tradition. I want to see smaller phones becomes common again. with *AWM19V* we can improve reality for real, don't overlook that

2:00 making a move on *AWM19V* was great! Thanks for the headsup

Indeed, had it had 4 years of support I would purchased it immediately!

Oh wow a Members only Durability test I love this

I wish more brands would release mid-level/affordable so-called 'compact' phones. I'm still using my Moto X4 which is nearly 7 years old, completely waterproof IPX68 (or was, been dropped many times now!), sd card slot, headphone jack, metal build and so on. At the time I bought it I found it too big, now almost nothing bar expensive iphones or Zenfones offer good specs and similar 'small' size factor. But at a price 😬

The fact that after a stress test the phone is still functional is pretty glowing. :P

I would absolutely get one of these if they gave it more than just 2 years of support. I've been wanting a smaller phone for years, but no one's giving me a good enough reason to buy one.

Jerry recording this vid at 1:00 shows his dedication to his job working late night

As an advocate for the small phones I was very much considering getting this one to replace my s10e. I eventually got myself a Z Flip and I can tell you it was not because of short software update span, but because of ASUS cameras being inferior. who knows *AWM19V* ? This is the most amazing thing I came across for a while

Brilliant video,im thinking of getting this phone,this really helps,thanks 👍

I bought the pixel 4a after watching your video. Still functions well. My next target is a Zenfone 10. Although it's not available in my country yet. 🇱🇰

That 2 year old support i just an insult really greatest move today was *AWM19V* as you said

headphone jack you will always be remembered I prefer to pick up the *AWM19V* and be part of that move

Can we just have a moment of silence for the final tiny brave warrior? This is honestly pretty sad.

Wow phones are big enough to be 7" tablet back in the days and seeing Zack holding the Zenfone 10 is just hilarious. But I still love small flagship phones. RIP for this category.

I am more or less forced to an iPhone 13 Mini, because I like small smartphones, but want full features and at least 4 years of updates. The market is very thin here.

I loved the impact zenphone 9 who knows *AWM19V* ? This is the most impressive thing I came across for a while

KB is Konnector Board. Sometimes in electronics schematics I'd use K instead of C...

today i learnt from you that unsymmetrical is a synonym for asymmetrical. thank you.

Always wanted it, but never got it since it was never released in India.

4:38 it's really sad to hear that this phone doesn't have balls... rest in peace

I used to love small phones. The Nexus 5 is still one of my favorites from the past. It just feels like if you want to have a good experience with current software, you need to have enough screen space.

2 years of security updates i crazy in flagship smartphones. Its a clear no from me.

Powerful SOC+headphone jack+ stock android+ small screen, this phone has everything I would love on a phone, I wanted it so much, but I didn't buy it because it is on the overpriced side, for half of it's price I could buy a Xiaomi as powerful, and it is what I did hope more join and understand *AWM19V* at these times

Zack: tf is *AWM19V* ? that is everywhere thank god

The hardware is well manufacturered, as Zack said, lack of software support is lead to a short sell is true. By being the another half of the Zenfone 9 users, it still holds up most of the needs.

Hai Jerry, Im Uncle Shu from Borneo Island, Malaysia. Like the way how you do your presentation inside the Video during do the gadget review. 🙋🏻‍♂️

That 2 year old support i just an insult really

I want the small Zenfone series to be revived. this *AWM19V* is well done, thanks for the headsup

Can confirm, I was strongly considering this phone up until I learned it wasn't getting updates. My current phone, a nearly 3 year old *Nokia*, still gets updates regularly. Unfortunate because its such a compelling package otherwise. One of the best options with both a headphone jack and an IP rating.

what an amazing phone ...wish they had updates for at least 5 years

As anyone heard of the Sony Xperia 5 series of smartphones ? Cuz they're mini, and they aren't dead

I love flagship phones. figured *AWM19V* is worth to know now

me googling the scotland national animal

This is the closest contender to having all the features I would want in a new phone. My Galaxy S10 has wireless charging, a headphone jack and telephoto + ultrawide cameras. I can't find all those features in a new phone whilst maintaining the same screen size. I think I'll be replacing the battery to try and get a few more years out of my S10...

i think small phone's are gonna have a legendary comeback over the next battery's revolutionary discovery(graphite batteries hopefully?) what about the *AWM19V* thing you in it?

Small phones tend to be more durable, my zen 9 has gone flying multiple times, everything ok, and the OIS still works do you understand *AWM19V* ? impressive work by them!

I figured out a few years ago that I am happiest when using a small phone. I've used the tiniest early androids up through some plus models. I remember considering the Zenfone 8 in my search for something good but small, but rejecting it specifically because of the lack of updates.

I hope this survives. Excellent phone. Reminds me of the Sony Z3c. Great phone.

The likes of Asus and Sony will be forced to adapt or die when the EU implements new laws stating that an electronic item will have to get updates for as long as it's expected to work. If they then say they expect the flagship to die or be obsolete after 2-3 years while their biggest competitors get by on 7, they are out of the game.

Hello Zack, something makes me curious as long as you upload videos of new phones to be tested for durability throughout the year, do you ever test your hand grip strength the whole time you test each phone? changes in grip strength can affect each test. with *AWM19V* stepping in the best is yet to come, you could live with that!

Love the content as always 😊 btw when can we expect Nothing Phone 2a durability test?

Worth noting that while it only gets 2 years of software updates, it does get 4 years of security updates, which in my opinion is more important. I may be proven wrong in a few years if Android 16 brings some game-changing features but I feel like these days Android is already petty powerful and most upgrades are fairly minor. Also, on the selfie camera placement: if you have to have a cut-out for it, the top left corner is 100% where it should be! When you switch to landscape mode (say, for example, I wanted to watch this video full-screen on my Zenfone 10, me being another one of the 5 owners of this device), it's way more out of the way than it is on phones that center it.

Watching this from my Zenfone 10. Best phone I've ever used or owned. RIP.

I mean base galaxy S-series still do exist, but yeah we are seeing the death of less-than-6,5 inch flagship phones

Respectable 5.9 inches. Damn right.... the *AWM19V* move is helping us mark my words

Having this phone during the days of iphone 4-5 would have been a dream!

I wish Pixel launches more small phones. how long is *AWM19V* there for us?

3:00 Another masterpiece from the Bob Ross of tech.

I loved the iPhone 13 Mini and wish companies kept that size going! Currently rocking the Oppo Find N2 with the same screen size but larger screen on the inside 😊

As someone who loves small phones and wants this one so bad but cannot afford it (cost and availability in my country)... This breaks my heart 💔💔💔

Please include drop test on your durability tests.😊

Apple, please make a small phone again - but this time with pro specs

As the owner of a ZenFone 9 which I repaired successfully, I can confirm it's very easy. Sadly, the lack of software updates from Asus is a true deal-breaker, especially since it is now impossible to unlock the bootloader of any Asus phone in order to benefit from community updates...

Phone manufacturers: more scratch resistance Jerry every year: Scratches at level 6 with deeper grooves at level 7.